Ala Kart was begun as a project in 1956, and built during 1956 and 1957.[7] The name was derived from Barris opening a menu.[8] While Peters originally intended only some minor bodywork,[9] like many hot rod and custom car projects, it soon escalated.
Barris sketched out the early design on restaurant napkins.[10]
Ala Kart featured an entirely chromed chassis, including springs, driveshaft, and rear end (following Gejean's previous car's example).[11]
Ala Kart after restoration at the Wally Park NHRA Motorsports Museum
The pickup would compete for the AMBR trophy twice, winning both times, and be withdrawn from the 1960 competition.
The truck would suffer an engine fire in the 1960s and be rebuilt by the Alexander Brothers,[6] and repainted, not in the original pearl white.[12]
Eventually it was sold into obscurity.[6] It would be sold a couple of times more, resurfacing in the hands of Boyd Coddington, who proposed putting a new frame under it.[13]
Ala Kart would ultimately be purchased by John Mumford, who had it restored in 2008 by Junior Conway at Junior's House of Color and Bill Ganahl at Roy Brizio's shop (Brizio Street Rods) for entry in that year's GNRS; it would lose.[14]
Ala Kart is now on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI.[15]
Construction details
Ala Kart began life as a '29 Ford Model Apickup. The chassis work was done by long-time friends Peters and "Blackie" Gejeian at their Fresno, California shop, with the body and styling by Barris (at Barris Kustoms in Los Angeles).[16] The frame had a new centrally-located crossmember, and was completely chromed. The front end was also chromed, including a 4in (10cm)dropped axle, coil springs (not the factory leaf springs), split wishbones, Panhard rod, and tube shocks. 1940 Ford drum brakes were used. In back, a 1932 Ford rear axle was fitted, along with specially-fabricated coil springs, Panhard rod, all chromed, and Ford drum brakes. All four corners were equipped with Cadillac airbag suspension pieces.[17]
The AMT kit. The hood fit is poor, and the grille rake is not visible, but the chromed lakes pipes are, along the edge of the running board.
The chassis was painted Swedish White Pearl with purple and gold scallops, matching the body.[17] All the chrome work on the underside was done by Gejeian's friend, Bob Martin, at his Fresno shop for free, in exchange for the publicity for Fresno Chrome Plating.[18] Body modifications (except the grille shell, which was aluminum) were done entirely in 20 gauge steel.[6]
The '29's body was given a '27 Ford roadster back section. The stock fenders were reshaped, "peaked and bobbed using half-inch round rod". A new grille shell was fabricated from steel and filled with clear plastic tubing; it was given a forward rake. A three-piece hood was made created from aluminum, while louvered steel splash aprons were mounted. The bed was built from scratch with steel, with candy gold inserts (found by Barris at a hardware store[6]) and chrome strips. The quadruple headlights, vertically stacked in pairs, were from a '57 Chrysler. The front bumper was a pair of nerf bars. Taillights were '56 DeSoto lenses in '58 Impala bezels, protected by hairpins. Painted overall in Swedish White Pearl with candy gold scallops, striping was done by master pinstriper Dean Jeffries[17] (early in his career).[6]
Closeup of the front of the kit. The slant of the headlights here is not apparent in photos of the full-size truck.
Roy Gilbert did the "intricate original upholstery", which was one of Ala Kart's outstanding features.[17] Finished in white pearl Naugahyde fitted with chrome beads,[6] plus black velvet trim inside, the tonneau had a combination of black and white vinyl, set off with gold piping. The gauge cluster came from a '57 Corvette (fitted with Stewart Warner gauges), while the steering wheel was taken from a '57 Lincoln Continental (modified with a gold bullet at the center).[6][17]
Ala Kart rode on Ford 15in (38cm) centers, trimmed and fitted with reversed 14in (36cm) outer rims, which were then chromed. Center bullets in candy gold were mounted, as were whitewall tires (5.60-14 front, 8.00-14 rear).[17]
Restoration
The 2008 restoration to 100-point status was done by Junior Conway and Bill Ganahl on the exterior at Brizio's, with the interior by long-time Ala KartHowdy Ledbetter. The restoration was meticulous, even preserving the original scalloping.[17]
That year, Ala Kart would again be entered in the Oakland Roadster Show. It would lose[14] (to Rudy Necoechea's deuce roadster, Undisputed).[20]
Impact
Ala Kart is considered "[o]ne of the coolest full-custom trucks ever built"[2] (a sentiment widely shared among customizers, rodders, and fans of both rods and customs) and "more iconic than all the rest."[21]
In other media
Ala Kart was reproduced as a 1/25 scalemodel kit by AMT in 1961[2] becoming one of the best-selling kits in history.[22] It was also reproduced by the Danbury Mint, reissued four times due to demand, plus a Fiftieth Anniversary edition. In addition, it was issued as a Hot Wheels car.[23]
Ala Kart also made numerous film appearances, usually in the background of drive-in shots, before its importance to rodders and customizers was recognized.[5]
Notes
↑ Interview by Dick Martin, 1 September 2008. Hot Rod Magazine online (retrieved 24 June 2015)
↑ Richard Peters, interviewed by Dick Martin, 1 September 2008. Hot Rod Magazine online (retrieved 24 June 2015)
↑ Blackie Gejeian, interview by Jim Aust, 7 October 2008. Hot Rod Magazine (retrieved 23 June 2015)
↑ Interview by Dick Martin, 1 September 2008. Hot Rod Magazine online (retrieved 24 June 2015)
↑ Peters recalls it was a Bob's Big Boy. Interviews with Peters and Gejeian by Jim Aust, 7 October 2008. Hot Rod Magazine online (retrieved 23 June 2015)
↑ Richard Peters, interview by Jim Aust, 7 October 2008. Hot RodMagazine online (retrieved 23 June 2015); Peters, interview by Dick Martin, 1 September 2008. Hot Rod Magazine online (retrieved 24 June 2015)
Hot rods are typically American cars that might be old, classic, or modern and that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines optimized for speed and acceleration. One definition is: "a car that's been stripped down, souped up and made to go much faster." However, there is no definition of the term that is universally accepted and the term is attached to a wide range of vehicles. Most often they are individually designed and constructed using components from many makes of old or new cars, and are most prevalent in the United States and Canada. Many are intended for exhibition rather than for racing or everyday driving.
