NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE
July 16, 2023
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
CAMARO MAKEOVER
If you were to check your rearview mirror and find this hunkered-down Camaro behind you, there’s no question it would get your attention. And when it pulled alongside you, the brilliant red paint would certainly require a double-take, although there would be little time for anything more as it speeds toward the horizon. This is what a well-built super rod does to people.
TAKE A WALK ON THE MILD SIDE
For many hot rodders, the word “custom” conjures up images of chopped, channeled, molded and frenched cars with wild metalflake paint jobs. Such radical customs no doubt helped define the custom movement of the 1950s, along with such phrases as “if it don’t go, chrome it,” but in virtually every town in the USA there was a contingency of mild customs providing their owners with daily transportation, an occasional trip down the dragstrip, and a starring role in the local armory car show a couple of weekends a year. No, most of these cars didn’t hold the local track record, nor did they make it to the ISCA Grand Finale, but they were good examples of shade-tree customizing and hot rodding. Known mostly as a “mild custom,” a term that no doubt originated from car show classes, this style of car was extremely popular.
STREET DREAMS
Mark Turner is an avid hot rodder—he eats, sleeps and breathes hot rods and muscle cars, and he jumps at any opportunity to add another car to his collection. On one of Turner’s many trips to check on the progress of a Camaro he had being built at G&S Custom Fabrication & Suspension in Athens, Alabama, owner Greg Blaydes told him about a ’67 Camaro RS/SS convertible being built whose owner had lost interest and was looking to get out from under the car.
Spotlighter
Patina Power
The Time-Worn Look Is More Popular Than Ever
Author
Garry McWhirter
Words & Photography
Defining Patina in Street Rods
Patina is defined as “a pleasing surface sheen on something that develops with age or frequent handling.” When that definition is applied to street rods, a patina rod can take on any number of variations. The exterior can be close to original, with age showing through the painted surface in the form of primer. Sometimes the faint appearance of rust can also classify a rod as having patina, provided the rust has not taken over the entire car. Many times these patina rods are built from those treasured “barn finds” that seem to be discovered by undaunted rodders scouring the country searching for the Holy Grail of hot rods.
The Art and Trend of Patina
One of the modern trends of the street rodding hobby has been to create that cherished patina look. The art of patina can be tricky. We have seen patina rods crafted in such a fashion that the naked eye cannot tell the difference between real and invented, the real old and the fabricated old.
The Appeal of Patina Rods
As with all aspects of rodding, each of us has a different definition of what makes a patina rod. There does seem to be one theme that runs through each variation, though: the owners have a lot of fun with their cars. For some, it is a chance to get back to the basics. For others, it is a chance to reverse the high-end trophy-hound trend. No matter what the agenda, patina rods always seem to bring about smiles and arouse the curiosity of all observers.
Exploring Variations in Patina
We searched our archives to provide you with different variations on the patina trend. We hope you’ll find them as interesting as we did when we came across the following examples. Patina rods come in many forms. They vary from subtle to “in your face.” One thing is for sure: they have their own distinct style.
This Model A looks as though it may have been converted into a hot rod appearance several decades ago, only to be revived after years of storage. The paint has a certain amount of fading, and there is minimal surface rust around the edges. Jonathan Wheeler carries the theme to the Olds engine, with unpainted headers showing some age.
Dennis Frings has captured the patina theme perfectly with his ’33 Willys. It takes on a certain amount of nostalgia with its Ford Y-block engine, multi-carbed intake and racecar appearance. The red primer spots over the black paint disguise the narrowed fiberglass body.
This ’48 Ford falls under the patina banner with its satin-finish black exterior. Herb Jenkins installed a nice red interior and had all the trim re-plated, yet kept the car looking older than its recent renovation would reveal.
This is a true patina roadster. Bill Akin built his Deuce roadster in 1982 as a tribute to Tom Medley, complete with a Stroker McGuirk logo on the door. The car has been driven from coast to coast many times. It has aged gracefully.
Pebble Puryear has created a nearly perfect faux patina appearance on this ’33 Ford. The green paint on the coupe appears nearly faded, but with still some shine coming out. The red oxide “rub-throughs” look real until you see the buildup photos laid out in the trunk.
It is impossible to tell the difference between the real patina and the created patina with Mike Hood’s ’47 Chevy woody. The wood on the wagon has a few holes showing, and the dented metal shows some solid character. The car is just plain cool.
Ricky Pike’s ’32 Ford is an example of a ground-up patina rod. The black-primered exterior is highlighted with semi-flat flames extended over the roof. The chassis is all modern, with roadworthiness a priority. Oh, yeah, it also has a ’glass body to defy the odds.
Along with the obligatory surface rust, vintage items can add to the patina level. This shoebox four-door uses a sun visor and a rusty roof rack loaded with hunting trophies to make it look as though it was returning from a long trip from the North Country.
There are times when patina can be applied and removed, depending upon the weather. Scott Ulerick’s chopped A Model already had a certain period look to it. After some obvious mud-bogging in Charlotte, the coupe took on a down-and-dirty attitude.
There are times when patina can be applied and removed, depending upon the weather. Scott Ulerick’s chopped A Model already had a certain period look to it. After some obvious mud-bogging in Charlotte, the coupe took on a down-and-dirty attitude.
This Willys was created with a nostalgic racecar theme. The authentic gasser stance, along with the name and number graphics, makes it appear to be an older drag car. It may have been, but it now has a ZZ454 with a five-speed for power.
Adding patina to a hot rod can mean more than just applying a coat of primer. Using a variety of parts can accomplish the task. Eli Horst shows his whimsical way of thinking by using a Ford tractor hood and grille on his ’29 Ford roadster pickup. It looks like a ton of fun.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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