Ala Kart (custom car)

Its innovative use of color and graphics, particularly the combination of pearl white paint with candy gold scallops and pinstriping, inspired a generation of customizers.

Even today, builders often cite Ala Kart as a key source of inspiration, demonstrating its enduring legacy in the world of custom car design.

[8] While Peters originally intended only some minor bodywork,[9] like many hot rod and custom car projects, it soon escalated.

[10] Ala Kart featured an entirely chromed chassis, including springs, driveshaft, and rear end (following Gejean's previous car's example).

The truck would suffer an engine fire in the 1960s and be rebuilt by the Alexander Brothers,[6] and repainted, not in the original pearl white.

[6] The engine was a '54 Dodge 266 cu in (4,360 cc) Red Ram hemi from a Peters' wrecked racing boat.

[19] It was outfitted with Isky cam,[6] Hilborn fuel injection, a Scintilla Vertex magneto and Sanderson custom headers.

The bed was built from scratch with steel, with candy gold inserts (found by Barris at a hardware store[6]) and chrome strips.

Painted overall in Swedish White Pearl, with candy gold scallops, striping was done by master pinstriper Dean Jeffries[17] (early in his career).

[17] The 2008 restoration to 100-point status was done by Junior Conway and Bill Ganahl on the exterior at Brizio's, with the interior by long-time Ala Kart Howdy Ledbetter.

[23] Ala Kart also made numerous film appearances, usually in the background of drive-in shots, before its importance to rodders and customizers was recognized.