George Barris was an American designer and builder of Hollywood custom cars. Barris designed and built the Hirohata Merc. Barris's company, Barris Kustom Industries, designed and built the Munster Koach and DRAG-U-LA for The Munsters; and the 1966 Batmobile for the Batman TV series and film.
Edward "Big Daddy" Roth was an American artist, cartoonist, illustrator, pinstriper and custom car designer and builder who created the hot rod icon Rat Fink and other characters. Roth was a key figure in Southern California's Kustom Kulture and hot rod movement of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Kustom Kulture is the artworks, vehicles, hairstyles, and fashions of those who have driven and built custom cars and motorcycles in the United States of America from the 1950s through today. It was born out of the hot rod culture of Southern California of the 1960s.
A rat rod, as usually known today, is a custom car with a deliberately worn-down, unfinished appearance, typically lacking paint, showing rust, and made from cheap or cast-off parts. These parts can include non-automotive items that have been repurposed, such as a rifle used as a gear shifter, wrenches as door handles, or hand saws as sun visors. Whether or not so appointed, the rat rod uniquely conveys its builder’s imagination.
A custom car is a passenger vehicle that has been either substantially altered to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission; made into a personal "styling" statement, using paintwork and aftermarket accessories to make the car look unlike any car as delivered from the factory; or some combination of both. A desire among some automotive enthusiasts in the United States is to push "styling and performance a step beyond the showroom floor - to truly craft an automobile of one's own." A custom car in British according to Collins English Dictionary is built to the buyer's own specifications.
The Detroit Autorama, also known as America's Greatest Hot Rod Show, is a showcase of custom cars and hot rods held each year at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan, in either late February or early March.
The Ford Model A was the Ford Motor Company's second market success, replacing the venerable Model T which had been produced for 18 years. It was first produced on October 20, 1927, but not introduced until December 2. This new Model A was designated a 1928 model and was available in four standard colors.
The Munster Koach is the family car that was used in the television series, The Munsters. The show's producers contracted George Barris to provide the Koach. Barris paid show car designer Tom Daniel $200 to design the car, and had it built at Barris Kustoms, first by Tex Smith, but finished by Dick Dean, his shop foreman at the time. The Munster Koach appeared in over twenty episodes throughout the series' two-year run, and was also seen in Munster, Go Home! using different wheels. Tom Daniel's original drawing of the Munster Koach had it supercharged with a hood scoop and thin, round disc lights. Barris chose the ten-carburetor setup with the ten air horns and lantern lights.
Dick Dean, born Richard Dean Sawitskas [Sa-WITS-kas], was an American automobile designer and builder of custom cars. Father of Keith Dean.
The Beatnik Bandit is a custom car created in 1961 by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. The car features a clear bubble canopy. Speed and direction are controlled by a central joystick in the cabin.
Troy Ladd is an American designer and builder of custom cars and hot rods from Burbank, CA known for building traditional styled vehicles. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Business from Vanguard University, Troy formulated a business plan for Hollywood Hot Rods, taking into account location, size of the building and equipment. In 2002 Headquarters for Hollywood Hot Rods were set up in Burbank, CA. Industry magazines took notice of the cars being built at Hollywood Hot Rods and titles such as Street Rodder Magazine, Hot Rod Magazine and Rod & Custom were responsible for getting the word out about Troy Ladd’s shop.
Michael "Blackie" Gejeian was an American race car driver, race car builder, and hot rod enthusiast. Considered an "Industry Legend", Gejeian was the organizer of the Autorama, one of the largest custom car shows in North America, held annually in Fresno, California.
Richard Megugorac, commonly known as Dick or by his nickname Magoo, was an American land speed racer and customizer.
Tom Medley was an American hot rodder and cartoonist, best known as creator of Stroker McGurk.
Stroker McGurk is a cartoon character created by Tom Medley, featured in Hot Rod and Rod & Custom.
Bill Cushenbery was an American car customizer, show car builder, and model kit designer. Cushenbery was a major influence on the look of custom cars and the customizing industry in general. In addition to building his own designs, he is noted for having helped George Barris create the Batmobile car featured in the 1966–1968 Batman television series.
El Matador is a custom car built by Bill Cushenbery during 1959–1961. It was his first show car.
The Mantaray is a show rod built in 1963 by Dean Jeffries. The car won Best Experimental in its debut at the 1964 Pomona car show and the special constructor's award, top non-roadster prize, at the 1964 Oakland Roadster Show. It also appeared on "The Tonight Show" with Steve Allen and in Bikini Beach.
Gerald Douglas "Bo" Huff was an American custom car designer and an influential figure in the American Kustom Kulture and hot rod movement. He was known as the "Rockabilly King" in the American custom car scene for his promotion of Kustom Kulture lifestyle, rat rods, and custom cars, and was identified as one of the top 20th and early 21st century American custom car designers.
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