customs by larry watson-the early years

pictorial essay on the beginning of Larry Watson's genius. All photographs date from 1956 to 1961 and are courtesy of www.rikhovingkustoms.com

[@billarroo1]

I worked for Watson in 1966 Lakewood, and in 74 on Melrose in Hollywood, I was a bodyman, parked my chopped, shaved, and lifted brown primered 65 T-bird on Melrose. Watson extremely superb painter and designer, colors u wouldn't think would go together he could make it happen. I remember him experimenting with trying to make flames glow in the dark, " right on Watson " 😎

[@monamorrow9819]

Bill Ambrogio also later had a shop in Long Beach where he did work for several friends of mine, Bills work was painstakingly superb in both Body and paint! God Bless you Bill🙏🏻

[@jkayser1]

Watson was a household name back in the day with all of us who loved low riders. I grew up in Long Beach and drove by his shop on Lakewood Blvd many times.

[@kustom85delta88]

Notably one of the very best kustom painters of ALL time. He, Dean Jefferies and Gene Winfield I categorize at the top. Larry, the Blue Suede 88 is dedicated directly to you. Thank you for your strong inspiration over the years!

[@HoosierRooster]

The panel paint job on the 58 Thunderbird was always my favorite Watson design

[@sheldonhinson8323]

He could paint a play the sax. No wonder he had so many woman. That was the music back then too. Defiantly more laid back than today. Personally I like the woman of the time.huba huba !

[@CustomCrestline]

His greatness will forever rest in the work shown here. RIP.

[@MileyonDisney]

5:54 - Music sounds like the "Pee-wee's Playhouse" theme. A lot of these cars remind me of the old, small Rod & Custom and Car Craft magazines from the 1950's.

[@skyeb84]

He will definatly be missed...R.I.P Larry

[@johngrepo9976]

Top shelf video!

[@majesticthompson3052]

I was there helping him.

[@TheCruizer]

RIP Larry!

[@raymondmarkham5484]

Love the old 50 and 60 custom cars

[@michaelmyers3892]

If you had the funds and you can get any work done by Watson or George Barris or Gene Winfield then you were on top of the world these men honed their craft to perfection and brought us some truly beautiful custom paint jobs and automobiles

[@kustom85delta88]

What great photos! Recognize some from the book Kustom Land! Thank you for posting!

[@oggarage9388]

Thanks, brother 🙏👊🙏

[@Berry-or9ko]

Richards paint and body is my number 1

[@SoWhatGarage]

RIP !

[@V8Deuce]

R.I.P.

[@The88katana600]

sweet vid

[@Naruto_black03]

Entre la década de los 40's y 50 y 60 y principios de la decada de los 70 y 80 se estaban asiendo popular los lowrider en los ángeles california con autos último modelo como lincon continental impala y monte carlo y el chevy bel air olsmobile asta la actualidad se mantiene la cultura mexicana estaunidence lowrider en su lugar natal de origen es en Estados Unidos donde nacio en 1940 asta la actualidad

[@peteespinosa2530]

WOW !!!!! RAD. DAD !!!!!!!

[@robertunderwood6011]

I love the St Vasguez ca what ever happened to it

[@jackraley8854]

SAME HUBCAP.....EVERY PICTURE