Canepa Customs

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Canepa Customs Canepa Customs specializes in the restoration and customization of vehicles from the 1930’s-70’s.

Been a while since I’ve shared anything. Took some time to readjust and recharge after my father’s passing. Spent the pa...
23/10/2025

Been a while since I’ve shared anything. Took some time to readjust and recharge after my father’s passing. Spent the past few months working on my Ford. New trunk floor with fuel filler tucked on side, new door bottoms, painted the chassis and suspension components, media blasted inside followed by epoxy, then prepped exterior for bodywork and first prime. Feels good to be back in rhythm.

Interior work on the Hocker ‘40 from Sean Johnstun of Fat Lucky’s. This is the second vehicle I’ve had upholstered by Se...
04/03/2024

Interior work on the Hocker ‘40 from Sean Johnstun of Fat Lucky’s. This is the second vehicle I’ve had upholstered by Sean, and he never fails to make everything perfect. He started the initial fabrication back in 2018 when the car was still in bare metal. The final results are incredible and it’s always a pleasure working together. Thankful to have him involved and beyond pleased with the outcome.

Finally across the finish line. Parked and ready for a re-debut 71 years since the first, at the ‘53 Roadster Show. This...
02/02/2024

Finally across the finish line. Parked and ready for a re-debut 71 years since the first, at the ‘53 Roadster Show. This has been a long awaited moment for both myself and the owner, and we’re just happy to be here. Huge thanks to Sean Johnstun at Fat Lucky’s for his incredible work on the interior, Rik Hoving at Custom Car Chronicle for creating the show sign based off the original ‘53 sign, and to everyone involved at Grand National Roadster Show for keeping this legendary event going after all these years. Looking forward to great weekend ahead.

Don Granata shared these photos from 2003. Don’s family owned Granata’s Pizza in Berkeley, and were friends with the Gar...
15/01/2024

Don Granata shared these photos from 2003. Don’s family owned Granata’s Pizza in Berkeley, and were friends with the Garcias. Don remembers riding in the ‘40 in late 60’s, at 10 years old, when Ralph would stop by frequently to pick up food. They remained friends until Ralph passed away. Don stopped by last summer to see the ‘40 and shared plenty of other stories from his time knowing Ralph and the car. Thanks again Don for contributing to the history, greatly appreciated.

Early ‘57 Hocker history. The car was blue at this point, with single headlights, and would receive quads later in the y...
11/01/2024

Early ‘57 Hocker history. The car was blue at this point, with single headlights, and would receive quads later in the year due to an accident. Included is some memorabilia from Oakland & Sacramento, along with newspaper clippings and a handwritten statement from Lois Hocker. First photo courtesy of Brett Barris. Others are from, which I have high resolution un-watermarked copies of for my personal collection. Tom receiving trophy in Oakland with cig in hand to ease the excitement, and the ‘40 parked with the Kopper Kart and Junior Conway’s Ford.

1955-57 Hocker history. In ‘55-56’, the car received a color change, per Tom’s request, as he wanted to surprise Lois fo...
11/01/2024

1955-57 Hocker history. In ‘55-56’, the car received a color change, per Tom’s request, as he wanted to surprise Lois for her birthday. Blue was her favorite color. George sprayed it in a silver-blue, and added scallops on the fenders & hood. It also received a new engine…Cadillac 331. New hubcaps as well, using Barris designed bullets/blades manufactured by Eastern Auto. It was shown regularly at shows all over California, and always did well at Oakland & Sacramento. Included in the photos are a feature in Rod & Custom, and his goods from ‘55 Sacramento Autorama, and an original advertisement board for the hubcap material.

1954 Hocker history. Rare color photo showing the fuchsia orchid paint at the 1954 Peninsula Autorama, also known as the...
11/01/2024

1954 Hocker history. Rare color photo showing the fuchsia orchid paint at the 1954 Peninsula Autorama, also known as the San Jose Autorama. shared some great photos of several cars from this show a few weeks ago.
Included in Tom’s collection were the show sign, show program, and an award for “automotive creation and cooperation with CHP” haha. I also noticed that the car is wearing the same hubcaps in this show, as another photo from the drag strip.
I included a photo of Chuck DeWitt’s ‘52 Ford from the same show, parked next to Hocker….two Barris creations in similar shades of color.
Next photo is ‘54 Sacramento Autorama, with Tom receiving his trophy, and show program & exhibitor pass.
Next are some keepsakes from the ‘54 Turlock Motorcade.
Lastly, are some goodies from the ‘54 Oakland Roadster Show.

Late ‘52-Early ‘53, the ‘40 is fully completed and ready to hit the shows. Tom also enjoyed running it at the local str...
11/01/2024

Late ‘52-Early ‘53, the ‘40 is fully completed and ready to hit the shows. Tom also enjoyed running it at the local strip, setting a personal record of 104mph. Engine was a ‘48 Merc, bored & stroked, Edelbrock heads & manifold, Kong ignition, and Zephyr gears.
Paint was mixed and sprayed by Barris, in a color he called Fuschia Orchid. Headlights were frenched, fenders molded, grille sides filled, and ‘49 Pontiac bumpers with bumper guard lights front & rear.
Interior was completed by Carson Top Shop.
The car would make it’s main debut at the 1953 Oakland Roadster Show. In the attached photo from the show, note the show sign and trophy. Both of those were retained throughout the years in his collection and gifted to me by his wife Lois.

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