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KUSTOMRAMA NEWSLETTER NO. 215

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This month’s newsletter is dedicated to one of the most hardcore hot rodders to ever walk and race the face of this earth.

On February 4th, we were saddened to learn that Ed “Isky” Iskenderian passed away at the age of 104.

One hundred and four years. Think about that. Ed didn’t just witness hot rodding from its earliest days; he helped build it.

From racing on the Southern California dry lakes to founding Isky Cams, Ed shaped the way engines were built, tuned, and understood. When waiting weeks for a reground camshaft became too frustrating, he didn’t complain. He bought his own cam-grinding machine and taught himself how to do it. That decision didn’t just start a business, it sparked a revolution in performance engine building.

Ed introduced new ways of thinking about camshaft design. He embraced computer testing long before it was common. He understood that performance wasn’t just about one part, it was about matched components working together. He helped define the concept of complete performance packages, something we now take for granted.

But Ed’s influence went far beyond camshafts.

He was instrumental in building the performance aftermarket industry itself, helping co-found what became SEMA. He supported racers when sponsorship was still a new idea. He believed in the people around him. He believed in speed. And he believed in progress.

Ed’s impact wasn’t just technical, it was cultural.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ed in his shop years ago. I bought a camshaft from him for my Barris Kustom restyled Chevy. Standing there, talking to him, listening to his stories, that’s a memory I truly cherish. He wasn’t just a legend behind a desk. He was curious, generous, sharp as ever, and completely present. At 90-plus years old, he still had that spark in his eye.

That says everything.

We’re also deeply grateful to our good friends in the Bungholers Car Club for sharing a treasure chest of photographs documenting Ed and his long connection to the club. These images give us something rare, a personal look at Ed not just as an innovator, but as a fellow hot rodder among friends. That’s how he should be remembered.

I encourage everyone to click here to spend some time exploring this remarkable archive on Kustomrama. It’s a powerful reminder of where our hobby comes from, and who helped build it.

Rest in peace, Ed.
Thank you for everything.
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Best regards
Sondre
Kustomrama Editor

Jean-Daniel Mottier's 1958 Chevrolet Impala - LA Watson

In the late 1950s, the Bellflower school of customization redefined how cars could be reshaped through subtle modifications, custom paint, and a lowered stance. Nearly six decades later, Jean-Daniel “Momo” Mottier brought that philosophy to Geneva with his 1958 Chevrolet Impala, known as “LA Watson.”

The project began before the tragic 2012 fire that destroyed the Crazy Cruisers clubhouse. Momo had already acquired a 1958 Impala as a project car, which survived the fire while many spare parts did not. Using insurance funds from the loss of his 1965 Impala, he purchased a second 1958 model from Germany. Over four years, components from both cars were combined into a single finished build, completed in 2016.

Conceived as a tribute to Jim Doss’ 1958 Impala, restyled in California, and later panel-painted by Larry Watson, the car was never intended as a replica. As Momo explained, he wanted “a tribute,” allowing differences in contouring and color. Instead of Watson’s layered green panels, the exterior was finished in black with gold contouring and striping.

The body was shaved of handles, locks, badges, and emblems. The grille combines a 1954 Chevrolet grille with shortened 1953 Chevrolet teeth to create a floating appearance. One-piece bumpers were installed, and modified 1959 Lincoln taillights were recessed into the rear. The interior was reupholstered in black and Diamond Gold leatherette, echoing the exterior scheme.

Powered by a 383 stroker small-block with Offenhauser intake and Pontiac GTO Tri-Power setup, the Impala runs dual Bellflower-style exhaust. An air suspension system, approved under Swiss regulations, allows the car to achieve a traditional low stance while remaining compliant.

“LA Watson” demonstrates how the Bellflower aesthetic continues to resonate far beyond California, carried forward through careful reinterpretation rather than imitation.

​Click here to discover the full story of “LA Watson” and its Bellflower inspiration on Kustomrama.​

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Freddy Heinefors' 1956 Plymouth Convertible - Charlotte

Freddy Heinefors’ 1956 Plymouth Convertible was built on Reimersholme in Stockholm at a time when Sweden’s custom scene was still taking shape.

