John D’Agostino: Biography of a Legendary Car Customizer

John has new kustom car plans going on at all times. All new for the 2002 show circuit is a 1956 Packard called the “Caribbean.” It features kustom bodywork by Oz’s Kustoms of Oroville, CA, that includes a 4 inch chop top, a 4 inch section and much more extensive body modifications. The beautiful House of Kolor paint was applied by Marcos Garcia of the Lucky 7 Custom Shop in Antioch, CA. It was sprayed in shades of pink pearl with magenta ice pearl scallops. The sculptured kustom interior is done in Italian leather with velvet from Switzerland accents by Divine’s Custom Interiors of Martinez, CA.

The “Caribbean” has captured many prestigious awards, such as the Joe Bailon Miss Elegance Award and the Gene Winfield Custom d’Elegance Award, along with many color design and paint awards, just to name a few. You can see the “Caribbean” at many upcoming east coast shows in 2002-2003. It is now on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, as of June 2003. The “Caribbean” went on a world tour in 2004 to such places as the Custom Motor Show in Sweden, Finland’s Hot Rod and Rock Show, and the Exporama in Oslo, Norway, just to name a few, and then premiered at the grand opening of the trendy Von Dutch Originals fashion design clothing store in Hollywood, CA.

In March 2002, there was a special tribute from Mattel Hot Wheels, honoring a two car set of John’s past kustom cars, that will be sold worldwide. Look for more honoring John’s past and present Kustoms from Mattel!

New for the 2003 show circuit is a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham with kustom bodywork at Oz’s Kustoms, named “Emerald Mist.” Originally these rare automobiles were the highest priced luxury vehicles in the world. Only 702 were built in 1957 and 1958. This mildly kustomized “Brougham” was awarded the Joe Bailon D’Elegance and the Larry Watson Color and Design Award in 2003.

Plans for 2004 include another celebrity star kar called “Gable” in memory of Hollywood movie actor Clark Gable. It’s a 1941 Packard restyled like a Pebble Beach Hollywood Kustom. “Gable” was a major award winner throughout 2004 and was on display at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. (continued)