Custom California Socks
Description: Unlike most van shops of the day that focused on selling and installing custom parts and accessories, The Van Doctor was a comprehensive auto body and mechanical repair shop. Sure, they also sold the goodies to make your ride stand out, but that was secondary to this Van Nuys garage.
Description: CW was a highly competitive force throughout BMX's heyday and was definitely one of the more innovative manufacturers with a long line of unique frames and features that kept them out front. CW stood for Custom Works, although because the founder also owned Coast Wheels bike shop, a lot of people thought it stood for Coast Wheels, but it never did.
Description: T&H Van Works Unlimited got their start in the early '70s, riding the wave of custom van fever and offering a huge selection of custom parts from porthole windows and sunroofs to side pipes and flare kits. From their Los Angeles, California showroom, they also operated a thriving mail order business, with ads in all the major vanner magazines instructing people to write them for a free catalog. In the early '80s, custom vans had died down considerably, and T&H expanded their offerings to support the booming mini truck craze, but by some time in the '90s as mini trucks began falling out of favor, T&H called it quits.
Description: A black background features a winged motorcycle wheel with the text "Custom" in red script at the top. Below the wheel, "PASADENA LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA" is written in white block letters. The words "MOTORCYCLES" are in red block letters arching below the wheel. The wings are detailed and spread outwards.
Description: During the custom van boom of the 1970s, Los Angeles stood at the center of the West Coast scene, but talented builders were making their mark throughout Southern California. One of the lesser-known outfits was Nighthawk Custom Shop, which operated from an unassuming warehouse just north of San Diego International Airport along Pacific Highway. While many competing shops aggressively promoted themselves through magazine ads and national van shows, Nighthawk kept a remarkably low profile, letting its craftsmanship speak for itself. The shop built a number of award-winning street vans during its roughly decade-long run, yet little remains of its legacy today beyond some faded spare tire covers and a few well-worn T-shirts.
Description: A 19-year-old named Nick bought this cherry red 1975 G-10 from its original owner right off Van Nuys Boulevard in 1977. It was already mildly customized with gold pinstripe work and a set of mags, but Nick wanted to make it his own. Since naming vans was what people did back then, he dubbed it Wild Cherry, and added a set of flares, but didn't have the dough to get them painted. Somewhat ironically, the bright white flares are what really made Wild Cherry pop, and caught the attention of the film crew from the 1979 B-movie, Van Nuys Blvd. They asked if he wanted his van to make an appearance in the movie, and of course, he said yes, so Wild Cherry can be seen in all its glory for about 3 seconds in the movie and in the trailer.
Description: A vintage-style emblem featuring a motorcycle wheel with metallic spokes, surrounded by feathered wings. The text 'Custom' is prominently displayed in red script above the wheel, and 'PASADENA LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA' is in white block letters below.
Custom Motorcycle Wheel with Wings Pasadena Los Angeles California Socks
by STUDIO DESIGN JAMSON
$20
Description: This exclusive custom motorcycle rider club design celebrates the love for California’s biking culture. Featuring bold and detailed artwork, it’s the ultimate gift for passionate motorcycle riders, bikers, and motorbike lovers who are part of the custom bike community. Ideal for anyone who enjoys the freedom of the open road and the thrill of riding. A perfect gift for bikers, motorcyclists, and custom bike enthusiasts.
Description: A circular emblem featuring a spoked wheel on the left and stylized wings extending to the right. The text "Custom Motorcycles" is arched above the wheel in red script, and "PASADENA LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA" is stacked in red block letters to the right of the wings. The background is black.
Custom Motorcycles Pasadena Los Angeles California with Wings and Wheel Socks
by Studio Design Veca
$20
Description: Long before online colleges and distance learning were a thing, correspondence courses were the way people could get a degree or certification without having to ever set foot on a college campus. One such institution was Auto Upholstery Institute of Orange, California. In an attempt to ride the car and van customizing wave of the early '70s, A.U.I. set up several correspondence courses to teach auto upholstery and customization. Advertisements in automotive magazines and comic books advised readers to send in the included form for a free course catalog. Once registered, schools sent training materials, lesson worksheets, and the tools and supplies for the selected course. A.U.I. was even accredited by the California Department of Education.