Freddy acquired the black-and-white Plymouth in 1963. The car required extensive rust repairs before any restyling could begin. Through careful study of American custom magazines, plans for a full custom gradually formed. In the autumn of 1964, work began in a cold garage that had once belonged to an old malt factory.

The front end was reworked using a grille from a 1963 Plymouth Valiant and oval headlights from a crashed 1964 Mercedes 220SE. A 1956 Pontiac bumper was fitted up front. In the rear, the fins were extended and sharpened. The original taillight openings were closed, replaced by three recessed round taillights on each side, set into polished copper tubes beneath the trunk. A rolled rear pan was built below them, and the antennas were sunken into the rear wings. Much of the welding and sheet metal work was carried out by a plumber within the group.

Inside, the bench seat was reupholstered, and a custom center console with built-in radio and tape player was fabricated. The original HY-FIRE V8 and automatic transmission remained stock. The car was painted Blue Royal Metalflake, and at inspection, it was ultimately approved as a Plymouth-56, retaining its identity.

Debuting at the first Hot Rod Show at Marmorhallarna in April 1965, the car carried the name CHARLOTTE.

In 1967, the Plymouth was sold. The new owner later overturned it. The damage was severe, and the car was scrapped.

Though it no longer exists, Charlotte remains part of an early chapter in Swedish custom history.

​Click here to see more photos and read the full documented history of Charlotte on Kustomrama, where this rare Swedish custom is preserved in detail.​

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Featured Viedo: Hot Rod Show Sweden 1968

By 1968, the Swedish rod and custom scene was firmly established and still gaining momentum. That year, Picko Troberg managed to arrange the Hot Rod Show at Marmorhallarna in Stockholm during the school holiday week in February, a smart move that resulted in very strong public attendance.

1968 saw no other indoor hot rod and custom shows arranged in Sweden, making the Stockholm event the central meeting point for the country’s growing custom community that year.

Once again, Mats Wallander and Björn Ramsten have gone through their archives, gathering photos and historical information to create another fantastic film for Kustomrama.

​Click here to watch the 1968 show video and experience another important chapter in Swedish hot rod history.​

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Featured Video: Hot Rod Show Stockholm 1969

By 1969, the Swedish hot rod and custom scene was evolving fast. The February Hot Rod Show in Stockholm that year was combined with a new U.S. car exhibition and featured a strong commercial presence, which meant the number of traditional rods and customs was somewhat lower than in previous years.

Still, the event captured a clear shift in the culture. Many of the cars and bikes on display reflected the growing influence of dragracing, with fresh builds inspired by speed, performance, and the changing trends of the late 1960s.

Kustomrama Contributors Mats Wallander and Björn Ramsten have once again gone through their archives to create a new video documenting this transitional moment in Swedish hot rod history.

​Click here to watch the 1969 show film and experience another chapter of Scandinavian custom culture.​

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George Barris and His 1941 Buick at Stan’s Drive-In, A Jerry Fassett Discovery

When we first came across this photograph in the Jerry Fassett Photo Collection, it stopped us in our tracks. George Barris seated in his legendary 1941 Buick Convertible, parked outside Stan’s Drive-In at 16th and K Street in Sacramento. For anyone interested in early custom car history, this image is gold.

Jerry remembered the moment clearly. “It was a drive-in, and that’s where we used to be,” he told us. He first met George at 16th and K, long before Barris became a household name in custom circles. “He was quite a character! He used to come down all the time before he went to LA when he was working up in Roseville.” The photograph was taken after George had already gone to Los Angeles, yet the connection to Sacramento remained strong.

By the time this picture was taken, the Buick had already established Barris as a serious builder. Chopped, lowered, and fitted with hand formed fadeaway fenders, a reshaped front end with a Cadillac grille, molded body panels, and a padded top, it was a rolling statement of postwar custom styling. Painted in deep Royal Metallic Maroon and later updated after an accident, the car helped define the flowing, fully integrated look that would become synonymous with the Barris name.

What makes this image so powerful is not just the car, but the setting. Not a show hall, not a magazine spread, but a local drive-in where enthusiasts gathered. Through Jerry’s lens we see the Buick as it lived, among friends and familiar streets. It is a rare and deeply human glimpse into the early years of Kustom Kulture, preserved thanks to one man who understood the value of saving his snapshots.

