Rubik’s got nothin’ on this Cube…

…and I want one.

A row of ten new Nissan Cubes.

Seriously.

This past Saturday, our good friend Pike had organized a pre-release cruise featuring 10 (yes, ten) of the new Nissan Cube’s, and it was a blast. We hit a couple of area dealerships, then hit the road to the Pavillions in Scottsdale (great Saturday cruise spot for those of you planning to hit Goodguys Southwest Nationals in November), where the impressive lineup of geometric people movers grabbed a ton of attention on the freeways. Suffice to say, the lineup was a smash at the cruise, and Pike even brought along a GT-R (more on Godzilla later… words fail me yet) and an Infinity G37 convertible just to round out the playing field.

My first reaction when seeing a Cube a couple of years back (don’t forget, these have been around overseas since ‘98) was “not too sure about that”. Don’t get me wrong, I was impressed as all get-out that anyone could pack that much room into such a small-looking package, but the look was odd to me.

Fast-forward ten years, and my how things have changed. My first moment sitting in the Cube was a wild time… Headroom galore, great sight lines, and just enough legroom for even my lanky appendages. The dash is minimalist, but laid out in a tremendously intuitive way, and all controls are easily understandable and useful. Too cool.

The ride was incredibly comfortable, stable, responsive and above all, QUIET. It was that last fact that kept me stunned. The Cube is damn quiet on both highway and city pavement, and just felt “right” somehow. Aside from the constant stares from other drivers, I have to say, I’m giving this little machine SERIOUS thought (more on THAT, too later!).

Nissan Cubes ready to cruise last Saturday.

Design-wise, I have to say it has me hooked. If you know me, then you know my love for asymmetrical design, and that rear window treatment NAILS it. A wrap-around side glass on the passenger side meets a thick pillar on the left, and it (again) just feels “right”. Couple this with tall slab-like side panels, rounded corners all over, and a very trick windshield shape (oh, you’ll be seeing this on a few designs of mine to come), and we’re getting someplace. But oh that tail light… It was an instant love-fest for me. I have about thirty cars I want to use that in, and it’s not coincidental that I like it so much when it shares a similarity to a certain Thunderbird production run. It just says “custom car” all over (hell, even the headliner is sculpted already!)… and I dig the Cube for that immensely.

Naturally, I began sketching ideas for these Cube’s as soon as I laid eyes on them, and I’ll give a few hints to where it’s all going for me, prior to laying out some drawings for you.

As an Alexander Brothers fan, I’ve always enjoyed a certain “quirky/futuristic” aesthetic when it comes to a kustom, and that taste is finding it’s way into the artwork in a huge way. Think “Deora meets the modern day”, and you’re getting warm.

Custom inspiration by the Alexander Brothers

Throw in some healthy Ed Roth influence, and by golly, we’re getting there.

Mega cycle is mega cool!

Top it with some Winfield and Cushenbury asymmetrical appeal, and man, it just gets wilder by the second! It’s been literally years since any new car has trapped my attention like this, and I’m stoked about it… Hope you are, too. and that you’ll stay tuned as I play with a bunch of new designs and styles on this cool ride from Nissan…

You know, maybe that Rubik guy was on to something after all…

More, as always on my site at www.problemchildkustoms.com

60th GNRS Hall of Fame Video!

I was fortunate to have been invited to the Hall of Fame Luncheon at the 60th Grand National Roadster Show, thanks to my friends and clients Paul and his son Erik Hansen (for whom I designed their ‘52 Buick “Resilience”).

Check out Dave Bell’s artwork, created in honor of this momentous occasion:

Dave Bell's amazing 60th GNRS tribute poster, signed by the master!

What’s incredible about this event, beyond the amazing group of hot rodding and custom car legends that attend, is the history that these people share, and the many stories they tell. It’s this insight to the history of our industry, the GNRS and the cars that makes this a must-see-at-least-once-in-your-lifetime event (and well worth all of those hyphens!).

I shot a few videos between conversation at our table, feasting on some chow, and just generally looking around the room for cool autograph opportunities, and wanted to share a few of them here.

The legendary Blackie Gejeian is well-known for his marathon speeches, and this day was no exception! It was amazing to hear him relay tales of the earliest days of the show, and to compare those times with the current state of the GNRS. He told a heart-wrenching story about Al Slonaker (founder of the show), and shared the podium with the late Al’s wife, Mary, who was honored during the luncheon. Blackie also shared a great tale of the first show car to use a mirror in its display (and insight as to WHERE that mirror came from…).

