Old School Customs: Top Traditional Custom Car Builders

In the late 1930s, as roadster- and coupe-driving hot rodders started families, they suddenly needed reliable cars that could transport more than two people. Thus, custom cars were born—passenger automobiles turned into one-of-a-kind art pieces reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of their owners and builders. Today, the mild-to-wild styles and techniques that grew out of the custom car movement might seem like they’ve been around forever. Fortunately, a number of top-notch builders are keeping these classic elements alive.

This book profiles the work of some of the men who keep making custom car history, and features dozens of chopped, sectioned, shaved, decked, flamed, frenched, nosed, lowered, scalloped, striped, and slammed Caddies, Mercs, Buicks, shoebox Fords, Chevys, and Oldsmobiles that exemplify traditional custom car design. Author Alan Mayes includes profiles of top builders from across the country—John D’Agostino, Bill Hines, Richard Zocchi, Darryl Starbird, Bo Huff, and Rick Murray, among others—each illustrated with color photography profiling the builder’ work. In addition, Mayes features archival images detailing earlier work of these history-making custom builders of today.

List of Builders

The Pioneers

Gene Winfield Modesto, CA

Bill Hines Long Beach, CA

Alexander Brothers Detroit, MI

Joe Bailon Auburn, CA

Darryl Starbird Tulsa, OK

The Lifers

Tom Culbertson Indianapolis, IN

Bo Huff Dragerton, UT

Mark Wojcik Howell, NJ

Dave Kinnaman Alexandria, IN

Murphy & the Striper Palm Beach, FL

Dave Pareso Colorado Springs, CO

Gary "Chopit" Fioto New Smyrna Beach, FL

The Pacesetters

Gary Brown Indianapolis, IN

Brad Masterson Paramount, CA

Voodoo Larry Grobe Schaumberg, IL

Rick Murray Moab, UT