Paradise Road, outside of Nagoya, is a full-service hot rod, custom and lowrider shop owned and run by Junichi Shimodaira and is unlike any of the other custom shops we visited. The shop’s interior is a visual explosion of ‘50s and ‘60s Americana including signs, photos, posters, toys, car parts, and cars that Junichi purchased and collected over time from various American swap meets and car shows.
![[Number Nine] — Isamu Kondo's 1949 Mercury Custom](static/562ff836e4b05cda5f7ab9a5/5636e82fe4b06c8363f41110/579411ee893fc05f7309259c/1472368626418/_RAY7348.jpg)
I always look forward to the FUEL Coffee and Classics gatherings held in Port Melbourne. I most enjoy seeing the unexpected and unusual collection of vehicles that turn up. In the past, everything from ex-military vehicles, LA inspired low riders, to concours level restored classics have made an appearance. Just when you think every corner of motoring culture has been represented, something different appears and reminds us why we bothered to wake up early on a Saturday morning.
I had seen an A4 image of Stephen Dariz’s custom Harley in the Fuel office. I had also been told that he was an avid skater which peaked my interest. Two weeks later, I was flying to Adelaide for an interview and photo shoot with the builder and skater. After landing, Luke and I rented a nondescript grey econo box and drove to Stephen’s nearby home.
By Craig Metros.
After World War II the design, engineering, and manufacturing of automobiles in the United States reached new heights. American soldiers returned home in search of the American Dream. The dream was an aspiration to obtain a family, a home and among other things, an automobile. To respond to the increasing demand, American car manufacturers began introducing new models on a regular basis. Major changes were made every two or three years. Minor modifications were made every year.
Interview Craig Metros Portrait Photography Luke Ray.
Many Australian traditional hot rod and custom culture fans spent the first weekend in October at the sixth annual Chopped Rod and Custom festival. What started out as an intimate 50 car show with live rock and roll capping off the evening has turned into a full blown three day music, hot rod, custom car, bike, and dirt drag strip extravaganza. As the festival increases in size, so does the popularity of the invited guests. This year, it was none other than legendary car customizer, painter and dry lakes racer Gene Winfield. FUEL was honored to catch up with the custom car pioneer. Courtesy of Lucky’s Speed Shop of Sydney, Winfield was on hand selling t-shirts and posters, signing autographs and engaging in conversation.
As I write this article, my 1931 Model A is on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean along with everything else I possess in the world. After more than eight years of living and working in Melbourne, my wife and I have returned home to the Motor City.
I think about the satin black traditional hot rod sitting in its container aboard that ship and I’m happy to know I’m bringing a three-dimensional slice of my life in Melbourne to my home, Detroit.
I first met Jack Telnack in 1984 on a private student tour of the Ford Design Centre in Dearborn, Michigan. At that time he was Director of Ford North American Design. In 1986 he was part of the management team that hired me as a designer. One year later he became the Vice President of Ford Design worldwide.