The No-madness of it all… Custom Nomad

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by Brian Supski at www.problemchildkustoms.com

Here in the Studio, 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 been nothing short of obsessive!

..roughing in the peaked and extended front pan… first the concept drawing, then the metal work:

…and a quick peek at what’s going on out back, as well, with that sharp, cleaned-up tailgate (we’ll have to save the incredible bumper for later on) !

Lots more to follow over at Problem Child Kustoms… just thought we’d sneak a peek for you!

(thanks Brian! Let us know when the car’s done! Also, who’s the builder!? -pikesan)

To read more from Brian Stupski, follow these links:

A Great Start – Concept Drawings

5 Tips For Choosing a Hot Rod Designer

Haddens Hot Rod Drawings

I wish I could draw cars.  I was decent when I was young, but now I’m useless.  Ryan Hadden of Hadden Hot Rod Shop is a car nut who digs drawing cars too.  His own hot rod, a ’54 “Plain Lorraine” F-100 pickup was featured in a blog where Andy Kawahara painted a “shop truck” door logo.  If you missed that, check it out HERE.  Ryan has helped friends visualize their hot rod projects by sketching their custom car and hot rod ideas.  You may have seen his work in the Andy’s US Forest Service Truck feature. 

Such a cool shop truck idea.  Ryan captured it perfectly in his sketch above and Andy built it to spec.

When choosing an artist to sketch your hot rod, there are many options.  The two biggest differences I see is an artist who uses pencil/marker and paper and the artist who uses a computer.  There are also differences in price.  There’s artists out there to fit anyone’s budget.

 

This is Andy Kawahara’s other hot rod truck (I see a theme here), a 1961 Apache done up in a Mild Custom look.  I’m really diggin’ the white walls and how they accent with the white top and tonneau cover.  I hope you can build it to look like that man!

 

Dig this crazy Camino!  The cool part about sketching cars is you can get crazy and creative.  This looks rad!  What do you guys think?

 

Sweet!  Check that grille and louvered hood.  I love these post WWII cars!

Here’s a cool delivery pro-street hot rod Ryan calls “Better Idea”. 

Hope you liked these sketches by Ryan.  You can see more of his sketches and photography on the Hadden Hot Rod Shop Blog.  You can contact him through his blog or email him HERE if you’re interested in having him sketch your hot rod ideas.

Ryan and I are working on a Hot Rod Sketch Tutorial, a step by step look at Ryan’s drawings with one of my crazy car ideas with a certain late model Japanese grocery getter.  Stay tuned!

Hechtspeed

Mellow Artist Paints Nostalgia and Speed

Have you ever met Tom Fritz? Chances are, you’d remember if you had.

You probably noticed the dark display at one of your favorite car shows, then you were drawn in by the vivid paintings filling almost every bit of dark.  I last ran into the flip-flop wearing, ultra soft-spoken Fritz at Barrett Jackson 2010. I don’t know crap about art, especially fine art except for what I like, and I like what Tom’s throwing down.

Tom’s art is all the more sweet when he takes the time to talk with you about each piece and fill you in on some of the catchy titles like: “Feeling the Belts”, “Raising Merry Hell II”, “Ancient Barbaric Amusements” and one of my favorites, “Quick Sombish”.  (link to Fritzart Gallery) Tom wrote about the making of “Quick Sombish” from the concept sketches to the in-process work and of course, the finished piece (shown here). To date, it’s one of my favorite stories at MyRideisMe.com and a recommended read for any artist. Read about this Wheels up front engine dragster by clicking here.

To pass the time when Tom’s at a show, sometimes he’ll paint. Swanee nabbed this action shot of Tom at my request because I just couldn’t believe how he holds his brush. Arm extended, holding the brush nearly at it’s end, he paints these strikingly beautiful paintings. Is anyone else amazed by this? I’d shake and be smooth like a California highway. It’s a treat to watch.

You can barely see the reference photo he’s got behind the light, and even tougher to see in a photo is the sketched image he’s after. From there, Fritz usually adds a period character that no doubt loves his hot rod like no other (or is driving the piss out of it!)

These two paintings are 1 of a kind. I know the Hemi powered, blown dragster racing out of the blazing sunset was sold before the paint dried. As you can imagine, Barrett Jackson attracts quite a few who only want (and can easily afford) original paintings.  Up in the top left corner of this picture, you can see another of my favorites, mentioned above, called “Feeling the Belts”.  Chutes-out, this front engine dragster’s easing to stop through an almost Tom Fritz-signature, warm and glowing sunset. Damn Tom, it’s hard to pick a favorite!

