Hey
Reader

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Below are the
latest news and updates
from your friends at Kustomrama

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KUSTOMRAMA NEWSLETTER NO. 192

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In a heartwarming reunion, we recently witnessed 90-year-old George Contaoi, a San Bernardino Krankers club member, come face to face with his long-lost custom, a 1941 Mercury, after 63 years. The Mercury, crafted with care by George and his buddies Dick Richardson and Al Andrade between 1952-56, showcases exceptional workmanship that has stood the test of time.

George, who sold the car in his youth, was brought from San Bernardino to Barstow by Olav Kvipt for this touching moment early in February. The current owner, John, who purchased this gem for just $150 in 1967, had always pondered its origins. Through a twist of fate, his buddy James came across old photos of the car we had posted on Kustomrama, and we could finally close the loop, connecting the original builder with his masterpiece.

As George stood by his Mercury, it was clear that the decades melted away, leaving a gleam of nostalgia and maybe, just a hint of a tear, in his eye. A wonderful and memorable day!

​Be sure to head on over to Kustomrama for the full circle of George's story and the history of this fine 1941 Mercury custom.​

Until next time, may your passion for these classic customs never fade.
​
Best regards
Sondre

Arnie Boyle's Piranha Competition Street Roadster

Thanks to Roy Lonberger, the saga of the Piranha, a gem from the heyday of custom show cars, has found its way to Kustomrama. Roy's involvement in the build adds a layer of depth to the car's rare story. The Piranha, a creation that burst onto the scene with a flash of innovation and swiftly vanished, was the brainchild of Arnie Boyle, an unstoppable optimist from Montebello, California.

A testament to the era's daring creativity, the Piranha's journey from obscurity back to recognition encapsulates the essence of car culture history. Its rediscovery ensures that this piece of automotive art won't be forgotten. Click here to dive into the full story of the Piranha on Kustomrama, where every car has a story, and history is kept alive through the shared passion of individuals like Roy, Arnie, and yourself.​

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Keith Christensen Joins Kustoms of America

Keith Christensen sent us another great story from his days growing up hanging out in Kustomland. This story takes place in January of 1955. "After a few visits to Barris' shop on Atlantic Blvd., I was let into the back room of their facility. Sam Barris was working on an old Mercury. He was cutting the top off. Now, in later thought, I realize he was chopping the roof of the car."

"In the middle of meandering, George stopped me short. He said something like, "Hey kid, what are you doing in here?" I told him that I had been there the previous week and that he had lowered my 1955 Buick, and he replied, "Oh yeah, I remember you.'"

"He said, "Come on into my office. I want to show you something." After we entered, he went over to his desk and pulled out a card, and said, "Do you want to join my elite club, 'Kustoms of America'?" I said, "Sure." So, he sat down and typed my name onto the card. He then explained that I would get certain benefits at no charge. I don't remember what they were, something about a newsletter and notices about upcoming shows."

George Barris founded Kustoms of America in the 1950s, and it became a nationwide sensation. Members received a package including a membership card, a decal, and a special discount catalog. The club offered various items like custom grille bars, electric door kits, and club jackets. It focused on promoting Barris's automotive restylings and customizing techniques. Membership was initially exclusive, with privileges like discounted parts and a newsletter featuring member cars and customizing ideas. The club planned annual trophies for the best custom automobile in each state, aiming for a national competition. Thanks for another great ride down Memory Lane, Keith. It's all these small stories that piece together to form the big picture. Click here for more of Keith's fascinating tales on Kustomrama.​

How about you? Were you also a member of the legendary Kustoms of America club? Please share your experiences and memories with us!

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Update on Bruce McClellan’s Lost 1956 Chevrolet Custom

Exciting news in the hunt for Bruce McClellan's lost 1956 Chevrolet has just arrived! Mark Hitchins of Metamora, Michigan, was thrilled to see his neighbor Ken Johnson's former custom car spotlighted on Kustomrama. After Bruce's initial story captured our hearts—how he transformed his '56 Chevy with Logan Bubble Skirts and a unique Paul Hatton Scallop Paint Job, then traded it for a 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air—the mystery of its whereabouts lingered. But the plot thickens: we've learned that the custom Chevy journeyed to Florida in 1960, where he traded it for a '58 Fuel Injected Corvette in St. Petersburg. This last sighting in 1960 leaves us wondering: where has Bruce McClellan's Chevrolet ventured since? We're reaching out to our Florida readers—do you recall this Michigan custom? Any piece of information could help Bruce reconnect with his cherished Chevy. Click here to visit Kustomrama for photos and details, and let's solve this automotive mystery together!​

