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62nd Annual Grand National Roadster ShowCustoms Then and Now: A Historical Gathering From the July, 2011 issue of Rod & Custom By Kev Elliott
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Despite radical mods such... Despite radical mods such as chopping, channeling, and sectioning, Doug Rice used the “Bonneville Boomer” as daily transportation during its transformation back in 1952. Used for racing at Bonneville and at the drags back in the day, it was restored as closely as possible to its period specs, with Cad sombrero hubcaps painted Tahitian Red to match the body. Shortly after the buzz from the historic race car display at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show had worn off, rumors began floating around about some sort of custom exhibit to take place the following year. Well, it didn’t take long before the hearsay turned to fact, and before we knew it, Customs Then and Now: A Historical Gathering was officially one of the premier attractions to be seen at the 62nd GNRS at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. As the days leading up to the show drew shorter, the list of custom car attendees grew longer, ultimately reaching nearly 75 in all. With the historic creations ranging from early era Westergard to modern-era Dick Dean, Ayala Brothers to Gary Howard, never before had so many significant customsspanning so many decadesbeen on public display together. But together they were, and by the time all was said and done as the show ended, Customs Then and Now did indeed live up to being one of the GNRS’s premier attractions. It was pretty awe-inspiring to be among so many iconic cars that, up until now, had only been seen in magazines for many of those in attendance. Larry Watson’s original “Grapevine”... Larry Watson’s original “Grapevine” ’50 Chevy sedan is long gone, but the late Manuel Arteche’s clone makes up for that! But of course there was moreplenty moreto be seen at this year’s GNRS. Whether in the main hall, where two R&C cover alumni were proudly on display (this month’s Takeout T of Russ Freund and last issue’s ’40 Merc) along with the contenders for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award, which ultimately was bestowed upon Daryl Wolfwinkel’s ’34 Ford (courtesy of Squeeg’s Kustoms), or in any of the adjacent buildings, the show had plenty to offer above and beyond the customs. That said, it should go without saying where we spent most of our time over the course of the weekendand it wasn’t at a beer stand or clamored around one of the over-the-hill ’70s TV stars signing autographs, either. Whatever they have in store for next year’s GNRS, it’s going to be hard to top this one. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Till next time  Featured on the cover of Motor...  Featured on the cover of Motor Trend in October 1949, the Norman E. Timbs Special has a two-piece aluminum hand-formed body, resulting in a single body gap across the center of the car. Gary and Diane Cerveny now own the futuristic masterpiece.  Jorge Zaragoza is the custodian...  Jorge Zaragoza is the custodian of Jack Calori’s well-known ’36 coupe, which has a 3-inch chop, Buick skirts, and a ’39 LaSalle grille, with all work performed by Herb Reneau in the late ’40s. Roy Brizio Street Rods restored the coupe for Zaragoza.  Mox Miller bought his ’58...  Mox Miller bought his ’58 Impala new, added a supercharger, had it panel-painted, and has barely driven it since, maintaining it in perfectly preserved condition to this very day.  Sam Barris modified George...  Sam Barris modified George Janich’s ’41 Ford between 1946-48, with a 4-inch chop and ’46 Chevy grille amongst many other mods. The car was then passed to George’s nephew, Paul “Snooky” Janich, who took it back to Barris Kustom for a face-lift. Relocated to Missouri, George Mallory found it in Kansas City in 1973 and kept it in storage until undertaking a restoration in time for the 2011 GNRS, albeit in primer.  Dany O’Neill’s Matranga-style...  Dany O’Neill’s Matranga-style ’40 Merc coupe is a superb homage to the original.  Before they raced the now-famous...  Before they raced the now-famous 2D ’34 coupe, Bob and Dick Pierson campaigned a ’36 three-window. Contrary to claims from another source, this is that same coupe that graced the cover of Hot Rod magazine in August 1948, now owned by Jim Bobowski.  Herb Ogden took his already-restyled...  Herb Ogden took his already-restyled ’41 Buick to Barris Kustom in 1957 where they added a 3 1/2-inch chopped Gaylord top, frenched headlights, and a Caddy OHV engine amongst other mods. Barry Mazza restored the Buick in the ’80s, then sold the car to current owner Kurt McCormick.  Proof that your intrepid R&C...  Proof that your intrepid R&C team likes to cover all the angles, we only noticed after sifting through our pictures that Rob has Kev in the background of his rear pic of Tranny John Saltsman’s “Atomitron”, and Kev has Rob in the background of his frontal pic! A long term project, Bill Hines, Larry Watson, Gene Winfield, and George Barris all are featured in the credits for this radical Studebaker pickup.  Tony Duran is the current...  Tony Duran is the current owner of the Bob McNutt–built ’39 Ford. Put in storage in 1964 after its show-car career, it emerged in 1994 and was restored by then-owner David Guymon. The first non-Darryl Starbird-built car to be displayed at Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Hall of Fame, it was a treat to see it at the Grand National Roadster Show.  Much speculation surrounds...  Much speculation surrounds the background of the Lawrence Garrison ’40 Merc. Could it have been worked on by Valley Custom? Who installed the Jimmy Summers fadeaways? What is certain is that Garrison customized it when (almost) new in Massachusetts in 1942, it showed up in California during World War II, and the ’47 Chevy (front) and Buick (rear) bumpers indicate it was finished around that time period. Patrick Orosco is the latest owner.  Glenn Johnson’s custom is...  