60th GNRS Hall of Fame Luncheon ticket

Custom car legend Dick Bertolucci took the podium, and shared some stories, as well…. Most notably about the master of metalwork, Harry Westergard. (I was fortunate to share a distant connection with this legend, having been commissioned to draw a Westergard-customized Cadillac, when Kurt McCormick restored the car a couple of years back) It was an absolutely fantastic time listening to these stories, and just sitting in a room with legends… hell, with the very heroes I grew up reading about. I can’t say “thanks” enough to have had this opportunity, and to have been able to make a living doing what I love, sharing the same passion as these greats. On that note, it was truly an honor to witness Thom Taylor’s induction to the GNRS Hall of Fame (in the same weekend that The Hot Rod Art Book debuted, in which I am fortunate to share some pages with him!), as his work was instrumental in my decision to pursue hot rod and custom car design as a career. A very cool moment indeed.

I hope you enjoy the videos as much as I enjoyed the good fortune of attending this event…

“Sick Seconds”…

…go ahead… say it out loud a few times… faster now. It just sorta rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?

I was beyond stoked to get the phone call from Denny Terzich regarding the latest bad-boy project getting underway at ProRides… It was an honor to talk with him and make a new friend to begin with, but even sweeter was that his call was the result of another referral… Nothing makes my day like knowing that a client thought enough of me to “tell a friend”! Suffice to say, it’s another drag car, and shares that killer stance and blistering performance we’ve come to expect after their 2007 Drag Week harbinger of speed ‘67 Camaro.

The rendering!

After accomplishing a major record in Hot Rod Magazine’s Drag Week 2007, ProRides is about to embark on a new level of performance never seen before.

Not only did ProRides head to Drag Week with the intention of beating the old record (think mid-low 8 second 1/4 mile times!), but to finish the event, driving 1,000 miles while pulling a trailer. While the bets were being placed that the clean black Camaro wouldn’t even finish the week, the car shook the hot rod and race world by posting a first pass E.T. of 7.64. Truly the pass heard ’round the world! Granted, the ProRides team was as surprised as anyone, and the venture served to underscore the positive results that come from combining great companies and partnerships with a thorough process.

Chassis construction!

After talking to Rob Kinnan of Hot Rod Magazine at this year’s Drag Week, the ProRides crew had the idea of building a 6-second ET capable car to drive the grueling 1,000 mile Drag Week course. Imagine…. a 6 second ET vehicle driving 200-300 miles per day while pulling a trailer!!! Unheard of, and a true torture test for the components involved… While many have claimed they have a street car that is very fast and even some that state in the 6 second E.T. range, it’s obvious that anyone can idle around at a local car cruise or show. The true test is actually driving the car on the street. This is the reason why the “Fastest Street Car in America” can only be crowned at this event.

Coverage of the build will be inside of Hot Rod Magazine’s “Project Garage” section and on their website. ProRides is also working with Scott Killeen of the BuildBook series to document the entire build… and if you’ll be at the show, check out the rolling chassis at PRI, in the SunCoast Racecars Booth, # 363 South Hall. And of course, look for more updates, as well as that crazy grin plastered to my face…

Taking CAB’s Coupe for a spin…

…halfway around the globe, and finding a new home in Europe! 

Some time ago, I was fortunate to have befriended skateboarding legend, artist, and all-around good guy Steve Caballero. Like all of my artist and hot rod friends, his work and cars are inspirational, and it all kind of becomes like family. You grow attached to the paintings, cars and whatnot, and when a ride or canvas gets sold, you feel a slight twinge of sadness, and hope that the new owner will take good care of it (kinda like my old Chevelle… it’s comforting to know it’s being enjoyed and cared for!).

 

You have to imagine my joy, then, when CAB’s coupe was sold once more, and wound up, in all places, in the garage of a friend across the ocean! Geert (aka Von Skip), is a talented artist, and we hit off our friendship through our work, sharing a mutual admiration for one another’s style and technique. What this guy does on canvas is amazing (<a href=”http://www.vonskip.com/custom_car_art.html”>dig it here!</a>). He’s owned a number of outstanding cars, and when he saw the opportunity to grab CAB’s coupe, well… I became stoked on a number of levels. After all, what are the odds? Two talented artsists (and great people) as owners of the same great car? Two separate continents… and each sharing the same incredible car culture. (and you thought the Dutch were only into wooden shoes and windmills. Shame on you. They like hot rods and customs, too… so there.) 

The world really is a small place, and lately, I’ve come to the conclusion that all things happen for reason. Thankfully, for whatever reason, I made the connection with two incredible people, and one fantastic car, and I get to see how it all plays out in the grand scheme of things. 

…and, as if creating great art, collecting killer cars and just being an all-around cool cat weren’t enough, on June 2nd, Geert and Nanouk welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Moenza into the world! 

Congrats again, Geert!! Enjoy the ride, man…

Memorial Day weekend…

…and we’re not heading too far from the Studio, what with gas prices going haywire, work on the boards and so on… But I wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday, and take a moment to thank all of our servicemen and women, both past and present for their service, sacrifice and dedication, and take a moment to honor those who have fallen, protecting this great country, and making it possible for us to enjoy this hobby so much more each day.

