Young Guns??

[GulfCoastGasser]

We all know the following customizers,: Alexander Brothers, Andy Brizio, Arthur Himsl, Barry Lobeck, Barry White, Bill Cushenbery, Bill Hines, Bill Smith , Blackie Gejeian, Bobby Alloway, Boyd Coddington, Carl Casper, Chip Foose, Chuck Lombardo, Chuck Miller, Darrell Mayabb, Darryl Starbird, Dave Bell, Dean Jeffries, Dick Dean, Dick Megugorac, Dick Scully, Don Thelen, Donna M. Starbird, Doug Thompson, Ed Roth, Frank DeRosa, Gene Winfield, George Barris, Harry Bradley , Hershel "Junior" Conway, Jim Jacobs, Joe Bailon, Joe Wilhelm, John Buttera, Ken (Posies) Fenical, Larry Erickson, Larry Watson, M.K. John, Manuel Artche, Neil Emory, Norm Grabowski, Pete Chapouris, Robert Petersen, Rod Powell , Roy Brizio, Sam Foose, Spencer Murray, Steve Frisbie, Steve Moal, Steve Stanford, Thom Taylor, Titus Brothers, Tom McMullen, and Troy Trepanier …but who are the young guns of today?

Who will our grandchildren be talking about in 20 years?

[HOTRODPAINT]

Tough call. It will not be based on magazine coverage, like in the past.

I have seen television play a major role in the hobby today. Trends come and go much faster, and personalities become nationally known.....such as Chip Foose, and Boyd Coddington. (Yes, I know they were established before, but nothing like it is now!)

There are many times more extremely talented people out there than you know of, but it takes being in the right place, at the right time to become known beyond a local region.

I do know that TV will be part of the outcome, and maybe the internet too, as it becomes common for more users to get their info here.

Twenty years is not a very long time either. Most of the current stars will still be involved then, but 40 years is a different matter.

My best guess would be to look for builders who build edgy stuff, and also lean toward the extreme. They will be noticed. The ones who do the same thing that most other builders are doing....and don't produce projects that are noticeable, will not achieve national noteriety. At least as long as it is based on "the finished product", and not a scripted TV drama character.

[flh4speed]

jay moody

[Ken Thurm]

Dan, from the Itoldyouso Garage!!!

[mooneye777]

I hate to say it but probably Tony Stewart and Dale JR. Its a world decided by the news and T.V. airtime and all others no matter how great never get their calling, Only who makes them the most money and thats them guys. I would go out on a limb and guess niether one of them has even done an oil change before.

[kennyd]

allan johnson , eric peratt , jesse greening ,dave lane ,zane cullen , kenny davis ( i just threw my name in for good luck )
this is a short list of the new heavy hitters!

[willowbilly3]

If they aren't talking about Rudy Rodriguez they should be. But then he just quietly builds the best hotrods ever and doesn't get into the media thing so they may never hear of him.

[stovens]

allan johnson , eric peratt , jesse greening ,dave lane ,zane cullen , kenny davis ( i just threw my name in for good luck )
this is a short list of the new heavy hitters!

I would agree with you on Zane, I met him about 6 years or so ago, up at his shop in Santa Rosa, which at the time was run by both Dennis and Zane.
He and Dennis inspired me, and put the Hot Rod bug in my head, so for the last 5 years I was looking for a project, until I stumbled across the Ford!
Incredibly talented young guys, that do supperb work, and were very humble. You could tell they just loved what they did. Guys from all over the world working in that shop!
They were working on the 1937 Custom Ford Cabriolet at the time. The dash alone is an incredible piece of work. They fabricated most of the body and car from scratch, in metal. Dennis said it was the coolest project yet, that it was the kind of stuff they wanted to do for themselves, but couldn't afford to build!
Here's a link to the shop(Zanes place now).
http://www.showtimerides.com/zane001.htm

[flh4speed]

i agree on kennyd , theres also bruce holman here in my parts painting mini trucks , showtrucks and tuners that hopefully will break out soon ..

[ford2custom]

Steve, 1968 and 1969 my daily driver was a 61 Corvette sure wish it would have looked like the one on the site you posted. I think as kids get more design schooling and have a little backing there will always be nice cars. There will be less hands on but a few will still do the work themselves.

Richard

[stovens]

I really like the 61's, it was a mix of old and new. Must have been fun owning one!

[ford2custom]

Yes it was I would leave the hardtop at home, and while sitting at a light I would unfasten the top simple to be "cool," even with no air.

I bought mine from a friend that hit a stop sign took part of the front end off. I had a guy too smooth the front after putting it back together. I then strip it and painted it black lacquer it was originally fawn beige with the cream cove then sold it for $1,000 in 1974 boy was that crazy????

Richard

[willowbilly3]

When I was 15 a buddy was selling his 61 with a 301 for $1500 and my dad wouldn't let me have it because i couldn't haul my 3 sisters to school.

[Dave Severson]

I hate to say it but probably Tony Stewart and Dale JR. Its a world decided by the news and T.V. airtime and all others no matter how great never get their calling, Only who makes them the most money and thats them guys. I would go out on a limb and guess niether one of them has even done an oil change before.

Tony came up through the ranks racing sprints and midgets in the Midwest and did a bunch of wrenching there.... Now the crew chiefs and engineers probably won't even let him!!!! When he drove for Bob East in USAC it was great to watch him race, knew he was going places but I always figured he'd stay in open wheel... Guess the money is just too dang good in NASCAR to go anywhere else when you have that kind of talent.

As for new builders, Kenny Davis named a bunch. IMO his own name should be at the head of the list!!!! So many new builders surfacing these days, it's going to be interesting to say the least!!!!