3rd Annual Fiesta De Kustom Kulture In Heart Of Old Town San Diego

Event - 3rd FDKKWith 2013 fast approaching its closing serenade, it struck us, Rod Authority has witnessed the seasons change in a most dramatic fashion. It is a beautiful and unique thing to witness the backdrops and settings of our editorial and video content shift. With the blanketing warmth of the sun now behind us we have been gripped by mother earth’s winter grasp. Cold frosty sodas, chilled water, and other unnameable spirits have inevitably been replaced by rain coats, umbrellas, and Irish coffees.

IMG_1187But in all seriousness, as the gloomy and ambient “rainy day” tunes resonate from our office desks, recapping Fiesta De Kustom Kulture mid rainstorm stands as that sliver of sun peeking through the grey storm cloud. Alternatively, it could just be winter’s cold and merciless way of mocking our preverbal geographic affinity for summertime. Either way, read on for Rod Authority’s exclusive coverage of one of Southern California’s younger but up and coming Kustom Kulture events!

MotorCult, a motorsport, hot rod, and low brow apparel company hosted this year’s 3rd Annual Fiesta De Kustom Kulture. The event took place on Saturday, September 7th in the heart of historic Old Town San Diego.IMG_1267

The event was menagerie of art, jewelers, clothing and pomade vendors. Live music provided ambiance for the rows upon rows of classics. The entire event was setup along San Diego Avenue, a main street that runs right down through the middle of Old Town. Two rows of cars spanned two blocks and were parked on display for guests to peek through and flock around.

IMG_1114The following is an excerpt from MotorCult, “The time was the early 1960s. The place was Southern California. It was the love for the automobile and making it ‘kustom’ by chopping, dropping, stripping, shaving, flaming, pinstriping, and anything else you could think of that would make it look different than it did out of the factory. It was also a time for youth and a new culture of American Art finding a new face. One of monsters, cartoons, fashion, music, and creative freedom.” They continue, “With Kustom Kulture getting its start here in sunny SoCal, Motorcult felt it fitting that this show took place in the very birthplace of California itself. Historic Old Town, San Diego.”

IMG_1260Fiesta De Kulture’s 2013 Best In Show

There was no shortage of classics ranging from 50s customs to pre ’72 muscle. This year, Jordan Quintal’s 1930 Model A took “Best In Show.” It is a beautiful work of automotive art that was recently on display at the 2013 International Roadster Show and Goodguys Del Mar.

The Model A aka “Grasshopper” was built by the crew at Super Rides by Jordan in the city of Escondido, a town just a couple miles north of San Diego. A 400 Pontiac stroked to 462 provides ample power output. Grasshopper also features a Tremec T5 manual transmission, a Ford 9-inch rear end, and Astro Supreme wheels. House of Kolor provided the paint, a vibrant shade called “Lime Time.” Jordan Jr., III, and IV sent out a special thanks to “Hot Dog” for the pinstriping, Armando’s Upholstery, and Azteca Polishing/Chroming for some finishing show touches.IMG_1264

Check out the Super Rides by Jordan website to check out some of their amazing builds and to learn more about the company.

Rod Authority’s Kustom Six Countdown

Between grabbing some lobster tacos and ice cold Cadillacs, it was a hot day and staying hydrated is important, Rod Authority snapped a couple shots of several kustoms that were notorious for drawing in crowds all day. Check out this gallery of Rod Authority’s six stand out kustoms from the show this year.

Year: 1950

Make/Model: Chevy Coupe

Owner: Mark Sanchez of Chula Vista, CAIMG_1230

This beautiful custom featuring a 350 engine has been chopped and channeled. A ’54 Chevy front end and ’59 Cadillac taillights were swapped in. Topping it off is a serious metal flake paint job. This is one kustom that will definitely catch those Green Bay fans from a mile away but either way the color combo is just plain wicked.

Year: 1951

Make/Model: Ford Shoebox

Owner: Steve Padilla of Chula Vista, CAIMG_1233

The shoebox is a timeless classic and Steve Padilla’s is definitely a looker. His ’51 has been chopped and bagged. A custom paint job with fine flakes and subtle pinstriping on the front and back lured in attendees up close and personal throughout the day.

Year: 1950

Make/Model: Mercury Coupe

Owner: Bob Doran of La Mesa, CAIMG_1274

What is there to say about this beautiful Mercury featuring a 350 Chevy other than, Bob Doran was spot on. The custom exhaust, wheel caps, and overall stance of this California cruiser are perfect. No wonder the cantina directly behind it was packed all day with admirers!

Year: 1951

Make/Model: Chevy Styleline

Owner: Kirk Sawyer of Santee, CAIMG_1129

One of the meanest looking kustoms at this year’s Fiesta De Kustom Kulture was Kirk Sawyer’s ’51 Styleline. The car features a heavily textured matte black finish contrasted by some metal flaking and lace paint on the hood, roof, and trunk lid. The interior upholstery, door panels and dash compartments are a beautiful pearl white. The dashboard matches the flaking found on the hood, roof, and trunk panels. AccuAir’s E-Level air management system is equipped in this ride for some preset air ride amusement. A tough looking car when parked, if only you could have caught it driving off during the end of the show.

Year: 1953

Make/Model: Chevy Bel Air

Owner: Norm Hopkins of Oceanside, CAIMG_1339

Where flashy can flag down onlookers and wow passersby, subtle and straight to the point is just as beautiful if not harder to execute well. Norm Hopkins’ ’53 Chevy is a perfect example of such a kustom. His ’53 features a bold paint job, a simple two tone with monochromatic pinstriping to detail the Bel Airs beautiful lines. A 235ci, an aggressive enough chop that leaves enough room for the owner to daily drive, and classic tuck and roll interior upholstery bring this beautiful kustom together.

Year: 1953

Make/Model: Chevy Bel Air

Owner: Adela BelloIMG_1177

Probably one of the finest kustoms at this show was Adela Bello’s ’53 featuring a show stopping pearlescent purple paint job. When Rod Authority showed up bright and early this ’53 shone like the sun and it was the first car that we had to shoot. This thing is kustom from head to tail and the beautiful white tuck and roll seating is contrasted by an exterior matching purple dashboard and knob work.

IMG_1394Kustom Kulture Raises Money For A Cause

Aside from getting the chance to show off rides, artwork, and kustom kulture apparel and memorabilia the event was also put together in an effort to raise money for Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue. This non profit organization is nestled in the foothills of North Valley Center in San Diego, CA. It was founded in 2002 in order to provide care, rehabilitation, training, and temporary or permanent homes to unwanted, abused, neglected or slaughter bound horses.

Through the amazing help of Fiesta De Kustom Kulture’s artist alley in particular, a coterie of amazing Americana, low brow, and pinstriping artists painted, sculpted, and striped more than $2,375.00 in charity funds for the organization. The following artists were in attendance at this year’s show: Pete “Hot Dog” Finlan, Jimmy C, Mark Lueck, The Pizz, Norm Daniels, Tom “BigToe” Laura, Sara Ray, and Kong.

Rod Authority wanted to extend a big thanks to the folks that made this event possible, we look forward to next year. Hope to see you there. Check out Fiesta De Kustom Kulture’s website and stay updated on news surrounding the event.

Check out Rod Authority’s exclusive gallery of the event below:

IMG_1154

About the author

Andrew Almazan

Andrew Almazan is a graduate of CSULB with a degree in English and a passion for traditional kustoms and hot rods. His first exposure to out of this world vehicles was through the prevalent low rider, baja bug, and kustom culture of LA county.
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