Hey, I jus' finished reading the first half of an article, in the latest TRJ mag- azine, on " The Ayala Brothers'', by Pat Ganahl. The Ayala Brothers.... talk about two guys that belong on "The Mount Rushmore" of the Kustom world! It got me thinking (not something I'm accused of often, anymore) about how many major and medium players in the world of Kustom car builders, that are still living. Guys who have had little of their stories told in book form. There have been some self- published autobiography on some of the lesser knowns, and a long over due supply on "the usual suspects" i.e. Roth, The Barris bros. & Kenny Howard, but what about the guys that filled in the blanks in the kustom world? Most of these guys are octoginearians, plus. That doesn't leave much time for their stories to be told, firsthand. Besides Bertolucci, Jeffries, Dick Dean and Joe Ballion, who else needs to make your list? Swankey devils C.c. "Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"
Joe Ortiz from Hayward CA he built a really radical 56 Bird and 58 Impala, he built several cars but these are his most well know, both built for local customers. Alexander Bros...no explanation needed Dick Jackson...57 T Bird, 59 Impala, 58 T Bird and several other cars. Bill Cushenberry...1956 Ford the Marquis Bill Carr...Aztec Chevy Larry Watson.... Just a short list. John
And of course, The Man, Gene Winfield. Known him for many years. Been a student of his. Watched him pound metal for 10 hrs. straight with a smile on his face. A Legend for sure. Saw him yesterday in Tacoma, WA. A true Friend. A true gentleman. A true hotrodder, and a GREAT teacher. Brian
You guys better head for the book store. The Legendary Custom Cars and Hot Rods of GENE WINFIELD author David Grant I got my copy yesterday. It is a great read very well done. I got my copy at Borders. RodP
thank you!!! i wonder if the episode of monster garage where he was on there is available. still chomping on that cigar after all these years. most guys my age don't know who he is
Tony Romano,A+A Auto Body,Joe Maneri,Dick Dean,John Paszik,.................................................
here is the link to info on the monster garage episode with bill hines, look at the list of names under build team lol http://www.tv.com/monster-garage/ol...e/310468/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;17
A couple of good friends of mine from the East Coast:Kelsey Martin and Christie Massios. Most people outside of New England probably never heard those names,but around New England they are very well known.Both of them have chopped,channeled,and sectioned more cars than most people could name.Both are close to 70 and still going strong.Kelsey is currently chopping two cars in his shop and Christie is,"retired" in Maine and working on his own stuff for a change and still playing ice hockey(and kicking ass)with college age kids. Don't have any pics of Christie(he's camera-shy)but here's a pic of Kelsey at his shop with someone that everyone on this board should be familiar with.The tool is a little thing I lettered up awhile ago.
The Jalopy Journal
