Flashback: Custom Beetle

Ovalized '63 from the 1997 American Car Show. If I remember correctly car came from Lappeenranta. Bit of mix of styles but built in standard that few can reach.

Flashback: Couple of Late 80's Lookers

Fake Splits and Ovals were once popular among Finnish Custom and Cal Look enthusiasts. From today's point the cars received astonishing amount of labour, at least if it is compared with today's patina crap where any sorry ass can take just any piece of shit, dump the suspension and add wheels if budget allows. Those days it meant typically body off the pan projects, new paint, lot of welding and crafting the Split/Oval rear window (or more from the donor car). The large window ones certainly look today ridicilous with incorrect 50's rear window. It makes at least me think that if same amount of energy had been put towards the Split/Oval which donated the parts, maybe the end result would be worth more these days. Anyway, everything seemed more relaxed back in those days, like someone said "this used to be lot more fun, before someone invented the rules" :-)



"Acquarium" with Split rear-window. With fake Moon discs it scores all the style-points from late 80's or early 90's era.



I remember this one being featured in Street/Race-magazine. Being chopped and with frenched tail lights it combined also some Hot Rodding touches. Both photos by Pete from Luftsick.

Flashback: Lowrider Volkswagen

This lowrider built by Antero Nissilä was one of the most tasteful Custom creations during the early 80's. If I remember correctly this photo was taken in Wanha's show in Tikkurila Ice Hall in 1992.

Flashback: Early 80's Finnish Custom

This is metalflake cake is one of the first Customized (in any form/style) Volkswagens I have ever seen. It was featured in V8 Magazine around 1981. This photo was taken in late 90's when Kuplapaja was still in Tattarinsuo, Helsinki. Unlike many early creations this Oval is still alive today, which is great.

Couple of other 80's customs photographed in later part of the decade. The influence of car above can be seen in black 70's car. At that time (and in some circles even today) Volkswagens were seen as substitute when one couldn't afford an American car and it lead to some pretty strange creations.