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KUSTOMRAMA NEWSLETTER NO. 206

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If 2025 has a theme, it’s fire. And no, we’re not talking about the weather, though it’s heating up, too. We’re talking flame paint jobs. They’re back, and hotter than ever. From subtle scallops to wild, full-body licks, flames are burning up the streets, shows, and social feeds. This past weekend, the latest blaze to hit the road came straight out of Stockholm, Sweden, where Alexander Hernesten’s 1957 Buick made its public debut, cruising the streets and turning heads.

Alexander’s Buick isn’t just flamed, it’s a near spot-on tribute to one of the most iconic custom paint jobs in history: Jack James’ 1957 Buick, flamed by Larry Watson. Built with care over a decade, the car received its full flame job earlier this year by Mickes Garage Art in Mora, and it’s already got people talking. Click here for more photos and a peek into the story. (We’ll be back with a full feature soon.)​

This month’s newsletter is packed with flames! We’ve pulled together a photo collage showing off some of the flamed customs that have made their debut this year, and we’re also sharing a wild little modern-day Von Dutch-inspired flame job that’s too cool not to include.

Summer’s off to a scorching start, and we hope you're soaking it up. And hey, if you’re anywhere near Norway, don’t forget: the 15th Annual Coupe Devils Rod & Kustom Bonanza is coming up at the end of the month. We’d love to see you there. Bring your car. Or just bring yourself. Just make sure you don’t miss it.

I'll bring the Kustomrama Dream Truck...hopefully with a spanking new white and gold headliner ;)

Until next time, keep the fire lit and the wheels turning!
Sondre Kvipt
Kustomrama Editor

Remembering the Legends

Bob Heinrichs (1932–2025)

The world of custom paint has lost one of its quiet trailblazers. On May 14, 2025, Robert “Bob” Heinrichs passed away at the age of 92. While he may not have been a household name like some of the scene’s more outspoken personalities, Bob’s work, and especially one radical paint job from 1958, cemented his place in custom car history.

Bob grew up in Enid, Oklahoma, and after serving in the U.S. Navy, settled in San Jose, California, where he became one of the region’s top pinstripers. Known for his steady hand and precise lines, Bob left his mark on countless hot rods, customs, and lowriders through the 1950s and ’60s.

But it was The Maze, Jerry DeVito’s 1957 Ford, that became his masterpiece. Working long nights in his garage while holding down a full-time job as a cement truck driver, Bob laid out a maze-like design across the entire body of the car. It took weeks of taping, masking, and painting to bring Jerry’s vision to life. The result? One of the most radical and unforgettable paint jobs of the era. A car so wild it drew George Barris up to San Jose just to photograph it.

Here at Kustomrama, Bob holds a special place in our hearts. My brother Olav and I built The Kustomrama Dream Truck as a tribute to The Maze and to Bob, whose talent and creativity still inspire us. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts go out to Evelyn, Susan, and the rest of Bob’s family and friends.

​Click here for more info and photos of Bob and his work on Kustomrama.​

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Howard Gribble's 1966 Buick Riviera - The Uneasy Rider

This month, we’re excited to feature a car owned by our good friend and longtime Kustomrama Contributor, Howard Gribble. A man whose photography has helped preserve and celebrate West Coast car culture for decades. Long before social media or digital archives, Howard was already behind the camera, capturing the scene, including his own creations. One of his most memorable builds? A custom-painted, hydraulics-equipped 1966 Buick Riviera known as The Uneasy Rider.

In 1968, Howard sold his daily driver Impala and set his sights on building a purpose-built show car. The Riviera he found, white with a black interior, was nearly new when he drove it home to Torrance, California. Within days, it was on its way to Dick Saller’s shop for a hydraulic setup, shaved door handles, and a fresh primer. Then came the showstopping paint: fuchsia and silver metalflake with black veilings, applied by Bill Carter, with pinstriping by Walt Prey.

By 1969, Howard’s Rivie was ready to hit the circuit and the streets. It cruised the boulevards of LA with Allen Duke’s Bloody Mary, turned heads at R.G. Canning’s shows, and left jaws dropped wherever it went. It ran rare Skylark wire wheels, custom-laced by hand, and sported electric door poppers hidden in the wheel wells.

Nicknamed The Uneasy Rider, the car reflected Howard’s vision, style, and sense of humor. It may have had its mechanical gremlins, such as wiring issues, a blown engine, and leaky hydraulics, but it left a lasting impact on both the scene and its builder.

​Thanks to Howard for sharing this great story and photos with us. Click here to check it out.​

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Lost Barris Custom: Have You Seen Jim Seaton’s 1959 El Camino?

Some customs vanish without a trace. Jim Seaton’s 1959 Chevrolet El Camino is one of them.

Built by Barris Kustoms for Seaton of Santa Maria, this radically restyled hauler was every bit as wild as his better-known 1955 Chevrolet, also a Barris creation. Featuring quad Lucas racing lamps, a mesh grille with bullets, extended hood scoops, lengthened taillights, and a pearl white and burgundy scallop paint job, this car was a rolling showcase of late-1950s Barris flair. Inside, the legendary Eddie Martinez handled the upholstery, decking out the interior and bed cover in white pearl Naugahyde.

While Jim’s ’55 Chevy is still around today, the El Camino has vanished. Its current fate is unknown. Was it crushed, parted out, or is it still hiding in a garage somewhere?

If you have any information about the car or its whereabouts, we’d love to hear from you. Click here to see photos and read more on Kustomrama.​

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Flames Are Back – And Bolder Than Ever

If 2025 has taught us anything so far, it's this: the flame job is officially back. And just when we thought we’d seen the wildest example yet… along comes this flamed Mercedes-AMG GT from Melbourne, Australia, turning heads and stirring up memories of one of the most controversial customs of the 1950s.

