Corvette Week...
29 AUG 2010 - ...sounds like a good theme for this week, and we've got you covered at least three ways from Sunday.

Let's start it off with the grand debut of the C2ZR1 this past weekend at Corvettes at Carlisle. Just about ten months ago, Jeff over at Heartland Customs gave me a shout, and we threw ideas around for a car that we had both almost left for dead. (Rewind to the previous Summer, and there were rumblings afoot for a project that merged then-upcoming ZR1 running gear with a second-generation Vette, and Jeff had a notebook loaded with ideas and visions... and then, as happens with these things, life intervened, and the project fell dormant...) Back to last October... The project was back on, and Jeff was seeking the right client, and I was given the go-light to start drawing. Stoked? Oh heck yeah... With his attention to detail, this would be killer.

A few phone calls and emails later, I had created some artwork:


With literally dozens of subtle (and a few not-so-subtle) mods, the car went from timeless, iconic Chevrolet design statement to nasty, yet eerily-refined evil bruiser in a few short days:

Aside from the obvious technological advancements bein thrown at the car, it just had to have that over-the-top WOW-factor... and speaking of top, it was decided early on that this '64 was going to have a carbon fiber roof, no if's, and's or but's. It's fiber-licious:





We'll show more on the car very soon... but wanted to throw a sneak peek at the incredible work of Jeff and his crew, and at the same time, give them a huge pat on the back for yet another job so well done, it just kinda makes us all giddy thinking of where they'll be in a few years. I've had the incredible honor of watching them turn out some amazing iron (and 'glass... this being our second 'Vette project together), and when you think about the excitement that their work brings... well... imagine it from my perspective. Front row seats are cool... but getting to add some color commentary? Better still.

Keep looking in this week for not only more on this great car, but for some exciting new Corvette reading material! Yup... we got some new books in, and will serve up some toasty-hot reviews and ordering info, too. Stay tuned!

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BMX Challenge 2...
1 AUG 2010 - ...picks up right where last year's left off, but with less bruising and sore muscles.

The Second Annual Hot Rod Industry BMX Challenge takes place later this week (August 7, to be exact) in Louisville, KY, and returns to the amazing Derby City BMX grounds, and coincides with the NSRA Street Rod Nationals. As the official release reads:

"We are really excited about the BMX Challenge this year – we have changed the rules just a little – for the HRIC you must be a participant or vendor at the Street Rod Nationals – the BMX race is once again FREE of charge for you to participate in BUT to mix it up a little and to help give you guys and the spectators a better show we challenge you to “get sponsored”.
We will be running a Pro/Am mixed in with the Hot Rod Challenge and in order to bring in the “big guns” we have to show them the money! So we challenge you to get a sponsor for your race. Along with your name being announced during the race your sponsor will get some plugs as well! We ask you to get a min of $25 but challenge you to get more – the rider with the most sponsor money will get an extra special prize! Standard Byke Company is on board again this year – the winner of the HRIC will receive a new frame! Add to that more prizes, surprises and yet another frame from the great folks at Intense, and you have the makings of a grand event indeed."

Last years' event attracted 16 of the biggest and best builders in the game today, including Dave Tucci, Jesse Greening and Roger Burman, among the many talented riders and other industry professionals from companies like Billet Specialties, Welder Series, Vintage Air, Art Morrison, Calfornia Car Cover and more! Bill Stevens from Star Custom took the grand prize last year, after taking the lead from John Pearce after he lost rhythm in the last corner. Truly an exciting and fun event, to be certain, and with this year's prizes, it promises to be an even bigger draw!



What's really fun for me, anyway, is being tapped to create some art each year for the event... This year, as usual, the Stranges gave me full creative control, and told me to "just do what you do!". Suffice to say, I've had vintage drag racing on my brain for a few weeks, and busted out a Fiat altered, smoking the tires... I wanted more action this year, and wasn't going to go with a static car like last year. One thing led to another, and soon there was a rider in full flight overhead, and it just seemed to come together as most fun pieces tend to do.



I threw in a couple of little details as tributes to friends and family (as I do with almost every piece that leaves the Studio), and I'm genuinely stoked about the finished product. There's nothing like creating a souvenir piece for an event like this, and even better when it's for not only our colleagues and friends, but for prople whom I look up to for their skill, talent and drive...

If you'll be in Louisville for the Nats, or just happen to live or have plans in the neighborhood, make it a point to go to the races on Saturday... Get in on the fun, meet some great, influential folks, and enjoy the thrill of a hobby that got so many of us into cars in the first place!

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Some New Artwork...
16 JUL 2010 - It's been a while betwen updates around here on the ol' site... and for good reason. It's been busy, busy, and we're stoked, relieved, excited... And I figured I'd share some samples of just what in the heck it is that I've been busy on.

Our good friends Wayne and Pam over at M&M Hot Rod Interiors gave us a shout a while back, and asked if I'd whip up a new tee for them... And could it include Tammy Ray's Ridler-winning Gold Digger? Naturally I said "I think I can do that." All of that gung-ho potential energy was alchemized into this:



...which has some cool detailing, especially with the textural elements, which I threw in to reinforce the whole "Gold" theme (think gilded vases, gold leaf, hammered gold, etc etc etc), with a little "frontier" attitude to celebrate that this is a whole new frontier, what with Tammy being the first female to take the Ridler and all...



We're stoked to have such good friends who trust a vision, and especially so to be a part of the continuing success of a top-notch shop! (and we're stoked as well that the local boys and gals at Acme Prints are handling the production chores! Hooray for local business supporting local business. Go and do likewise!)...

Along the way, we got the call from our pal Liz, and she asked if we could whip up some artwork for her annual car show... Needless to say, we said "heck yeah". After all, a friend in need is a friend in need of some art. And we do that art thing a lot. Liz and her husband just happen to be big MOPAR people, so it was a no-brainer to go that route out front... And imagine the surprise when we presented the art and Liz told us that there's a local Charger in purple and white that attends the show. How cool will it be for THAT guy?! A hot rod with some traditional/modern twisting and mixing was a good call out back, adding that "going back in time" scholarly feel. Enough talk, here's the art:



It's a posterly-looking piece (ironic, what with it being a poster and all) with some energy, and really nails the look Brian's been pounding away at the past few months...

And then the phone rang, and Max from Bio Kustumz called looking for some new t-shirt art, I knew that things were going to get somewhat crazy when he mentioned “retro”, “robots”, “custom cars” and “maybe futuristic” in one sentence. I was already sketching as we spoke!



As stated, Max had requested something robotic, an early-1950's Cadillac, and machinery. I rolled with that, and came up with the artwork above, incorporating a robot customizer putting the finishing touches on his custom Caddy, while his sidekick offers up some potential ornamentation. Sadly for him, the little pooch is being waved-off on the fuzzy dice. I threw in some mixes of retro-future and fictional machinery, along with a ton of killer little details. Fun piece, no doubt.

The shirts will be hitting soon, and this is the first in a planned series of “artist tees”, and will feature some big names like Max Grundy, Dwayne Vance, myself and others! so get to Bio Kustumz’ site and snag a few!

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The rubber meets the road...
19 JUN 2010 - While it certainly sounds like the event which might signal the close of a truck stop tryst (We apologize for that. Brian apparently found the good coffee again –Ed.), but we’re more interested (for the time being) about the 2010 Amsoil/Street Rodder Magazine Road Tour car leaving the shop, and hitting the wide open spaces, highways, side streets and assorted roadside tourist traps that make our country great.



