Just like Jazz music, the art of kustomizing automobiles is quintessentially American.

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Starting way back in the 1930s, Harry Westergard, Sam and George Barris, the Ayala Bros., Gene Winfield, Bill Hines, and Dean Jeffries are but a few of the immortal American craftsmen who--with hammer, torch, and lead--modeled the gospel of bodywork modifications being emulated by legions of adherents to this day.

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The 1941 Ford Convertible presented here is such a "Blast from the Past." Following the spirit of the World's most distinguished Kustomizers and aptly nicknamed "The Barrister," the car was mechanically updated in the mid-'80s and has been part of the Kustom scene for decades.
Intrigued? You're not alone! Let's check out this fascinating lead sled then, top to bottom, starting up front.

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A peek under the bonnet reveals good news. It's all Ford here, not a flathead or Y-block, but a real, musculous 400 cu.in. V-8 engine, member of the Cleveland family. Along with the automatic transmission as well as front and rear suspension assemblies, it was lifted from a '79 Thunderbird and as such is easily serviced anywhere.

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Power plant is in excellent condition. There are no nasty habits--such as smoking, leaking, or drinking oil--to report. Stomp the loud pedal and you'll be able to lay 30ft of rubber, aided by the posi rear.

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The Barrister's smooth body features all the classic Kustom mods in the book. First, it was channelled over a boxed frame to achieve the desired low stance, without having to resort to air bags or hydraulics. (Remember: "Bags are for groceries!") Front and rear fenders were molded in. A gennie Packard grille was added. Hand-formed, metal fender skirts were fitted. The car was nosed and decked, the windshield chopped about four inches. Door handles were shaved. Futuristic-looking, canted quad Chrysler headlights and deeply tunneled Chrysler taillights were added. Ribbed DeSoto bumpers were deemed a "must have" as well.

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Beautiful sunken antenna is another well-executed detail.
To make things perfect, the extensive restyling work was painstakingly smoothed by hand and finished with many coats of Candy Apple Red paint. In the bright California sunshine, the Barrister still sparkles like a jewel. Though the paint seems older and there is some cloudiness, there are no bubbles, scratches, or cracks of note, just a few minor imperfections that you would expect on a well-travelled Kustom.
Note enamelled "Barris Kustom" badge.

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While the car certainly can be enjoyed open-air style (it is a true convertible after all, NOT a chopped Coupe), the real treat is its Carson top, which can be installed or removed by two people in no time at all. Fully upholstered inside and out, there is a bit of wear to the white pinpoint exterior vinyl covering; overall, it still looks great, especially on the inside, where white rolls and pleats dominate. All of the glass, including the oval rear window, features a subtle, greenish-blue tint and is in excellent condition, just the driver's side power window glass has one vertical crack.

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Molded-in, chrome Lakes Pipes and twin dummy "Appleton" spot lights are fine custom touches adding to this car's traditional lead sled look.
Now, if you really want to be a true "tail dragger," just lower the pressure in the air shocks and the rear end will lay down even more.
You may notice the engine cover standing a bit proud at the cowl. Since we took these pictures, we've replaced the hood hinge bushings; now, it closes perfectly.

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A Kustom would not be complete without a special wheel treatment. Here, Cadillac caps were topped off with bullets and flippers to create an amazing, killer look. Just watch the sun rays bouncing off these babies once the car's in motion!
Wide whitewall tires are required, too--these are very old, but they certainly have "the look."

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Inside, the pure custom treatment continues unabated. High and low beams, brake lights, rear turn signals, horn, temperature and oil pressure gauges, tachometer, voltmeter, electric radiator fan, radio, heater and blower motor all work. Windshield wipers, speedo, and gas gauge currently don't. We have not been able to identify the origins of the dash yet, but it sure looks like it belongs, adorned with some nifty pinstriping, a few chrome bullets, and the all-important Paso Robles dash plaques, which themselves have become collectors' items.

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Aircraft-like steering wheel features swiveling chrome skull knobs. The extended shift handle is also topped by a large chrome skull.

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Very comfortable, adjustable front bucket seats. White vinyl upholstery on seats and side panels looks great, with just minimal wear. Carpeting throughout appears to be new. Included with the car is a yard of white "Angel Hair" fabric to cover the center console, if so desired.

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Cushy rear compartment.
To quote Robert Williams:
"Customs are for getting girls, Hot Rods are for getting rid of them." This car certainly will get the girls!

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Ready for a test cruise?
Sure, but let's check out a couple more areas first.

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The trunk is lined with antique green loop carpeting. Remote fuel filler and valve for the air shocks are located here. Original deck lid hinges hold up the lid perfectly--no broom stick needed!

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Undercarriage, with boxed frame and grafted-on T-Bird subframe assemblies front and rear, looks low-tech but clean. Note the rear sway bar and dual exhaust featuring Smitty's mufflers for that extra mellow sound. We just rebuilt the brakes, installing new drums, rotors, pads, and shoes as needed.

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April 14th was a perfect day to chill, bringing out the hidden lowrider in us. With temperatures being in the low 70s, we Californians don't have the need for a heater; this car features a working one, though, should the need ever arise! Both power windows work and turn the car into a very cozy boudoir.

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Many Customs are trailer queens or marginal drivers at best. No so this one. Jump in and drive anywhere! That definitely was the modus operandum of the car's prior owner, who attended many events, among them the famous, now-defunct West Coast Kustoms Paso Robles Memorial Weekend Show three times in a row, from 1995 to 1997, representing a round-trip driving distance of over 1,600 miles, each!

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We love the "all suspension" ride of this trad Kustom. The engine sounds terrific and the transmission shifts nicely. Aided by smooth power steering and power brakes, the car drives more like a '79 'Bird than a '41 Ford, taking the quite uneven surface of our neglected local freeways in stride. There are no wobbles or shimmies. Being a true convertible, there is none of the cowl shake or mis-aligned doors you would experience on many "cut" coupes.
The über-enthusiastic response of the general public--everyone around you, from a child to a great grandfather--is nothing short of astonishing. Only the Pope cruising Vatican City in his Popemobile would get more waves, honks, and hollers.

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This is a "real" Kustom, a genuine survivor from the days when the torch was king. It's a car that can be driven anywhere, anytime, and it's perfectly suited for somebody who appreciates how things were done in the good olde days, before computers with CAD programs and robotic plasma cutters made human skills all but expendable.

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Final words of wisdom:
In our not-so-humble opinion, this cruiser is ready be be enjoyed exactly the way it is. If you are a collector of award-winning show cars, you might think otherwise. If you want to have fun, attend shows, cruise until the wheels fall off, then you might feel right at home at the helm of the fabulous, kandy-kolored Barrister. Recently awakened from a long slumber, this one-of-a-kind lead sled is ready to wow a new generation of Kustom Kemp enthusiasts.

We sold this amazing Kustom in May 2009 to a Gentleman in Florida.

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