Kungsholmen

Bo "Gamen" Sandberg's 1951 Hudson of Stockholm, Sweden. Widely regarded as the first flame-painted custom car in Sweden, Gamen's Hudson set a new standard when it hit the streets of Stockholm in 1958. Bo bought the Hudson in 1957 at age 17 and transformed it into a local legend by hand-painting flames over a purple base, a radical move that helped introduce American custom style to Swedish streets. Inspired by visits to the U.S. and fueled by car magazines few others had access to, Bo also founded The Road Devils that same year, with the Hudson proudly wearing club plaque #0. More than just a teenage cruiser, the car became a symbol of Sweden’s growing raggare scene and launched Bo’s lifelong mission to spread hot rod culture across Scandinavia.

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 Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club's 1947 Buick Convertible. Owned by members of The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club, a notable club in the early Swedish custom car scene, the Buick was acquired by a group of teenagers in Stockholm in 1961, it became an emblem of youthful creativity and camaraderie during a formative era for hot rodding and car clubs in Sweden.

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.

Custom Cars of Kungsholmen, Sweden

The Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club's 1947 Buick Convertible
Bo "Gamen" Sandberg's 1951 Hudson
Björn Ramsten's 1957 Chevrolet

Hot Rods and Custom Car Clubs of Kungsholmen, Sweden

Flintstones of Hollygroff Car Club

People of Kungsholmen, Sweden

Björn Ramsten
Bo "Gamen" Sandberg
Sven Sandberg