​Click here to see more photos and read the full story on Kustomrama.​

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This is a Paid Promotion: Promote your car to thousands of enthusiasts for just $100! Click here for more info.​

For Sale: Martin and Marion Bennett’s Uncertain-T Recreation

Built in New Zealand as a faithful tribute to Steve Scott’s legendary Uncertain-T, this hand-crafted show rod has stunned crowds from SEMA to Salt Lake City, and it’s now available to purchase.

A seven-year build with nearly every part handmade or specially commissioned, including custom wheels from ET and Radir, a one-off Hilborn Fuel Injection system for the Nailhead, and a hand-built body. Approved by Steve Scott himself, this car is more than a tribute; it’s a work of art.

Price: $140,000 USD

Includes: Full Swisstrax show floor, custom display stands, promotional material, and a shipping container loaded and delivered to your nearest port, freight included. Martin will even come meet you when it lands.

Interested? Click here for more info, photos, and contact info on Kustomrama.​

March is rollin’ in with miles on the clock and chrome in the sun. Leading the charge this month is our very own houseband, The Kustomramas, with their brand-new highway anthem "New Jersey to LA in a Chopped Merc." It’s a coast-to-coast cruise in three minutes flat! Taildragger low, pipes humming, and no map needed.

From there, the ride keeps moving. Skyway Man takes you ‘Driving to Milwaukee,’ The Stooges snarl through ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog,’ and Misfits keep it tight and fast with ‘Last Caress.’ It’s road music. Night music. Garage music.

​So fill the tank, turn the key, and click here to let March soundtrack your next long stretch of asphalt.​

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A Corky Korky Kustom Resurfaces

Thanks to John Yasenko for tipping us off about this wild Korky Kustom creation, a radically reworked 1967 Plymouth Barracuda that recently surfaced for sale. Known for bold, futuristic styling and unmistakable late-’60s show car flair, Korky Kustom builds were never subtle… and this Barracuda is no exception. According to the ad on Bring-A-Trailer, it was designed by Harry Bradley for the 1972 film Corky.

Seeing one of these rare builds hit the market is always exciting. It’s a reminder that many of the era’s most outrageous creations are still out there, sometimes hiding in plain sight.

Big thanks to John for keeping an eye out and sharing the lead with us.

​​Click here to check out the auction listing.​

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A Lost Chapter of Funny Car History Discovered at a Flea Market

Sometimes history turns up where you least expect it. Last year, Dave Wright came across a collection of trophies, certificates, and photographs at a Pasadena flea market, all belonging to early Funny Car pioneer Jess Tyree.

Among the finds were 1950 Santa Ana Airport Drags photos, a 1956 San Fernando Drag Strip track record certificate, 1958 San Gabriel Drags trophies, and rare images from Tyree’s Factory Experimental and Coca-Cola Cavalcade Funny Car years.

Recognizing their importance, Dave preserved the pieces and shared them with us. We’ve now added all of the photos to the Jess Tyree page on Kustomrama, helping document the career of “Mr. Pontiac” for future generations.

Got racing history tucked away in a box? We’d love to see it.

Thanks to Dave for sharing this great discovery with us, and be sure to click here to explore the full Jess Tyree story and photo collection on Kustomrama.​

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A Rare Leroy Teeple Business Card Surfaces

Ronnie Acors recently shared this rare business card he has held onto since the early 1960s. The card promotes the work of Leroy Teeple, the pinstriper and flame painter who laid the iconic flames on Bill Hoffman’s legendary 1953 Chevrolet “Naughty Lady” of Portland, Oregon.

Seeing Teeple’s original card, listing striping, scalloping, and lettering services, is a fantastic addition to the history of one of the Northwest’s most well-known customs. Hoffman’s radically restyled ’53, with its hardtop conversion by George Schultz and Von Hunter at Wilkenson’s Body Shop, became even more unforgettable in 1959 when Teeple added red, yellow, orange, and blue flames over the glowing white paint.

Huge thanks to Ronnie for preserving and sharing this rare piece of custom car ephemera. If anyone knows more about Leroy Teeple or other cars he painted, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep filling in the blanks of Northwest custom history.

​Click here for more info and photos on the Naughty Lady on Kustomrama.​

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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

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