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autoevolution's Custom Builds Month

Sometimes confused with coachbuilt vehicles, custom builds are the essence of personal creativity in the quest of individuality for some people. For others, they are simply not worth it or as seen as an insult to the engineers and designers that created the original vehicle. 

No matter which side of the fence you’re on, there’s no denying that custom cars and bikes will always have a special place in the gearheads’ world.  

The consensus is that the custom culture, which was soon to be spelled ‘Kustom’ thanks to a certain George Barris, was birthed after World War II, when people started modifying stock pre-war cars to their liking.  

The first so-called ‘gow jobs’ evolved into hot rods, with four different 'gow job' cars evolved into hot rods, which then got separated into four rather disctinct lineages: street rods, street machines, restomods and the peculiar-looking rat rods.  

Over the years, the custom build movement has changed to also encompass cars that are specially made by American or European tuners, with the Japanese jumping on board as well.  

The motorcycle industry wasn’t left aside either, with a variety of aftermarket shops now specializing in creating literal works of art on wheels.  

Despite the controversy spawning from such creations, which are mostly based on mass-produced vehicles but take the styling and/or performance to new distinctive heights, there is a huge market and even larger fans base nowadays for tailored means of transportation. 

The entire month of July we’ll strive to bring you the most interesting examples of custom builds on autoevolution, whether on four or only two wheels, as we celebrate this flamboyant automotive sub-culture.

Editor's note: This special feature by autoevolution was not sponsored or supported by a third-party.
2013 Chevrolet Corvette with a 1967 Body Looks Like It’s Wrapped in Baby Oil
2013 Chevrolet Corvette with a 1967 Body Looks Like It’s Wrapped in Baby Oil

27 Jul 2020, 12:16 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / A custom Corvette features the look of the 1967 model mixed with the chassis of the 2013 version along with a series of other modern upgrades

 
1990 Mazda Miata with a ’95 Engine Is the Low-Mileage Custom Build of the Week
1990 Mazda Miata with a ’95 Engine Is the Low-Mileage Custom Build of the Week

27 Jul 2020, 13:10 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Someone is selling a custom 1990 Mazda Miata that has received the engine of a 1995 model, as well as a series of other upgrades in all key areas

 
Harley-Davidson El Fuego Brings German Heat to the Road
Harley-Davidson El Fuego Brings German Heat to the Road

27 Jul 2020, 11:47 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Harley-Davidson El Fuego is a custom motorcycle build handled by German shop Thunderbike, pairs a custom frame to a Harley engine

 
This 1980 International Harvester Scout II Has Been Treated to an LS Engine Swap
This 1980 International Harvester Scout II Has Been Treated to an LS Engine Swap

27 Jul 2020, 09:32 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / If the original Bronco is too expensive for your budget, how about choosing a 1980 International Harvester Scout II with small-block V8 power?

 
Chevy Camaro "Nomad" Is an Epic Shooting Brake Conversion
Chevy Camaro "Nomad" Is an Epic Shooting Brake Conversion

26 Jul 2020, 19:49 UTC · By: Mihnea Radu / It's not like the trunk makes it that much more practical, but it's a nice alternative to the oh-so-common Chevy Camaro shape

 
Dodge Magnum With Charger Hellcat Front Is Fully Murdered Out
Dodge Magnum With Charger Hellcat Front Is Fully Murdered Out

26 Jul 2020, 19:13 UTC · By: Mihnea Radu / America is filled with people who want a Dodge Charger wagon and aren't afraid of swapping out the old face of a Magnum SRT

 
BMW M2 Shooting Brake Is a 1 Series With a Face Swap and Extreme Widebody
BMW M2 Shooting Brake Is a 1 Series With a Face Swap and Extreme Widebody

26 Jul 2020, 12:40 UTC · By: Mihnea Radu / The Clown Shoe style of shooting brake is loved by many sports cars enthusiasts. So this build, weird as it is, should become famous

 
Thunderbike RS-R Life Fitness Is the Ultimate Muscle Machine
Thunderbike RS-R Life Fitness Is the Ultimate Muscle Machine

26 Jul 2020, 06:15 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Thunderbike RS-R is a custom German motorcycle made in the usual way such bikes come out the doors of one of Europe's most active garages

 
Is the End of Petrolheads Nigh?
Is the End of Petrolheads Nigh?