If you’re currently enlisted, or have been in the past, and are looking to pick up a shirt or print before June 1st, hit us up HERE for a coupon code prior to placing an order, and we’ll make sure you get free shipping, as well as something extra thrown in… It doesn’t compare to what you give each day, but I thought we’d try to express our thanks in some way. Thanks again, and have a great Memorial Day weekend…

The good old days…

…sure look awesome when looking over old magazines and photos, don’t they? All of the killer cars, shiny paint, classic locations, impeccably dressed people and so-on. It makes it all the more interesting when you either stumble across (or are handed!) an old snapshot that captures real life… an actual hot-rodding moment, frozen on Instamatic or Polaroid paper… In this instance, we have such a subject; one that makes you say “D’oh!”:

 

Yep, it’s harsh reality, there to smack you in the head, as it always seems to. The photo above came to my desk while hunting for source material to fuel my current background project, documenting East Coast customs and hot rods… My father gave me some surviving photos of old cars and car shows, and mixed in was the gem you see above. The car was his personal ride, a ‘57 Chevy 210 that he originally purchased with a six cylinder. The car received a nifty little 283, bored to 301ci, and backed with a 3-speed, 4.11:1’s, and exhaust he described only as “loud”. The car was respectable and quick for the times, running low 13’s. Not too shabby for a kid, and especially for a daily driver.
Anyhow, the moment above captures the aftermath of a floor shift install. Say what? OK, not the IMMEDIATE aftermath… You see, my dad had installed a floor shifter that fine day, and, like so mmany times that I’m sure we can all look back on and say “yup… done that!”, he rushed through to get to work on time (night shift!), and we all know how shifter installs seem to go… Something ALWAYS goes a little haywire. Needless to say, shifting from second to third resulted in, well, nothing.

Youthful thought offeered the option to just reach through the ample hole in the floorboard and grab the linkage, when the stars aligned to strengthjen the Chevy versus Ford battle, and the mighty Chevy plowed into a ‘63 Fairlane.

The car was fixed, using the remains of a t-boned Bel Air hardtop, with the same car supplying the interior for this same car a bit later. The car was sold when my father entered the service, and marked a three year span of ownership in his life. We’ll have to look at the ‘64 Impala and ‘66 Charger that followed at some point, too, all with somewhat better results! 

Granted, I’ve done worse myself (and with no shift linkage to blame!), and that’s not the point here… It’s just an interesting look back on a moment frozen in time… one of those images you don’t often see. It’s real life mixing with youth, hot rodding, and all of those experiences we try to teach our own young ‘uns with…

Over the course of twenty years…

…things are bound to change. Just about 20 years have passed (we’re about a month-and-a-half shy) since this photo was taken:

It’s my old Chevelle, and the pic was snapped as the car was being completed… this being roughly my Senior year in high school (note lack of tail pipes and trunk lock cylinder, among other important items). I bring this up on roughly the tenth anniversary of selling the car, after moving to CA in the late-90’s, and, surprisingly, after my father ran into the car once more in Pleasanton, the very grounds where the old girl was passsed to a new owner. In any event, it’s kind of funny to look back at the changes. I bought the car (with help from my parents… I had a very cool and supportive, hot rod-oriented mom… how killer is THAT?!) as a near basket case (here it is in progress)

…and with a ton of guidance and help from my father and a few close friends, brought it back to life (in the form of the lead photo). Fast-forward a few years, and things were shaping up on it, with some new wheels and aggressive rubber, all setting the tone of a late-’60’s/early ’70’s street machine (OK, with updated wheels… hindsight yells “shoulda kept the slotted mags!!”). The tall stance and big meats were part of it, as was the period cool crushed velvet interior:

It was a fun car… not the fastest, by any stretch, but respectable enough. It was a clean car that had a classic look, and looking back on it, was an amazing car for a late-teens/early twenties-age guy going to school.

It packed attitude, and that black paint was a constant source of pride (and time-swallowing detailing), and the monster even saw the first snow on one notable occasion. It was a reliable, almost comfortable car, considering the ride height…

Fast-forward ten years after selling the car to head back to school, and I get a phone call from my dad, at the Pleasanton Goodguy’s event. “You’ll never guess what I’m standing in front of,” he says. “The disembodied, floating head of Elvis?!” I ask, really wanting a picture… “No, you (expletive), your old Chevelle.” Very cool indeed… The old girl is alive and well. Granted, like any personal project, the new owner has taken the car and personalized it, as anyone might make something their own, creating a vision they can be proud of. The car has a new life, yet continues its rebirth, which is an awesome thing. See if you can spot the changes:

Rally stripes, new wheels, a front valance…

New seats up front (the rear remains!), updated gauges, speakers, and so on….

