- My Custom 1956 Ford -

The days of "American Graffiti" - Early 1960's Page 1of 2

This is a digital copy of one of the actual photographs Andy Southard, Jr. took of my Ford for a featured article in Car Craft Magazine. It was also featured in Car Speed & Style, Popular Customs and others that have since "bit the dust". It was the first week I had returned to my home town of Salinas after winning at the Slo Pokes' Monterey Kar Kapades, Blackie Gegeian's Fresno Autorama, the Sacramento Rod and Custom Autorama and Gene Winfield's Modesto Rod and Custom Show.

The middle pictures below shows a photograph of a page from Andy Southard's new book "Hot Rods and Custom Cars of the 60's". The page shows my old '56 Ford as it was the last time it was customized in 1962. The paint was Chartreuse MetalFlake with Pearl White in the side trim and rear concave. It was painted by Salinas custom painter Steve Coehlo. My long time friend, Gary Calvert, who later became a custom car "sweepstakes" winner at many major west coast shows in later years, did the installation of a Ford 390 engine. The body work being done by many friends. It was a group effort to build a national class winner in semi-custom sedan class and our goal was achieved. Steve, Gary, Gerry Overweser, Jim Cox and many others contributed so much of their time to make it be a winner. The car won many shows and was featured in Car Craft Magazine.

Andy Southard,Jr, a good friend and a man who is well known nationally by all hot-rod and custom car enthusiasts,(he is a former Managing Editor of Rod & Custom Magazine, a feature photographer for Peterson Publications and a recent inductee into the "Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame.") has kept a photographic record of the many changes that occurred with my old Ford, for which I am very grateful. Andy has published five books on the history of hot rods and custom cars, and, in my opinion, they are the ultimate documentation and pictorial history of the crazy Hot Rod, Custom Car culture that covers over four decades.

All are available, and you can get signed copies from Andy. His e-mail address is merc40@aol.com. Check them out -- they're the finest books on the subject - without exception!

The middle picture was taken by Andy Southard at the 1961 "Oakland Grand National Roadster Show" on trophy night. It shows me on the stage, receiving the class award with a stunned look on my 18 year old face. The man on the left is Al Slonaker, who, with his wife Mary, produced the Roadster Show for many years. They had always been especially encouraging of my participation, and I had entered my Ford in several of their shows.

Al and Mary Sloanaker had told me that I was one of the youngest people to ever win a class award at a Roadster Show, which to this day, is considered the "premiere" hot rod-custom car show in the world. They always treated me like one of their family. When I would bring a car load of friends to any of their shows, they would always wave my guests through for no admission charge - no small deal when you realize I sometimes had eight people in the car. Very few of the other promoters were as thoughtful or as generous. This period in my life will never be forgotten, and I wish all young people could experience the unique joy cars have brought me throughout my years.

The drawing below is something I am especially proud of... It was done by high school friend Rod Powell in 1961 to help me define my plans for new custom work. Rod presented me with this fabulous momento just this year (2001). He is the same Rod Powell who would later become world famous for his flame painting and custom car building. He has written a book called "Rod Powells Flame Painting Techniques," a must read for all custom painters and aspiring customizers...

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