10 Custom Car Books Everyone Should Read

1. Dan Post's Original Blue Book of Custom Restyling. In 1944 Dan Post published Dan Post Remodeler's Manual a mimeograph about custom cars, and the foundation for the first known custom car book. The booklets Dan Post's California Custom Car Photo Album and Dan Post's Original Master Custom-Restyling Manual followed in 1947 before Dan Post's Original Blue Book of Custom Restyling was published in 1949. This is the first known custom car book, and a must-read if you want to dive down into the roots of the custom car scene. In 1951 he published the Enlarged Super Edition Blue Book of Custom Restyling. Check price and availability on Amazon.com - Check price and availability on eBay

2. The American Custom Car by Pat Ganahl - This book delves into the history of custom car culture, exploring its roots, key players, and enduring appeal. For many, this book has become the bible when it comes to custom car history. Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

3. Big Book of Barris by George Barris and David Fetherston - A celebration of the legendary custom car designer George Barris, featuring extensive photos and stories of his most famous creations. Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

4. Kustomland: The Custom Car Photography of James Potter, 1955-1959 by Thom Taylor - A stunning collection of custom car photography from the late 1950s, showcasing the creativity and artistry of this golden era. This book is a must for everyone addicted to 1950 custom paint jobs. Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

5. Custom Cars of the 1950s by Andy Southard and Tony Thacker - A visual celebration of 1950s custom car culture, featuring stunning photographs and profiles of the era's most influential designers and builders. Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

6. The Legendary Custom Cars and Hot Rods of Gene Winfield by David Grant. A pioneer. A driving force, and a legend. One of the best known and most respected custom car builders in the industry. Written by David Grant, the book was published in 2008. 176 pages. Lots of great photos, and a foreword by Spence Murray. The book is fairly rare and hard to come by. It has become a collectors item and you have to pay up to secure a copy. We have heard that the last time Gene Winfield was in Sweden he came by a few books for sale that he bought up and brought back home to the US. Check price and availability on Amazon.com - Check price and availability on eBay

7. Dean Jeffries 50 Fabulous Years in Hot Rods, Racing and Film by Tom Cotter. The book was published by Motorbooks in 2009. Check price and availability on Amazon.com - Check price and availability on eBay.

8. Barris Kustom Techniques of the '50s - Volume 4: Flames, Scallops, Paneling and Striping by George Barris and David Fetherston - A detailed look at the custom paint techniques popularized by George Barris in the 1950s, featuring step-by-step instructions and photographs. Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

9. Darryl Starbird The Bubble Top King Custom Car Creations - The book about the Bubble Top King Darryl Starbird from Wichita, Kansas. Click here to order the book from Amazon.com.

Recommended Reading

Kustomrama collects stories. We love books. If you love custom cars you should read at least one of these books. We can highly recommend that you add them all to your collection. Unfortunately, many of the books are sold out and hard to come by, so if you find a copy at a reasonable price at a flea market, eBay or Amazon you should absolutely consider adding it to your library.