…but most amazingly, the black paint that was laid upon the car in ‘88 is still looking deep, shiny and straight… Seeing that work live on made my day. It’s testimony to spending time in the right places, and taking pride in anything you do… a lessson I’ve been trying to teach my kids in all they do, and was illustrated perfectly in a car none of the three are old enough to recall. In any event, long post, I know… But I thought it was cool to share a project that spans two decade, two owners and two very distinct styles, but shares the same basic foundation.

May all your first projects carry on as long…

My Stickers WILL Make Your Car Quicker.

Blake ran the ‘Bird again a few days ago… and added more evidence to the claims that a PCK Studio sticker WILL make your car faster. How’s about four tenths faster?! Since we last checked in, the car was pulling low-11’s and very respectable high-10’s. Simply by peeling the backing and applying to your clean car, perhaps you too can gain speed, cut times, and launch like a rock star!

…of course, individual results may vary.

…and here, on an Olds!:

On the subject of running quicker, check out Blake’s latest video… There’s drama, tire smoke, and dig the way the car launches… poetic, in a way:

Can’t wait to see what happens when the 3.23 rear gear gets swapped, and some slicks get mounted!

In any event… there’s a moral in this story, as well as a great bit of knowedge to be gleaned: Our stickers will make your car faster. Less than five bucks got an actual client four tenths. Now to work on that miracle cure for flatulence…

And the winner is…

..Mike Warn, with his incredible, Ferrari-powered ‘60 Rambler wagon.

Taking the Ridler Award is no small feat, especially so in this day and age of extreme quality cars, and this year’s winner is a prime example of not only the quality and attention to detail required to make the Great 8, but the creativity required to take the big prize.
Divers Street Rods in Sultan, WA threw down the gauntlet by placing the little Rambler over a Morrison chassis featuring suspension and drivetrain from a Ferrari 360 Modena, and rests on one-off 18 (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels.

Congrats to all involved on not only a great ride, but for pushing the envelope once more! (photos courtesy Street Rodder)

We’d also like to extend a huge congratulations to Joe Mouton Jr., and the crew over at Hot Rod Joe’s Rods and Customs, as well as Wayne and Pam at M&M Hot Rod Interiors for their outstanding work on Joe’s ‘41 Willys, which placed in the Great 8! Local heroes at Hot Rods by Dean placed in the Great 8 as well, with (another local!) Mark Bozak’s ‘67 GMC, which flowed from the always-creative pen of good friend and uber-talent Jimmy Smith! Well done, everyone…

200 MPH…

…speedometer, that is.
…and did I mention that it’s a factory piece?

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I took some time away from the Studio and had an absolute blast, with good friend Josh dropping into the Valley for some time at the Barrett-Jackson auction (and subsequent menagerie of auto- and non-auto-related goodies and sights and sounds), as well as a Saturday morning trek for some breakfast and to take in a Chrysler 300 Show (the Chrysler 300 Club’s 15th Winter Meet). Josh is a big 300 fan, and owns a ‘57, too, along with his killer, slammed ‘58 Buick, and happens to be a great photographer, and true auto afficianado.

Back on track here, as we strolled the small –but high-quality– show, I was thrown for a loop by just how friendly these folks are, and how into the 300’s (letter and non-letter cars), and was just kinda soaking up the great rides on display, when I came across one of the coolest things I’ve seeen in my car-gazing life:

A 1960 300F (Special Gran Turismo).

Consider: a Chrysler 300 is a big, luxury automobile that brings performance to the table. Light years ahead off the competition, this was a muscle car in its purest form. In 1960, the 413 Wedge was the new engine, and cranked out 375 horsepower in stock trim. You’ve probably seen a few with the unique cross-ram intake, which places the carbs over the fenderwells (more on this later). Chrysler also created a special short-ram version of the engine (the tuned runners for the intake were about 15″ long), pushing 400 horsepower. They created only 15 of these cars, backing the mighty Wedge with the French Pont-a-Mousson four-speed transmission, originally created for the Facel Vega.

So, in effect, we have a luxury car with muscle car tendencies, wrapped in a killer styling package. All cool, but what blew me away was this:

…yes, that reads 200 MPH. Factory piece, from 1960. Consider that for a minute. (hell, the cars rode out of the factory on 15″ wheels wrapped in Goodyear Stock Car Special Blue Streak tires… the same as used in NASCAR!) This was no ordinary car. This was a race car with STYLE.

I just wanted to share this, as it’s a neat piece of history, and a very cool conversation piece, to say the least. We’ll touch back on these killer cars in the future, to be certain.

Oh, and thanks again, Josh! Great times at the auction, man… too bad you didn’t bring Robosaurus home. Maybe next time..