The Shadow Rods-based hauler made a grand entrance on May 16th at Southern Rods in Greer, South Carolina, and we’re stoked all over again! Built by our pal (and Hall of Famer, no less) Zane Cullen over at Cotati Speed Shop in Santa Rosa, it’s a killer combination of traditional style, reverence to the Bay Area’s storied hot rod past, and modern reliability and power. The car looks incredible with a track nose, hood blister, and so much of that trademark Cotati Speed Shop attention to detail that we can’t begin to list it all here…



...and if you've missed it in countless ads in Street Rodder and more, here's the rendering:



You can keep up with the Tour Car on the official blog HERE, and see where Jerry is headed, where he’s been, and where you can join in the fun, too! And if you can, head on out and join the fun!


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Grab some new hot rod tees...
10 JUN 2010 - We have a limited number of our well-received (and obviously popular!) Art Ragz series of t-shirts, and in sizes from small through 2XL (adult sizes only). What's great is that, for under ten bucks, you get a THREE COLOR (yeah, 3 colors!) design, printed on the back, and our logo up front... all on a lightweight tee that's perfect for Summer. Even better: with the low price, you won't live in fear of messing it up in the garage, shop, studio, cookout, whatever.



These are Gildan Ultra Blend tees,and the printing is light enough (and has enough open space, too) that you won't get that dreaded "sweaty back" feeling... And, as if that weren't enough, we threw in some 'flake, too... because, after all, what's cooler than THAT?

Here's the front, BTW:



You can buy some tees in our online store... As we said, limited quantities remain, and Summer's here, so grab 'em while they last... And, as always, thank you for the support!


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Some FUEL for the fire...
3 JUN 2010 - We're absolutely stoked about every line of ink that our resident car doodling monkey-boy Brian manages to grab (outside of that whole post office photo), but this month, well... things are cranked to eleven.



We're honored to have been chosen by Luke over at Fuel Magazine in Australia for an artist feature! If you know of Brian's love for all things Australian (and his dream of living among the kangaroos and dingos... and we're not talking 1980's footwear here), then you can begin to imagine just how cool this is. It's like our personal Ayers Rock with a bar-b-que and Mad Max-style chase scene in one.

If you're not familiar with the magazine, what a time it is to become a regular reader! It's a superior-quality, smaller-format book loaded with killer photography, art, features, stories and more. It hits three times a year, and has incredible replay value, and will certainly find its way onto the shelf as a permanent collectible!



...and should you not care about the art, there's a lot of other neat stuff to look at, too:



Learn more HERE at the Fuel Magazine site, buy a couple of dozen copies, and help spread the word (and support grass-roots publishing at its finest!). Thanks for sharing the moment!


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Custom Car Ideas...
1 JUN 2010 - Ideas...oh, we get lots of those... and while we could write a book about the ideas Brian throws out there each day, we just can't afford a blanket insurance policy that big. Suffice to say, then, that it made our day when the new Motorbooks Custom Cars Idea Book hit the doorstep...



Alan Mayes (managing editor of Ol' Skool Rodz and Car Kulture DeLuxe) has thrown down a nifty collection of photos reminiscent of the Motor Life, Car Craft, et.al. specials and columns of the 1950's and 1960's highlighting custom car ideas and trends, and packaged them neatly in this 160 page (with, dig this: 536 COLOR images... yes, over 500 color photos!) book. What this amounts to is a great reference piece for the garage or den or studio. Imagine having all of your Google searches for headlight and tail light, top chop, grille and other ideas in one book?

For me, it's a great lunchtime companion... seriously. A couple of times a week, I take a break to just sit back and eat something, and this book is a tremendously fun way to kill a few minutes, and stretch the brain, car-wise when the mood hits. It's laid out in an almost intuitive fashion, spanning Pre-War models, the ubiquitous '49-'51 Mercs, and then on to 1950's and 1960's cars, before diving into show rods, trucks and a few late-models. There are even handy sections (a-ha! a pun...) on front and rear end treatments, chassis, paint, trim and more.

While I'd certainly love to see more on show rods, it's a great overview, and again, collection of custom cars. It certainly works very well to spark your creative side when planning a project, and excels as an overview of popular customizing techniques. This book would be a fantastic primer (pun count: 2) for anyone new to the hobby, and certainly a great quick-reference guide when the inevitable "do you know that car?" conversation pops up.

My only gripe would be with some of the photographs, which seemed sourced rather than shot with the specific intent of being used in a book of this nature. A few more "head-on" shots or closeups would have been great, but overall, the message in each photo (and all are captioned, by the way... which is FANTASTIC) comes across loud and clear, and the clarity of every photo is great. Highly recommended for your reference library, and well worth the cover price.

Speaking of the price, you can scoop up a copy in our bookstore, and save a few bucks, too ($8.50 to be exact)!

Custom Cars IDEA BOOK: Coupes Sedans Pickups
Alan Mayes
Paperback
160 Pages
Illustrated with 536 color images
Motorbooks
Availability: June 8, 2010


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All sorts of goodies...
6 MAY 2010 - ...here in the Studio, and a ton of new work making its way out the door, which definitely explains the lack of updates here on the site over the past couple of weeks.

We've been busy nailing down some projects, finishing up some others, and getting all of the loose ends neatly tied up. Our social network pages, like Twitter and Facebook are now nicely tied-in to the website for your convenience, and you'll see some great integration with the e-Newsletter in the coming weeks as well. We're absolutely stoked about where it's all headed, and think you'll enjoy it, and find it all tremendously useful.

Let's start with the long-neglected Fan Page, which got a fresh new look this month:



There are a few new features in place already, and there will be a TON of interactive goodness starting up very soon over there. You'll find that most of the content is fans-only, and will remain as such, so give the magic "Like" button a tickle, and become a part of the fun!

We've also been gearing-up with some new prints and decks, and are absolutely floored by the response so far to the "Gonzo Series" prints...



...these are a limited-edition, signed and numbered deal, are have the most bold color we've ever offered in a print... Thanks for checking 'em out!

Meanwhile, it's been a bunch of client work, as usual (which is just fine by me), and one cool piece I wanted to share was created for Robbie at Pacific Coast Customs:



...which naturally led to him wanting some artwork for custom packaging FOR the shirts:


Check 'em out on Robbie's site HERE, and tell him we sent you!

And finally, why not a sneaky-peek at those new decks? (if you subscribe to the e-Newsletter, you've already seen two of these... Not yet a subscriber? Sign up HERE! It's fast, free and easy!)

We'll show more soon, and have some project updates later on this coming week, so check back in! And, as always, if we can design your next killer shirt, car, website, fan page, skate deck, whatever... Don't hesitate to give us a shout!


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The ultimate barn find...
2 APRIL 2010 - ...may be just around the corner from where you're sitting as you read this. Proof f such finds, as well as some stories that put the occasional "right place, right time" story to absolute shame will have you turning the pages of Tom Cotter's book The Cobra in the Barn -- Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology with what seems to be never-ending excitement.



This is, of course, the all-new paperback version of Cotter's book, originally released as a hard-cover in 2005, and the first of his "In the Barn" series (which also includes Hemi in the Barn, Vincent in the Barn, and the forthcoming Corvette in the Barn). The book takes the approach of the classic bench racing topic of that one rare, hidden or forgotten gem that someone always seems to find in the back of a barn, or tucked behind years of junk in a garage, and backs up the exciting premise with true stories of such finds!

