Darryl Starbird, Builder Of The Year - 2009 Detroit Autorama

Only Darryl could bring back a '34 Buick sedan with lines as slick as the Deuzybird. Long hours spent in the shop with a torch and a vision led him down the path of creation on this looker, which has more curves on it than the track at Laguna Seca!

Darryl and his lovely wife Donna, together for nearly 60 years, are fixtures on the custom car scene. From Star Kustom Shop through producing car shows and continuing to create superb custom cars, they have both made an impact on our hobby.

Starting with a '72 Camaro, Cliff Starbird worked with his Dad Darryl to create the radical custom known as Starship. Sectioning the body 5 inches, Cliff also extended and restyled the front end using steel tubing and sheetmetal while reshaping the rear of the body as well. The crowning touch on the car is the dramatic blue split-bubble top.

These two vintage images from the Darryl Starbird collection give us a glimpse back to the day when both the Fantabula (above) and the Forcasta (right) debuted......

.....These cars followed the Predicta and went on to prove that Darryl was a major force when it came to creating awe-inspiring bubble tops.

We see the beginnings of the Star Kustom Shop (left) which opened in 1954 and operated for nine years.....

.....Darryl then opened Starbird Custom Car Creations featuring an eight-bay shop, glass showroom, and stylish offices......

.....Imagine driving by and looking in to see the Predicta and Futurista at a glance.

When it comes to Darryl Starbird, nuthin' but nuthin' is ever off the shelf. He designs and builds everything, be it his home, his boat, or the very tools he works with, this automotive rotisserie being no exception.

While Daryl didn't build the Li'l Coffin he was fortunate enough to end up with it and took the time, effort, and expense to restore it to its former glory.

It should be noted that Dave Stuckey originally designed and built the Li'l Coffin.

Star Kustom Shop, originally established in 1954 in Wichita, KS has now received a rebirth by Darryl's Grandson Dakota "Cody" Wentz (left) and is now located in Afton, OK on the grounds of the Starbird Museum.