West Coast Kustoms & Classics Flock to Paso Robles

Overlooking the town square is the classy and classical Paso Robles Inn, the best place to catch the action both during and after the show.

Von Dutch-style flying-eyeball art is a common sight.

Many of the cars that show up at Paso are a hybrid of hot rods and lowriders.

You want flames? Have we got some hot licks for you!

Pink flamingos and a polished trailer--where's the sock hop?

Just about anything goes when it comes to kustomizing...

Look for this super-clean woodie an upcoming car feature.

Just about every sort of jalopy shows up in Paso.

The aptly named Rose, a tribute to Sam Barris, is well known on the show circuit.

This super-customized Crosley was lavished with all sorts of detailed paint work.

This lone Camaro, customized by Pichette's son, shows that anything is fair game for this crowd. Bow-tie hot rodders may cringe at the thought, but hey, it's his car.

Don't look for anything real subtle at this show.

Doug and Donna Snedegar's '47 Cad was as pink as possible.

Big Daddy Roth may be gone, but his influence lives on.

Licks for the metal, tats for the skin--it all goes together.

In case you didn't know...

When a plain white T won't do, you'll find something better in Paso.

Aren't we all part of this crowd?

Dean Bryant, the guy who did the flamethrower Merc in "Gone in Sixty Seconds," has just completed another kustom for a remake of the TV series "Happy Days."

Supposedly the new "Happy Days" revolves around a space alien and his way-out kustom. The plot line may be a bit strange for this remake, but we sure like his ride...

Actually, we'd rather seen Dean Bryant star in his own show.

That's a pretty cute parasol you've got there lady...

Does this catch your interest? Then check out the following photos of Ray Dufford's Plymouth.

The collection of polychromatic kustoms at the Paso Robles Inn was phenomenal.

Looks good enought to eat...

Whatever your fav, it's eligible for customizing...

It looked like it a rat rod from a distance, but up close it proved to be one of the cleanest hot rods in the show.

This 1960 Studebaker Hawk was a red-tag special, offered at the low, low price of only $2500!

Call it rolling art, if you wish.

This T-bucket had one monster...

...big block between the rails.

Just about every street in downtown Paso was filled with spectators.

The kustom-kulture, rat-rod gang knows where to hang.

Looking for vintage tin? This piece was just waiting for some customizing...

Don't look under the front hood for the engine, 'cuz it's...

Rich Pichette of West Coast Kustoms got the ball rolling for this show way back in 1981.

Pichette used to own this primo example of a Barris kustom.

That world-famous customizer Bill Hines (you can email him at BillHinesBatCars@aol.com) always brings a special ride to show at Paso.

More colors that a bowl full of jelly beans...

For tri-five Chevy fans, there was plenty to see...

...including some serious iron under the hood.

The Paso show has grown so much that a lot of cars have to be turned away now.

The park in the center of town is a really pleasant place to hold a show.

Somehow Paso wouldn't be the same without this annual gathering of rods and customs--sorta like the swallows to Capistrano.