From stories of pure chance finds, like the '40 Ford Woody found when a hunter sought refuge from the rain, to tales of utter compulsion and persistence (years of phone calls and visits simply to purchase a long-term project), and everything in-between, the book is a true page-turner, no matter what your automotive tastes. From cars found literally around the corner, to travels almost around the globe, you'll find yourself wrapped-up in the cars, people and stories.

Like so many of the people featured in the book, I can certainly agree that there's a thrill in the chase, and occasionally, we learn that once the prize has been captured, it's simply on to the next hidden treasure... While for others, the cars and their stories become a part of their lives and heirlooms in the process. This was the first automotive book I've had in the studio that just grabbed and fascinated everyone who happened to pick it up! Even my wife read the book, cover-to-cover, and has made it a point to seek out the other titles in the series.

As the press release states, "Author Tom Cotter uses his engaging writing style in telling the tales of found Cobras, a rare Delehaye found disassembled in Czechoslovakia that eventually won Best in Show at Pebble Beach, a Ferrari racer found in a California woodchip pile, and several more. Cotter traces the early histories of the cars, how they were discovered, and where they are today." I'd like to add that the book also stresses the importance of research, and the struggle for some to decide between restoration or updating and personalizing these finds... And having the ability to learn from others with just a simple flip of a page make this book a treasure all its own!

The Cobra in the Barn
Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology
Tom Cotter
Illustrated. 256pp
Paperback
Motorbooks
$19.99

Grab your own copy here and save a couple bucks in our Book Store!

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Building a street machine ...
25 MAR 2010 - ...can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, and even one of those great bonding experiences between family members or friends... Or it can become a completely maddening and disheartening ordeal that wrenches family and friends from you. What is often the deciding factor is in the planning, and that's where Mr. Bryant's book excels.



What you get, page after page is a modern look at the classic performance build primer. Building the newcomer's knowledge, system by system, the book takes a straightforward approach to explaining the basics, and suggesting methods of implementing a plan to create the car of your dreams. While many folks today simply look at automotive forums and websites and build whatever is trendy or worse, rely on some group approval method (which normally involves a ton of mis-matched bolt-ons) for design and, uh, "planning"... This book gives concrete examples of how to plan, budget and simply get the work done, using the author's own Buick project as a case study.

From the simplest explanations ("What is a street machine?") to more advanced topics (driveline swaps, suspension and steering controls to power-adders), the book is a great read, and is easily understood. Where technical jargon is needed, it is backed-up with plain-English explanations and illustrations, again, making this the ideal book for the first-time builder or enthusiast in your home or circle of friends.

What's really great here is that it's loaded with tips that can be applied to any genre of street machine, and not just another niche-book, which centers on drag race-inspired or pro-touring style cars. And while many "blanket" type books fall short, this is one title that will be on our "recommended reading" list for any clients embarking on their first car building adventure. It has some great reference material between the covers as well, making this a solid investment for both the studio and garage, and a great gift idea, too!

How to Build a Killer Street Machine
MOTORBOOKS WORKSHOP
Jefferson Bryant
Illustrated. 191pp
Softcover
Motorbooks
$29.99

Grab your own copy here and save over $7.00 in our Book Store!

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Collector's Originality Guide: Covette 1968-82...
19 MAR 10- Originally published in 2001 as a hardcover version, this book is a treasure trove of reference photos and information. Another great release this month from our friends over at Motorbooks, the title covers the third generation of Corvette, and offers some fantastic information and insight on all models, as well as the special and limited-edition trim levels.



As any artist or designer would, I have a sincere appreciation for quality reference material, and had come to rely, over the years, on my copy of the original hardcover book, for both photo references as well as production figures and facts when consulting on potential projects with clients. There's nothing better than having clear photos and the facts you need right at your fingertips, and this book excels in those respects, with hundreds of high-quality, well-lit and very detailed images.

Leading off with a Corvette "Basics" primer, we're given a run-down on the model, and brought quickly up to speed on the terms used in the book, given an understanding of the VIN and option codes, as well as part and casting numbers. If you're shopping for your first third-gen 'Vette, then this first chapter is worth the price alone.

Moving along, we're treated to a year-by-year look at the car, broken down into well-organized areas, including Body and Body Trim, Chassis, Interior, Instruments and Controls, Engines (with GREAT information on options, horsepower and torque ratings, as well as amazingly accurate technical specs), Transmissions, Wheels and Tires, and sub-components as well. Add to that sidebars and inset panels with option codes, production figures (and even list pricing for each!) and colors, both interior and exterior, and you have a tremendous field guide when shopping for your next project. And with the soft cover version here, it's a portable reference manual when combing swap meets and wrecking yards. With the third generation being generally the most affordable of Corvettes on the market, and rapidly gaining popularity, now is a great time to scoop up a project as investment material. No doubt about it, the book will prove one of the most important investments you can make, should you choose one for your next restoration.

All that said, it's typical, supreme-quality Motorbooks, with great, thick paper, an almost glare-free semi-matte finish to the pages, and bold print and color, making the read enjoyable in a variety of lighting situations. Truly a welcome addition to any enthusiast's library, and a definite asset in the Studio!

Collector’s Originality Guide
Corvette, 1968-1982
Tom Falconer
Illustrated. 144pp
Motorbooks
$24.99

Grab one here and save almost 30% in our Book Store!

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iLike it ...
18 MAR 10- Continuing our little Spring-time theme of new products and stuff you flat-out need in your own studio or shop or home, for that matter, we have this amazing iKick 501 that our good friend Roger sent over from Kicker/Stillwater Designs... And I gotta say it: I love this thing. I mean that in an almost unholy way.



I was greeted by my friendly UPS driver one fine Monday afternoon, and he dropped a hefty box into my arms, and I was stoked to see the familiar Kicker logo staring at me... Suffice to say, the box was open in minutes, and I sat back and stared in awe at this kick-ass piece of technology.

If you know me at all, you know that I love me some music, and that my tastes are pretty far-reaching indeed... I thoroughly enjoy my classic rock and blues, and love deeper tracks and vinyl over CD's and more commercial collections. Sadly, swapping records on a turntable just isn't in the cards when ink is flying and pixels are being violated and customized, so I rely a lot on my iPod (which, thanks to my handy iMic is loaded with groovy tunes, digitized!) and our local KCDX, which sounds like an iPod gone haywire anyway... However, my Studio audio system is old (I mean OOOOLD and Frankenstein-ed together), and my iPod doesn't show the quality in sound through the tangle of cords, wires, adapters and hacked-together mess that makes it all "work".

That, my friend, is where this iKick 501 reigns SUPREME!! Simply hook up the power cable, drop in the appropriate (and included!) adapter, drop in your iPod, iPhone, whichever you have, and hit 'play" on the remote... and then pick your jaw off of the floor.

Unless you've just crawled from under a rock, you're no doubt familiar with Kicker, and their undisputed mastery of all things car audio-related... and they've certainly taken all they know, and piled into the compact, portable and uber-powerful iKick. And, should you be familiar with Kicker, you know that "Livin' Loud" isn't just some catchy marketing motto. Their stuff is unbelievably loud and clear, and the iKick 501 is all of that and more. Granted, I like some music loud, and I have yet to really need this monster above 9 on the volume dial... yet, for testing purposes, I wound it up past 30, and sent the Studio dogs running, nd the nearest neighbors wondering what happened. (as one so eloquently stated, "It sounded like you had Robert Plant right there in the Studio!" It's THAT clear at high volume as well as more sane levels.)