25 Jul 2020, 22:25 UTC · By: Alex Oagana / I might be barking at the wrong tree, especially in this day and age, when electric this and electric that are beginning to take over the world

 
1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer With Vortec LS V8 Offered at Auction With No Reserve
1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer With Vortec LS V8 Offered at Auction With No Reserve

25 Jul 2020, 20:53 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / The original Grand Wagoneer is notoriously unreliable, but the LS swap on this fellow here should keep the next owner's mind at ease

 
Ed Roth: the Car Customization King of the 1960s
Ed Roth: the Car Customization King of the 1960s

25 Jul 2020, 20:50 UTC · By: Alex Oagana / Virtuosity is usually found in the context of music, painting or sculpture. Without any exaggeration, Ed Roth's creations are the work of a virtuoso

 
Widebody 1970 Corvette “C3 Rambo” Isn’t Your Typical Pro-Touring Build
Widebody 1970 Corvette “C3 Rambo” Isn’t Your Typical Pro-Touring Build

25 Jul 2020, 18:59 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / It may be a sacrilege to convert an LT-1 Corvette to an LS pro-touring build, but the uniqueness of this car more than makes up for it

 
1966 Chevrolet Impala SS Combines Big-Block V8 Power With Nitrous Boost
1966 Chevrolet Impala SS Combines Big-Block V8 Power With Nitrous Boost

25 Jul 2020, 16:31 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / If a period-correct Impala SS doesn't do it for you, then this strip-slaying Super Sport may be right up your alley with 505 cu. in. on deck and fat rear tires

 
Harley-Davidson Desert Wolves Are Proof the Best Custom Bikes Come in Packs
Harley-Davidson Desert Wolves Are Proof the Best Custom Bikes Come in Packs

25 Jul 2020, 11:10 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Harley-Davidson Desert Wolves are three Roadsters made to match, handled by Spanish custom motorcycle garage El Solitario MC

 
Ford Mustang "Purple Pie" Is a Savage Widebody GT
Ford Mustang "Purple Pie" Is a Savage Widebody GT

25 Jul 2020, 06:10 UTC · By: Andrei Tutu / According to the owner of this Blue Oval toy, we're looking at the first widebody and bagged example of the 2019 Ford Mustang GT

 
Thunderbike Mystery Custom Motorcycle Is Spectacula Gone Bad
Thunderbike Mystery Custom Motorcycle Is Spectacula Gone Bad

25 Jul 2020, 06:10 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Thunderbike Mystery is a custom motorcycle built in Germany by a local garage, uses a custom frame that underpinned other models as well

 
This 1972 GMC Jimmy Comes With a Matching Trailer and 8.2-Liter V8 Power
This 1972 GMC Jimmy Comes With a Matching Trailer and 8.2-Liter V8 Power

24 Jul 2020, 16:19 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Sick of waiting for Ford to start production of the all-new Bronco? Bring a Trailer has an alternative to the Blue Oval's off-roader in the guise of this Jimmy

 
Pro-Street 1967 Ford Mustang Packs Ultra-Wide Rear Tires, Modified Cleveland V8
Pro-Street 1967 Ford Mustang Packs Ultra-Wide Rear Tires, Modified Cleveland V8

24 Jul 2020, 12:38 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / So you want to buy an old Mustang with a bit of an attitude and the go-faster mods to back it up? If that's the case, look no further than this pro-street build

 
Sinister Black 1955 Ford COE Is the Monster in the Rearview Mirror
Sinister Black 1955 Ford COE Is the Monster in the Rearview Mirror

24 Jul 2020, 12:35 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / 1955 Ford COE is one of the finest examples of such custom machines, sell for a price to match the looks: it's going for $104,995

 
One-Off Brand New Ferrari SP30 That Can’t Sell Is a Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma
One-Off Brand New Ferrari SP30 That Can’t Sell Is a Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma

24 Jul 2020, 09:30 UTC · By: Elena Gorgan / Built by the Special Projects department at Ferrari and delivered to owner Cheerag Arya in 2012, the 599 GTO-based has never been driven and can’t be sold