Photographs depict automobiles from the 1950s with customized details and original painted finishes
Andy Southard, Jr. wrote a series of books featuring photographs he took in the 1950s and 1960s of hot rods and customs. What makes his books of interest is that he presents photos that have not been previously published in related car magazines of those eras. His book on hot rods and customs of the 1950s are particularly unique because his photos of well known hot rods or customs are in color whereas when those same vehicles were featured in car magazines in the 50s they were black and white photos, unless the car happened to be on a magazine cover.
Southard's books have a geographic coverage that is unique. He lived in Salinas from his mid-twenties on and belonged to the Bay Area Roadsters club so vehicles and car events from Northern California are well represented. Southern California cars are well covered because of his many contacts and visits there. Prior to moving to California, Southard lived in the New York area, and because he made return visits, a selection of east coast rods and customs appears in his two, 1950s books.
Each photo has a detailed caption. In addition to the owner and a listing of modifications, there is normally a history crediting a car's builder and giving background information such as were the car was shown and notable persons and events associated with it. The overall effect of Southard's books is to give a sense of the time, place, and hence, the culture, the cars he photographed were part of.
