The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club

The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club was one of the pioneering car clubs in Stockholm, Sweden during the early 1960s, marking an important chapter in the evolution of Swedish custom car culture. The club was founded in 1961 by a small group of neighborhood kids who grew up in Fredhäll at Kungsholmen in Stockholm. Inspired by their passion for American cars and the burgeoning custom scene, these young enthusiasts came together to celebrate their love for automobiles long before they were legally old enough to drive.

In 1961, Björn Ramsten founded the Flintstones car club with a group of neighborhood friends, naming it after the popular animated sitcom. This photograph, taken at Fredhäll in 1961, shows the club’s 1947 Buick convertible along with members Nils-Erik Schullström, Tommy Ternström, Björn Hammar, Tore Ström, and Björn Ramsten. Driver "Kurre" is also present, while Lelle Larsson operates the camera. During this era, clubs such as The Road Devils, Car Angels, and Teddyboys were active in Stockholm, but as Björn recalled, “We were 6–7 friends with cars that started a local club called The Flintstones. The Road Devils already ravaged around a bit in folk parks and such, receiving a bit of coverage. We didn’t do that. We were just interested in cars and thought it was fun.” Photo by Lelle Larsson.

Before they were old enough to drive, the members of the Flintstones pooled their weekly allowances to purchase this 1947 Buick Convertible as the club car. According to Björn, it required extensive rust repairs and received mild custom work, including a red and white paint scheme drawn by Nils-Erik Schullström. This photo, taken at the motor vehicle inspection center in Västberga in 1961, captures the Buick in its early form. Photo by Lelle Larsson.

Nils-Erik Schullström’s original concept sketch for the 1947 Buick Convertible that served as the Flintstones’ club car. The scan, courtesy of Björn Ramsten, highlights the distinctive red and white paint scheme they applied to the vehicle.

A rear-end shot of the 1947 Buick in 1961, featuring the Flintstones plaque designed by club artist Nils-Erik Schullström. According to Björn, the Buick received a driving ban in 1962 due to faulty brakes, a worn-out front end, and other mechanical issues. It was parked at a friend’s parents’ summer house while awaiting restoration, but when they grew tired of the abandoned car, they called a junkyard to remove it. Photo by Lelle Larsson.

An early shot from 1964 shows Tore Ström's 1954 Ford Sunliner alongside Björn Ramsten's 1957 Chevrolet. Tore’s Sunliner was the first car in the club to undergo customization that year. Photo from The Björn Ramsten Collection.

Order from: Sweden - Norway - Rest of the world

Björn Ramsten's 1957 Chevrolet at Fredhäll in 1965, showing the early stages of his custom modifications. Inspired by local custom cars and American magazines, Björn began altering the Chevy in metal that year. “I started out making a scoop on an extra hood I had. A piece of sheet metal between the torpedoes and some chromed teeth from an Opel Kapitan air-intake,” he recalled. Although his time in the army from 1965 to 1966 slowed progress, he still managed to create a grille inspired by Bosse "Gamen" Sandberg's Surfin Bird, fashioned from gold-painted sequins. “I handmade all those sequins. Cutting out square pieces of metal that I bent before soldering on a nut and painting them in gold.” Photo from The Lelle Larsson Collection.

A rare Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club group photo taken in the summer of 1967 at the parking lot outside Henry's Cafe. From left to right are Rolf Balk's 1956 Chevrolet, Björn Ramsten's 1957 Chevrolet, Tommy Ternström's 1957 Ford, Lelle Larsson's 1956 Chevrolet, and Tore Ström's 1955 Chevrolet. Photo from The Lelle Larsson Collection.

Björn Ramsten's 1957 Chevrolet of Stockholm, Sweden. Built during the golden age of Nordic custom culture, Björn was a founding member of The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club. Inspired by icons like Bill Cushenbery and the Alexander Brothers, Ramsten began the transformation in 1965, blending American flair with Swedish ingenuity. Powered by a 327 with performance upgrades, the Chevy saw action on both the street and dragstrip, notably competing at the historic First Go race at Anderstorp in 1968. The build was completed in 1967, and it was shown at the Hot Rod Show the same year. After changing hands several times, the car’s custom identity was gradually lost to restoration, but its legacy remains a cornerstone of Swedish custom history.

By 1969, Tore Ström's 1955 Chevrolet convertible of Stockholm, Sweden had undergone a mild restyling that included dual stacked headlights, shaved trim, a custom grille, and an antenna mounted on the windshield frame. This version of the car represented The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club at the 1970 Hot Rod Show. Tore went on to become a well-known upholsterer, and the Chevy was reportedly restored back to its original form—another lost Swedish custom. Photo from The Björn Ramsten Collection.

The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club was one of the pioneering car clubs in Stockholm, Sweden during the early 1960s, marking an important chapter in the evolution of Swedish custom car culture. The club was founded in 1961 by a small group of neighborhood kids who grew up in Fredhäll at Kungsholmen in Stockholm. Inspired by their passion for American cars and the burgeoning custom scene, these young enthusiasts came together to celebrate their love for automobiles long before they were legally old enough to drive.

The club derived its name from the popular animated sitcom The Flintstones and reflected the playful spirit and youthful creativity of its members. In an interview with Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama, founding member Björn Ramsten recalled how the group of six or seven friends pooled their weekly allowances to purchase a 1947 Buick convertible club car. Although the vehicle required extensive rust repairs and modest custom work, including a red and white scallop paint job designed from a sketch by club artist Nils-Erik Schullström, it served as a tangible symbol of their shared passion and determination. Club members included Schullström, Tommy Ternström, Björn Hammar, Tore Ström, and Ramsten, along with “Kurre,” who acted as the main driver, and Lelle Larsson, who documented many of the club’s activities with his camera.

During a time when other local clubs such as The Road Devils, Car Angels, and the Teddyboys were active in Stockholm, The Flintstones distinguished itself by focusing on the pure enjoyment of cars rather than seeking publicity through reckless driving or dangerous stunts. The club’s members gathered at various local hangouts, including Fredhällsfiken Freden, Solstugan, Café Bellman by Karlbergskanalen, Talluddens Cafe on the Solna side of Karlbergskanalen, and Henry's Cafe in Skarpnäck. These meeting spots became the backdrop for socializing, sharing automotive ideas, and nurturing the early spirit of the Swedish custom car movement.

The 1947 Buick served the club until 1962, when it received a driving ban due to faulty brakes, a worn-out front end, and other mechanical issues. It was temporarily stored at a friend’s parents’ summer house, but when they grew tired of the parked car, they called a junkyard to have it removed. Although the Buick was lost, the club’s story continued through its members, who went on to pursue various automotive projects that helped shape the Swedish hot rodding and custom scene.

Although The Flintstones eventually faded as its members grew older, its legacy persisted in the local custom car community. The club helped lay the groundwork for a generation of young car enthusiasts in Stockholm, influencing subsequent clubs and custom car projects. Its story remains an integral part of Swedish automotive history, remembered for the camaraderie, creativity, and pioneering spirit that defined an era.

Members

Björn Ramsten

Club Cars

Björn Ramsten's 1957 Chevrolet