Image via Complex Original
Legendary tattoo artist Mister Cartoon is equally well-known for his love of classic cars. In this regular series, Cartoon introduces us to various aspects of global car culture — from favorite models to the best customizers in the game.
In a world of donks, luxury cars, sports cars and rap videos, anyone can lease any car, at any time, at any place, and be in the game. For this edition of my regular Complex column, I'm bringinging you something that’s not regularly available—classic "Bombs" from the '30s, 40s, and '50s.
The youth of today might not know there history in automotive design, so in this chapter we are jumping back in our time machine sliding back to pre-WWII zoot suit era, a time when central blvd in LA was the sunset blvd of the time segregation and racism was rampant but automotive design was at an all-time high.
Related: Mister Cartoon Talks Lowrider Culture and Chevrolet Impalas
Estevan Oriol's 1947
Last time, we covered Chevy Impalas, America's favorite classic car. Out here, we have a had a head start over most of the country because of the great California weather. Many Car builders graduate into building and restoring classic bombs from the '30s and '40s. I am starting with my business partner, Estevan Oriol's classic 1947 survivor car. Estevan's 1947 is all original and has done just 14,00 miles—the car was a museum car that was used in parades. The only thing Estevan added was a visor and converted the system to a 12 vault system and hidden Rockford Fosgate audio. This car is rarely driven, reserved only for the most special occasions.
Cartoon's 1948
Next up is my '48. That year, Chevrolet produced a small amount of Fleetline convertibles made for the man around town. This car is a family air loom that was used in my wedding and will be handed down to my kids. Notice the subtle differences between the '47 and '48, evident if you look at the fender well moldings and the grille design.
Gangster Squad '39
This is my 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe 4-Door, nicknamed Gangster Squad. This was a middle class sales man's car. In '39, Chevy was known as the most desirable of all sedans, dues in part to clean body lines. Mario’s auto works painted this cab black with oriental blue candy flake fenders, then I put a mural the sides and the trunk with fantasy Mob images—protected by Sanctiond Wax—inspired the Film Gangster Squad. This car's suspension has been updated for contemporary driving styles, because originally these cars weren’t built to go over 30 miles an hour. The final frontier was to C notch the frame so this car can lay running boards when I hit the switch. This car can be seen smashing down the 110 or at a local show.
Skid Row 37 Dodge Truck
My Skid Row Tattoo truck is a 1937 Dodge Brothers. This is my Tattoo shop advertising truck. These trucks were originally intended for commercial and farm use; parts were taken off of the high end sedans from the same era—the turn signals, visors, white walls, and side mounts. From there, each truck has it’s own theme.
The custom trend is going in the direction of older pre-war bomb trucks, so I picked up a ’37 that was in decent condition but the style had the old barn look and the 15-year-old paint job was fading. First on my list was lowering the truck the old school way. Then, the paint was wet sanded smooth and recleared. I collaborated with Danny D on the lettering on the doors and bed advertising, both reading Skid Row Tattoo. I added several accessories, including the artillery Firestone whitewalls, fog lights, wood bed rails, and visor. I converted the truck to 12 vaults too. Sounds provided by Rockford Fosgate.
Bail Bonds 37 Chevrolet Truck
The Bail Bonds truck is a 1937 Chevrolet Coupe Pickup done up in similar style to the Skid Row truck. I did the lettering with Danny D for “Uncle Toon’s Bail Bonds.” I put in the wood bed floor and rails that were stained, cleared, and lettered as well to use an advertising tool for the Sanctiond car care line. All of the chrome, trim, and accessories were brought back to life, the truck was re-painted to original spec.
