History Joe Bailon passed today

Rik Hoving's site says that Joe Bailon passed today, God Bless a good guy!

 

Friends from Nor Cal sent me the news...RIP Candy Apple Joe..another one of the originators gone

 

Gods speed Joe, go paint those Pearly Gates a nice shade of Candy Apple Red!

 

Condolences to the Bailon family on the passing of Joe. As others have said he colored the world in a special way. Rest in Peace.

Regards,
Stogy

 

Joseph M. Bailon
March 18, 1923 - September 25, 2017​

 

​

 

Joe Bailon's 1941 Chevrolet "MISS ELEGANCE":

1950 (in primer)




1952 National (Oakland) Roadster Show


"The Dashboard" - August 1953 issue of Popular Mechanics



​

 

Frank Livingston & Joe Bailon - Custom D'Elegance Award winners at 1957 GNRS​

 

Appreciate these guys and their contributions while they're among us, guys. God's peace to his family.

 

Yep GOOD GUY, met him at Portland Roadster Shop when I was a judge for the show...
didn't always adore the design, BUT, certainly could appreciate the amount of work it took..
R.I.P. Joe, your one of the great ones...


94 years, pretty good run,

 

RIP to the King of Candy Apple.

 

The more the legends pass, the more that song becomes more iconic, "Whose Gonna Fill Their Shoes". Godspeed Mr. Balion.

 

I hate so much to hear this.... I know it's inevitable, but still hard to swallow. I never got to meet him as it goes with many other legends in the auto industry that have passed, but that does not mean they affected me any less. I respected his customizing talent and style and used that as a stepping stone to all the cars and trucks I customized over the years. God speed Mr. Bailon. Thank you for all your hard work.

 

Wow, another legend gone. My condolences to family and friends.

 

​

 

God Speed Mr. Bailon,the man that made a indelible "Candy Apple Red" mark as his legacy. HRP

 

Learned of Joe when seeing Miss Elegance at the Seattle car show way back in the 50's. It made me and my best friend instant "car guys" and have been ever since. Thanks for that Mr. Joe Bailon , a picture of that marvelous custom Chevy hangs in a special place in my shop/garage. God bless you.

 

sincere sympathy goes out to his Family, friends and fans - have not seen him in quite a while - good guy, very talented/creative - some of his creations went outside the normal custom route

 

Godspeed to another legend. The dash in Miss Elegance captured me as a youth, looked like the cockpit of an airliner.

 

Prayer go out to his family.Bruce.

 

Joe wasn't just a legend, he was a really good guy. This is a monumental loss.

Mick

 

Met him at a KOA show in Pigeon Forge years ago. He had his table set up next to Barris.
We talked a bit, and he signed a poster for us. He didn't talk as much as George, but the East Tennessee summer heat probably got to him that day. A good guy, RIP

 

R.I.P. Joe.

 

Condolences to the family - R.I.P. .....

 

Condolences to his family, friends, and to all those he touched in the automotive world. He may be gone, but may his works, achievements, and influence live on. R.I.P., Joe.

 

RIP

 

Oh man, so sorry to hear. I'm so glad that I met and talked with Mr. Bailon on a few occasions at the car shows he was at as a guest craftsman.
I remember back in '99 at the Red Rock Nationals in Moab, Utah I asked him for an autograph on one of his "Candy Apple Cruise" fliers. He was sitting next to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth under a picnic shelter in the park, and the pair were just having a great time! He kindly obliged and then told me he expected to see me at his event. I stammered around and tried to find the words to tell him there was no way I could attend his event and he just ate it up. I was still searching for words and "Big Daddy " said "Don't worry kid, sometimes ol' Joe leaves me hunting for words, too"! Ed then looked at Joe and the two just started laughing. Good times!
Last story. A few years ago I was at the Leadsled Spectacular and Mr. Bailon was there. He was at his table signing autographs and such. His table was right next to Connie Stevens who was a special guest there that year. Everyone was snapping pictures and having a great time. There were a lot of people there taking pictures and for some reason Joe singled me out and waved me over to him. He asked if I would take a picture of him and Connie together, and send them to him at his home. In return, he would give me a picture of my choice with his autograph. I told him that I would do it--no picture necessary, but he insisted. Joe and Connie stood together and I snapped a few pictures of them together. He gave me the autographed picture and said, "Don't forget to send me the picture, now." I told him "You can count on me Mr. Bailon!"
Once I got home I had the pictures made into prints and sent them off without delay. A few days later he called me himself to thank me for sending the pictures so fast. I'll never forget what he said next. "It sure is nice to know that there are still some people out there that stand by their word. Thank you, Ed". Blew me away!
I'm so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Definitely puts a damper on the day. My deepest condolences to his family and friends, and many, many fans.
Thank you for all you gave us custom folks, as well as all those that love Kandy red. Vaya Con Dios, Mr. Bailon..........E