Pre-Watson Flames

When you look at modern photos of what hot rodders consider “Traditional” 50s flame jobs, the overwhelming example is the long, seaweed-style flame, often with the same basic shape and pattern and a red to yellow transition. It’s often forgotten that the original flames on paint took on many different looks and styles, going all the way back to George Rubsch’s pre-war streamliner.

There was a great post on the HAMB a few years ago looking at many of other styles of early flame jobs, and it made me wonder why we don’t see more flames inspired by the Barris Brothers, Von Dutch, or Tommy the Greek’s work. Some of Dutch’s work is more esoteric than others (I’m looking at you Yeakel Bros. Roadster), but there are so many inspirations before and beyond the Watson style of making fire.

Case in point is an article on Flame Painting from the 1957 Hot Rod Annual, with not only an article about how to flame, but a number of great cars inside with a whole range of flame types: