The Cars - CaliforniaBills.com

ContentsAbout the Authors 6Introduction 7Ron’s Shop 8Ron’s Hot Rods 10Hot Rodding History 12Ron’s Customers 14The CarsLarry Murray’s ’32 Ford 16Jim St. Martin’s ’32 Ford 24Bruce McDowell’s ’29 Ford 32Danny Santoro’s ’32 Ford 40Lee Marquez’s ’32 Ford 48Nathan Tuttle’s ’32 Ford 56Matt Tachdjian’s ’32 Ford Muroc 64Lenn Pritchard’s ’32 Ford 72Marv Anders’ ’34 Ford 80SO-CAL’s ’32 Ford 88George Johnson’s ’32 Ford 96Richard Seals’ ’35 Ford 104Bob Gory’s ’33 Ford 112Jack Bockelman’s ’33 Ford Speedstar 120Ken Sapper’s ’32 Ford 128Chick Koszis’ ’32 Ford 136Fred Fleet’s ’32 Ford 144Mac Bernd’s ’32 Ford 152Ron Mangus’ Custom Hot Rod Interiors • 5

How-to articles and finished car features showing Mangus’techniques and expertise have appeared in Hot Rod, Rod & Custom,Street Rodder, Truckin’, American Rodder, The Rodder’s Journal, andmany more. Special cars with interiors created by Ron and histeam include CheZoom and Aluma-Coupe of Boyd’s Hot Rods,Billy “ZZ Top” Gibbons’ Kopperhed, along with cars for Tim Allen,Pete Chapouris of SO-CAL Speed Shop, Linda Vaughn (Miss Hurst),Thom Taylor, Bruce Meyer, Kenny Bernstein, Robby Gordon, SammyHagar, Michael Anthony, Cory McClenathan, and James Brubaker ofUniversal Studios.In 2000 Ron was asked to help create a special car for builder RandyClark from Hot Rods and Custom Stuff of Escondido, California.Their 1949 Chevy Business Coupe won the coveted Ridler award atthe Detroit Autorama in 2001. This car was featured on the coverof Super Rod in April/May, 2001. This car also won the prestigious“Yosemite” Sam Radoff Sculptural Excellence Award that recognizesboth the interior and the entire concept of a car. Ron felt a greataccomplishment in achieving these awards.The 2005 Grand National Roadster Show Best Interior Award went to a1968 Camaro convertible again upholstered by Ron and built by RandyClark of Hot Rods and Custom Stuff.Ron’s striking two-tone interior was featured in Richard Tapia’s ’70Chevelle winning the 2006 Houston AutoRama’s Best of Show as wellas Best Interior. This car also won Best of Show at Super Chevy inPomona, and numerous top awards at the Grand National RoadsterShow.Eventually hot rodders knew Ron’s work and reputation by name.So, in 2006, the original shop, Custom Auto Interiors, was renamedRon Mangus Hot Rod Interiors.Recently the 2008 Grand National Roadster Best Interior Award wentto Ron’s creation of Janice Groesbeck’s 1956 Chevy convertible.While Ron is at the highest levels of automotive design and creation,his best work may be yet to come.IntroductionIhope you will find my passion and love for these cars in thephotographs throughout the book.What drives my passion? Where do I get the inspiration andvision for each project? Those questions have been asked of mea lot more frequently than you might imagine.What people tell me is that when a car arrives here, I look atthe car and learn about the person who owns the car and try toindividualize it to his or her needs and ideas. As a result, everyinterior ends up with a unique design. I take each car under mywing and treat it like it’s my own car and, unfortunately,I have to give it back when I’m done. I show that passion to mycustomers, and they sense that when they come in. They feelwelcome and, when the job is complete, they know that I havegiven them the best job with the highest craftsmanship possible.As you are looking through the photos in this book you will findthat, although there may be similarities in approach, each car iscompleted with its own special characteristics.Ron MangusRon Mangus’ Custom Hot Rod Interiors • 7

1 2Ron’s ShopRon Mangus Custom Hot Rod Interiors is afast-paced business with tight deadlines.In spite of the rush, Ron pays attention toevery detail, with no compromises when itcomes to quality, craftsmanship, and design.His hand-picked, dedicated team workstogether seamlessly, creating the manysubassemblies that make up a car’s interior.He involves his customers in the designprocess, discussing the design, materialselection, and helps them visualize his ideason how to blend his customer’s desires withthe car’s character to create a masterpiece.1Last minute details are addressed as a 1955Chevy Bel Air is completed.2Ron’s son, Ryan, is an important part ofthe business, and is fast becoming a risinginterior design star in his own right.3A great friend, Pete Salas has worked withRon for more than 25 years.4Ron is proud of his team for their dedicationto quality and craftsmanship. They shareRon’s design philosophy, treating every caras if it was their own.8• Ron’s Shop

