Industry Legend George Barris, AND, Hall Of Famer John D'Agostino, both travel far and wide to visit shows everywhere,,,and they weigh-in on the subject of Rods & Customs: WorldWide.
From England to Japan, from Hawaii to Alaska, from Holland to Canada...Rods & Customs are on a WorldWide upswing. But, as George, and John, both have found out during the last few years, one of the true "hot beds" of Rods & Kustoms (with a "K" !) can be found in Sweden and the countries surrounding it !
PLUS, as Jonnie points out, the resurgence of the true Pioneers of the Industry has also manifested itself in the last 15 years or so, and John D'Agostino has seen it first-hand in his travels abroad.
Darryl Starbird, Bill Hines, Gene Winfield, Dick Dean, Joe Bailon, The Alexander Brothers, Bill Cushenberry, et al, have once again proven to the masses that these great innovators have dazzled fans WorldWide since the beginning...and they should never be forgotten.
( Top Of Page: One of the long, low, chopped Caddy's George is talkin' about...this one's a '56; Above: The '53 Buick -"Blue Danube"- is by Oklahoma's David Guymon, and was built for Sweden's Lars Hellgren)
(Above left: Cruisin' in England ! ; Above right: The Wild Green Machine in Japan !)
(Above left: France ? Oui ! Looks to me like it's a '59 Simca ; Above right: G'day, Mate ! Australia is kool for Kustoms too !)
(Above: This chopped, blue & white '56 Buick 4-door hails from Holland !)
NOTE: The above car photos courtesy of Rik Hoving. Rik lives in the Netherlands, is that area's Ultimate Car Buff and has assembled one of the most comprehensive Rod & Custom Sites for both Original & Current pix that you will ever see. Please check-it out, I know you will be amazed ! http://members.fotki.com/Rikster/
