Sport Customs – Home Page

Sport  Customs

1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet: Owner: Geoffrey Hacker


What Is A Sport Custom?

The term “Sport Custom” was first used by Dan Post in a series of books on American custom cars starting in 1944 (click here to learn more about Dan Post Publications).  In his writings, Post reviewed the history on how these cars came to be and provided examples of sport custom cars.  Over time, the definition has been refined and generally includes these points:

  • Most sport customs were designed and built in California
  • Sport Custom cars utilized a two-seat design; many with no trunk; some with one or no doors
  • The Southern California temperate weather allowed few sports custom cars to be built with tops.  Most had no tops; others used tonneau (cockpit) covers
  • Most sport customs were designed with a wheelbase of greater than 99″.  The standard American sports cars mostly used a 99″ wheelbase and smaller ones often a 94″ wheelbase.  A typical sport custom car had a wheelbase of greater than 110 inches.
  • Sport custom cars were “sporty” and mean to be performance driven – up to a point.  Unlike sports cars, luxury and appointments in the interior, exterior and other facets of the car (engine compartment, trunk, storage compartment and other) were meant to be finished at a higher level as well with a sense of design.
  • Because of the balance of performance and luxury, Sport Custom Cars are also referred to now – and in-period – as “American Boulevard Cruisers”

Sport Customs – By Ken Gross: Motor Trend Classic – Winter, 2012


Showcase

Sport  Customs  Showcase
The  Best  of  Designs,  History,  Innovation  and  Importance
Handcrafted  Cars  That  Have  Stood  The  Test  Of  Time

Land  Bound  Pegasus:  1952  Maverick  Sportster
Motor Trend Classic: Fall, 2013

The Comet’s Tale:
The 1947 Kurtis-Omhundro Comet

Motor Trend Classic: Spring, 2013

1950 Templeton Saturn: Feature Article
Running Rings Around All Others
Motor Trend Classic: Winter, 2012

1949 Timbs Special: Feature Article
Motor Trend Classic: Spring, 2010


Click  Here  To  View  All  Sport  Custom  Stories
These Are The Stories We Post On Our Undiscovered Classics Website


Photography  And  Visual  Impact

Sport Custom Photos
Rare and Beautiful Sports Car Specials For All To See

Sport  Custom  Magazine  Cover  Cars
American  Specials  Featured  On  Magazine  Covers


Sport  Custom  Fact:  Did  You  Know…

In Postwar Europe, 


Pebble  Beach  Concours  d’Elegance  Recognizes  Sport  Customs

 

 

 


Important  Articles  To  Read

The  Emergence  Of  The  American  Postwar  Sports  Car
The Great American Car Story NEVER Told
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Program: March, 2015

Affordable Style
The Short, Sweet Life of the American Sport Custom
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Program: 2012

Euro-Rods:
Sport  Custom  Cars  of  the  Postwar  Era
Author:  John  Gunnel
Auto Trader Classics:  February, 2011

Hot Rods and Custom Cars
Photography:  Strother MacMinn
Published:  2009

Fat – Fendered  Oldies  &  Sports  Rod  Specials
Hot  Rod  Pioneers:  Published,  2000
Author:  Ed  Almquist

Sports  Specials
Old Cars Price Guide: Winter, 1983
One of the Earliest Publications That Discusses Value

Sport  Customs
Author:  Ray Scroggins

Special  Interest  Autos:  Nov-Dec, 1977

America’s Boulevard Sports Cars: Jim Potter’s Thoughts
Motor Life: July, 1956

The Hollywood Influence As Seen in Custom Body Design
By Jay Kaye
Automotive Industries:  January 1st, 1941


Dan  Post  Publications  Archives
Click  Here  To  Learn  More