Prewar Custom

The Eugene Von Arx Special of California. Built in 1940 by Bungholers of Hollywood member Eugene Von Arx Jr., the Eugene Von Arx Special is a rare prewar custom roadster that fused dry lakes performance with high-end coachbuilding. Designed and hand-formed by Eugene's father, an alum of the Walter M. Murphy Company and Don Lee Coachworks, the body featured Art Deco styling, 1937 Chevrolet and 1937 Oldsmobile lighting, and a split Duvall windshield. The chassis was crafted by Frank Kurtis using twin 1939 Chevrolet frames, and the car was powered by a rare Riley OHV-equipped Ford flathead V8. It recorded a 114.4 MPH run at El Mirage in May 1942. In August 2025, this early piece of California hot rod history returned to the spotlight, offered at Mecum's Monterey Auction.

Prewar Customs are modified cars built before the outbreak of World War II, marking the earliest chapter in American custom car history. In the 1930s and early 1940s, young builders, especially in California, began reshaping factory cars with a focus on clean lines and elegance. Influenced by European coachbuilding, prewar customs often featured molded fenders, custom grilles, and chopped tops. Builders like Harry Westergard and Jimmy Summers were pioneers of the style, working mostly with late-1920s and 1930s Fords, Buicks, and Cadillacs. These early customs laid the foundation for the postwar custom movement and remain prized for their subtlety and craftsmanship.