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KUSTOMRAMA NEWSLETTER NO. 216

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For over 200 issues, the Monthly Kustomrama Newsletter has been the place where new Kustomrama stories first appeared. You read them here before they went anywhere else. I liked that. It felt right. The people who cared the most got the stories first.

This year, we changed our approach on Facebook and Instagram. Instead of using the feed to push out links and spread material, we started sharing content that invites you to think, reflect, and join the conversation. Discussion questions, archive finds, stories with a point of view. One post about how the scene has changed since the H.A.M.B. days got over 125 comments. Another about an in-progress '49 Ford from Finland had people naming builders they think deserve more attention. Because not everyone following us is a historian or a researcher. Some people are just here because they love these cars, and they deserve content that speaks to them, too.

That taught me something. Social media is good at finding out what people care about. The newsletter is good at presenting it properly.

So starting with this issue, the newsletter works a little differently. Instead of presenting everything new, I am presenting the best. The stories and photos that got the strongest response, along with a few things you can only find here. The editorial you are reading right now is one of those. The featured story about Palle Eriksson's wild trip to South Africa is another. That is one of those stories you will find here first, before we share them on social media.

Think of it as the monthly magazine version of Kustomrama. The highlights, the discoveries, the mailbag stories, and the stories worth reading twice.

If you are not already following us on Facebook and Instagram, that is where the daily stuff lives now. But we also know how the feed works. You only see a fraction of what we post, and tracking something down again a week later is not always easy. That is part of why this newsletter still matters. This is where I share what I think, where the best of the month gets a proper home, and where your emails and tips turn into stories. The weekly Photo of the Week and Sunday Story emails continue as usual.

Thanks for being here. Let's keep going.

Best regards
Sondre
Kustomrama Editor

The Swede Who Shipped His Hot Rod to Cape Town

In 1965, Per-Erik "Palle" Eriksson of Stockholm had built one of the wildest hot rods in Sweden. A 1924 Chevrolet roadster body on a modified 1938 Ford frame, powered by a 392 Hemi. It had won first prize at SHOW-64 and again at the 1965 Hot Rod Show. But the car was never registered. Swedish authorities were never going to approve a fenderless roadster with 380 horsepower for the road. The most spectacular hot rod in Sweden had nowhere to go.

Then, while working in Monaco, Palle met a South African couple who later saw the car back in Sweden. Their suggestion was simple: bring it down.

He sold a small cottage to pay for the trip, sorted his own paperwork, and listed the car as a "Chrysler Special" with a hand-stamped chassis number and license plate B117. Then he loaded it onto a ship in Gothenburg. The journey took almost a month.

In January 1966, Palle settled near Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town and found work at Saffy's Panelbeaters, a shop rooted in the local racing scene. His hot rod drew immediate attention. The local press ran articles in Afrikaans about the Swede with the Hemi-powered T-bucket. He got photographed on Clifton Beach with a surfboard on top and Table Mountain in the background. A long way from Vendelsö.

In July 1966, a front axle mounting failed at over 150 km/h. The front dropped. The handbrake wires tightened. The rear wheels locked. The car spun and left the road. The rear axle tore loose and threw the passenger clear. Palle walked away. His friend ended up in the hospital. The car was destroyed.

But the customs carnet said the car that came in had to go out. So Palle built a new one right there in the shop. New frame, new body, same engine. By the fall of 1966, he sailed home from Durban with a completely different rod than the one he left with.

Back in Stockholm, he traded the T-bucket for a 1934 Rolls-Royce with a broken engine. Not long after, he moved to Florida and started a car dealer business. But that is another story.

​Click here to read the full story and see all the photos from Palle's South Africa adventure on Kustomrama.​

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Featured Video

Hot Rod Show Stockholm 1971

By 1971, the Swedish hot rod scene was entering a new phase. The Hot Rod Show, once again held at Marmorhallarna in Stockholm, was announced as a record-setting event, offering a total of 13,550 SEK in prize money, a clear sign of how far the movement had come.

The show was arranged by Picko Troberg in cooperation with Bo “Gamen” Sandberg and Start & Speed magazine. While new regulations in Sweden had begun to dampen some of the creativity that defined the earlier years, Gamen still managed to present eight newly built hot rods, proving that the spirit of the scene was very much alive.

At the same time, the show reflected a shift in trends. Alongside the hot rods, there was a strong presence of choppers, trikes, motorcycles, and mopeds, with emerging names like Anders Lake and Per Nilsson beginning to make their mark.