Glenn Johnson’s custom is another ex-Hot Rod magazine cover car from April 1952. With a chopped top, molded fenders, and ’40 Ford headlights, that unique grille sure lends a different look to the ’37 Ford coupe.  Originally owned by Max Ferris...  Originally owned by Max Ferris and supposedly modified by Harry Westergard using a ’41 Packard grille and ’39 Buick headlights, the heavily chopped roadster has a canvas top with drop-in side windows. Vern Simon later had it painted black and the top redone before using it as daily transport from 1949-54, drag racing it, and competing at Bonneville. After 41 years in storage it appeared in The Rodder’s Journal as a “lost” Westergard custom.  Not just a freshen-up, but...  Not just a freshen-up, but a total rebuild of the ’34 Daryl Wolfwinkel had built by Squeeg Jerger in the early ’80s, with one of Dan Fink’s first grille inserts and parts machined by Boyd Coddington, the roadster took home the AMBR trophy for 2011. Rebuilt by Doug Jerger and the crew at Squeeg’s Kustoms, if such a real-world car winning the big trophy is any indication of the new judging system used at the show this year, we approve!  Russ and Lora Freund’s “Takeout...  Russ and Lora Freund’s “Takeout T” was the highlight of the show for many, including us, and unusually for an AMBR contender it was built entirely at home by Russ and his buddies, with the exception of the chrome. Painted a custom shade of Planet Color purple, it features a ’48 Flathead with a smoothed and white-painted block.  Doug Beattie’s “Futurama Forty”...  Doug Beattie’s “Futurama Forty” made its debut at the show, taking First Place in the Early Custom class. Apparently the one and only time it’ll be displayed off the ground, those hubcaps are actually one-off aluminum wheels. Designed by Beattie (with “graphic” help from Eric Black) and builder Donn Lowe, it was assembled by Eric Johnson and painted by Dave Baham, with the interior by Mickey McVay.  Regular readers will recall...  Regular readers will recall a story we ran on Circle City Hot Rods’ C-notch kit, and the install on a ’49 Chevy in December 2009. This is that same car, owned by Chris Broders, painted by Harpoon (with help from Pete Santini), and assembled by CCHR. It took the West Coast Kustoms award.  Paul Hoffman’s Rudy Rodriguez–built...  Paul Hoffman’s Rudy Rodriguez–built ’40 Merc made its show debut on the floor of the main building, giving all in attendance the chance to admire the perfect panel gaps and flawless Hot Rods & Hobbies–applied black paint.  Not entered in AMBR competition,...  Not entered in AMBR competition, the “Brooklands Special” was displayed in Hollywood Hot Rods’ booth. With a 2-inch sectioned ’32 body, the trunk opening was reshaped with a mahogany inlaid decklid, the grille shell stretched 3 inches, and a front pan fabricated with mesh inserts to match the hood. The European styling continued with the use of vintage Bugatti lights front and rear.  Richard Munz now owns Chester...  Richard Munz now owns Chester Osgood’s ’26 T roadster that was built in the late-’40s and raced until 1958. Whitey Clayton was responsible for the metal fab on the roadster that uses one of the first Ardun OHV conversions. Never painted, changed, or restored, this is a genuine survivor that Osgood had owned for over 40 years.  Terry O’Herren’s Circle City...  Terry O’Herren’s Circle City Hot Rods–built ’31 Model A Gasser found a place on the main show floor. With a 409 Chevy and T10 trans, it features a polished aluminum firewall, white Fat Lucky’s upholstery, and matching running boards, with white-painted inner fenders and fenderwell headers for a period appearance.  Fabian Valdez revamped his...  Fabian Valdez revamped his ’50 Chevy kustom in time to show it in the Suede Palace. With a Tom Branch–built ’55 Stude V-8, the paint was so fresh on “Coupe de Jour” that it had been applied the night before, and hadn’t been color-sanded or buffed prior to the show—the gnats revealing Valdez’s method of transport (he drove it!).  The Dal Porto roadster won...  The Dal Porto roadster won its class at the GNRS in 1952, and made a return to the show this year after a restoration by Classic Craft Motorsports of Ohio, using an Art Chrisman–built Flathead to original specs. Originally built for drag and dry lakes competition, achieving 118 mph and 155 mph respectively in 1951 and 1952, the roadster was crashed in 1953 and was stored until the ’70s.  A 425hp 350 Chevy with Weber...  A 425hp 350 Chevy with Weber carbs powers Dana and Lodene Hinkle’s ’32 pickup, named “Gold Rush.” With a SO-CAL Speed Shop chassis as its foundation, the Pagan Gold truck has exhausts running above the running boards and intricate subtle panel paint work.  Yaril Quintana drove his just-finished...  Yaril Quintana drove his just-finished ’50 shoebox out from Florida to show it in the Suede Palace. The ex-two-door sedan was inspired by the Sept. ’54 Car Craft cover car and features a 4-inch chopped windshield, ’51 Kaiser grille in a custom tube surround, ’49 convertible doors, and hand-fabricated floors throughout, with a 4-inch channel in the rear.  Don Clem’s ’27 T is the subject...  Don Clem’s ’27 T is the subject of an amazing story. Originally started in 1947 as a lakes racer, family and business commitments put it on the back burner until last year, when Clem finished it as a street car! With a ’37 Dodge three-speed, ’39 Dodge rear axle, and ’37 Plymouth front axle, it runs a ’40 DeSoto flathead-six for power.  Coby Gewertz showed what has...  Coby Gewertz showed what has to be the coolest van we’ve ever seen! The chassis, drivetrain, and fabrication work on the ’63 Econoline was carried out by KA Kustom, with body prep and paint by Tim Conder. Pablo Perez handled the unique wooden interior.  Another real hot rod in AMBR...  Another real hot rod in AMBR contention was Nick Kallos’ “Blue Haze” ’29 roadster. Utilizing a ’32 chassis from SO-CAL Speed Shop Las Vegas, its Tri-power-equipped small- block Chevy featured neat ribbed carb stacks.
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