The Custom Car Revival Celebrates 10 Years of Chopped, Shaved, Sectioned, and Candy-Colored Creations
Many vintage cars are customized, but not all customized vintage cars are “customs.”
That might seem like a bit of pretzel logic, but it makes perfect sense to fans of traditional-style custom cars who returned to Indianapolis June 8-10 for the 10th edition of the Custom Car Revival. These are the diehard enthusiasts who celebrate traditional-style customs as they were built from the classic period of the mid-1930s through the mid-’60s. Or, as event organizer Kevin Anderson likes to say, “the Harry Westergard through Larry Watson era.”
Originally finished by Hollywood Hot Rods for artist Pascal “Bugs” Jarrion, this ’35 Ford was the Goodguys Kustom of the Year in 2010. It began life as a sedan but was transformed into a chopped coupe done in a classic Westergard style. Highlights include a White truck grille, molded Chevy headlights, stretched and skirted rear fenders, and gorgeous ruby brown metallic paint complemented by David Martinez upholstery.
“These cars have been shaved, nosed, decked, de-badged, chopped, and custom painted entirely for their aesthetic beauty,” Anderson says. “There is no other organized event like this in the country.”
Show promoter Kevin Anderson has a quartet of personal customs that includes this tasteful ’50 Merc with all the classic custom touches – chopped top, frenched headlights, rounded hood corners, DeSoto grille, bubble skirts, and frenched Merc taillights.
One of the most famous customs of the 1950s was the Rod & Custom Dream Truck, a ’50 Chevy pickup that was modified by a who’s who of customizers in regular installments of Rod & Custom magazine. It was wrecked in 1958, lost for decades, and then finally restored in the 1980s and is currently owned by Tim McMann.
Traditional customs have almost always had a smaller following than their hot rod brethren, but the Custom Car Revival has cultivated a loyal base of attendees and followers. Limited to around 200 participating vehicles, which are vetted to ensure they meet the criteria, the show strives for a laid-back, old-school, low-key feel. This year’s show featured customs from 35 states, from California to New York, Minnesota to Texas, and even Canada. “These participants travel long distances entirely because the event requires that each car meets the show criteria of a ‘traditional custom,’” Anderson says.
The Johnny Zaro ’41 Ford is another piece of Barris Kustom history. Originally built in the late-’40s, it was significantly restyled with a chopped top, fadeaway fenders, and a couple different grilles through the years, including the modified ’49 Pontiac version still on the car. Russ Erlinger bought the car in the early-’50s, wrecked it, and eventually rebuilt and restored the historic custom in the form you see here.
The show itself is technically one day – Saturday – but the overall event encompasses several days, with some people arriving as early as Wednesday evening. Thursday afternoon and evening are designated as hangout times for people to catch up and clean up their cars, while Friday is a “drive day” dedicated to cruising to cool sights and stops around the Indy area. After Saturday’s show and shine, most people head for home on Sunday.
A highlight of this year’s show was the Dick Fowler ’38 Ford coupe, an early Sam and George Barris custom built in the late-’40s and recently restored by longtime Barris collector Kurt McKormick. Period modifications include a chopped top, channeled body, ’42 Packard grille, accessory sealed beam headlights, ’37 DeSoto bumpers, and the rear license plate recessed in the deck lid. Historic cars like this are one reason custom fans return to this event.
Because this event has been so steadfast in its adherence to traditional custom style, it continues to attract great examples of the latest traditional-style custom builds, plus a strong number of historic customs. This year’s show welcomed more than 20 historic customs, five of which were built by the legendary George Barris, plus others by The Alexander Brothers, Bill Hines, Valley Custom, and other well-known shops and craftsmen.
Doug Steck’s pearl purple ’50 Merc was built by Doug Thompson during the first custom revival period in the early-’80s. The ’56 Dodge grille bars are a distinctive touch and complement more common modifications like frenched headlights, rounded hood corners, and of course, the chopped top.
If terms like “chopped Merc” or “candy apple red” or “fender skirts” are part of your vocabulary, the Revival is likely your type of show. “We like to say that if your car looks like it could have rolled out of George’s, Joe’s, or Gene’s shop back in the day, this event is for you,” Anderson says.
To learn more, visit customcarrevival.com or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
Photos by Ron Hensley
