Rik,

Thank you sooooo much for all the hours I have blissfully spent on your site.

Kustoms Rule!

  Hey i wanted to thank you for all the info on chopping the 1951 chevy business coupe. It will be my winter project to lower the top 4/12" thanks again for the info. Denny

  Hey Rik

Ik neem aan dat je nog nederlands spreekt... Ik heb en '50 merc en was eigenlijk benieuwd of jij geen lijst hebt van 49/51 mercs hier in ons kikkerlandje..
Rij je trouwens ook een Merc??

greetzzz Wheel

Rik,
Really enjoy your Kustom Kar site . I was wondering if you had any photos of any of the Kustom Kars built by Frank & John Balzano from Bristol, Rhode Island
U.S.A.. I remember his own personal car, a 1956 Ford Victoria full Kustom,
Beautiful car! He built Kustom cars for two of my friends , one a 1953 Ford 2Dr.&
the other a 1951 Chevy 2Dr. He also did some work for me on the 1954 Olds. hardtop I had at the time.
Would like to see some of his work on your web site.
LATER!!
Kustom Bob ( member of the Shifters car club )
Attleboro, Mass. U>S>A>
1959 - 1961

Rikster- I can't thank you enough for the time and effort that you have put into the creation of your Custom Car Photo Archive. It is truly an online treasure. I am so glad that the work of customizers past and present can be showcased and organized so well. I look forward to what you have yet to give the Custom Car world. I also hope to someday see my work in your archives for others to enjoy. This alone is a motivating factor large enough to push for a quality of craftmanship that I must strive for. Thank you again and best of luck in the future!
Joel Davis
Fargo, ND USA
"Pinstriper40" on the HAMB

Rik, thanks for your great story about Hirohata Merc!
As you know, I'm working on a model.Your photo is a big help for me. Thanks very much!

Rik,

What an amazing site! I am Neil Emory's daughter (Valley Custom) and my brother Gary just sent me your website. Thanks so much for all your hard work.

First off just wanted to say thank u for the site. Thats some dedication bud. I have never found 1 site that had every kustom worth seeing in one place. From the founding fathers of kustoms to the new guys keeping the spirit of hot rods alive. Thank u again.

Rik, Thank You for researching and continuing to bring the past of customizing to new generations to yet light a torch! I could waste days studying your archives!!!

HI RIK YOU THINK THAT I CAN USE SOME OF YOUR PICTURES TO PUT ON SOME OF MY AVACATURS TO HELP YOU GET THEM OUT THERE SOME MORE IM ON 3 BOWLING LEAGUS ON LINE ON POGO PLEACE LET ME KNOW THANK YOU TONY IM NEW IN FOTKI .

HI RICK YOU HAVE A LOT IN HERE.I JUST PICK UP A 1950 MERK. IN MAINE ITS NOT REAL BAD HAVE A LOT TO DO THIS MAN I GOT IT FROM HAS SOME 49S 50S A LOT IN HIS YARD OLD TRUCKS HOT RODS TO MUNCH TO SAY .BUT IF YOU COULD KEEP ME IN MIND THAT IF YOU FIND ANY MERK.PARTS THAT I MITE USE PLEACE KEEP ME IN MIDE THANK YOU.

Left some comments for you and I E-mailed a pic of Walt Leeman's Chevy with a new paint job.
Mike

Kool pics, seen a pic of me ol FC on there!!!

Rik. You finally made it to my site. I'm still uploading pictures. Probably half done or better. Hope that you enjoyed it.
Mike Shelley

your resessed headlights are the bomb...I've been looking for the same set up with the chrome rings for my 57 ranchero I'm customizing...Any help on how you made this work would be apprieciated...thanks ..great car..Lyndog

Dave Cunningham's daughter Karen linked me to your sight. It is almost like getting back the 600 car mags I bought in the50's and 60's that my mom threw away{They were collecting dust).
Warm regards and thanks,
Mark

I totally enjoyed the pictures and reading. Thank you. It is a great site.
I'm building a 1960 Impala Kustom 2dr. Hdtp.. I've got the grill and dash to complete before it is finished. Yes this is my dream car. I have waited 40 years for this true kustom car. I built it on my computer front to back, inside and out.. It has 27 body changes and 45 visual changes on the car. Of course I think it is the perfect car. It is the best of both worlds. It has style, and good lines of design, and great new interior. But it also has a custom performance 502, T-400/GearVenders tranny, and a Currie Industries third member drive-train.

I didn't just paint it glitzie colors, and add 22 inch wheels and call it a custom car. Like alot of folks do now days.

If you'd like to see a picture or two of it when it is finished. I'd be glad to share that with you.
Mean time thanks again for having the web-site. Jerry W.

Saludos.

I visit yuor Fotki album and i amazed by the nice pictures you have in.

Im in a model car building and i hope some day took some references for a custom car from your page.

Hi Rik, It's great to see my grandpa's (George Herbert DuVall, Jr) influence on custom cars. His second wife (my step-grandma) just sent some old photos he had taken at car shows in SoCal, no dates on them but I will scan them and e-mail if there's any you can use. One has my Uncle Greg in the photo and, judging by his look then I'd say it was taken in the 70's. The cars are much older than that.
Miss him, grandma Irma, Uncle Greg and of course my Mom. It's cool to see his genius continues...Thanks!

You are the same age and have the same name as my cousin who resides in Southern California. That's why I checked your site.