The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 10-31-2007, 10:18 AM

I've said it before... I love Custom Cars Magazine. This clip is from the March 1958 issue and focuses on the 1952 t...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

customcory · 10-31-2007, 10:31 AM

My favorite thing about the little books, restyling ideas. You can learn some things from this stuff. I wish we still had parts laying around like back then to play around with. Custom Cars was a good magazine. I got all the little ones.Thanks Ryan.

JimA · 10-31-2007, 11:14 AM

One of my favorite magazines as well. If only the original files were intact and an amazing book series could come from that- but sadly the original files were raped and pillaged decades ago, and what was left was said to be thrown away.
The series stands alone as a great spot in time as they didn't try and later reinvent it as a kart magazine or get into show rods or Volkswagens just to keep the title alive.

**Ryan** · 10-31-2007, 11:30 AM

Jim, "Custom Cars" is public domain now - correct? I don't think they were bought... Think they just folded, right?

JimA · 10-31-2007, 11:37 AM

They were part of the Petersen family of mags and thats where the files were decades ago. Don't think anything exists anymore- but from the glimpse I got of the surviving Rod & Custom files still plenty of gems there- and you can see examples of all the old production work- PRE computers, it's amazing!
Also on the old R&C files you can see from hand written notes where they reused the material for the later "Spotlite" books.

**Ryan** · 10-31-2007, 11:40 AM

I hope that stuff survives... I bet it is RAD.

eddie_zapien · 10-31-2007, 12:21 PM

Great stuff!

RPW · 10-31-2007, 12:21 PM

Custom Cars was a great one, made my collection complete many years ago.
First class inspiration for the freezing cold winter nights here in the north.

Eryk · 10-31-2007, 12:27 PM

It's great to read about specific custom ideas discussed from a theoretical standpoint. Very design oriented. There's nothing "Kool' or "Kultured" in those little books. It's just art. The highest form of art, in my opinion.

I love to geek out over custom mods.

**straykatkustoms** · 10-31-2007, 01:10 PM

The Custom Car are kool but the annuals are priceless, I have 1954 through
1962 and they are full of kool ideas for projects. Even though the parts are
not as accessable as they were, you can still find them out there.

brainfrz · 10-31-2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the post. Functional discussions of styling cues. I like. we could start to preserve these ideas on the HAMB. Where simple pics of custom details are uploaded, discussed, critiqued, etc. I think it would greatly help for newer customizers see whats been done and how it turned out without trying to buy every mag from eb*&.
Just my thoughts. thanks again for the post. I love seeing Packard tail light featurettes.

Jon

mikhett · 10-31-2007, 02:14 PM

Ryan,youve given me some ideas! Im kustomizen a 54 merc 2dr ht.Thanks Mike

Rand Man · 10-31-2007, 03:22 PM

I'd love to do a custom someday. Wonder what ideas they had for '57 Plymouths?

Silhouettes 57 · 10-31-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rand Man

I'd love to do a custom someday. Wonder what ideas they had for '57 Plymouths?

A Larry Watson '57 Plymouth

jonny o · 11-01-2007, 10:41 AM

Can you imagine going to the dealers to snag a '55 Pontiac grill, '55 Buick bullets and '53 Merc grill teeth!?
Some gorgeous work.

Eagletucky · 11-01-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainfrz

Thanks for the post. Functional discussions of styling cues. I like. we could start to preserve these ideas on the HAMB. Where simple pics of custom details are uploaded, discussed, critiqued, etc. I think it would greatly help for newer customizers see whats been done and how it turned out without trying to buy every mag from eb*&.
Just my thoughts. thanks again for the post. I love seeing Packard tail light featurettes.

Jon

I dig this idea. It may open some newer folks minds to other modifications that they havent thought of before. Most of the stuff we want to do has been done before. To have these pics in an archive would be very helpfull.

**oldbobsign** · 11-01-2007, 11:26 AM

Hands down, my favorite of the little books. Bought most of them at the local drugstore when they first came out. Reacquired the complete set in recent years and when showing them to my brother he was still able to tell me the car that was on the inside of the front and rear covers just by looking at the front cover - guess it left an indelible stamp in his memory as well.

ThunderRocket · 12-05-2012, 04:19 PM

When did "Custom Cars" cease to exist?
I have Sept '57 thru August '60, how many more are there?

While we are on the subject:
How about Customs Illustrated?
I know the 1st issue was July '58.

lurker mick · 12-05-2012, 04:52 PM

Custom Cars - Sept 1957 through August 1960 so you have all the issues

Sorry, I'm not sure when Customs Illustrated ended.

Mick

ThunderRocket · 12-06-2012, 08:37 AM

Thanks, Mick

10-31-2007, 10:18 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,688	Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... I've said it before... I love Custom Cars Magazine. This clip is from the March 1958 issue and focuses on the 1952 t... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

10-31-2007, 10:31 AM	#2
customcory Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: hickory,n.c. Posts: 1,737	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... My favorite thing about the little books, restyling ideas. You can learn some things from this stuff. I wish we still had parts laying around like back then to play around with. Custom Cars was a good magazine. I got all the little ones.Thanks Ryan.

