Who are the most important builders these days?

Ive been a big fan of Scott Guildner, Cole, Lance from the choppers, christer perrson, etc...

Local Heros: 60's style, K-member, Beetle, Bruce Donelan, Mike Soldano, Just Dug, The Feds, Marshall, this guy Named Joe out in white center who has an amazing 36 three window tail dragger that no one has ever seen....

 

Littleman gets my vote....

 

Ryan, I totally agree, when I worked at Rod Millen I got to work with some of the best Fabricators around, Knowbody has ever heard of them, they were older guys that had been building race cars forever. I like guys like that, they are true heroes. I am also a fan of backyard builders, thats were I came from and I am proud of it. Guys that are building cars in their garage for the love it are the back bone of the hobby.
Jimmy White

 

In the midwest you could add Teddy "Z" (Bill Hine's nephew) and Dan Webb,both from Michigan

 

I am definatly of the opinion that the real BADASSES are the guys that are in the barn, burnin the oil all night to get it done. And the ones that are teachin the fng's how its done. With that said, I am all about plowboys twisted auto art, littlemans insane chassis, and Fritz Schenk with his Roswell bubbletop thing. Just remember, the only thing that makes the big name guys bigger than these guys is advertising.

 

cletus, rougue, cole, bleed, drew ,haystack, and max wedge.... are my favorite builders on the hamb........ these guys all make me smile with their creativity....... LUKESTER

 

Donny Hagland.

 

Oh SNAP! R-Dog your words are few, but very profound!
I think the lable "builder" gets thrown around too much. The word means differnet things to different folks.
If a dude doesn't own or work at a shop or post pics of their lates project, yet that person is the main soul responsible for building a car or cars that are killer does that make that person a "builder"?
There are a ton of dudes out there that fit that description, but do not get the props that others do. Does someone have to turn a profit on their creations to be known as a "builder"?
So I guess I'm asking the question what makes someone a "builder"? What's it's definition? Who knows, who cares maybe, point is the there are cats out there building circles around some of the folks on those lists, but they are not known as "builders".
See You in the deep end,
El Cheater Carlos, Friend of the trolls

 

Let's not forget:
Donn Lowe
Richard Glymph
John Kouw
Gary Fioto (Chopit)

 

Josh mills www.millscustoms.com
david lane www.fastlanerodshop.com

 

Fat Hack,the traditional Chevy V6 king.........

 

We are.
Nuff said.

 

That would be Dave Simard

 

Dan - first off I wanna agree with everybody that the true unsung heros are those guys crafting their own vision, in their own garages. That's the true heart of the hobby. That said, I also have a ton of respect for those guys with the stones to hang out a shingle and make a living out of it. Here's a brief set of links for the familiar and relatively unfamiliar names on my (admittedly incomplete) list, here are some links that show off their skills...


Bob Bleed - Milwaukee WI, ya know him, ya love him...

http://www.madfabricators.com/gallery_treasure.htm

SoWhat/Clark Abbottstown PA - this coupe really melds east coast/west coast aesthetic...

http://www.jalopyshowdown.com/jalopy004.jpg

Keith Cornell/Rolling Bones - Greenfield Center NY, east coasters who have Bonneville style nailed...

http://www.rodderboy.com/Pages_v2/feature1.html

Andy Didio/Suicide Axle - Sycamore IL. Yo 815 up in dis bitch!

http://mikezenor.home.comcast.net/suicideaxle

Cole Foster - Salinas CA, purveyor of fine metal for rock stars...

http://www.salinasboys.com/

Aaron Grote - Cerro Gordo, BFE, IL, the notorious Plowboy...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59728&page=1&pp=20

Reggie Hill - Round Rock TX, HAMB's Hot Wheel is a Rembrandt with patina...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/LRU/reg02.jpg

Gary Howard - Georgetown TX, author of Mike Young's Exotica Impala and Jimmy Vaughn's Ironic Twist Caddy...

http://www.jimmievaughan.com/ezine/cars/index.html

Joe & Jason Kennedy - Orange County CA. Built Jim Jard's mind blowing roadster.

