we are always tracking down clues around here. the latest came by way of another car tv show, "rides" on TLC. as the link info indicates this is all about authentic period details and retro rockabilly style. these guys worship at the moon eq., ed roth, von dutch alter. who ever wrote that show summary forgot to mention that they had the real deal with a visit and commentary from artist / illustrater / hotrodder : robert williams. williams himself didnt have too much trouble with the term "rat rods" and he pretty much took credit for this now globally entrenched rod esthetic. williams reminded us that he was "The" guy for tooling around L.A. in grey primer / no paint in his '32 ford coupe back in the 1970's. in fact he coinied the term "paint is for pussies." these guys have picked up on that and will stay with the barnyard rusted finish (chicken feathers and all) when ever possible. (I also noted a pair of vintage coffee can (litteraly) air filter covers on one heap.) indeed, the car they built for the episode featured an old body with a relatively recent 30 year old way faded yellow krylon spraypaint finish (over rust) put on by the owners granddad to inhibit further field rusting. it was k'narley for sure. they just added a little von dutch esque pinstriping.

this movement follows the wild success of the 1993 laguna art museum's kustom kulture show. katalog still available and highly recommended.
- bill 8-04-2004 6:42 pm [add a comment]