As for the technical specs, we're dealing with a beast that's fairly compact at 8.5-inches tall by just over 19-inches wide by just about 8.5 inches deep, and weighs about 9 lbs., making it ideal for a shelf or tool box. The speakers are a two-way design, with the tweeters measuring 3/4 of an inch, and the woofers signing on at 5-inches, with a 6-inch square subwoofer out back! And, as Kicker states, it’s all juiced by a powerful internal amplifier with digital signal processing for the richest, best-sounding docking system available.

The new iK501 now certifiably works with iPhone,™ along with iPhone 3G and all 4th-generation or newer iPod media players. Another feature is composite video output, allowing the user to play video from the unit to larger screens (hook it to a flat-panel or monitor, and have all bases covered at car and art shows!). Dig deeper into DSP with the thin infrared remote, fully featured to fine-tune the iPod or iPhone’s music and video content. It helps to navigate with ease through the iK501 system menu, adjusting bass, treble, and aux-in options, as well as through the iPod or iPhone’s menus and sub-menus. Skip forward and back, fast-forward and back, play and pause, volume, mute, and power on/off selections have their own buttons too.

The rotary knob manually serves as the power and selection push button, and controller for bass, treble, auxiliary-input options, or standby mode. Standby will continue to charge the iPod or iPhone even when the system is powered down. In the dark, the knob is back-lit in blue and the display LCD screen continues to steer the user easily through the menu.

A mini-jack input allows a hookup for stereo sound from alternate media, including other MP3 or compact-disc players, desktop and laptop computers, or satellite radio. RCA stereo outputs allow for even more alternative audio hookup. A two-foot auxiliary cable, integrated carrying handle, AC power cord and 22-volt power supply add up to complete a convenient and enjoyable entertainment experience.

If you're looking for a compact but powerful, clean-sounding system for your office, shop or studio, I would highly recommend the iKick 501, for not only its sleek looks, but rock-solid performance and ease-of-use. And it's more than competitively priced, with some serious bang-for-the-buck! HUGE thanks to Roger and the gang for the suport over the years, and for making the Studio absolutely ROCK!

Grab one here and learn more at Kicker.com

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Barracudas and Challengers, oh my...
14 MAR 10- As a designer and illustrator, having reference material available to me is of extreme importance. I take pride in making my work as accurate as possible, and nothing beats having the correct information at your fingertips when faced with having to create the correct trim, paint or interior pattern on a piece, and to say that this book is merely good would do it very little justice.



Loaded with great information (and clear, concise photography to back it up!), this book is certainly a must-have for anyone serious about making their work accurate… and even more valuable when consulting with a client on a potential build/purchase. From identification (VIN decoding, color schemes, engine/driveline, interior and more) through historical facts, Mr. Schild takes the time to break down the E-body Barracuda and Challenger in an easy-to-digest format that is entertaining as well as informative.

There are plenty of sidebars as well, from accessory groups and production numbers, to more entertaining pieces, like the story about the Vanishing Point Challenger. Impress your friends with some great trivia from that piece alone! I have a number of reference books on the shelves in my studio, and this is a stand-out title in both ease-of-use and digestibility.

Between the numbers and references for finishes, this is certainly worth adding to any enthusiast’s book shelf, and has already proven to be a “go-to” title in the Studio.

Collector’s Originality Guide
Challenger and Barracuda, 1970-1974
Jim Schild
Illustrated. 128pp
Motorbooks
$24.99

Grab your copy here, and save almost 35%


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Killer New Products...
12 MAR 2010- ...and all sorts of childish innuendos.

Our friends at Rad Rides have introduced some new products that will absolutely knock your socks off... from lubing up to punching holes in stuff, they've got you covered, and we have the pics and information to prove it. It all sounds remarkably dirtier than it really is... well, if you use this stuff the way it was intended, anyway. Moving right along...

First-off is the Rad Rides way to keep your project rust free, with a non-oil-based corrosion inhibitor. Simply spray it on the metal directly or on a cloth and it will seal your surface against corrosion. It will also prevent oxidation on any raw metal and seal it with no change in appearance. Imagine the uses you'd have for it out here in the desert for off-road and prerunner projects, long-term hot rod and custom work... let alone in more humid places (see that? There we go again...), and you'd have a far better method for preventing surface rust and oxidation than with straight penetrating oil or other household lubes, and a much better time when it came time to paint. After all, why add to your expense at paint prep time by having to de-grease a sloppy mess? This product is a True “Mega Penetrant” “Ultra Lubricant” “Corrosion Inhibitor” And “Water Repellent”. Troy even uses it on the Blowfish Paint when racing on the salt.

Up next, we have the Rad Rides All-Inclusive Voltage Kit for remotely-mounted batteries. Do you have a hard to access battery? Rad Rides by Troy has developed a solution to this problem, which includes charging lugs, remote battery shut off, battery tray and a XSPower D975 battery.  All components sold separately.



The first piece of the kit is a remote lug charging station, either a bezel, flush mount or frame mount depending on your vehicle. This allows you to service your battery, or if needed, to jump start your vehicle without tearing your car apart.

The next answer is a remote key fob-operated battery shut off which allows you to disconnect your battery for storage, vehicle transportation or as an anti-theft deterrent when away from it for whatever reason. Simply click your key fob to connect or disconnect the switch and by wiring it into your system (after your charging lugs) you can tend to your battery without any risk to your electrical components. It is rated for 1100 amps and it also monitors your battery voltage so that if it drops below 11.8 volts while at rest the system disconnects automatically to save enough battery to get you started.

The final pieces are a billet battery tray made to fit an XSPower D975 compact battery. This tray is designed to add to the look of your engine bay or function as a remote battery mount. The XSPower D975 can deliver 1,000 initial cranking amps for 15 seconds. RadRides also offers a dual battery tray for the XSPower D975 for those of you that whant big amp numbers out of a compact arrangement.

Up next is the killer tool of the year, in our opinion:



For those of you that have been waiting to purchase the unique Rad Rides “Oval Punch Flare Dies” the time has arrived. Go after a new look in punch flare design in the construction of your projects with the use of this kit. In one simple operation after using the stainless layout templates and drilling two holes you can arbor press or draw the die halves together to create these unique “Oval Punch Flares” in material up to 16 gauge steel. These dies are made out of Through Hardened Machine Steel.

Even better, the first 25 Kits to be sold will receive the stainless layout templates (a $30.00 value) for FREE as a one-time introductory offer. The complete kit retails at $1,299.99 plus shipping.

This tool gives you the chance to be one of the leaders in design change when constructing race cars, hot rods, street machines, and motorcycles.  Check out the '69 Torino below showing the “Oval Punch Flare Dies” in action:





Purchases can be made on-line www.radrides.com or call Jack at 815-468-2590 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Central standard time. You can also check their summer show schedule to purchase it and all Rad Rides products at the events.

And why not... while we're here, have you subscribed to the Newsletter? Get on the list, and grab inside info, special deals, and sneak peeks at artwork and projects!

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The latest from the Studio...
5 MAR 2010- ...and making up for a long time sans updates.

I just realized that it's been over a month since we last had time to update the site... A terrible case of the cobbler's shoes, indeed. Thankfully, it's been busy enough to warrant some double-shifts, all-nighters, and assorted mutterings of hyphenated words and phrases as we try to figure out just where in the hell all of the time has gone....

