Andy Southard

Andy in front of his 1958 Chevrolet Impala around 1960.

Ron Fagundes' 1952 Ford Victoria of Napa, California. Ron's Ford, known as The Ronbardue Kart, was restyled by Barris Kustoms, A-1 Body Work and Hall's Top Shop. The build was completed in 1958. The same year the Air Force transferred Ron to the Mitchel Base in Long Island, New York. Ron brought the custom along. In New York it received lime-gold striping and scallop paint job by Andy Southard.

Andy Southard with his 1928 Ford Phaeton and 1929 Ford Roadster in 1965

Andy Southard's 1958 Chevrolet Impala

Jack Schleich's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe of Oceanside, New York was pinstriped by Andy in 1957 while he was working out of Yankee Service Station.

Richard Lee Tiago's 1957 Ford Ranchero

Custom Cars of the 1950s is a paperback book by Andy Southard and Tony Thacker. The book was published in 1993, and it is a must for your collection. If you don't have it yet we recommend you to pick one up from eBay or Amazon.com. Click here to check availability on Amazon.com and here to check if there are any copies for sale on eBay.

Andrew "Andy" Suydam Southard, Jr. is a well-known photographer and pinstriper. From his early days modifying his first 1940 Mercury Coupe to mastering the art of "California Style Striping" and capturing the essence of the custom car culture through his evocative photographs and books, Andy's contributions stand as monumental pillars in documenting and shaping our scene and culture.

Andy was born and grew up in Oceanside, Long Island, New York. In his teens Andy had two jobs saving money for his first automobile. After saving $ 250 USD Andy could finally buy his first car, a 1940 Mercury Coupe. It didn't take long before Andy started to modify his car. While going to high school Andy joined a photo club. He liked taking photos, and decided to make it his career. Instead of going to college, Andy went on to spend his next years at the New York Institute of Photography in Manhattan.

While attending the New York Institute of Photography, Andy sold his 1940 Mercury and bought a newer 1949 Ford Club Coupe. The Club Coupe was pimped up using lots of chrome acorn nuts, blue-dot taillights, and two NHRA decals. In 1952 Billy Acker drove the Ford across the country in order to take a California vacation. The trip took 4 days. During their California stay Andy and Billy visited Barris Kustoms, Bell Auto Parts, Bob's Drive-In, and the Motorama. After returning to new York, it didn't take long before the Ford was nosed, decked, frenched, and fit with an Oldsmobile grille bar,"gennie" Los Angeles license plate frames, and a new metallic green paint job.

Moving to California

While doing job interviews with prominent photographers Andy was drafter and sent to Germany where he spent his next 2 years driving officers around the German countryside. After returning from the service Andy brought a brand new 1955 Ford Thunderbird. He loaded up the car in July of 1955, and set off for California with the attentions of attending the Brooks Institute of Photography. Arriving in California, Andy found out that there was a 9 month wait before he could enroll to the Institute. After discovering this, Andy headed to Salinas, to visit his good friend Willie Wilde. Andy enjoyed Salinas so much that he decided to stay there for a while. The job he had hoped for in the movie industry failed to materialize, and Andy did several odd jobs around Salinas instead. While living in Salinas Andy looked out for a roadster. Most of the cars he found were out of his price range, until he one day stumbled across a 1927 Ford Roadster Pickup in bits and pieces. A deal was made, and for $ 4000 USD Andy could drag the car home.

Pinstriping

While attending the 1956 Monterey Kar Kapades in March 1956, Andy spent most of the time watching Dean Jeffries pinstriping cars. After seing "Jeff" swinging his sword, Andy started to practice pinstriping himself. In a matter of a year Andy was able to stripe well enough to charge for it.

Returning to New York

The lack of a steady employment in Salinas convinced Andy to return to Oceanside, Long Island, New York. Not wanting to tow the roadster back home, he sold it to a man in Anaheim. That was the last time Andy saw his roadster pickup. Back in New York, Andy and Kenny Fleischman started their own business punching louvers, painting, and pinstriping cars. The business began in the back of a gas station called Yankee Service Station. It didn't take long before they needed a bigger place. They moved into H & H Auto Body in Rockville Center, New York. The shop was located at 110 Davison Avenue. On Andy's business cards, he promoted his business as "Kustom Pin Striping by Andy". H & H did the bodywork, Ken Fleischman punched louvers with a Verne Lacey, Salinas, California press he had dragged back to New York, and Andy handled the scalloping and Pinstriping. The owner of the shop was kind enough to show Andy how to wield a spray gun. Andy learned this just in time to capitalize on the trend toward scalloping and wild paint designs. Andy's "California Style Striping" became very well known in the East. Examples of his work and some how-to's were featured in the pocket-size Eastern magazines of the day such as Custom Rodder and Car Speed and Style. By 1957 Andy started another career as magazine contributor.

Moving Back to California

After finishing his 1958 Chevrolet Impala, Andy backed his bags and headed to California on a vacation with two friends. After returning to New York from his vacation, Andy couldn't get California off his mind, and decided to move back again. He backed his brand new pearlescent Thunderbird, and headed back to Salinas. While attending the 1961 L.A. Roadster Exhibition Andy renewed his friendship with Bill Neumann. Bill who was also from New York had become editor for Rod & Custom Magazine. Bill asked Andy to shoot some northern cars for him, and pretty soon his photographs were making the cover of Rod & Custom.

Legacy and Passing

Andy Southard passed away on September 30, 2023. He did so much for our culture. His exceptional photographs and books stand as milestones in documenting our scene and culture. Through his lens and words, he captured the essence, spirit, and evolution of the hot rod and custom car community, ensuring that future generations would understand and appreciate its rich history.

Andy Southard's Cars

Andy Southard's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup
Andy Southard's 1928 Ford Model A Phaeton
Andy Southard's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster
Andy Southard's 1940 Mercury Coupe
Andy Southard's 1949 Ford Club Coupe
Andy Southard's 1955 Chevrolet
Andy Southard's 1955 Ford Thunderbird
Andy Southard's 1956 Ford Fairlane Hardtop
Andy Southard's 1958 Chevrolet Impala

Cars Pinstriped or Painted by Andy Southard

Jack Schleich's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Snooky Olsen's 1940 Mercury Bob Carducci's 1948 Chevrolet
Ron Fagundes' 1952 Ford Victoria - The Ronbardue Kart
Andy Southard's 1955 Chevrolet
Andy Southard's 1956 Ford Fairlane Hardtop
Ed Hayden's 1956 Ford
Ray Milazzo's 1956 Ford
Al Carreno's 1957 Chevrolet
Richard Lee Tiago's 1957 Ford Ranchero
Andy Southard's 1958 Chevrolet Impala
Frank Tromboli's 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air
Steve Diskin's 1958 Chevrolet Corvette
Bill Wingerath's 1960 Pontiac