Bad Seed – Jesse Martinez’s 1937 Chevy
Back in 1997, Jesse Martinez first purchased his 1937 Chevy Sedan. At the time he had always envisioned it to be flat black, but once the ‘37 was complete, it wasn’t quite how he wanted it to look.
Transformation
Jesse knew he wanted to take the traditional hot rod and completely transform it into a full kustom. After creating a plan and collaborating with Striper Stan Kustoms (Stan Weaver), they knew what had to be done. From the beginning, they knew it was going to be painted white with copper accents and the back was going to get air ride.
Jesse and Striper Stan Kustoms teamed up and with the help of their Undunz car club, they went to work. To start, they had to cut out the floor, 4-link the rear-end, and hook up air ride in the rear only. Finally, they could C-notch the frame and completely build a new floor. At this point, they could see the light at the end of the tunnel and were ready to begin painting.
The Wreck
It might be the name or maybe just bad luck, but once “Bad Seed” was ready for paint, an unfortunate car wreck happened. While moving the car, it somehow went into reverse and rolled back in the driveway and hit another parked car, damaging the left rear quarter. They were going to have to do some major work to fix this until they found another ‘37 Chevy sedan that was being auctioned off from the late Bo Huff’s boneyard. The Undunz C.C. headed out to Dragerton, Utah, to pick up Bo’s ‘37 and used the left rear quarter off that car for the repairs.
Giving It Life
They painted the car white with copper accents, added skirts and a white tuck-n-roll interior. To top off the kustom, of course, it needed Cadillac Sombreros and pinstriping by Striper Stan Kustoms. After a year transformation, “Bad Seed” became exactly the type of kustom Jesse had always wanted. Although it is finished now, it will always be Undun because no car is ever finished.
Special thanks from Jesse: to my family, father-in-law Joe, Undunz C.C., Junior Huff, and Striper Stan Kustoms.
TECH SHEET
- Owner: Jesse Martinez
- Location: Denver, CO
- Builders: Owner & Striper Stan Kustoms
- Vehicle: 1937 Chevy 2-door sedan
- Chop: 4”
- Pinstriping: Striper Stan Kustoms (Stan Weaver)
- Engine: Chevy 350
- Transmission: Turbo 350
- Intake & Carb: Edelbrock Air Gap manifold w/Edelbrock 650 carb
- Ignition: MSD
- Exhaust: Dual
- Rear End: 1950s Pontiac
- Suspension: F- Mustang II; R- 4-link w/Viair bags
- Brakes: F- Disc; R- Drum
- Wheels: 15×6 steel w/Cadillac covers
- Tires: 6.70-15 Coker/Firestone WWW
- Seats: Stock
- Upholstery: White tuck-n-roll
- Dashboard: Stock
- Steering Column: 1976 Chevy tilt
- Steering Wheel: 1956 Chevy
- Taillights: Stock
- Club Affiliation: Undunz C.C. (Denver, CO)
Words: Jessica Martinez; Photos: Roy Varga; Model: Jessica Martinez – Rockabilly Mama