To say the least, it's been spent at the drawing board and computers, creating work for some great folks. One such job has been designing a t-shirt for David and James, the cool cats behind the wheel of the One Lap Camaro. These crazy guys are plotting their 2010 attack on the One Lap of America race/gastro-intestinal torture fest, and they thought "we should sell shirts to support our eating and general survival habit", and they gave me a shout. And, by golly, here's what I came up with:



What's great is that you can pre-order one from the guys by simply sending an email over to them HERE, and letting them know who you are, what sizes and quantities you'd like, and then wait for your reply. They're going at $20./ea (+ $5.00 shipping), and are being printed by one of the best-known, highest quality shops on the West Coast. The front of the shirt features the "One Lap Camaro" logo on the left chest...

Beyond that, the proceeds are going to help them offset costs of eating, being on the road, etc... Think of this as having a hand in some killer grass-roots racing! Tell 'em we sent ya!

My work, meanwhile, has been popping up everywhere... From the engineering suites at Nissan...



To some big-name shops, where my doodles are guiding the way on some kick-ass projects...



...to up-and-coming paint shops...


...and even in large quantities in full-service hot rod shops where our designs are brought to life (check out the walls, if you can get over that straight, DEEEEP blue '56)...



...much more on the '56 very soon. The interior will floor you. Seriously, it's in a league of its own, and the talent behind it will be a household name soon enough.

Before any more time passes, HUGE congrats to Tammy Ray on her Ridler Award win with Gold Digger, her '33 Speedstar...



...and special congrats to both T&T Customs, and our good friends Pam and Wayne at M&M Hot Rod Interiors! It's been so good to sit back and see you guys finally grab the big prize!! Sincerest congrats on what is certain to be a historic event in so many ways!

...more in the Newsletter, and here as well... soon!

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A Grand National Time...
1 FEB 2010- ...and some tales yet to be told.

We took off early on Friday, and spent three days at the 61st Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, and Pike, Swanee, Grease Girl and I gathered some incredible coverage and stories for you that we'll be posting over at MyRideIsMe.com over the next few weeks...


We were honored with visits from some truly great friends, and given unprecedented access to some incredible cars, and hands-on tours of the build details by the fabricators, designers and owners!



To say the least, it was an amazing experience to pour over cars like George Poteet's Miller Hauler (HUGE thanks to Jack and Troy Trepanier Brian Stinger and Lawrence Laughlin for the in-display, close-up tour and insight!), The Rad Rides-built, Nancy and Roger Ritzow-owned Chrysler "Passion", a Jimmy Shine roadster (complete with a fantastic history lesson) and more! You'll be floored!

Figured I'd show a shot of the AMBR winner, too...


Lots more to follow... Keep a close eye for the coverage!

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The Nomad-ness continues...
25 JAN 2010- ...throwing some more fuel on what has become a month of updates.

We have a client car coming together at a secret location (more info on that later on), and we thought we'd share some in-progress shots of the fabrication work as it gets into high gear. Check out the killer air intake, which will be fed by a scoop in the front of the hood, which mimics the emblem crest from the long-gone stock days...




What's been great with the project has been the dedication to keeping the final treatments in tune with the original designs. Working from full-scale drawings, Dennis has fabbed every inch true to the look, and his detail-minded work has ben nothing short of obsessive!



...roughing in the peaked and extnded front pan...



Lots more to follow... just thought we'd sneak a peek for you!

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Sick Seconds is looking good...
14 JAN 2010- ...and getting closer to the street, literally and figuratively.

The gang at ProRides, along with a dedicated team of close friends have been working diligently to get the '69 Camaro completed and ready for its show car circuit tour and also testing on the track. It is currently in Steve's garage and the gang has been working on it every night after work. The goal is to finish the car in April and start testing... We are even thinking about driving it on a leg of the Power Tour to test the street driving of the Camaro. Not bad for a six-second capable ride...



Bowler Transmissions wants to have the car in their booth at some Goodguys shows in the coming year, and Denny will also be working with Goodguys on making exhibition runs at their Indy event. Feel free to let Denny know if the car is needed for anything else during the entire season, as we'd all love to see the car not only running on the street and track, but also acting as an ambassador for the hobby and industry as a whole.

The car should be going to paint at the beginning of February, and look for many more pics to follow. We truly cannot wait to share some finished shots of the car. PS. check out the mounting of the Chiseled Performance intercooler, Be Cool radiator, B&M tranny cooler, ProCharger, and that fuel tank in the front.....not much room left!



...and if you're not yet familiar with the project, here's the rendering...



...and you can see the first updates, like machining the block to save weight, and building the chassis right here on the site! Look for more updates soon!

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Chasing 9's in 2010...
6 JAN 2010- ...and off to a great start, right out of the garage.

Our good pal Blake decided to ring in the New Year at the track, and yanked the orange/copper-colored '69 Firebird of his out of the garage, did little else than warm up the big block and lay down a 10.10 at 132 MPH. Kinda makes my t-shirt design marathon look rather lame by comparison....



Blake's mighty 'bird has been a stand-out in the PCK Studio stable of good friends' rides, and you may recognize it from both the site here, as well as the feature in PHR, where at the time, the mad Poncho was laying down mid-10's. Bear in mind, this is a home-built car that is show-worthy (having scooped up multiple awards at the Houston Autorama and beyond), and what's even cooler is that Blake uses the car for what it was built to do: HAVE FUN.

...and check out some video here (the 10.10 is near the end of this episode, but dig the way this beast launches (or click the image below to view -- opens in new window)...



...of course, we're still sticking to our story that it's our stickers that make everything quicker...



...coincidence? Most likely. But it's still awesome to know that the car's doing great, and that we have friends like Blake who are enjoying the hell out of their cars!

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Pricing Like It's 1999...
30 DEC 09- ...and yes, it's a little crazy, but so was 2009.

Starting today (12.30.09), you can order a single-view rendering (front 3/4, rear 3/4 or profile, whichever you like!) at prices we had in 1999! That's right, a single-view rendering of your hot rod, custom car, street machine, classic, daily driver, whatever for $299. That's a fully-detailed, highest quality, 19x13-inch piece of art, ready to frame at HUGE savings...


These aren't some knocked-back, lesser quality versions.... These are the real deal, Studio PCK renderings as you've seen in the magazines and the Hot Rod Art Book. The very same detailed pieces we provide to the top shops when laying out a project car! Here's a peek at what you get:



...and they say that the devil's in the details, so we're not skimping there...



All work is of the highest quality, and all renderings come delivered on superior quality stock, feature archival inks (8-color process with incredible depth and saturation), and are ready to frame. Naturally, all of this is subject to a limited-time offer (click here to view the terms and conditions... keeping the lawyers happy), and ends on 1.31.2010. All work will be scheduled as ordered, meaning first-come, first-served...

It's our way of saying "Thank You" for getting to do what we love every day, and saving you some cash on some great art. This is an incredible time to get that one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, and perhaps even knock out next years Christmas list for your hot rod building family member or enthusiast. Thanks again, and you can learn more about the rendering sale here, or feel free to hit us up HERE, or even give us a call in the Studio (contact info is HERE) with any questions, or to get the ball rolling on YOUR rendering. Happy New Year, and thanks again!


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Happy Holidays...
17 DEC 09- to all of our friends and colleagues! A HUGE thanks to all who supported us this year, and to our "regulars" for the faith in what we do! Nothing beats hearing those words "just do what you do... run with it!". Just know we appreciate it!

With a shaky year now drifting into the past, here's hoping that 2010 brings out some more creativity and a willingness to really "push the envelope". I can't begin to explain what a cool year this was in a few short sentences, but I'll give you a quick summary of the places and people that made it such a killer year. Howzabout a sneaky-peek at the holiday card artwork... your friendly postman is probably carrying yours right now...