So when you see Tom at the next show, go say hi and ask about, “Messin with the Institution” or maybe, “Shaving the Devil’s Beard” shown in his display. The same warm glow seen in the painting’s also waiting for you in conversation with Tom. Enjoy.

Visit Tom Fritz website here.

GNRS After Party: Pinups, Hot Rod Art and Music

My friend Mitzi, pinup and hot rod photographer extrordinaire from Mitziandco.com, has helped out MyRideisMe.com by generously supplying some of the hottest pinup pics found in our pinup model gallery and now is throwing a party!  Saturday night, 1/30/2010, after shooting pinup models wide-open at the Grand National Roadster Show, Mitzi will open her new studio to show her favorite pictures, hot rod art and a special burlesque show!  Everyone’s welcome, so we’ll see you there!  Some more details for you:

Join us for an evening of Art, Music and Burlesque on Saturday January 30th as Mitzi & Co. along with Cherry Martini bring you Fueled The Art Show. An amazing collection of artwork will be on display and for sale from artists Keith Weesner, The Pizz, Max Grundy, George Barris, Mitzi Valenzuela, Dwayne Vance, Tiki Ray and more.

The evening kicks off with live burlesque performances by Miss Rockwell DeVil, Violet Valentine and Betsey Bosen.

Join us for the after party following Grand National Roadster Show on Saturday night.
Only 10 minutes from the Pomona Fairplex at the Mitzi & Co. Photo Studio in San Dimas, CA. (address on the flier below)

Show starts at 8pm and goes till Midnight. Complimentary beer and wine!
See you there!

(click on the flier to see it full size)

If you’re coming to the party, leave a comment! (you don’t have to be a member!)

“Internet Barn Find #11″: Sandy’s Soda Can Hot Rod Masterpieces

This is probably the coolest Barn Find to date.  I’m not gonna talk much on this one, because it will take up too much space where pictures should be.  Please check out this website. 

Looks like each car can be purchased for $2000.  Heck, if you’re crazy enough, you can purchase his drafting plans for $10/ea to build your own.  Good luck though, because you’re going to need serious craftsmanship to build it. 

Here’s the website: Sandy’s Can Cars

You’ll be blown away, I was!

Hechtspeed

Cool Hot Rod Art from 2009

Following in the footsteps of my last post about Cool Pinstriping, a post about cool hot rod art, drawings and paintings is needed for sure.  We’ve shown you some great art this year, here’s just a sample.  We’re going to put together a “Hot Rod Art” picture gallery soon, so we’ll let you know when that’s up and running.  For now, peep these for your viewing pleasure!

Included are links to the stories these pieces of hot rod art came from in 2009.  Don’t forget to click the images for a Full Size view!

First, some digital artistry from our man Brian Stupkski, of PCKStudio fame!  Check out the informative story on “How to Pick a Hot Rod Designer”

I personally have a print of this Ed “Big Daddy” Roth inspired Nissan Cube concept.  Check the story out HERE!

Next up, we have some hot rod sketched art by Alan Brightmore!  These were a couple of my faves from 2009.

There was a time when I serious considered having a 60’s VW Bus custom as my family daily hauler.  This is exactly how I’d want it to look!

This Black Camaro sketch looks so real!  Incredible, no doubt!

Dwayne Vance, author of “The Hot Rod Art Book” Masters of Chicken Scratch” shows off one of his demo pieces that takes you through the many iterations of a sketch, so cool.  Makes it look so easy!  I’m sure its not.

That’s it for now.  Check back as we’re putting together a Hot Rod Art Picture Gallery.

Hechtspeed

Cool Hot Rod Pinstriping From 2009 Part #1

Here’s a look at some of the coolest pinstriping found on MyRideisMe.com during 2009.  I think you’ll agree, pinstriping is alive and well.  So many hours go into practicing and painting, it takes a dedicated person on top of the skill required to lay a great line.  Enough words, these pictures will tell a 1000 of them on their own.  Enjoy!

Please check out the full Pinstriping Gallery to see even more works of art!

Click the pictures to see them Enlarged.

And a few of the stripers who we give much respect to, Charlie, Joel and Andy.