10-31-2007, 11:14 AM	#3
JimA BANNED Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Jarrell, Texas Posts: 4,844	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... One of my favorite magazines as well. If only the original files were intact and an amazing book series could come from that- but sadly the original files were raped and pillaged decades ago, and what was left was said to be thrown away. The series stands alone as a great spot in time as they didn't try and later reinvent it as a kart magazine or get into show rods or Volkswagens just to keep the title alive.

10-31-2007, 11:30 AM	#4
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,688	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Jim, "Custom Cars" is public domain now - correct? I don't think they were bought... Think they just folded, right? __________________ Ryan Cochran "Skating the same line since 1976..." .................................................. .... www.jalopyjournal.com - www.garagejournal.com - www.gearjournal.com - www.fordbarn.com - www.DOGFIGHTmag.com

10-31-2007, 11:37 AM	#5
JimA BANNED Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Jarrell, Texas Posts: 4,844	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... They were part of the Petersen family of mags and thats where the files were decades ago. Don't think anything exists anymore- but from the glimpse I got of the surviving Rod & Custom files still plenty of gems there- and you can see examples of all the old production work- PRE computers, it's amazing! Also on the old R&C files you can see from hand written notes where they reused the material for the later "Spotlite" books.

10-31-2007, 11:40 AM	#6
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,688	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... I hope that stuff survives... I bet it is RAD. __________________ Ryan Cochran "Skating the same line since 1976..." .................................................. .... www.jalopyjournal.com - www.garagejournal.com - www.gearjournal.com - www.fordbarn.com - www.DOGFIGHTmag.com

10-31-2007, 12:21 PM	#7
eddie_zapien Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 271	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Great stuff! __________________ Eddie

10-31-2007, 12:21 PM	#8
RPW Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South of Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 946	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Custom Cars was a great one, made my collection complete many years ago. First class inspiration for the freezing cold winter nights here in the north. __________________ - Kustom style - Not lifestyle -

10-31-2007, 12:27 PM	#9
Eryk Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AV to the SFV Posts: 925	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... It's great to read about specific custom ideas discussed from a theoretical standpoint. Very design oriented. There's nothing "Kool' or "Kultured" in those little books. It's just art. The highest form of art, in my opinion. I love to geek out over custom mods. __________________ Los Boulevardos C.C.

10-31-2007, 01:10 PM	#10
straykatkustoms Alliance Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dewey, Ok USA Posts: 5,378	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... The Custom Car are kool but the annuals are priceless, I have 1954 through 1962 and they are full of kool ideas for projects. Even though the parts are not as accessable as they were, you can still find them out there. __________________ *** "STRAY KAT 500" * DEWEY, OK. MAY 3, 4 & 5, 2013 * "STARLINER" *** WICHITA, KS. SEPT 6 & 7, 2013 www.straykatkustoms.com

10-31-2007, 01:12 PM	#11
brainfrz Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 572	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Thanks for the post. Functional discussions of styling cues. I like. we could start to preserve these ideas on the HAMB. Where simple pics of custom details are uploaded, discussed, critiqued, etc. I think it would greatly help for newer customizers see whats been done and how it turned out without trying to buy every mag from eb*&. Just my thoughts. thanks again for the post. I love seeing Packard tail light featurettes. Jon

10-31-2007, 02:14 PM	#12
mikhett Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: jackson nj Posts: 679	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Ryan,youve given me some ideas! Im kustomizen a 54 merc 2dr ht.Thanks Mike

10-31-2007, 03:22 PM	#13
Rand Man Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rogers, Arkansas Posts: 2,624	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... I'd love to do a custom someday. Wonder what ideas they had for '57 Plymouths? __________________ She's wearin' new colors and runnin' pretty good I got four hundred horses tucked under the hood.

11-01-2007, 10:41 AM	#15
jonny o Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norwalk, Oh Posts: 836	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Can you imagine going to the dealers to snag a '55 Pontiac grill, '55 Buick bullets and '53 Merc grill teeth!? Some gorgeous work. __________________ Yes, you can heat a 10x20 storage unit with an extension cord and a couple heat bulbs. Jonny o

11-01-2007, 11:26 AM	#17
oldbobsign Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mokena, Illannoy Posts: 784	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Hands down, my favorite of the little books. Bought most of them at the local drugstore when they first came out. Reacquired the complete set in recent years and when showing them to my brother he was still able to tell me the car that was on the inside of the front and rear covers just by looking at the front cover - guess it left an indelible stamp in his memory as well. __________________ None of them doing nothin' that your mama wouldn't disapprove. www.chicagobrushmasters.com

12-05-2012, 04:19 PM	#18
ThunderRocket Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Propwash! (16Xray) D/FW Posts: 2,213	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... When did "Custom Cars" cease to exist? I have Sept '57 thru August '60, how many more are there? While we are on the subject: How about Customs Illustrated? I know the 1st issue was July '58.

12-05-2012, 04:52 PM	#19
lurker mick Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: west point, utah u.s.a. Posts: 847	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Custom Cars - Sept 1957 through August 1960 so you have all the issues Sorry, I'm not sure when Customs Illustrated ended. Mick

12-06-2012, 08:37 AM	#20
ThunderRocket Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Propwash! (16Xray) D/FW Posts: 2,213	Re: Custom Cars, Custom Ideas... Thanks, Mick

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