Starting in January we hit the GNRS in Pomona, and nailed a double-whammy, launching the Hot Rod Art Book: Masters of Chicken Scratch, which we were stoked to be a part of... Not only does The Hot Rod Art Book contain over 100 pages of beautiful hot rod art from a variety of artists, but it includes tutorials from a past Hot Wheels designer, Dwayne Vance on an instructional CD that shows the complete process from sketch to rendering plus a few extras. The first printing sold out, and the second printing will be in shortly, so if you missed it, grab one when these hit!

That same weekend in January, we debuted Resilience, the '52 Buick we were honored to be a part of with owners Erik and Paul Hansen and builder Tim Strange. The radical Buick received a ton of great press, both here in the US and overseas, as well! As the year rolled by, the mighty Buick cleaned up with some great awards, even capturing the KKOA 777 Custom Crown Award as America's Top Custom...and the prestigious Elden Titus Memorial Design Award... OUTSTANDING!!

While attending the GNRS, Paul and Erik Hansen were kind enough to invite me along to the Hall of Fame Luncheon, which was a once-in-a-lifetime highlight to be certain. We have some video from this all-star gala HERE on the site... Legends like Blackie Gejeian, Mary Slonaker, Dick Bertolucci, Thom Taylor and more... Definitely worth a look.

As the year rolled by, we were chosen to be a part of many great projects, meeting some incredible builders and designers along the way... We were even chosen to pen the 2010 Street Rodder Road Tour car! (see it in this month's Street Rodder Magazine)

This year also saw the first Hot Rod Industry BMX Challenge, which we were honored to create the artwork for. Organized by Tim and Carrie Strange, it was a great event held the weekend of the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, and attended by many top builders and great folks in the industry. Look for this to continue to grow!

Add to all of this working with Denny and the crew at ProRides on their latest Drag Week monster, the "Sick Seconds" Camaro, which debuted in raw form at the PRI show... Look for this terror to swallow 1320 feet and thousands of miles in the coming year!

While staying thankfully busy, I took on some added responsibility, accepting the role as V.P. at Motorburg, Inc., a position offered to me by one of the founders and a HUGE inspiration in my work, Charlie Smith. The automotive art and design community has some incredible history, and I was brought on to build the community. Starting with a new website, revamped forums and a social network, things are REALLY starting to happen there, with some incredibly talented folks posting articles, tutorials, and just generally sharing tricks, tips and advice on everything from drawing to running a studio. Check it out!

Things just kept picking up, with the Hot Rod Art Book show at GINAC Gallery in Santa Ana, and more drawing and designing...


We began wrapping the year up with the Goodguys Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, and were once again shown incredible hospitality from Scott and the crew at Billet Specialties... thanks again, guys!!

Speaking of Billet Specialties, dig on the new tees we designed for them to celebrate their 25th year, as well as some great wheels and accessories!

Rounding out the year, the wife and I continued a tradition we began some years back, and instead of exchanging gifts, she grabs a few "Christmas Angels" from the tree at work, and we go about giving a few kids a Christmas to remember... The kids get involved, and it's a great lesson in sharing and giving a hand to someone who may be a bit down. I can't say enough good about the program, and encourage you to take part as well.

And, just a reminder to give back a little if you can, especially to those who need a little cheer this season. Head on over to the Car Design Fetish store and grab a gift that not only supports a great cause, but gives back twelve times a year with some fantastic artwork! This is a great-quality and big calendar, too, at 11x17 with thick card stock and full bleed printing. Very high quality indeed, and with art from guys like Scott Robertson, yours truly, Micah Jones, Raza Bashir, Mark Weaver, Dustin Shedlarski, Wayne Manista, Charlie Smith, Dwayne Vance, Arvind Ramkrishna, and Sangyup Lee, it's a virtual "who's who" of OEM and hot rod design and artistry! Certainly a future collectible.

We're not slowing at all heading into 2010, and hope you'll stick around as it just gets crazier and crazier! Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!


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Rendered Hope...
24 NOV 09- It’s here!!! The 2010 Rendered Hope Charity Calendar featuring transportation artwork from professional designers. This years calendar has a great mix of work from OEM, Hot Rod and Entertainment Designers. There is feature artwork from the hot Camaro, Corvette Stingray Concept, Scott Robertson’s crazy ships, west coast Hot Rods and more!



I was among the fortunate few to receive an invitation to be a part this year, and am stoked to have a piece featured among my heroes and colleagues, and even dragged legendary hot rod designer Charlie Smith along for the fun, adding a double-shot of Motorburg flavor to the mix! Just like last year 100% OF THE PROCEEDS will go toward buying Hot Wheels and toys for the Detroit Children’s Hospital annual Snow Pile Event. This is a great cause that you surely want to support... and you can certainly understand how incredible it is to see OEM guys giving back. Head on over to their merch store and grab a gift that not only supports a great cause, but gives back twelve times a year with some fantastic artwork! This is a great-quality and big calendar, too, at 11x17 with thick card stock and full bleed printing. Very high quality indeed, and with art from guys like Scott Robertson, yours truly, Micah Jones, Raza Bashir, Mark Weaver, Dustin Shedlarski, Wayne Manista, Charlie Smith, Dwayne Vance, Arvind Ramkrishna, and Sangyup Lee, it's a virtual "who's who" of OEM and hot rod design and artistry! Certainly a future collectible.



The calendar is a limited edition print and will be on sale now through the end of the year. So spread the word and get it while you can! We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be involved with this project, and appreciate your help in getting the word out there more than can be expressed here. Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!


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Performance in MOTION...
10 OCT 09- "There was no long-range marketing plan", says Joel Rosen in the new Motorbooks title Motion Performance: Tales of a Muscle Car Builder by Martyn L. Schorr, and like so many legends, things just seemed to take on a life of their own for Motion Performance.

Mr. Schorr brings the Motion Mystique to life with his in-depth, highly entertaining and enjoyable book. This is a book that reads about as fast as the cars Joel "Mr. Motion" Rosen put together. The author begins with a little history lesson about auto racing, going back to 1904, when the cars from Buick Motor Division were cleaning up at the tracks. We are treated to some racing history about the Duesenbergs, Stutz Bearcats and the Hudson Hornets (the Hudsons won 27 of 34 NASCAR Grand Nationals!), and the inspiration that a young Joel Rosen would draw from these cars. Interestingly enough, the exponential growth in speed and power over the years from these early supercars would be mirrored in his own brand of high-powered muscle.



In the mid-1950's, Joel became tired of the lack of hands-on experience offered in his college engineering courses, decided to join the Air Force and hone his talents working on airplanes. Shortly after his discharge, Joel opened his own auto shop and in his spare time competed in gymkhana and hill-climb racing with his wife. They raced a Corvette and did very well, but it was a street Cobra that brought major attention to his tuning talents prior to his alignment with Chevrolets. It was Joel's magic touch in dyno tuning that created a name for his shop, and soon, there was little time for wrenching on the neighborhood grocery getters... It was performance-only from then on.



Having a keen entrepreneurial spirit, he struck a deal with Baldwin Chevrolet to "built to order" street cars with a money-back guarantee. His success with the big block Camaros found buyers waiting in line across the U.S., Canada, Germany, Iran and Switzerland to mention a few.... and the list of Motion supercars was as impressive. Motion-prepared engines were finding their way into Novas, Chevelles, Vegas, full size Biscaynes and Corvettes. The success of all the Chevrolets brought interest from Pontiac and Oldsmobile as well, and even an Iso Grifo sporting a 427!