http://customrodderweb.com/events/0409cr_roundup_13_z.jpg

Josh Mills - young guy in Atlanta GA, used to work at Hank Young/Joe Smith shop...

http://www.millscustoms.com/

Bill Mize - hails from my hometown of Sioux City IA, has done some killer old school coupes and choppers...

http://www.zoo.co.uk/~z0006413/Bill's latest builds.htm

Pinkees - Windsor CO, builder of this flawless RPU...

http://jamesglader.com/things/files/001.php

Rudy Rodriguez - Fullerton CA, author of the 'Coahuila Special' truck, Billy Gibbons' deuce roadster (and my T)

http://www.channel4.com/4car/feature/features-2005/billy-gibbons/index-5.html

'Mercury Charlie' Runnels - Austin TX, does a wicked Merc but my fave is his T coupe...

http://www.mercurycharlie.com/Gallery.htm
http://rodandcustommagazine.com/eventcoverage/0509rc_lonestar_19_z.jpg

Craig & Milt Schrendl - Delavan WI, Dad & son who are fellow Primates...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikezenor/71364028/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikezenor/71364639/

Jimmy Shine - SoCal, he of the unpainted A truck...

http://www.jimmyshine.com/

Dave Simard - Leominster MA, master hotrod restorer...

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/milestones/0304sr_miles/
http://www.rodderboy.com/Pages_v2/feature1.html

Keith Tardel - Santa Rosa CA, son of Vern and a master of traditional in his own right...

http://www.rexrods.com/

Kevin Tulley - Addison IL, talented traditional builder here in Chicago area...

http://www.hotrodchassisandcycle.com/

Carl Urbaniak - Milwaukee WI, Cheater Carl is the toast of Sudstown for his garage skills and tender lovemaking...

http://www.myclassiccar.com/MCCTV/2005Season/10004/gallery.shtml

Jimmy White/ Circle City - Orange CA, HAMB's own Hemi Coupe...

http://www.circlecityhotrods.com/

 

Any unsung local hero that has the knowledge and talent to build anything. But is always willing to help others learn. In Hawaii Kevin Brenner of Fusion Werks would get my vote. If it wasn't for him I'd still be trying to build my 31 Coupe with Duct tape, tie wire and zip ties.

 

IMHO You'll find out the true Hot Rodders - call them "Hot Rod Hero's" or "Important Builders" or whatever......they are the one's who DON'T build themselves UP by taking YOU DOWN - they don't need to as they can stand alone on their own accomplishments. They don't see it as a competition, but as a chance to learn from/help others. They don't see it as a way to make money, but as a calling. They try to HELP you even if they think you are misguided. They are rarely well known because they don't care enough about building a reputation to make any effort at it - because THAT would take time away from cars. They might even stop and help you when you are broke down on the side of the road - and they sure as hell wouldn't accept any payment (other than a doughnut maybe). They might forego working on their own stuff to help you work on yours.......I have friend's like this, but mentioning their names really serves no purpose as you wouldn't know them anyways.

Builders?? The important one's are the one's who challenge themselves regardless of what the rest of us think. Honing their skills - learning new things - not afraid to fail once in a while. We should try to be more like ............them.

 

Excellent comment. These folks are truely the grass roots supporters. They buy the stuff that others put their signiture on, they buy the mags, the tees, and the tools.They are the ones that support their local clubs and events. Some would go as far to say that without them there would be no hobby.

 

Hemi--

I couldn't agree with you more. I think you nailed what I've really been trying to get at--in my own mind. I have the most respect for the guys who are selfless with their talent, have a discriminating eye, consider their work art as much as it's a car, aren't afraid to fall down, are comfortable enough with themselves to praise others, support the craft and take pride in watching their fellow rodders succeed and further the culture.

And don't worry--it's MY job to make sure people know who they are.

And by the way, Zenor---DAMN, that's a great list! Thanks for the help. Now git your ass to the city and the bourbon n' rocks are on me at Bobby's place...

 

AGREED!!