This striking build is a tribute to Earl Bruce’s infamous flamed 300SL Gullwing, originally torched by Von Dutch using nothing but white paint, masking tape, beer, and rebellion. In its day, Bruce’s Gullwing sent purists into a frenzy. “They thought it was desecrating a shrine,” Von Dutch later recalled.

Now, nearly 70 years later, Paulus Maximus has brought the look back, this time on a modern Mercedes-AMG GT. Working solo in his garage, Paulus spent over 400 hours recreating the flamed design by hand, tracing historic photos, cutting custom vinyl, and adding period-correct details including California Sports Car Club badges and hand-drawn pinstriping.

Unlike the outrage that met the original, Paulus’ tribute has been met with admiration, even wrap shops told him it couldn’t be done. That only pushed him harder.

“I didn’t think anyone would be brave or crazy enough to try doing this,” Paulus told us. “So I did it myself.”

​Click here for more photos and the full story on Kustomrama.​

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Featured Event:

Hot Rod Show April 1965

We’ve just filled the Kustomrama Featured Events page with a fresh batch of photos from a true milestone in Scandinavian hot rod and custom car culture: the April 1965 Hot Rod Show at Östermans Marmorhallar in Stockholm.

Held from April 21 to 26, this groundbreaking event brought hot rods and customs into the spotlight like never before in Sweden. Thanks to visionaries like Bosse “Gamen” Sandberg, Acke Nordström, and Jonas Qvarnström, the show drew over 20,000 visitors and helped shift the perception of hot rods from rebellious rides to rolling works of art. It marked the beginning of Sweden’s love affair with indoor car shows and kicked off a tradition that would shape the Nordic scene for decades.

Whether you were there or just wish you had been, now’s your chance to take a visual trip back in time. Click here to explore the full April 1965 Hot Rod Show gallery on Kustomrama.​

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Norwegian Hot Rods at Blaker – Countdown to Bonanza 2025!

This photo, taken at last year’s Coupe Devils Rod & Kustom Bonanza, captures a golden moment under the trees at Blaker—where traditional hot rods, homebuilt customs, and good times come together like nowhere else in Norway. With less than a month to go, we’re gearing up for this year’s 15th anniversary show, and it’s shaping up to be one for the books!

For the first time ever, two of Norway’s rockabilly heavyweights—The Lucky Bullets and Hot Rod T!—will share the same stage. The Lucky Bullets are finally back after a six-year hiatus, and Hot Rod T!, long-time Coupe Devils favorites, will be playing the Bonanza for the very first time. You don’t want to miss this.

​Click here to check out the Facebook event and help spread the word – let’s make this year’s Bonanza one to remember!​

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Buckle up, cats and kittens! June just rolled in with more grit than gravel and a groove that won’t quit! The Kustomrama June 2025 Playlist kicks off with Pure Hell’s no-prisoners take on ‘These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,’ then barrels straight into the sonic chaos of STERØID’s ‘NOWHERE TO RUN.’ From the deep soul of Baby Huey’s ‘Hard Times’ to the raw stomp of ‘Farmer John’ by The Premiers, this mix is built for summer nights, strip-side burnouts, and backseat singalongs. Crank it loud, drop it into gear, and let the soundtrack of the season take you for a ride!​

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Inside the Organized Chaos of Bello’s Kustoms

Kustomrama contributor Charles LaGreca was recently in San Diego and made a stop at Bello’s Kustoms, the bustling custom car shop run by Mike Bello. He brought back some behind-the-scenes shots from the visit, offering a peek into the organized chaos where the magic happens.

According to Charles, “It looks like a real mess, but he turns out great work. And in addition to the skills, he has the eye to do it right. I guess he should—it’s all he’s done his whole life.”

Specializing in 1954 and earlier American-made rides, Bello’s Kustoms is more than just a shop—it’s a San Diego institution. Since launching his YouTube channel in 2019, Mike has been giving viewers front-row access to his world of chopped tops, lead work, low and slow builds, and signature cruising shots that capture the heart of kustom culture. Whether it’s the build breakdowns, the test drives, or simply the way the sparks fly in his shop, Mike Bello’s channel has grown a loyal following. These photos may show the clutter, but the cars that roll out of his doors tell a different story—one of craftsmanship, tradition, and timeless style.

Thanks to Charles for sharing these snapshots of a true working shop. Click here to check out more photos from Charles LaGreca and learn more about Bello’s Kustoms on Kustomrama.​

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What a Trip! Keith Ashley Meets the Kid Who Sparked It All

Last month, we received an incredible photo and story from longtime Kustomrama friend Keith Ashley. And it's the kind of story we live for.

In 1954, a custom 1951 Chevy pulled into his high school and picked up a girl, Keith wrote. “My first view of a real custom car that was built in California by the famous George Barris.” That sight would set a young Keith on a lifelong journey through custom cars, restorations, and eventually building a faithful tribute to that very car: the Reverend Larry Ernst Chevrolet.

Fast forward 71 years, and Keith finally tracked down the kid who had driven that Barris-built hardtop into Southfield High’s parking lot. His name was Don L., and earlier this year, the two met face-to-face for the first time. Don didn't own the car, but he and Larry were friends, and he sure made an impression when he drove it to school, Keith told us. “The circle is now complete.”

Stories like this remind us just how far a spark of inspiration can go. A five-minute moment in a school parking lot turned into a decades-long journey, and it’s proof that every time you fire up your car and hit the road, you might just change someone’s life.

Thanks to Keith for sharing this full-circle moment with us. Click here to read his full story and see more photos of the car that started it all.​

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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?

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