Within the past decade, a definite trend emerged among serious automobile enthusiasts to acquire well-known Hot Rods and Kustoms of excellence for their collections. Unique displays of exceptional design and craftsmanship, classic rods and customs are among the most significant cultural artifacts of post-war America.
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The 1950 Chevrolet DeLuxe Coupe shown here is such a fabulous rolling sculpture. You might be able to find someone, somewhere, to build you another one, but it would cost well over $100,000.00 and take a couple of years to finish. But no silly amount of money could buy what the Kustom presented here has in spades: provenance!
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Offered for your consideration here is Grapevine, a mind-boggling Kustom that was was built for and owned by none other than Lance Bass, certified astronaut, producer, and member of the famous pop group *NSYNC. A genuine California black plate car, Lance had it shipped to his Florida estate in October of 2003. The car was used in several music videos and is still titled in the singer's name.
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A Mississippi native, Lance generously donated Grapevine to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Click on the image to the left for a full-sized view (850 x 638 pixels) |
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As you can imagine, multi-millionaire Lance Bass did not cut any corners when commissioning what many consider to be one of the most outstanding full Kustoms in existence.
Please, join us as we explore Grapevine in great detail, starting with the engine compartment.
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As you'd expect from a high-Dollar Kustom, the aseptically clean engine compartment looks as exciting as the remainder of the car. Powered by a 327 cubic inch, 350 horsepower hi-po Chevrolet Corvette engine, topped by a brand new EDELBROCK carburetor, mated to a modified Powerglide automatic transmission, the car is fully loaded with Jaguar rack-and-pinion power steering, power disc brakes and Vintage Air A/C.
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Custom touches abound e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e, from the smooth firewall to the hand-painted valve covers and vintage Cadillac air cleaner housing. It's not difficult to imagine that just the creation of this unique engine compartment did cost more money than a new compact car.
Besides the custom four row radiator, large transmission and engine oil coolers keep temperatures under control, even during extended periods of slow cruising.
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Only if you've checked out a stock 1950 Chevrolet lately will you be able to fully appreciate the amazing transformation this car has undergone.
Virtually all the tricks from the Kustomizers' book were applied: Grapevine was expertly chopped, channelled, nosed, decked, shaved, frenched, skirted, and pancaked. The fully molded grille features nine '54 Chevy teeth, a Buick sweepspear graces the sides, as do chromed Lakes pipes. All the moldings and window tim inside and out have been modified and re-installed, the power windows are functional, doors open with remote-controlled solenoids, there are no stress cracks in the windshield: the list is endless. Some of the very best paint and body wizards in the Central California Valley spent over a year to create this masterpiece, money being no object.
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Amazing details, from left to right:
- Sunken power antenna
- Lucite door knobs
- Hand-striped *NSYNC logo on rear window
- Flames & Lakes pipes
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Let's check out the love shack!
Grapevine's interior truly excels. Unlike many other builders who neglect their creations' passenger compartments, Grapevine is fully finished to show standards in this important area as well. The rolled, pleated, and tufted white naugahyde interior features purple trim and matching wool carpeting. Modified Thunderbird power bucket seats are very inviting--this Kustom is a true chick magnet --and the full console hides trunk release and A/C controls.
Check out the fabulous headliner!
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Grapevine's cockpit is dominated by a classy, tilt-and-tele Cadillac steering wheel. Sliding Nash Airflyte center door hides the stereo head unit. A/C vents are clearly visible. All gauges on center console work, the lower trio keeping the driver informed of the fully adjustable air suspension's status. The old Chevy cyclops eye cluster was retained for decorative purposes only.
Flawless white, pleated floor mats are removable.
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Details, from left to right:
- Full Kustom door panel
- Air suspension command center
- Airbrushed pin-up on glovebox door
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When living the stressful life of a celebrity who's on stage almost nightly, you really need all the comfort you can get when going out on a cruise. And comfortable it is, in a big way!
Check out the fully finished Kustom interior; all it takes is money, lots of it. It doesn't get any better than this!
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Cozy rear seat . . . almost too pretty just to sit in!
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Grapevine's exterior features amazing pinstriping work by Venice's own Emilio, a prominent Von Dutch scholar.
Smoothed rear bumper contains the '39 Ford taillights.
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Open the trunk lid and it's shagadelic. Hector Larios hand-crafted this outstanding custom trunk kit. Lacie seems to like it, too . . .
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Ready to take 'er out on a test drive?
Let's go!
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Thursday, June 21st, the first day of summer, was another perfect day here in paradise.
We left bright and early, cruising down to Channel Islands Harbor, Grapevine's incredible Metallic Pearl Purple paint glistening in the sunshine.
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Grapevine starts, runs, drives, shifts, handles, and stops like a champ. Comprising the best of both worlds, it's a traditional full Kustom with all the modern amenities you could ask for, enhancing its breathtaking vintage looks. Be assured: this rare '50 drives every bit as good as it looks. You could easily use it for your daily commute, if that's what your heart desires.
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Lowrider, do it a little lower . . .
Grapevine's air suspension works great. A trunk-mounted compressor feeds air bags on all 4 corners. Being a 3-way system, the rear and each front wheel can be adjusted separately. Once you get used to the system's operation, you'll be able to switch from taildragger to freeway cruiser within seconds. Naturally, the lower you go, the slower you go. For normal operation, you might desire to get it up . . .
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Even in VIP-studded SoCal, where Ferraris, Porsches, and Hot Rods are part of the regular street scene, Grapevine's impact is nothing short of extraordinary. Wherever we cruised by, people turned their heads and dropped their jaws. Whenever we parked--even at places where folks are used to us pulling up in exotic cars--people kept walking up to us, wanting to chat about this incredible Kustom.
Hey, guys, it's just us, not Lance or Justin!
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Grapevine is one famous Kustom that has it all. It's a
- super attractive, most desirable ,
- classic Chevrolet Kustom,
- cost over $100,000 to build, displaying
- state-of-the-art craftsmanship,
- was used in several music videos,
- made headlines after Hurricane Katrina, and is
- still titled in the celebrity owner's name.
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We don't apply the phrase "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" lightly, however, here it's certainly applied appropriately.
What is this car worth today?
You be the judge!