So, there were so many pictures I wanted to share that one post is not enough.  Keep your eyes peeled for more!

Hechtspeed

Pinstriping Animal Style with the One Arm Bandit

I met pinstriper and all around cool cat Charlie Decker online, probably at Myspace, before I met him in person at the Grand National Roadster Show. I hit him up for some samples of his pinstriping and a quick bio so you’d know his style a little more.  For you west-side cruisers, you better make an appointment! Charlie lives in Connecticut, so if you see him, grab him and his striping kit to lay down some crazy flowing lines.

I’ve included some of my favorite pinstriping from the, “One Arm Bandit” as he’s known. These animal creations and artistic forms he’s blended with sweeping stripes blow me away. I’m not sure I could draw that in a hundred tries and he throws it down freehand in paint right from his mind to the brush.  I don’t know if we’ll see this kind of work on hot rods, but if that’s what you want…

Here’s more about Charlie:

I started striping about 14 years ago around the age of 16. I was influenced by the 50’s style hot rod era and the traditionally styled hot rods I first pinstriped after a few years of practice. A lot of people say my striping has an old style feel with a bit of a twist.

In 1999 I started striping and lettering as a part time job and after about 5 or 6 years I was able to do pinstriping full time and I’ve now been doing so now for almost 4 years.

I’ve been playing around with other types of designs with my striping other than just regular old designs. I’ve been striping animal designs like you see here. A guy asked me to stripe a design of a rabbit about 2 years ago and that sparked my imagination. The picture of the tiger within my portfolio here was one of the first animal designs I did. That lead to some interest from other people, so I’ve been dabbling with other designs like that as well.

I enjoy doing stuff like the animals, because its different. I’ve striped everything, all types of things from antique cars to zippo lighters and everything in between. My favorite jobs are the ones that allow me to really put my all into them. This is when the budget for the work doesn’t matter and I can take as long as I’d like. I think it’s always fun to sit down in front of a huge open canvas, like a big decklid thats been de-emblemized and just go nuts on it. 90% of the time my customers leave it all up to me, so I’d have to say I really enjoy what I do.

If you’ve got a car you need striped or an inner animal you need painted on a panel, Charlie can come to you or you can send him stuff via mail to work his magic on.

e mail – onearmbanditstripes @ hotmail.com (remove the spaces) or call: 973-670-5238 or
Also, friend him at: myspace.com/onearmbanditpinstriping

Thanks for the info and great pinstiping pics Charlie. See all of his work in the pinstriping picture gallery at MyRideisMe.com

Custom Pinstriped Christmas Ornaments

If you haven’t seen my buddy Andy’s Pinstriping blog yet, you need to check it out.  He has something in store for you for this Holiday season.  Check out these Christmas ornaments he has pinstriped.  Very creative and especially cool for us car guys!  I’ve got a set coming my way.  He can even do custom stuff like your initials or think outside the Christmas Box, he could stripe your hot rod car club name.    Tell ‘em Hechtspeed sent ya!

Happy Hot Rod Days!

Hechtspeed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Car Drawings: Pencil Sketch Hot Rod Art

Amazing hot rod art done by Alan Brightmore. People these are NOT black and white photos, they’re hand drawn sketches that amazingly look like older photos when they’re done.  Pictures and text by Alan… Check it out!

First up, this hot rod was done for a customer who saw my VW Bus parked at work! She left a note on my windscreen asking about VW parts and after getting in touch I ended up drawing this 5 window coupe for her father who owns the real thing. Very straight forward really, I enjoyed doing this one!

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Next is a Lotus Sunbeam. My neighbor has a bit of an 80’s car fetish and he owns a number of Sunbeams, one of which is this example which I drew for him. Not my cup of tea to be honest but a nice car all the same and he was very pleased with the finished piece…

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Here’s something I drew quite a while back. It’s called a Hillman Husky, of which I know little to nothing other than the owner dropped a Ford Cosworth engine in this one to make it go faster than it was ever intended!
Oh, and he worked (or owned) a scaffolding company hence the background I put in for him!!

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This last one I did for myself for fun.  It’s a 1954 VW Barn Door Kombi, pretty simple look.  Typical of a custom VW Bus.  This one always reminds me of California…

- Al

See Alan’s other hot rod art stories on MyRideisMe.com, Black Camaro and Various Hot Rod Sketches.

Which one’s your favorite? Let us know in a comment below.

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