When I began writing and illustrating these columns in 1998, I did so as a dedicated car nut. Ed Roth was a big reason for my enthusiasm, and the subject of my second article. Car culture is so full of colorful people and interesting stories, that I never expected to repeat a topic. However, forty-nine installments later, the sad news of Ed’s passing prompted me to revisit his creative and inspiring career, as a humble tribute to the one and only Ed “Big Daddy” Roth.
He remembered drawing World War II aircraft as a kindergarten student, after seeing newsreels at the movies. Growing up in southern California, Ed witnessed the beginning of custom car culture first-hand, instead of simply reading about it in magazines like Rod & Custom and Car Craft. These same publications soon recognized Ed “Big Daddy” Roth as a pioneer of this post-modern American art for.
Ed did more than customize a vehicle. He conceived radical show cars, and realized them as a full-scale, working vehicles built completely from scratch. Here are just a few of the highlights: “The Outlaw” took the idea of the T-bucket, and ran with it. The wedgy rake of its fiberglass body gave the car a cool slouch. And the unusual grille shell featured twin headlights suspended below each exaggerated, vestigial fender.
“Rotar” (for Roth Air Car) was functional hovercraft that employed a 1959 Caddy-like fin, a bubble-top, and two 650cc Triumph motorcycle engines, allowing it to ride on air.
“Mysterion” was an enormous vehicle with too much of everything. Ed gave it two 390 Ford V-8s with three carbs each, two transmissions, two drive-shafts, and two differentials. The asymmetry of this brutal yellow car, combined with one of Ed’s signature bubble-tops knocked the socks off exhibition crowds.
These amazing vehicles, and Ed’s imaginative cartooning style, inspired millions of plastic model kits produced by the Revell Corporation, and probably as many T-shirt designs. These products remain popular, after nearly forty years.
There will never be another Ed Roth. He was as original as the fantastic vehicles and artwork he gave us. And although his work may not appeal to everyone, he influenced a lot of grateful people like myself. Thanks, Big Daddy. We miss you.
By Adam Icenogle