Early on, people started modifying their cars. In the neginning, it was almost exclusively modifying them to go faster. In the 1040's, a new trend started- modifying them to improve and personalize their appearance.
The Kustom craze was born. It's gone through a lot of changes over the years, but it lives on today, even if a lot of today's customizing is pretty lame
The golden age of Kustoms started in the early 1950's, and continued until the mid 1960's. It gave us some of the great legends of customizing, names like Cushenbery, Winfield, Hines, The Alexander Brothers, and Barris.
Some were mild
This 1950 Chevrolet has some very simple and tasteful modifications, such as shaved door handles, frenched headlights, and all of the trim on the hood removed (nosed)
Some were radical
Bill Cushenbery's Limelighter- one of my all-time favorite customs
Even though these types of cars stopped getting the acclaim and press that they got in the golden age, they've never gone away. Today, many people build "traditional kustoms"- cars that, while built today, look as though they could have been built between 1950 and 1965.
For me, I find this a fascinating genre to work in. The possibilities for fun shaping and reshaping of metal are endless. Of course, the modifications made must all serve to make the car more aesthetically pleasing. These will usually entail modifications that make the car appear shorter vertically and longer horizontally. Notice the 1950 Chevy pictured above- the modifications done smooth it out, but the high roofline makes the whole car appear short and squat (in my opinion). This are the exact same bodylines (and problems) that I will deal with in my build.
And then, there are THE RULES. And the rules vary quite a bit from person to person and group to group. Everyone is willing to make some concessions to the passage of time and development of technology, yet still consider a car traditionally styled. The purists of the group despise ANY visible modern part. Some of the more liberal are concerned mostly with only the body and interior- whatever you do as far as running gear is acceptable.
Personally, I say everyone should build their car the way they want, and to please themselves. My standards for my car are simple. Inside and outside, under the hood, and underneath the car- always try to make it look period correct. The one place where I have no problem straying from period correct is in matters of safety. Seat belts were not mandatory on cars until the mid to late 1960's. My car has never had them. It's going to. Period correct be damned, I'm going to haul important people, and seat belts are not negotiable. And of course- any modern goodies I can put in the car, and have them not be visible are fair game!
One problem I am facing is this- uniqueness. 1949-1952 Chevrolets have been popular canvasses for customizers since they were still on the dealer's lots. After 60 years, there's little (if any) you can do to one that hasn't been done before. So, as I modify it, I also have to lean away from some (but not all) of the common mods that peoiple do to them. Hopefully, when I am done, I'll be able to park my car in a line with 20 others and still stand out. And in a positive way!
Some great customized 1949-1952 Chevrolets:
"La Jolla," 51 designed and owned by Harry Bradley (the guy who designed the first Hot Wheels cars
This 51 is a modern build, executed in perfect traditional style. The builder of this one is HAMB member John Denich- a great guy, who has helped me with issues.
So now, you know what I mean when I say "traditional kustom." And now, it's time to get back to work on mine. I gotta get it driving before I worry too much about making it sexy!
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