Before the use of English wheels, planishing hammers, shrinkers, stretchers, and other various specialized metal-shaping tools became common, customizing was all about hammers, dollies, torches, and of course, a customizer's ingenuity. Customizers used anything and everything, literally, to achieve the look and shape they were after ...the true definition of "old school", if you will.
In the beginning, '53 Studebaker pans, '52 Ford rings, '54 Buick port holes, and other assorted sheetmetal pieces pirated from any and all makes and models of automobiles were used to distinguish whatever project occupied the garage floor to a designer's taste. However, as things progressed and imaginations ran wild, it was apparent a new method was going to have to be employed in order to create shapes and designs never before seen. Enter steel rods. The solution laid in the form of the common steel rod, which can be bent, shaped, and formed into curves, crowns, convexes, and more, to craft an outline of a shape. From there, these steel "skeletons" could be skinned with sheetmetal.
It's arguable who began using this method first, but one thing is for sure, once the word was out, it swept the hobby by storm. It wasn't long before everyone from backyard warriors to the top shops in the country were churning out customs and rods with handmade attributes. What intrigued the minds of many on the virtue of this method is the fact anyone could get into it at the drop of a dime-literally a drop of a 10-cent coin in those days! It didn't-and still doesn't-require expensive specialized tools, heaps of money, or years of training. Anyone with the determination and gall could head down to the local metal yard and pick up the necessary supplies and be on their way.
Star Kustom Shop has been bending and forming steel rods since 1954; covering everything from the simplest of shapes, such as grill openings and taillights to the most complex of designs, for one-off custom creations. For the most part, 1/2-inch conduit is the weapon of choice, but for more intricate bends and curves, 3/8- and 1/4-inch steel rod are also thrown in the mix. All of these materials are malleable rods that can be bent over the knee, in a vice, over an old welding bottle, or any number of readily available items, making it perfect for DIY customizing. When it comes time for a sharp bend, the simple touch of a torch will alter the rod's composition like butter. For an in-depth look at this old-school method of customizing by conduit, follow along with Star Kustom as they bend, shape, and skin a fender skirt.
Here's what we're workin' with: a '57 Cadillac Brougham. Originally, these cars came with stainless steel half skirts, however, this build calls for a full skirt that must be made from scratch.