 

I am completley honred to be on those lists.... Hopefully I will finish some cars this year that make me worthy.......... I think I belong on the most important builder "maybe someday" list. haha

I am mostly influanced by old magazines and my friends..... and the fact that I can't ever sleep.

I think as far as builders go, I look up to alot of guys for sure.

Tuck, Drew, Jimmy White, Cole, Clark, Skratch, Bass, Fatlucky all have HUGE futures as profesionals.... these guys ARE back yard rodders, whos passion has led them into business.
Its not about money, Its about art. They have no choice.

As far as true Back yard builders.....

Mark Moriarity has influanced me more than anyone else in recent years..... hes a fucking Genius.. haha he really is.
I close my eyes and see nothing but pearl and chrome. haha

I met Littleman last year and he became an instant friend.... he should be on the list of back yard builders who SHOULD be pro.

Kieth Weezner's art influances me too.... it's unbelieveable.... he must have DIGESTED all the same magazines that I did when I was a small kid..... He knows sixties details like no other. I'm more inspired by those drawings, than most real life Hot Rods I see.

There are so many Hambs too that completly rule.......... Lukesucker.... 60's style, Metalshapes, etc.... but the guys who are at it for the first time always make me smile.... the guys who get their car on the road for the first time..... I love those storys.

Grimlock's tales of his first Hot rod are PRICELESS. They are the essense of the Hamb for me.


Anyway...... thats all stuff I think is important

 

i think Gary "Chopit"& Cole Foster!

 

There's alote of guys on here that fly under the radar but put out bad ass shit. Im a little bias on this choice But Roadstar is top notch around the Detroit area.He has built some of the cleanest cars! And he is taking the time to pass his skills down to me and that's more important then any cars i think. Cause if you dont keep it alive we wont be able to make a list like this in another 20 years.

And while im thinking about guys flying under the radar here. how about Deny and Matt at the ionia hot rod shop. These guys are building some of the sickest chassis out there. Not to mention a rpu that will rock the whole scene.

Im lucky enough to know all these guys and be able to see there close attention to detail and learn from them about the "little things"

Never underestimate the quite ones

Bryan

 

Bob Bleed I love you!!! And miss you!!! Its kind of like that song from Rocky 3 "Eye of the Tiger" there is a line that says "You trade your passion for glory" . I really love hot rods, welding and fabricating, for me its my life and consumes me. I dont ever want to lose that, when I do I am hanging it up!!! I agree with Bob, I enjoy the first timers, The guys that just got bit with the hot rod bug.
Jimmy White
P.s. thanks again for including me in this list of esteemed colleagues.

 

Great list of names. Me, I value Fabian's work, his shop Vintage Hammer. What he did to Tom's roadster is nothing short of pure craftmanship! and if it ever see's the day light, 50 (?) chevy coupe. And as a kid Mercury John, he usta live done the street from me in Riverside. And as said before back yard builders, Grimlock, AdamX, etc.

Ken

 

I'd say most names have been posted already.

You can't deny the influence of the stuff coming out of the Radir wheels garage here in Jersey.

Gasser madness!

 

Another vote for Fritz. Not sure what else he has up his sleeve, but he won't follow up the Roswell Rod with anything half-assed.
dan

 

Zenor and a few others posted some links, but I'm DYING to see some of these other guys' work--can y'all post a pic of the stuff the builders you love have built and/or are working on?

 

Yer on, Danno, mebbe see you later this month in SF.

 

My vote goes to Skratch, but I am completely biased, he is building my car. Like alot of other people, when I first met him I thought he was only a pin striper. I stumbled across him and he came across very professional. He showed me around his shop where I figured out he was more than just a pin striper. He took on the job and has impessed me with his fabrication skills, my project needed loads of custom fabrication which I could not do myself. Skratch has the fabrication skills and an eye for art, it will be evident once my car is completed, hopefully we can unveil it at Paso this year. All others mentioned are great as well, but I have only been able to see their stuff in magazines. I have been fortunate enough to be able to watch the creative process go down on my project, and have been blown away everyday.