3 4Ron’s personal attention to his customers builds long-term relationships,referrals, and repeat business. His “hands-on” involvement with everyaspect of the design ensures originality and quality.Ron Mangus’ Custom Hot Rod Interiors • 9

Ron’s Hot Rods1“This ’56 Ford pickup was my daily driver for15 years. It’s been in the family since it waspurchased new and my son Ryan now has it.It was originally used on my father-in-law’schicken ranch.”2“My ’37 Ford Tudor Sedan broke new groundwith a two-tone interior that matched theexterior. It was featured in the AmericanRodder Collector Special Edition, September1996.”3“I built this ’32 from a Total Cost Involvedchassis in 1997. It was painted in gelcoat soI could really enjoy driving the car. I could doa burn out and just plow through puddles.This was my rat rod before they reached theircurrent popularity. It was a great car.”4“I think I was the first to do a flame billetsteering wheel. I should have patentedthe design!”315Ron’s T-Roadster, taken in 1988. “The car wasfast. It would shift out of low at 65 mph. Ihad to drive slowly over bumps and approachdriveways at an angle because the oil plugwas really low, and I didn’t want to knockit off. The whole family would crowd intothe car to go to cruise night. Ryan and I gotcaught in the rain more than once. We had alot of fun with that car.”26“Having always had a passion for motorcyclesI began riding again about eight yearsago. Being childhood friends with awardwinning motorcycle builder Jerry Covington(Covington’s Cycle City, Woodward,Oklahoma) allowed me to use one of hisrolling chassis. Another friend Dean Padiebuilt this bike.”310 • Ron’s Hot Rods

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S O - C A L ’ S’32 FordYou’ve no doubt seen SO-CAL’s 1932 Ford in magazines, andperhaps in person. It’s a rolling billboard, advertising SO-CAL’sline of hot rod products. What you might not have realized is thatRon Mangus did the interior. This car was completed by SO-CAL inSeptember 1999.The SO-CAL ’32 Hi-boy started a revolution in hot rodding in the’90s. They offered complete turnkey cars, or a customer couldpurchase all the parts necessary to build his own. It was a realtrendsetter, bringing back the nostalgia of old school hot rodding.This car features the time-tested trademark logo and red and whitepaint scheme SO-CAL’s founder Alex Xydias used for all of his hotrods, race cars, and tow vehicles in the early ’50s, including thefamous Belly Tank racer that ran 198 mph at Bonneville in 1952.Ron’s traditional brown tuck ’n roll leather interior is perfect for thecar, adding the authentic touch that no doubt contributed to thecar’s commercial success. The seat is comfortable and offers amplepadding and lumbar support uncharacteristic of the ’50s when littleattention was paid to creature comfort. The interior has held upincredibly well for so many years considering the use the car gets asa demonstrator and vendor display car.Body: All steel by Brookville Roadster, Inc., Brookville, OhioPaint: SO-CAL Speed Shop, Pomona, CaliforniaEngine: Chevy ZZ 430 ChevyDrivetrain: 700R4, Ford 9-inch rear endChassis: SO-CAL Speed Shop, Pomona, CaliforniaWheels: 16" SO-CAL knock-off Hot RodTires: Firestone, front: 5.50"×16"; rear: 7.50"×16"88 • So-Cal’s ’32 Ford

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90 • So-Cal’s ’32 Ford

When Pete Chapouris started to build these SO-CAL roadsters, he calledon Ron to design an interior that went back to the roots of the ’32. Ronproposed chocolate brown leather with matching German square-weavecarpet to keep it simple and nostalgic.Ron Mangus’ Custom Hot Rod Interiors • 91

1Ron’s design looks great and has severalpractical and functional features. Thecarpet on the lower edge of the door andkick panel are nice design elements andalso protect the lower surfaces againstscuffing.2SO-CAL’s banjo steering wheel is athome in this roadster. The straightspokes go great with the straight threeinch tuck ’n roll pleats.3On the steering column support aSouthern California Timing Associationmedallion reminds us of the rodding worldof the late ’40s.4Straight forward pleated door paneldesign has a smooth leather upper andcarpeted lower edge.5Kick panel pockets, pleated to match thedoor, provide needed interior storage forloose items.2 392 • So-Cal’s ’32 Ford

