Page 57 - Experience Magazine Spring 2022

further lowering the body, adding fenders, and other quad headlights. A new insert filled the grille opening
aesthetic changes, including new paint. with square tubing adorning a gold R in the center.
The second version of "Rod-Riguez" returned for the For the second iteration of the build, Shimodaira wanted
2003 Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. It earned to run fenders without adding running boards. He
Shimodaira the 2003 Hot Rod Custom Show Best of crafted the wildly sculpted fenders seen on the car today.
Show, the George Barris' Pick Award, the Street Rodder's The front fender mounts were made from reinforced
Pick Award and the Line Dr.'s Pick Award. steel in a spider-web design and chromed before being
installed on the vehicle.
In 2005 Shimodaira shipped the car to the United States
so he could enter it in the 2005 Grand National Roadster At the rear, inverted 1958 Chevrolet parking-light bezels
Show and the 2005 Cruisin' Nationals in Paso Robles, were frenched into sculpted pods to serve as taillights.
California. Consequently, the vehicle has stayed in the When it came to the suspension, a TCI Engineering
United States since then. dropped axle kit with GM disc brakes in the front and
For the original creation of this custom, Shimodaira a Chevy 10-bolt rear end with tube shocks, and TCI
borrowed a lot of styling cues from his idols: kustom kar Engineering springs in the rear were installed.
icons Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and George Barris. Inside, the dash and gauge panel were primarily left

Shimodaira started with a steel frame Z'd 6-inches in stock, but Shimodaira made new seats from scratch and
the rear, 4-inches up front, and boxed the frame for mounted them to the floor, featuring 60's Tijuana-style
additional strength. The all-steel body received a four- cloth. The interior also features a cut-down early 1960s
inch wedge chop and channeled to sit even lower for the Ford steering wheel.
second iteration of the build. The version two update replaced the fogged gold

The firewall and engine cowl were massively reworked to paint scheme with a gloss Tequila Gold paint job and
fit the lowered stance and the massive 1949 Oldsmobile pinstriping, by fellow Japanese artist Makoto Kobayashi
Rocket 303ci V8 engine with 4-speed Hydramatic of M&K Custom Signs. The wide whitewall tires and
transmission. chromed steelies were replaced by Cragar Star Wire
Using 1959 Cadillac front bumper ends as a base, Wheels, which ran 1960s-style white stripe tires.
Shimodaira added round tubing and sheet metal to Covered by numerous magazines, including Hot Rod,
create a new nose for the car – complete with canted "Rod-Riguez" has appeared in the TV show "My Rides
Rules" and on the big screen in "Licorice Pizza." The
trophy and award collection massed by this car is
included with the sale.

"Rod-Riguez" is selling with No Reserve at the 2022
Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, June 30-July 2, in the
West Hall of the Convention Center.
– Nicole Ellan James
For up-to-date information on this vehicle, visit Barrett-Jackson.com

V OR THE COMPLETE DOCKET 57