It has become a pilgrimage for many to make their way annually to the West Coast Kustoms event in Paso Robles, California, over Memorial Day weekend. While cars come from all across the nation, enthusiasts come from much further than from inside our national borders. Most every continent is represented by custom and hot rod fans who come to see the brightest and best the traditional scene has to offer.
The weekend begins with cruising for event participants up and down the main city drag well into the night, with car lovers lined up at the curb to watch the endless parade of chrome, metal flake, and rumbling exhaust pipes. On Saturday, the park in the center of town fills up early for the main event. Hot rodders of all ages mix together to witness the finest examples of retro rods and customs.
The day moves by all too fast and, as the sun sets, the park clears out as the bands set up for the hip-swayin' "Dancing in the Street" festivities. The live music fills the air late into the night. Most take the opportunity to sleep in a little later on Sunday before converging back at the park for the final day in the sun. As the afternoon rolls around, the awards are handed out, and friends from around the globe say their farewells until they all meet again in the same place on the same weekend next year.
If you've not yet experienced the West Coast Kustoms event in Paso Robles, do yourself a big favor and make plans to be there next year--you won't be disappointed.
Diana Branch rolled in from...
Diana Branch rolled in from San Gabriel in her Studebaker-powered chopped '32 Ford highboy Tudor. Who wouldn't want to cruise this thing to work every day?
Friday night in Paso Robles...
Friday night in Paso Robles means cruising the main drag and everyone lining up at the curb to watch the parade of awesome rods and customs roll by...
...If you want to park at...
...If you want to park at the drive-in or the Paso Robles Inn...
...you better get there early...
...you better get there early to get a good spot (maybe Wednesday).
Looking good in a fresh coat...
Looking good in a fresh coat of red oxide primer is Ruben Diaz' '52 Chevy fastback from Newark.
This hard-topped Merc looks...
This hard-topped Merc looks freshly minted in a tasty coat of copper accented with subtle pinstriped flames.
Always known for pushing customs...
Always known for pushing customs to the next level, Gary Chopit has moved all the way to the next universe in his space ship-inspired bubble-topped custom.
Candy never looked as sweet...
Candy never looked as sweet as the candy red paint on Juan Goodinez' Buick-wired '47 Chevy convertible.
Copper was one of the hot...
Copper was one of the hot colors this year and this Buick convertible wore the hue perfectly.
Another dramatic debut was...
Another dramatic debut was Buzz Owens' tasty '51 Chevy from Alta Loma. Look for more on this one very soon.
Debuting at Paso was Marty...
Debuting at Paso was Marty Wells freshly finished chopped and dropped shoebox with a '57 Chevy bumper up front and a '56 unit in the rear.
Accompanying his wife in her...
Accompanying his wife in her sedan was Tom Branch in his '32 lowboy, also running a Studie mill. The new wheel treatment gives one of our longtime favorites a fresh look.
This super-slammed '32 Coupe...
This super-slammed '32 Coupe had a jaw-dropping chop, leaving barely a mail slot to peer out of.
Ron and Jeni Brooks brought...
Ron and Jeni Brooks brought their traditional Bay Area '40 Chevy custom convertible down to the show from Castro Valley. This is where customizing started, and it still looks fresh today.
Trucks make killer customs...
Trucks make killer customs too, and this '57 Chevy pickup is a prime example, with a buried nose, hot licks, and Caddy caps inside a set of wide whites.
Rob Fortier (editor of Classic...
Rob Fortier (editor of Classic Trucks) might have to work with trucks all day, but his heart belongs to customs, as is evident by his sweet '54 Chevy. It was lookin' good under its fresh coat of Andre Carrey-applied two-tone blue paint.
John and Jake Babcock came...
John and Jake Babcock came all the way from Palatine, IL, to be a part of the weekend with their '40 Mercury convertible.
Shawn from San Louis Obispo...
Shawn from San Louis Obispo feels no need for a last name with his sweet and low '56 Chevy working as his calling card.
This original custom convertible...
This original custom convertible sedan had hibernated for many decades before the current owner recently brought the V-8-60 powered piece of history back to life.
Mid-century Mopars were practically...
Mid-century Mopars were practically customs right off the showroom floor and Ron Wiswell from Apple Valley made just the right tweaks to his boulevard beauty.
After languishing outdoors...
After languishing outdoors and neglected for many years in a tow yard, it was great to see that George Cerney's old chopped Plymouth wagon will finally be undergoing a full restoration sometime soon. George had a paint shop, so the car saw many different paint jobs during its heyday. It'll be interesting to see which one is chosen for the restoration.
If bikes are your thing there...
If bikes are your thing there are plenty of killer custom chops and bobs to see at Paso.
Excellent metalwork on this...
Excellent metalwork on this chopped Ford sedan was on display for all to admire, from the Packard taillights to the '40 Ford sedan rear window.
Powerplants Of PasoOne thing that was clearly noticeable in comparison to other car events was that engines, especially interesting, well-dressed engines, were a highlight of the Paso Robles event. While the venerable Chevy small-blocks and Ford Flatheads were represented, alternate vintage power was easy to find in every direction. Everything from Ford Y-blocks, to Buick Nailheads, Oldsmobile Rockets, Cadillac V-8s, and even more diverse power like Studebaker engines were all seen in fine hot rod dress. Here's a sample of what could be found, with many more interesting mills making a mighty roar.
It would be a sin to put a...
It would be a sin to put a hood over this two-pot equipped early Cadillac overhead V-8.
Rare speed equipment like...
Rare speed equipment like the pieces on the Studebaker V-8 would be very hard to find on any other weekend, but this was not the only well-dressed example on display.
While the rest of Gary Chopit's...
While the rest of Gary Chopit's latest custom is completely unique, one thing very recognizable is the decked-out Chevy small-block.
Multiple carbs (especially...
Multiple carbs (especially six) almost seemed to be mandatory at Paso judging by the number of mills we checked out like this six-carbed Chevy small-block.
A healthy Buick Nailhead will...
A healthy Buick Nailhead will make light work of any lightweight open-wheeled hot rod. This one should scoot just fine.
Not as common with the street...
Not as common with the street rod set, examples of early muscle like this Ford Y-block make for a badge of honor with the traditional set.
Even a high-performance Chevy...
Even a high-performance Chevy six-cylinder inline mill fits right in with this crowd who demands more creative power.
Another fine looking 6x2-topped...
Another fine looking 6x2-topped Chevy "mouse" was a treat for both the eyes and ears.
How many Chevy "W-engines"...
How many Chevy "W-engines" have you seen lately? Here's one that will make your blood pump faster.
What's not to love about a...
What's not to love about a Buick Nailhead that's been dipped in chrome?
The main dress-up for this...
The main dress-up for this Flattie is in fact not on the engine, but rather in front of it with a handformed Tiki mask that serves duty as the radiator shell.