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1The trimmed down Glide Engineering seatreclines, slides forward and backward,and the seat back is low enough to slideunderneath the edge of the body providingadditional legroom.2The simple instrument panel with its ovalengine turned cluster, banjo steering wheel,and tall shifter are all the right things thatbelong in a traditional ’32.3The interior door handle is a ’32 design witha chrome bezel.4The piping starts on the kick panels, runsthrough the doors, onto the rear quarterpanels, and lines up with the piping on theseat back.5Located to the right of the gas pedal, justlike in the ’30s, is a small round actuator onthe floor for setting the cruise control. It wasa mechanical device then.6Both shifter and brake release leather bootsare double French stitched.7Door check straps have the SO-CAL logo.8German square-weave carpet is installedwithout close-out panels to make use all ofthe available trunk space.15 694 • So-Cal’s ’32 Ford

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FORD ROADSTER CUSTOM INTERIORSAuthors: Ron Mangus & Gary D. SmithPrice: $27.95ISBN: 978-1-931128-26-1Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x .44 inchesWeight: 1.50 lbsFord Roadster Custom Interiors will inspire you with 18 examplesof award-winning interiors by Ron “The Stitcher” Mangus.Many different 1929 to 1935 Ford roadster interior designstyles are shown, from the retro look to the unrestrained showstopper. Get a detailed look at creative interior design solutionsfor seats, door, kick, and rear quarter panels, carpet,mats, headliner, trunk, seat bolsters, and many other interiordesign areas. After experiencing this book, you’ll be inspiredto personalize your own Ford roadster interior.CLICK TOPURCHASESo-Cal’s 1932 FordMatt Tachdjian’s1932 Ford MurocRon “The Stitcher” Mangus learned his trade from his brother ErnieYanez. Ernie provided special efforts over the course of twenty years ingetting Ron started on the right track. Ron Credits his brother for teachinghim the auto upholstery craft and business.In 1989 Ron opened his own shop, Custom Auto Interiors, in Bloomington,California and taught basic and advanced upholstery classes atSan Bernardino Valley College for four years. Students learned Ron’stechniques for sculpting foam, creating molded headliners, and buildingcustom door panels.Soon after opening his own shop, a roadster with his interior wonAmerica’s Most Beautiful Roadster at the 1992 Oakland Roadster Show.Ron’s work has since received numerous Best Interior Awards at a varietyof car shows, and street rod and hot rodding magazines have featuredspectacular cars that show off his interiors.

California Bill’s Automotive HandbooksPO Box 91858 | Tucson, AZ 85752-1858 | Phone: (888) 511-1530 | Fax: (888) 511-1501Table of Contents:About the Authors..................................6Introduction..............................................7Ron’s Shop...............................................8Ron’s Hot Rods......................................10Hot Rodding History............................12Ron’s Customers....................................14Larry Murray’s ’32 Ford....................16Jim St. Martin’s ’32 Ford....................24Bruce McDowell’s ’29 Ford................32Danny Santoro’s ’32 Ford..................40Lee Marquez’s ’32 Ford.....................48Nathan Tuttle’s ’32 Ford....................56Matt Tachdjian’s ’32 Ford..................64Lenn Pritchard’s ’32 Ford .................72Marv Anders’ ’34 Ford......................80SO-CAL’s ’32 Ford..............................88George Johnson’s ’32 Ford...............96Richard Seal’s ’35 Ford...................104Bob Gory’s ’33 Ford........................112Jack Bockelman’s ’33 Ford..............120Ken Sapper’s ’32 Ford....................128Chick Koszis’ ’32 Ford......................136Fred Fleet’s ’32 Ford........................144Mac Bernd’s ’32 Ford......................152Jim St. Martin’s1932 FordRon’s personalattention to his customersbuilds long-term relationships,referrals, and repeat business. His“hands-on” involvement with allaspects of the design ensuresoriginality and quality.Ron is proud of histeam for their dedication toquality and craftsmanship. Theyshare Ron’s design philosophy,treating every car as if it wastheir own.Gary D. Smith has always been interested in cars and design. He attended the Art Center Collegeof Design in Los Angeles, California and after graduating in 1973, was recruited by General MotorsDesign Staff in Warren, Michigan. He worked there as a Senior Creative Designer in Pontiac, Buick,Oldsmobile, and Cadillac exterior design studios. He is responsible for the exterior styling of theOldsmobile concept car that lead to the 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX Coupe.In 1988, Gary and his family moved to Arizona, and Gary started Performance Design, freelancingas an industrial/graphic designer and illustrator. Gary also became proficient in desktop publishingand computer graphics. He has been involved with many businesses as an art-director level designerand consultant. In 1996, Gary was introduced to “California Bill” Fisher. Throughout the relationshipthat has continued with Bill’s son Howard, Gary has been involved in the creation of many automotivetitles published by California Bill’s Automotive Handbooks.