the paint job instantly is recognizable, but I can't recall (very tired) the name of the outstanding painter I associate it with, from a car that was on display at the GNRS a couple years ago... legendary painter.
of the 100s of people in room 25 ABC during the panel on the Titmouse and Meow Wolf collaboration in immersive art/entertaiment, when they announced this centerpiece, the "Space Chopper", I was very certainly the only one who saw the custom car world inspiration of Roth / Orbitron / Roth's choppers / and candy paint
The two groups’ new collaboration includes co-development of an original animated series based on Meow Wolf’s interconnected story universe
Titmouse will also produce and direct animation for Meow Wolf’s upcoming Los Angeles exhibition, which is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, while consulting on the attraction’s visual and narrative design.
this 1911 with a Gnome engine, caps off just a few things I found interesting
A Smith Motor Wheel on the toboggan
Originally founded back in 1989 and long owned and operated by John and Jill Parham of J&P Cycles fame
This September 6-9, its remaining 300-plus motorcycles, cycle cars, midget racers, servicars and dispatch tow three wheelers, scooters, whizzers, Mini Bikes, motor wheels, streamliners and land speed racers, board track racers, an Ed Roth trike, one airplane, two Von Dutch helmets, out boards, motors, tin toys, pedal cars, posters, and thousands of petroliana items will be at the Mecum auction block at an offering to be held on-site at the Iowa-based museum.
real stuff doesn't come up for sale often, and I doubt will ever get less expensive, so if you need a legit Ed Roth piece of art, treat yourself to the best birthday present no one else knows you want
Built in 1955, the Little Jewel was Ed's first foray into the show car scene. Ed started to build the car after returning from four years of service with the US Air Force.
Ed restyled the car by swapping the original grille for a 1932 Ford unit. The car featured nerf bars (why or how did the word "Nerf" come to be?) with small accessory turn lights.
Ed Roth made the nerf bars and turn lights himself at his shop. The car was painted in red enamel by Wally Jordan, and featured a white Naugahyde top, and white running boards. The interior was upholstered in black and white by Martinez Upholstery.
In order to turn his car in to a trophy winner, he chromed the undercarriage of the car. The rake on the car was accomplished by installing a 3-inch dagoed front axle. Juice brakes were borrowed from a 1948 Ford passenger car, while the shocks were 1949 Ford pickup components. Under the hood, the firewall was liberally pinstriped, and the stock engine was swapped for a 1950 Oldsmobile engine. Roth did the engine swap on the car himself.
Roth sold the Little Jewel in late 1958 in order to get money for chrome on the Outlaw. The guy who owned it around 1961 had Roth paint it lime green with white pearl scallops