Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Peeking behind the scenes...

...with two guys who made it possible.

Consider a new DVD release of a feature film, especially one loaded with extras... Whether it's commentary form the director or writer, offering you some insight to the big "why" questions, or a peek at the cast, it's just cool to be a part of the action. Prior to DVD's (and their subsequent "special features"), seeking out those behind-the-scenes features required a little more effort. There were magazines, certainly, and the occasional "featurette" on TV, but in the earliest days, looking into the meat and potatoes required some serious digging, if not inside connections. It was much the same for custom cars and hot rods in the early days. Before there was Powerblock TV and Overhaulin', getting that in-progress glimpse of a build was a rarity, and required a trek to a local shop, or that rare tech article.

Enter two gentlemen who had a profound impact on their respective industries, as well as on me: Forrest J Ackerman and George Barris. Buckle your belts 'cuz we're going to mix and mash two seemingly different things once again, and hopefully leave you with some fresh insight... and don't worry, this one will be quick and painless!

About the time that George Barris was born (in the mid-1920's), Forrest J Ackerman was reading his first sci-fi tale in a copy of Amazing Stories. While Forry's interests were writing fiction and celebrating the genre and its writers, George and his bother Sam were customizing cars. Forrest was hanging with friends the likes of Ray Bradbury and Henry Kuttner, starting magazines like Futuria Fantasia (which would be a killer name for a bubbletop custom, mind you), The Barris boys were learning tricks of the trade from masters like Dick Bertolucci, and bolting together a slick '36 Ford which was used as a calling card, attracting paying customers. (Keeping with our "parallels" theme, at around this same time, George founded a car club named "Kustoms Car Club", reportedly the first use of "kustoms" with that "K"... Meanwhile, Forry and his friend Myrtle R. Douglas attended the first-ever World Science Fiction Convention, dressed in space suits, setting of a chain-reaction of future comic and Trek convention costumed attendees. Trendsetters indeed!) Add to the parallel that all three were in Los Angeles in these times, and, well, it just couldn't be any cooler had it been written that way. (oddly enough, Sam Barris and Forry Ackerman were both enlisted in WWII.)

georgeThroughout the '40's and into the '50's, Barris continued building custom cars, and making a huge name in the industry, guiding it, in fact. It was during these years that George saw the potential in magazines, and was instrumental in documenting literally thousands of cars, and in the process virtually invented the modern "tech article". His photo essays in the popular car magazines of the time chronicled trends and techniques for customizers living outside of the California hotbed of activity, and offered that all-important "behind-the-scenes" insight, probably providing countless would-be customizers with some inspiration. Barris is often credited with inspiring many modern day customizers to practice their craft, and his efforts with his unique brand of Public Relations certainly has been a driving force behind the continuation of this industry into the twenty-first century.

forrestMeanwhile, Ackerman was acting as a literary agent, representing hundreds of writers, and serving as "agent of record" for many more, ensuring that their work would be published in numerous anthologies, preserving the science fiction genre's past in not only written form, but providing an entirely new facet for the then-growing motion picture industry. Consider that his magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland exposed many aspiring special effects artists and film makers alike to those "behind-the-scenes" looks, and the parallels just grow stronger. It was these close looks at the men behind the special effects techniques that inspired such talents as Tim Burton, John Landis and Rick Baker, as well as countless other amateur home directors. Forrest truly created an industry that continues strong today, not only from the standpoint of the behind-the-scenes documentary, but for collectors of film memorabilia. He was also one of those rare "hands-on", approachable figures, leading tours of the "Ackermansion", his personal home and museum, packed to the rafters with his collection of movie props and memorabilia.

In this same way, George is a common figure at car shows and events, as well as still working from his shop. It's this accessibility that makes it all even more fun; having that opportunity to mix and mingle with the folks who not only "were THERE", but helped to preserve our hobbies for future generations. While we unfortunately lost Forrest J Ackerman in 2008, the next time you load that movie into your DVD player and pop open the "Special Features" menu, give a quick "thanks" to the ultimate fanboy, and feel free to share your knowledge of where it all began. And while you're at it, why not give a tip of the hat to George next time you're browsing those back issues at the swap meet. After all, chances are, many of the photos in that issue are courtesy of the "King of the Kustomizers".

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Resilience Storms the Midwest!

custom crown awardA HUGE congrats to our team, Tim, Carrie, Erik, Paul, Shawn and Dave on the outstanding showing of the mighty Buick this past weekend at the KKOA Leadsled Spectacular in Salina Kansas! The copper-colored cruiser grabbed the 777 Custom Crown Award, a John D-Agostino Best Contemporary Custom Award, and the revered Eldon Titus Memorial Design Award!

We're all just stoked to see this project getting recognition like this... We were fortunate to have assembled a truly dynamic team on this car, with visionary owners like Erik and Paul Hansen, a builder like Tim, and talented craftsmen like Dave and Shawn... We all just happened to click, and seeing others appreciate the end result is nothing short of incredible.

tim accepts award

customized buickOn a personal note, it's been absolutely mind-blowing to be a part of this all... As a kid, I had dreamed of going to a KKOA event, and had watched videos made by family friends, simply awestruck by the cars and the good times. Now, so many years later, seeing a car that I was fortunate to have created some doodles for and worked on such a creative high with an outstanding builder and friend take home such accolades from such an event, I'm speechless. Seeing this car grab the Eldon Titus Memorial Design Award is just amazing... It holds an incredible amount of meaning for us all, as he was an innovator, a gifted designer and builder, and truly a man who led the custom car back to the forefront. Growing up, he was one of my favorite builders, mixing and matching styles to create mind-blowing rides... and having a hand in a car which received the award bearing his name and legacy... well that my friend, is absolutely priceless!

Thanks for looking in, and more soon...

Quick Update

1969 camaro race car

Project "Sick Seconds" is getting closer to moving under its own power. The team at SunCoast Racecars has been busy putting their final touches on the car, and once out of the body shop there, the first gen-bodied missile heads on home to ProRides for the next build phase. Be on the lookout for engine build pics, as the heart of the beast is slated to be completed in about 45 days. We'll keep you posted, and you can see the earlier mill work, if you happened to miss it the first time out HERE. This is promising to be a fun build with some SERIOUS results!

race car design rendering

In the meantime, we're all stoked and looking forward to the car's debut in the GearVendors booth at the SEMA Show (look for precise date and time info soon, as well). Currently, though, the car is available for PRI, and anyone interested in displaying the Camaro in their booth can give us a shout, and we'll make sure you get connected to do so!

Stay tuned for more, and thanks, as always for looking in!