A Celebration of Rust and Grease


The 11th Kustom Kills and Hot Rod Thrills show took place last weekend under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

It's been reported in the New York Times as being the biggest and best of their annual shows, gathering "rat rodders" and other customizers, along with rockabilly bands to Union Street.

The usual mix of rusty and matte-black cars was supplemented with gleaming, freshly painted retromobiles and elegant hydraulically suspended models. At the show, rust is no longer a must.

Amid the burble of undermuffled engines and the bleating of horns from the highway ramp, a variety of vendors proffered more than just the usual T-shirts and hot dogs. Three dollars would get you an engine bolt — and a complimentary beer. Female rockabilly models signed autographs and posed for pictures. Men had their hair cut by a barber on the spot.