TheWork of Juha Airio
No one connnected with the hobby could possibly have missed the extraordinary work of our Finnish custom stylist. Juha has a great sense of proportion, style and dimension
that few share. The Custom Clinic is pleased to present a great example of Juha's work, with more to come!
Enjoy with our staff this remarkable custom Ford Motor Company vehicle that triggers memories of the historic work of Coachcraft along with modern styling idioms.
The most noticeable aspect of this custom is the graceful sweep of the roof which preserves the "hip" on the tulip panel. The strong character line, the crosses the
side of the hood, the door and onto the rear quarterpanels (but ends just forward of the leading edge of the trunk opening) ties the model together. The angularity of the rear fender is mimicked on the front fender. Juha Airio Photo
It's hard to imagine, but this piece looks better from the rear aspect. The modern taillights (picking up on cues of contemporary European pieces) neatly resolve the
line that distinguishes the rear fender from the body. The large rear window avoids the ubiquitous silliness of most chopped cars which isolate the driver and
passengers behind mailslot windows. Of particular interest is the subtle metallic paint job – think how a garish paint job would compromise this model. Juha Airio Photo
Juha has tried his hand with the beautiful '60 Ford Starliner. In this view, the incut on the side of the roof has been eliminated, the taillight panels has been opened up
and molded to the body along with the rear bumper. Interestingly, the side rim (but not the rear quarterpanel "washboards") has been preserved. Juha Airio Photo
The front aspect has been expertly molded as well. Check out how the leading edges of the front fenders have been roughly squared off at the upper end at the
same time the factory bumper was molded to the body. Note that the license plate reveal in the bumper has been widened to accommodate European plates. Juha Airio Photo
The model in profile is interesting. The front wheelwell has been opened upward with a new flared lip. The rear wheelwell opening has been slightly lengthened Juha Airio Photo
The Starliner is finished! Photos of this beautiful custom here...