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Street-Side Mechanics: Oslo's 1960s Hot Rod Scene

Dive into the heart of Oslo's 1960s hot rod scene with this great photo from the Ola Hegseth Collection on Kustomrama. Originally titled "Rennesteinen Auto" or "Gutter Auto" in Norwegian. This snapshot captures Ola Hegseth and friends in the midst of an engine swap on John Erik Melbye's 1937 Ford Fourdoor—right on the streets of Tåsen. These young enthusiasts dove into their passion for cars, embodying the do-it-yourself spirit that fueled the burgeoning hot rod movement in Norway. Without the luxury of a garage, the curb became their workshop, the open air their canopy. This image is more than a memory; it's a tribute to the camaraderie and ingenuity that defined a generation of gearheads. For a closer look at this era of wrenches and wheels and the stories of those who lived it, click here to explore the vibrant past of Oslo's hot rod heritage in the Ola Hegseth Collection on Kustomrama.​

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Hot Cars in Cool California by Henrik U. Forss

We are thrilled to announce that Kustomrama Contributor, Friend, and Supporter Henrik U. Forss has just released his first book, "Hot Cars in Cool California." Henrik's debut is a visual journey that captures the spirit of a bygone era through the lens of a modern-day observer. Each photograph in this book is a testament to Henrik's deep-rooted passion for vintage cars, a journey that began in his native Sweden and blossomed under the California sun. Be sure to grab your copy and join us in celebrating Henrik's remarkable contribution to the world of hot cars and photography.​

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Rock into Easter with the Kustomrama March 2024 Playlist! Featuring electrifying tracks from The Wailers, La Lom, Art Neville, and a myriad of other legends, this playlist sets the stage for an unforgettable springtime jam. ​Click here to check it out and give it a spiiiin!​

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The Restoration of the Buddy Alcorn Merc

David Conrad is a very talented custom car builder and hot rodder from Kirkwood, Missouri. He is also a subscriber to the Kustomrama Newsletter, and after seeing some photos of Buddy Alcorn's historic 1950 Mercury Custom in one of our "Photo of the Week" emails, he sent us some photos from the restoration of the Merc. Conrad has been a friend of Kurt McCormick since 1963, and he has restored several of his historic customs. This photo was taken at Conrad's place around 2000, and he told us that he completed the restoration after Jimmy Hervatin had done the metalwork. In 2002, the project reached completion, and the old Ayala/Barris Kustom, a veritable phoenix risen from its ashes, once again graced the roads, a shining example of custom car artistry and history. Thanks a lot for sharing these photos with us, David. Click here to check out the rest of the photos that David shared with us on Kustomrama.​

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A Snapshot in Time: Fredric "Freddy" G. Bearcroft's Moment of Glory

Check this out! Robert Race sent us a photo of his great uncle Fredric "Freddy" G. Bearcroft, taken in 1932. Freddy was a resident of Santa Monica, California, and Robert tells us that he built the hot rod in the photo himself. According to early Ford expert Terje Rustahug, it seems to be a 1925 or late 1924 Ford Model T running a Model A rear end. And how about those whitewall tires? Most traditionalists claim that early-styled hot rods need blackwall tires. Tell that to Freddy! According to Robert, the photo says, "May 08, 1932 winner of Muroc." The passenger in the race car is Gil Pearson. Robert is currently researching the car and its story and would love to know if anyone can identify the trophy on the hood. Is it a 1932 Muroc trophy? Click here to check out the whole photo on Kustomrama.​

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Help Us Unearth the History of the Cat Face Taillight Bezels

We received an intriguing email from Kevin Murray about the Cat Face Taillight Bezels that we started researching in 2018. Dating back to 1937, these rare custom car accessories epitomize early automotive customization. With only a handful of these pieces known, we're on a captivating journey to discover more about their history and craftsmanship. Click here to dive into the full story on Kustomrama and join our quest to shed light on this mystery. Your insights could be crucial in solving this intriguing puzzle!​

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How much is our automotive heritage worth to you Reader?

At Kustomrama, we're driven by passion, not paywalls. As a volunteer-run Encyclopedia, we're dedicated to keeping the history and legacy of traditional hot rods and custom cars free and accessible to everyone, everywhere. From server costs to content collection, every aspect of our mission needs fuel. Whether it's $5, $20, $50, or any amount you choose, your donation keeps the engine of history running.

