The Bob Stephenson Photo Collection

Flames of Innovation. A photo of Earl Bruce's 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Featuring a radical Flame Paint Job by Von Dutch, Keith Christensen told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that he believed the car made its debut at the 1955 or 1956 Norwalk Motorcade. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.

A photo of Buddy Alcorn's 1950 Mercury. Buddy's Merc was first restyled by The Ayala Brothers. The iteration seen here was redone by Barris Kustoms. This photo appeared in an ad for Barris Kustoms in the souvenir program from the 1956 Norwalk Motorcade. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.

A photo of Jack James' 1957 Buick Special taken at the 1957 Norwalk Motorcade at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, California. Jack's Buick featured a radical flame paint job by Larry Watson, supposedly Watson's first radical flame job. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.

Ina Mae Overman brought two cars to the 1957 Norwalk Motorcade, her 1952 Lincoln and her 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Both cars were restyled by Valley Custom Shop. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.

A photo of the Rod & Custom Magazine’s Dream Truck taken at the 1957 Norwalk Motorcade at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, California. This is the third iteration of the truck, as it appeared after Bob Metz had fitted it with new rear fenders and fins. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.

A photo of Joe Edd Ray's 1950 Buick Sedanette taken at the 1957 Norwalk Motorcade at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, California. Ray was from Shelbyville, Indiana, his futuristic Buick was restyled by Bob Metz, and it was known as the "XM105." Ray was an upholsterer that did all of the interiors for Metz. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.

Ane early iteration of Dick Jackson's 1957 Ford Thunderbird of Lynwood, California. Jackson restyled the Thunderbird while he worked as a painter at Barris Kustoms. Stephenson shot this photo at the 1957 Norwalk Motorcade at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, California. Photo courtesy of Bob Stephenson, provided by Keith Christensen.