Once again, Mats Wallander and Björn Ramsten have collected photos and information from the event, bringing it all together in another great film for Kustomrama.

​Click here to watch the 1971 show video and see how the Swedish scene evolved into a new era.​

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From the Feed

This month, we asked a few questions, and the community showed up:

When we asked whether the scene feels more diverse or just less concentrated after the H.A.M.B. era, over 125 people weighed in on Instagram alone. Opinions were split, but the conversation was real.​

Wolf's '51 Mercury "Lucille" got people talking about their own in-progress builds. The question "What are you working on?" brought out project updates from garages across the US and Europe.​

And when we posted Janne Lepola's in-progress '49 Ford from Finland and asked people to tag a builder they respect, the comments filled up with names. Painters, fabricators, pinstripers, and garage builders who deserve more attention.​

That is the kind of feed we want to see!

Finding the Knudsen Family: How Dean Micetich Reunited a 1932 Ford Coupe With Its Builder's Son

Sometimes the car is only half the story. Dean Micetich of DicE Magazine had already found and begun restoring Wayne Knudsen's chopped and channeled 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe when he decided to dig deeper. He tracked down Doug Knudsen, Wayne's son, and what happened next is the kind of moment that makes all the detective work worth it. Doug had no idea his father's old hot rod still existed. He certainly didn't know someone had found it and was bringing it back to life.

Wayne Knudsen built the coupe in Toledo, Ohio in the mid-1950s. He was a member of the Cluster Busters car club, and the car was a serious build. Chopped and channeled, with bodywork done by Ted Maedel's shop on LaGrange Street. The chop and leadwork were clean enough that people later speculated Bill Hines had been involved, but a small sign on the cowl at the 1957 Toledo Auto Rama pointed to Maedel's. According to Doug, the coupe was Wayne's only hot rod. After building it, Wayne joined the Air Force and left the car behind.

The coupe changed hands over the decades. Warren Bookman, organizer of the Toledo Auto Rama, owned it for a while. It was parked in 1972 and sat untouched for years. In 1997, car hunter Billy Coates picked it up in Ohio for $550. It ended up in Tom Cotter's book The Cobra in the Barn in 2010. After Billy passed away in 2011, the car sat again until Dean found it in a garage in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2023, just 15 minutes from his own home.

When Dean reached out to Doug, the conversation opened a door that had been closed for decades. Doug shared vintage photos from the family collection, including construction shots of the coupe that nobody outside the Knudsen family had ever seen. These photos now help fill in the gaps in a story Kustomrama has been documenting since 2023. Big thanks to Dean for doing the great detective work and sharing the photos with us.

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

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SALE

30% Off Everything

If you’ve been following along lately, you’ve probably noticed a steady stream of new stories, photos, and old discoveries finding their way into Kustomrama. From long-lost customs to fresh contributions from around the world, it’s been a busy time behind the scenes.

And every now and then, some of that inspiration spills over into the Kustomrama Online Store.

To celebrate, we’re running a limited-time offer: 30% off everything in the store. Whether it’s a Division shirt tied to your favorite scene, a cap for the next cruise night, or something to stash away for later, now might be a good time to take a look.

The offer runs through April 2 at 11:59 PM (EST) — just remember to hit “Redeem” when you enter the store to activate it.

​Click here to explore the collection and the sale​

Thanks for being part of this and helping us keep history alive.

Link to local stores: US - Canada - EU - Sweden - Norway - Australia​

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.​

Spring’s in the air, the roads are drying up, and it’s finally time to wash the dust off and get back behind the wheel. The Kustomrama April 2026 playlist is your soundtrack for the season, starting with a Vegas-flavored kickoff from Johnny Ramone and crew, before rolling into Pike Cavalero’s ‘Black Hearts Club’ and our own houseband, The Kustomramas, with ‘The Cool Cat.’ From the shake of The Blasters’ ‘I’m Shakin’’ to the smooth groove of Delvon Lamarr’s ‘Fried Soul,’ this one’s built for garage doors wide open, sun on the chrome, and that first real cruise of the year. So rinse it off, fire it up, and take the long way, spring’s back. Click here to put it on play!​

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A Joe Bailon Custom Surfaces in Texas

