Lead Barges At The 60th Grand National Roadster Show

Paul White out of Portland, OR, has constructed a '49 Olds ragtop along the lines of what Tom Vogele envisioned when he re-introduced Custom Rodder magazine to the hot rod community. If that publication were around today, this would be a cover car for sure. No, it isn't a traditional custom, but no one can deny it isn't cool!

Bob Cecchini's beautiful '56 Continental Mark II goes by the moniker "Simply Red," which it is indeed. This Hayward, CA, creation simply oozes classic American automotive elegance with a custom car bent. I'd say let's see more of these, but there probably aren't any left.

Wait a minute! Now here's a tasteful custom creation that doesn't have to hit one over the head to get their attention. Marty and Pat Wells of Yorba Linda, CA, have a 5-inch chopped '51 Ford coupe channeled over a '77 Buick Regal chassis that says it with style. Hey, good taste has survived, after all.

Starlite Rod & Kustom of Torrance, CA, had their usual space in the Suede Palace, showcasing their latest shop project. Recalling such showrods as the iconic Barris "Ala Kart", their Model A coupe pretty much defines the term "Custom Rod" as used in show judging, not by Goodguys or our dearly departed magazine, Custom Rodder.

Canyon Lake, CA's Roger O'Dell gave us a look of past perfect with his tribute '36 Ford roadster, the "Bill DeCarr Special." Customized in the early Sacto and/or Westergard-style, the look is pure vintage leadsled, and as Bill DeCarr helped create a few classic "kustoms" while in the employ of George Barris--who in turn learned his craft from Harry Westergard--it is a fitting tribute indeed.

First shown at the 1957 Portland Roadster Show, Bob Page of Grove, CA, displayed his "X-51" 1951 Ford coupe. Sectioned and finned, the little shoebox shows us how it was when subtle (if you can call a 5-in. section subtle), well-designed customs could win out over glitz and glitter--a time that didn't last long, I'm afraid.

James Hetfield teamed up with the prolific Rick Dore to come up with this "dawn of the kustom era" '37 Ford coupe dubbed "The Crimson Ghost." From its ground-scraping, whitewall shod and skirted stance, to its Matranga-style side glass graphics on a heavily hammered lid, this kemp literally reeks tradition and sex appeal.

Down from San Francisco, Kimberly Mejia's chopped and oh-so-smooth '55 Lincoln showed that the cream always rises to the top. I'd be hard-pressed to keep it this clean--pass me the 1 Shot please.

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's long-lost "Orbitron" as recently restored by the crew at Galpin Auto Sports. It may not have been as popular in its day as some other of Roth's 'glass creations, but you'd never know it now. Heck, yours truly has even finally warmed up to his old friend's piece of rolling sculpture. Remember, even Ed himself didn't care too much for it.