​Click here to tip today and be a part of preserving this unique legacy for future generations.​

I appreciate your support!

Best regards
Sondre / Kustomrama Founder / Keeping History Alive

What is Kustomrama?

Kustomrama is a comprehensive online encyclopedia passionately dedicated to the preservation and sharing of traditional hot rod and custom car history. With a mission to keep this vibrant history alive for generations to come, Kustomrama offers an extensive repository of knowledge, featuring over 11,716 pages filled with information and more than 30,000 photos showcasing hot rods and custom cars from around the globe. Our goal is not only to document but also to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the hot rod and custom car community, ensuring that the stories and innovations of yesteryear enthusiasts are accessible to everyone.

What is the Kustomrama Newsletter?

The Kustomrama Newsletter is our vibrant bridge to enthusiasts of traditional hot rods and custom cars, offering a direct line to the latest entries and features in the Kustomrama Encyclopedia. As a free publication diligently curated by the Kustomrama team, we aim to deliver rich insights and fascinating stories right to your inbox on a weekly basis. Each issue is packed with summaries of new stories, in-depth articles, and captivating photographs that celebrate and document the evolving world of hot rods and custom cars.

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At Kustomrama, we believe in the power of collective storytelling. An astonishing 90% of the material we publish is sourced directly from emails and contributions from our newsletter subscribers. This vibrant exchange of photos and stories allows us to continually enrich and expand our encyclopedia, creating a more comprehensive and engaging experience for everyone involved.

The more enthusiasts join our mailing list, the broader our network of stories and contributors grows. This means more fascinating tales, more rare photographs, and a richer history for us all to share. So, in forwarding this newsletter, you're not just spreading the word—you're helping to preserve and celebrate the legacy of hot rods and custom cars for future generations.

Join us in this exciting journey. Forward this email to those who'd cherish it as much as you do, and let's build an even stronger Kustomrama community together.

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At the heart of Kustomrama, beyond the vast encyclopedia of traditional hot rods and custom cars, lies our vibrant Member Community. Each "COMMENT" button embedded within this newsletter serves as a portal to a collaborative space where enthusiasts like you can engage, discuss, and dive deeper into the stories that fuel our passion.

Our community platform welcomes contributors and supporters to share their insights, offer feedback, and contribute to the evolving narratives of the hot rod and custom car culture. Whether you're looking to provide additional information, share a personal anecdote related to a story, or simply express your enthusiasm for a piece, your voice is invaluable to us.

Interested in becoming an active participant in shaping the history and stories of hot rods and custom cars? Click here to join our community today. As a member, you're not just joining a forum—you're becoming part of a dedicated collective committed to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of automotive culture.​

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Step into the Kustomrama Marketplace, a specialized classifieds section meticulously curated for enthusiasts of traditional hot rods and custom cars. This unique platform serves as a bustling hub where individuals can explore, buy, and sell vehicles, parts, and memorabilia that celebrate the rich heritage of hot rod and custom car culture.

Whether you're in search of that rare part to complete your project, looking to pass on a cherished vehicle to a fellow enthusiast, or hoping to discover the perfect piece of memorabilia to add to your collection, the Kustomrama Marketplace is your go-to destination.

​Click here for more information and to dive into the Kustomrama Marketplace. Discover a world where each listing tells a story, each transaction fuels a passion, and every member contributes to the ongoing legacy of traditional hot rods and custom cars.

I have some stories or photos that I want to share with you. What do I do?

We're always on the lookout for fresh stories and photos to enrich the Kustomrama Encyclopedia and share with our community. If you have material related to traditional hot rods, custom cars, or any piece of history you believe deserves a spotlight, we'd love to hear from you!

Getting in touch is easy. You can simply hit the 'reply' button on this email to start a conversation directly with us. Prefer a different method? No problem! Email us at mail@kustomrama.com with your stories, photos, or any inquiries. Alternatively, if you're a member of our vibrant community, you're welcome to submit your material directly to our Member's Community platform.

Your contributions play a crucial role in keeping the spirit and history of hot rodding and custom cars alive. Whether it's a personal anecdote, a piece of automotive history, or a series of photographs, your shared materials help us all to celebrate and preserve the rich tapestry of this culture for future generations.

Thanks for helping us keeping history alive

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