John Yasenko tipped us off about a Joe Bailon custom that recently surfaced for sale. Known as "The Executive," this 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS was built by Bailon in 1970 for Jess Alcala at his shop on Los Feliz. Joe did all the body modifications and paint. The top was chopped, a custom targa roof was built from scratch, and a one-of-a-kind grille was made specifically for the car. It debuted at the Tridents Custom Car Show at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in April of 1971. Today it sits in El Paso, Texas as a rough shell. No engine, no interior, and the paint long gone. But the bones of a Bailon custom are still there. Big thanks to John for the lead. Click here to read the full story on Kustomrama.​

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Charlotte's Fastest Street Car Had a NASCAR Secret

Frank Spittle reached out to share the story of a 1933 Essex Terraplane convertible he owned for 41 years. The car has a wild history on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina, going back to the 1940s, a NASCAR engine connection, and decades of transformations documented in photos. Frank is currently sharing more material with us so we can tell the full story on Kustomrama. Here is a sneak peek at two of the photos he has sent us so far. If you have a story like this tucked away, we would love to hear from you. Thanks to Frank for sharing this one with us.

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The Joe Tully Coupe: Two Leads, Two Very Different Endings

Joe S. reached out to tell us he owned the Joe Tully Coupe in the late 1970s. This chopped and channeled 1931 Ford Model A out of Dixon, Illinois, has been one of our Lost and Found cases since 2021. In 2022, Robert Jackson found a chopped and channeled Model A in Brighton, Michigan, with remnants of blue paint, and we wondered if it was the lost Tully Coupe. Now Joe S. says he sold the car to a friend in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1982, and it reportedly burned up in a garage fire a few years later. Two leads, two very different endings. We are waiting for more details from Joe S. to sort it out. If anyone knows more, we would love to hear from you. Click here for the full story on Kustomrama.​

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Notes from the Floor at the 70th Portland Roadster Show

Ray Hudnut and his wife, Ruth, attended the 70th annual Portland Roadster Show and sent us a report from the floor. Ray's focus at shows is narrow, looking for subtle mods and full tilt kustoms with great interiors. His three favorites this year were the candy green 1953 Chevy "Abracadabra," the Ina Mae Overman 1952 Lincoln Capri, and the "Atomic Creamsicle." A highlight of Building E was the Rod and Custom Dream Truck and Dream Delivery shown together, believed to be a first. John D'Agostino coordinated the Building E displays again this year, with Mark McGill handling Pacific Northwest outreach for West Coast Kustoms. Also on display at the entrance were two of Jerry Logan's cars. We are working on a full Kustomrama page for the 2026 show. If you attended and have photos or stories to share, we would love to hear from you. Thanks to Ray for the report, and click here for more info and photos.​

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A Murphy-Bodied Roadster and a Racing Legend's Wedding Day

In 2011, Les Heller reached out to Kustomrama with photos of a Murphy-bodied roadster he had tracked down. The car came with a story that tied it to racing legend Ralph De Palma, and a 1932 publicity photo seemed to back it up. The photo showed De Palma and actress Marion Leggett posing in the roadster behind the Hal Roach studio in Culver City. We ran the story in our newsletter back in 2011, but never made a wiki page for it. Fifteen years later, we're finally giving this roadster the page it deserves, and we'd love to hear from anyone who knows more about it. Click here for more info and photos on Kustomrama.​

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An Unfinished Gene Winfield Mercury Resurfaces

Miguel Torres recently reached out to share photos of an unfinished Gene Winfield project that just landed in his shop. It's a 1940 Mercury convertible that Winfield sectioned 2 1/2 inches below the belt line, pancaked the hood, narrowed the upper cowl, molded the fenders, and fitted with narrowed 1950 Mercury bumpers. The car was nosed and decked, and Gene built a custom Carson top for it. For reasons unknown, the build was never completed. Miguel also has photos of the car at Gene's shop and of Gene working on it, which is a cool bonus. He plans to restore and finish the Mercury, and he's offered to share updates along the way. Thanks to Miguel for reaching out and for keeping this one alive. Click here to read the full story of Winfield's Custom Shop 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

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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The Kustomrama Marketplace is a curated classified section for traditional hot rods and custom cars. It's the go-to place to buy, sell, and explore vehicles, parts, and memorabilia. For a $100 fee, your ad will be featured on Kustomrama, in our Monthly Newsletter, and across our social media, reaching over 100,000 enthusiasts. Click here for more information.​

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 [email protected] 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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