Joel Rosen was not a one-trick pony. His love of horsepower led to building super fast boats at Motion Marine, as well as performance street VW's and dune buggies at Motion Mini Car. Overcoming the obstacles placed before him by the oil embargo and the Clean Air Act of 1970, Joel ventured into building Mako Shark Vettes, IROC Grand Ams and Monte Carlos well into the 1980's. In 2005, he debuted an all new Camaro at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The book documents the vision and keen determination of an automotive genius. We are treated to a bevy of photos which add to the enjoyment of the story. You get the feeling that you are one of Baldwin Motionís satisfied customers... As my father put it, "I know my left foot kept looking for the clutch pedal. For anyone who has ever raced or even dreamed of racing this is one book you should own."



Truly a great addition to any high performance lover's bookshelf, the book is one of those rare works that brings the historical, emotional and factual ingredients together in a slick package. It has some great "repeat" value, meaning you'll find yourself cracking it open again and again... if not just to enjoy the great collection of photos and car features. Truly a wonderful documentation of something uniquely American.

PHOTOS CREDIT/COURTESY MARTYN SCHORR



Motion Performance
Tales of a Muscle Car Builder
Martyn L. Schorr
Illustrated. 176 pp.
Motorbooks
$35.00

Grab your copy here, and save almost 35%

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A speedy History of Ingenuity...
04 OCT 09- "The dry lakes racers opened a door of opportunity," writes Barney Navarro in his forward to Paul D. Smith's book Merchants of Speed, and this hits the nail on the head to be certain.



For anyone interested in tracing hot rodding's roots, all roads lead back to the dry lakes and the men who were interested in one thing: speed. Early on, the Mohave Desert provided a testing ground for anyone seeking to try their hand at that all-American pastime of tinkering. As fast as Detroit could build them, you just knew there would be some guy out there looking to make his car faster or more unique. Naturally, any display of creativity breeds a sense of competition, and with competition, we often find ingenuity and innovation. Such was the case with hot rods, and following World War II and the return home of servicemen who had been exposed to new technology and training, the industry began a period of exponential growth.



Mr. Smith takes a look at twenty six of the original speed parts manufacturers over twenty-two chapters, giving some personal history on each, and digging up the inspiration behind their contributions to the industry. The book was written using the hundreds of hours of interviews conducted, and the voices of the men behind the history really shine through. From humorous anecdotes to sobering looks at tragic wrecks, we are presented with a living history of this truly American industry. We are treated to an ongoing series of innovations, witnessing the evolution of technology, and ever-changing business and manufacturing standards. The pursuit of quality and craftsmanship reaches ever-higher benchmarks as the stories roll on, and the "inside story" of so many parts we now take for granted seem to fill the little gaps that so often appear when one wonders "how'd they come up with that?".



Being born at the close of the musclecar era, so many of the names in this book were, up to reading this volume, just that... names. I was treated to what felt like a first-hand drive through the living history of the sport and industry I grew up loving, and make my living in. The book is a substantial 240 pages, loaded with over 250 images of the men, the parts, and numerous action shots. Truly a must-have for anyone seeking the "behind the scenes" history, and truly priceless for the artists out there who are looking for rare reference photos of parts and accessories.

More than just a history of the speed parts industry, we are invited to share the memories of the "founding fathers": Lou Senter (Ansen Automotive), Tommy Thickstun, Frank Baron, Bob Tattersfield, Nick Brajevich (Braje Equipment), Harvey Crane Je. (Crane Cams), Vic Edelbrok Sr. (Edelbrock), Jack Engle (Engle Racing Cams), Earle Evans (Evans Speed Equipment), Chet Herbert (Herbert Racing Cams), Stu Hilborn (Hilborn Fuel Injection), Howard Johansen (Howards Racing Cams), Ed "Isky" Iskendarian (Iskendarian Racing Cams), Frank McGurk (McGurk Engineering), Barney Navarro (Navarro Racing Equipment), Fred Offenhauser (Offenhauser), Chuck Potvin (Potvin Racing Cams), Mel Scott (Scott Fuel Injection), Al Sharp (Sharp Speed Equipment), Bill and Tom Spalding (Spalding Racing Cams & Ignitions), Wayne Horning and Harry Warner (Wayne Manufacturing), Harry Weber (Weber Racing Cams), Phil Weiand (Weiand Power & Racing), And Dempsey Wilson (Dempsey Wilson Racing Cams).

It's one of those rare multi-purpose books that will occupy equal time in the Studio being cracked open for research, as well as being brought out for some additional inspiration in those late-night bench race sessions.

Merchants of Speed
The Men Who Built America's Performance Industry
by Paul D. Smith
Illustrated. 240 pp.
Motorbooks
$40.00

Grab your copy here, and save almost 35%

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Five tips for hiring a hot rod designer...
29 SEPT 09- Over the last decade, we’ve seen explosive growth in the hot rod and custom car industry and hobby as a whole. This can be attributed to the popularity of television shows like Overhaulin’, American Hot Rod and others, as well as Powerblock TV, the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Events, and of course, access to great personalities like Chip Foose, Stacey David and others. This brings in new enthusiasts, and naturally, more project cars!

Not since George Barris snapped thousands of photos and wrote hundreds of articles promoting the hobby back in the 1950’s and ’60’s have we seen so much attention on our hobby, and it’s amazing to witness. Yet, while there’s all of this excitement, many of these new fans and participants are feeling lost when starting a project. It can be a daunting task to say the least, but when taking those first steps, having the right footing can make all the difference in the world.



Naturally, any success in a project requires a plan, and building or modifying a car requires very careful thought at this stage. I’ve often heard guys say “I just build as I go… no plan, just what feels right”, and sadly, it certainly doesn’t look like it must feel in many cases. Disjointed design, half-assed “fixes” to make parts fit, and often unsafe “engineering” (”engine-beering”, most likely) have sent many a project to an early grave… and I don’t think we need to dive too deep into this subject to discover why it’s “wrong” from any angle.

The best advice would be to bring on an experienced designer to help guide you along. As a professional hot rod and custom car designer with over twenty years experience in the auto industry (from parts and service to body repair/customization and after-market accessories), as well as training in design and fine art, I’m here to offer some advice on taking those first steps. This isn’t an advertisement for my services, but a primer for anyone going at this for the first time. I share my experience because I love this industry, and want to see anyone new to it have a blast, and keep coming back for more. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of being an ambassador for my industry. That said… let’s get at this.

The importance of having a vision on paper, especially when working with shops and others on a team, can’t be overlooked. Often times, you’ll run into an individual who perhaps lacks that key “visualization” ability, and can’t form a mental picture… or worse, they can, but it’s nothing like yours. Communicating these visions can prove difficult, and as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand dollars”… and in many cases, much more… often, they are invaluable.

The end goal of selecting your custom car designer is:

* A vision of the finished product for everyone to work from
* Avoid gaps, mis-communications and errors in describing idea
* Get what you want for your custom car dream!

Certainly, this isn't the "endall, be-all list, and isn't intended to be. It's merely a primer to get you thinking in the right frame of mind when heading into that first project. When it comes time to shop for a designer, keep at least these five primary items in mind:

1. Pick a Designer Who’s Style You Like

Not only are you hiring someone to assist in laying the groundwork for your project, but the designer must also be able to convey your ideas and tastes, as well as create a piece that will inspire your build team. Often times, these drawings will set the one for a build. A bad-ass street or race machine deserves some nasty, double-bad-ass, throw-down art and setting to make everyone involved “feel it”. A surf wagon, naturally, deserves a ore sedate look to the art… Setting this tone early on will bring HUGE returns later on.

