10 Of The Coolest Kustom Classics

April 29, 2018

Miss Elegance

Another car that rose phoenix-like from the ashes of a wreck, Joe Bailon’s 1941 Chevy, Miss Elegance, is a work of art. When Bailon bought it, the Chevy had extensive damage from being hit by a train and burned. In total, the wreck cost just $50, and he set to work making it better than new. The car was chopped, and a new grille surround created up front. He filled this with hand bent chrome rods, creating the gorgeous grille from scratch. He also fitted a new front bumper, taken from a late 40s Chevy.

Later, he added 1941 Caddy rear fenders, and created a new wraparound rear window with chrome dividers. Later, Joe fitted chrome scoops to the rear fenders, and created a new rear bumper complete with handmade exhaust outlets. He then finished the car in maroon, mixed with silver, and painted over a base of yellow. This was to be the start of Joe’s famous Candy Apple Red paint scheme. At the 1952 National Roadster Show, the Chevy, then known as “The Dashboard” won the National Award. The reasoning behind this name was simple: the kustom featured a somewhat extravagant dash setup, composed of 15 dials and 32 buttons, with the dash also being chrome plated. The rest of the interior was just as sumptuous, having been reupholstered in red velvet by Joe’s second wife.

An oft-forgotten kustom that lives up to its name, this car shows exactly what is possible with a little thought and a lot of talent.

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