In the ’60s. Ford tapped directly into the exploding hot rod and custom scene with its Custom Car Caravan.

1963 Ford Astro by Bill Cushenberry 

As baby boomers came of age in the early ’60s, they formed a growing youth culture with pockets full of disposable income, and cars were at the center of it. Naturally, the Motor City’s automakers stood ready to exploit the lucrative market. To connect with young people at the many hot rod shows across the country, in 1962 Ford created the Custom Car Caravan, headed by Jacque Passino of Ford Special Projects, in a collaboration with the King of the Kustomizers, George Barris, and Budd Anderson of AMT Corporation, the popular marketer of plastic model car kits.

1964 Ford Alexa by the Alexander Brothers

The rotating displays included dozens of vehicles: Ford’s own concept and show cars, numerous race cars from Ford’s growing Total Performance motorsports program, and custom cars commissioned by Ford especially for the Caravan from the USA’s top builders. The customizers included Barris, Gene Winfield, Dean Jeffries, Mike and Larry Alexander, and Bill Cushenberry, and they received new Ford vehicles and parts, construction budgets, and personal appearance money. Many of these cars and builders then received the full feature treatment in Rod & Custom and other car magazines of the day. Along similar lines, California race car builder Ak Miller provided a performance exhibit.

1964 Ford Python by Dean Jeffries

1962 Ford Pacifica by Gene Winfield

Ford’s Caravan was a big hit with hot rod show promoters and guests, reportedly growing to three touring companies of cars and displays at one point. The Lincoln-Mercury division at Ford joined in, too, with its own, considerably smaller version called The Caravan of Stars. While the Custom Car Caravan program was formally wound down in late 1965-early 1966, Ford continued its presence on the hot rod show circuit, often in collaboration with Barris, for years to come.