You’ll want some “wow” factor, but also be sure that your designer draws with proper scale and proportion! Taking a cartoon-like image or shoddy “Photochop” to an experienced builder will get you laughed out of the shop. The kid you hire in a forum might make that ‘58 Edsel bumper look like it fits your Monza in the drawing, but in reality, would it? And, are you looking to blow your budget on wild changes before the car even hits primer? A cartoony image serves a great purpose in creating some energy, or for getting the juices flowing, but you'll need something a little closer to reality to keep everyone on the same page... unless you're building cartoons... which, come to think of it, would be a blast!!

Look around, and study the artist’s styles and prior work.

Much like you choose a car that excites you, be it for nostalgia reasons, a certain feeling it gives you, or just the fact that you liked it overall, you’ll be miles ahead by selecting a designer in the same way. When the car is torn apart and looking bleak, the artwork will serve as an excitement generator.


2. Find A Designer You Get Along With

Spend some phone and email time talking with designers. Do you, “get along”? Can communicate freely? An open exchange with your designer will pay off in a HUGE way during the project.

Look for a custom car designer who can help guide you if asked, but also take an idea you have and run with it. Simply hiring a “wrist” to make some lines based only on what you say is boring, and will leave your design “flat”. Look for someone with great communication skills (i.e. listens as well as they talk). Nothing can be more disappointing than a guy who doesn’t listen, or worse, who mis-interprets what you’re looking for. Is the designer looking to create a portfolio piece on your dime? You’re looking for a piece that conveys the project vision, not some stand-out eye candy for this guy’s website.

You’re looking for someone who is more than just a talented artist. Look for design sense… balance, ability to make things “work”, to ensure “flow”. You’re also looking for integrity. You want a guy who is creating YOUR art, not re-tracing an old piece, re-coloring in Photoshop or simply re-hashing the same model their last 40 customers got (but with different paint and wheels) because, you’ll get, well, the same car as those other 40 guys!

Beware of the guy who simply cannot follow your budget. This should be made known and understood on the first or second consultation. Make this a clear as possible. At the same time, make sure that you make your shop of choice or build skill known. Make it an open exchange where ideas can flow freely, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how an idea can grow or be refined to mind-blowingly cool in the right hands. If you’re an experienced fabricator and painter, and aren’t afraid to tread new ground, run with it! If your skill level is pushed opening a love box door, be honest, and spare yourself the inevitable let-down of never being able to realize this dream that your designer penned.

3. Understand The Designer’s Terms

Get the terms and details of the design ironed out immediately. How many revisions will you receive? What’s the cost for additional revisions? How will the work be delivered? Hard copies? (one for you, the shop, and maybe for promotional purposes?) Digital copies for magazine ink? (how about sponsorship proposals?) Can you use the artwork to promote the car? Who owns the Copyright?

A professional designer will provide a contract explaining these important terms allowing for worry-free design time. Pay attention from step one, and you’ll avoid starting over when your forum buddy disappears with your PayPal payment. Understand, too, that “you get what you pay for” applies with car designers (even more so for lunch). If you want your designs quickly (or just on time) and at a high quality, be prepared to pay a bit more, and respect the time required to perfect a design. Much as you wouldn’t rush a surgeon reconstructing your body, give your car-body the same consideration for equally functional results!

4. Don’t Be The “I’ll know what I want when I see it” Guy

That guy is the enemy of designers, and it translates to “headache” to any pro. Have an idea at the first consultation, even if it’s vague, and ask for direction/advice if needed (see step 2). Know what you’d like to do with the car. Will it be restored? Modified? A combination of the two? Something wilder? A professional designer will offer examples, and throw ideas around with you, hitting on your likes and dislikes before pencil hits paper. Many great cars develop during these “bench racing” sessions, and you’ll save a ton on revisions. A few bucks and some time consulting will pay off, literally, hundreds of times over.

Communication is your best friend here. Simply jumping from style to style will burn you and your designer out, and close doors on really creative ideas.

Research the hell out of your project and ideas. Go to shows, cruise nights, rod runs… Pick up magazines, books, videos… Look around at what’s been done, and find a style that you like. Ask your designer what he or she is into. Who knows? Perhaps they dig a certain style that isn’t well-known to you… or maybe they have a whole new spin on an old idea? (Scott Sullivan is the master of this approach, and I use that inspiration daily. Trick is to keep a VERY open mind, and use your imagination like a blender, and mix and match until your head spins)

Make a list of things that you enjoy about cars and save pictures that remind you of those features. Perhaps you enjoy good handling, or maybe straightline performance is more your thing. Maybe it’s all about the look of the car, and you’re after a show car that’ll make people stop and drool. It’s during this hugely important stage that you and your designer will determine a “direction” for the project. You should have a list of your dreams for the car, as well as a list that is more realistic, taking into consideration the reality of the car you’ve chosen. Approaching a professional designer with these ideas in place will save time, frustration, and above all, help to nail your “perfect” concept.

5. Don’t Fall Victim To Trends

If you’ve seen a teal green and gray car with a tweed interior and 15-inch billet wheels lately and thought “wow… the 1990’s called, and they want their car back”, imagine what response a car built in a trendy style today will elicit in ten or fifteen years.

Simply shopping from magazine features and completed cars on forums will inevitably breed you a cookie-cutter car. Simply saying “oh man, that car that won Street Machine of the Year had a cool hood, so I want THAT hood, and the same wheels, and the same paint, and then that car that won the year before had those seats... I want THAT interior…” and so-on, will not design or build YOUR dream car. Instead, you’ll assemble an abomination that would make Frankenstein appear slick and suave. The key is working to put everyhing you like together properly. A trained designer can do this... it's what we're paid to do. Much as you may enjoy looking at some supermodel on TV, would you marry her based on a few glances at a few physical attributes? Chances are, you’d be much happier if you sought out someone who fit your life, who matched that often undefinable set of criteria that just “did” something for you. This project car should be no different. It should be a unique reflection of YOUR style, and a talented designer will help you to make that happen. Look around at EVERYHING. Take stock of the things that appeal to you... whether it's furniture design, a style of architecture, an old train... anything at all. “Build to THE CLIENT’S taste, not someone else’s” is my credo in the studio. I always ak my clients a series of questions to discover exactly what they like, what their tastes and interests are. As any professional designer should, I'll help you organize those individual items, and create a cohesive package.

Seek out a designer who understands the style you’re planning to build your car in, and can offer unique approaches to design problems that not only make your eyes pop out, but will prevent your hard earned dollars from doing likewise from your wallet. Approach modifications tastefully, respectfully, and with the thinking “how does this change affect the rest of the car? What purpose does it serve?” If it makes sense, do it. If it’s questionable, question the hell out of it!

That said, head on out and explore… look at work, compare styles, and talk with designers. Your decision should go beyond price, and be the RIGHT FIT for your project. Seek out a designer that can listen, offer ideas, and above all, nail your design. After all, simply setting sail on the ocean might take you SOMEPLACE, but is it where you WANTED to go? Hiring a designer will help chart that course AND reach the end of the journey. When plotted correctly, your designer will have you itching to hoist the sails again, and that’s what this whole car thing is all about anyway... feeding that passion!
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