Alexander Brothers

[Jive-Bomber]

On the exact one year anniversary of Larry Alexander's death (8/24/10), I thought it might be a good time to look back at some of the BrothersÂ* iconic custom work from the late 50s to the mid 60s. These two humble guys, Larry and Mike (the 'A-Brothe...

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[Theo Douglas]

Excellent choice for a front page post. These guys were rulers.

Two things: First of all, I still disagree with the wheel choice for the restored Grasshopper; I still don't think it looks right.

And second: What about their Crown Victoria, the one with the 1957 DeSoto (I think!) rolled pans? Anyone have a picture of that? A really big one?

Again, great post! Nice work.

[bob t!]

to me the alexander bros. were the best of their era;great design & superb workmanship. the second version of the victorion in candy burgandy & with revised sidetrim and the bailey merc showcase their talents perfectly . so many others as well.mike is an absolute gentleman and larry r.i.p.

[flamingokid]

Every kid from my generation knows the Deora(my 3 year old nephew knows it)and the Grasshopper.3 Ridier awards I believe in a 4 year span.Just incredible.I also think that Mike had a lot to do with the ASC convertibles in the 80s and 90s.

[Rikster]

Originally Posted by Theo Douglas

What about their Crown Victoria, the one with the 1957 DeSoto (I think!) rolled pans? Anyone have a picture of that?

Dave Jenkins photo

[G V Gordon]

One of my favorite builders from my youth. I remember seeing a series of build articles on the Deora and thinking. "60 Ford wagon tailgate? That is friggin Genious!

[fordnutz]

Visionaries and car builders with taste. They put out a lot of well designed cars and trucks. My favorite Eastern builders. Valley Custom gets my vote for the West. Tasteful, easy to look at customs. Pat.

[Theo Douglas]

Thanks, Rik!

[Jive-Bomber]

Originally Posted by Theo Douglas

First of all, I still disagree with the wheel choice for the restored Grasshopper; I still don't think it looks right.

Theo-
You are so right about the Grasshoppers wheel choice (originally had Olds Fiesta caps)- But I couldn't find an original picture of it anywhere!

[bakes]

Originally Posted by G V Gordon

One of my favorite builders from my youth. I remember seeing a series of build articles on the Deora and thinking. "60 Ford wagon tailgate? That is friggin Genious!

Agreed. Some of the details in the deora were amazing. I can't recall how many 1/24 scale kits of that car I built and then tried to further "customize" when I was about 11...

[bob-o]

The Alexander Bros are RULERS. Thanks for this thread, Jive-Bomber

The Victorian is in my Top 10 Favorite Customs list for sure (obviously). I hear that it's being restored... Anybody have any news about that?

PS. That's a great photo of it, Rik. I've never seen that one before! Thanks for sharing

[K13]

Not only great customizers but great guys as well. I met them at the GNRS in '99 standing outside the Cow palace and Larry just started talking to me. At first I had no idea who it was but we just chatted like we had known each other for years after I figured out who it was it was cool to know what a really down to earth great guy he was. Thanks for the post Jive Bomber

[loveoftiki]

The Victorian was at a KKOA Show in Holland, Mi some years back and I don't think they knew what they had, heard it was being put back, but have seen nothing of the car other than a photo in Rod and Kustom back than. I also heard the owner of the A Bros Purple Pelican 54 Ford still owns it and was rumored to be re-storing it. As a Native Detroiter - RIP Larry A , no doubt a huge contributer to our areas, as well as Americas Kustom scene.

[autobilly]

Great cars, great guys and great post, but everyone knows, guys in the '50's didn't have tattoos.

[hemifarris]

Originally Posted by Rikster

Dave Jenkins photo

The above car was built for my good friend, Sy Gregorich. Sy always owned ,and drove, bitchin' cars. He was in town visiting his family and old buddies. He looks great. He's now living in California.
Mike and Larry built cars for several more of my friends;
1) Bob Massaron's '56 Chevrolet "Venturian". Bob kept adding and adding. I didn't care for the final project but he did and that's all that matters.
2) Bill Whetstone's '60 Ford "Adonis"
I was lucky enough to hang out at their shop in 1960-61 when I was 15 years old............

[bob t!]

on rik hovings site there are pictures of the start of the victorians restoration. i believe they are several years old

[Triggerman]

I met one of them at a SF Rod and Custom show at the Cow Palace. Sadly, his name escapes me now. As K13 stated, he was a nice fellow and willing to chat with someone he had never met. I was duly impressed. He was in the area of a couple of their cars, one was the Deora and I think the other was that nifty green pick up. Really nice cars and a nice gentleman.

[lukey]

The victorian is tied as my #1 all time favorite kustom!

[sylvian]

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The Alexander Brothers are among the best. I'm the current caretaker of the Adonis re-creation and have been lucky enough to meet both Mike Alexander and Bill Whetstone.

RIP Larry

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[hemifarris]

Originally Posted by sylvian

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The Alexander Brothers are among the best. I'm the current caretaker of the Adonis re-creation and have been lucky enough to meet both Mike Alexander and Bill Whetstone.

RIP Larry

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Bill's a great guy. He still owns a lot of fabulous cars and pickups.I was lucky enough to hang out at Alexander Brother's shop during the Adonis construction, I was 15. I have breakfast with him Saturday mornings. We call it the breakfast club. We started with 8-12 guys back in the late 70s. Now we have 80-115 guys every Saturday.