Compton

Harold Johnson's 1938 Ford Tudor

Bob Baker's 1946 Ford 4-door Sedan, of Compton, California

Allen Anderson's 1949 Ford

Junior Conway's 1950 Ford

Johnnie Luna's 1951 Oldsmobile Holiday 88 Coupe

Paul Lehrbass' 1952 Pontiac Catalina

Roy Abendroth's 1955 Buick Century of Compton, California. Known as the "BuSonic," the build was started in 1959 and completed in 1963. It featured bodywork by John Schott and Copper Metalflake paint job by Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style. It was also fitted with hydraulic lifts.

Bob Baker's 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air, of Compton, California was striped by Dean Jeffries.

Gilbert Cruz' 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Jim Jackson's 1956 Chevrolet 4-door Hardtop

Phil Curry's 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air

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Dick Jackson's 1957 Ford of Compton, California was restyled late in 1956 or early in 1957. Dick, who started out at Barris Kustoms ran his own shop Advanced Custom Paints in Compton, California when the Ford was restyled. Later on in 1957, Dick traded the Ford with Buddy Alcorn for his 1950 Mercury.

Buddy Alcorn's 1950 Mercury was originally restyled by the Ayala Brothers at Gil's Auto Body Works for an undisclosed owner in 1952. Buddy Alcorn of Dominguez, California acquired the car in 1955 and promptly took it to Barris Kustoms for further enhancements. 1957 marked another pivotal moment for the Merc when Buddy traded it for Dick Jackson's 1957 Ford. Jackson, who ran Advanced Custom Paints in Compton, California, infused new life into the Merc with a two-tone paint scheme, pinstriping, dual spotlights, and Oldsmobile Fiesta hubcaps.

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Ronnie Fossen's 1954 Studebaker of Compton, California. Ronnie's Studebaker was restyled in the mid or late 1950s.

A business card for Herborn's Body Works in Compton, California, where Dick Jackson is listed by name. The card likely dates back to the late 1950s, around the same period Dick was active in the Compton area before, or after, opening Dick's Paint and Body Studio in 1958. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

An early business card for Dick's Paint Studio, located at 1905 E. Alondra Blvd., Compton, California. Specializing in scallops, flames, paneling, striping, and boat painting, this card dates back to the 1950s when Dick Jackson was establishing his name as a skilled painter and customizer. According to Karen, Dick likely had his iconic crest logo designed sometime after this card was printed, a mark that would stay with him throughout his lifelong career in custom paint and restoration. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

Leonard's Chevrolet's 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Dail Southwick's 1960 Chevrolet Impala of Compton, California. A photo of the car, developed in November of 1961, shows it featuring a shaved hood, a unique 1953 Chevrolet grille, and a custom single-headlight conversion, giving it a sleek and distinctive front-end treatment. The reflection in the rear window reveals a white tuck-and-roll interior, a hallmark of early 1960s custom styling.

Art and Lloyd Chrisman's 1930 Ford Coupe

George Cerny's 1932 Ford Tudor

A business card for Dick's Paint and Body Studio in Compton, California. After leaving Barris Kustoms following the 1957 fire, Dick Jackson opened his own body and custom car shop at 15715 Atlantic Avenue. Like many former Barris employees, Dick continued to work long hours, sometimes helping at other shops during the day and customizing cars at night. Sadly, his Compton shop was burned down in 1967 as the area became increasingly plagued by gang activity. Photo courtesy of Karen Jackson.

A newspaper ad and photo of Dick Jackson's Yamaha dealership, Custom City Sports Center, located at 15721 South Atlantic Avenue in Compton, California. After running his custom and body shop, Dick expanded his business ventures by opening the sports center, where he sold and serviced motorcycles, trophies, and custom-lettered apparel. The shop also catered to car enthusiasts, advertising “Buy – Sell – Trade” for custom and antique cars. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, Compton, California, was a vibrant hub of custom car and hot rod activity. Located just a short drive from Lynwood and Bellflower, two other epicenters of the Southern California custom scene, Compton produced some of the most striking and influential customs of the era.

Talented local craftsmen, painters, and car builders filled garages and small shops across town. Legendary names like Barris Kustoms, Cerny's Custom Shop, Dick's Custom Shop, and Jay's Custom Shop turned out some of the finest examples of postwar American custom design. Upholstery work came from neighborhood staples like Dukes & Duchess Trim Shop, while pinstriping icons such as Von Dutch left their unmistakable marks on countless cars.

Among the many craftsmen who called Compton home was Dick "Peep" Jackson, who opened Dick's Paint & Body Studio at 15715 Atlantic Avenue after leaving Barris Kustoms in 1958. From his shop, Dick turned out flawless paint jobs, intricate scallops and flames, and custom work on both cars and motorcycles. His Dick's Paint & Body Studio crest, designed by Tom Kelly, became a lasting symbol of his craftsmanship and creativity.

Compton was also home to an impressive lineup of custom and hot rod talent. Local builders and owners included Harold Johnson’s 1938 Ford Tudor, Buddy Alcorn's 1950 Mercury, Junior Conway's 1950 Ford, Paul Lehrbass' 1952 Pontiac Catalina, and Roy Abendroth's 1955 Buick Century – The BuSonic. The Compton Kingsmen and Squires of Compton car clubs proudly represented the area at shows and cruise nights, while speed pioneers like Art and Lloyd Chrisman pushed the limits of performance with their 1930 Ford Coupe.

By the late 1960s, however, the atmosphere in Compton began to change. As crime and gang activity increased, many builders and shops relocated. In 1967, Dick Jackson’s Compton shop was destroyed in a fire, marking the end of an era. Still, the legacy of Compton’s custom car community lives on through the cars, craftsmen, and clubs that helped define the golden age of Southern California customizing.