When we first moved down to Texas I had the fortune of spending my first year and a half here working in the body shop of a custom hot rod shop. It helped me improve my talents, but also showed me that I had been doing the processes properly and had been on the right track even though I hadn't been in the autobody trade in almost 15 years. There were a great group of knowledgeable guys there that I learned a ton from and got to have fun building cool cars with. I also made many friends there. I enjoyed the work and my time there, but decided I needed to move on to my own thing.

I worked on many cool cars, and although I was mostly working in the body shop, machine shop, and installing car audio, I also managed to learn a ton about mechanicals and all aspects of full restorations and custom builds. Most of the builds done there were multi year builds, but I was there long enough to see many jobs from start to finish and also got to put a lot of hard work into some cars I never saw complete.

During my time there I work on a number of old 30's hot rod, 60's muscle cars and some major custom builds from all eras. I spend a great deal of time doing some full frame of, factory spec restorations on some mid 60's Chevys and have gotten to know the ins and out of what's all needed to restore a 60's era GM vehicle to tip top condition

The car I'm probably most proud of from my time in that shop is a 1960 El Camino. It was built for a customer who wanted to compete in PPG's Paint Your Ride Contest, using their specialty line of Hot Wheels inspired custom paints. We extended the roofline back and added a ¼ window to make it an extended cab El Camino. It also received custom scoops and metalwork along the bedsides and a completely reworked back end using some old Ford Tailights. It also received a complete new front end treatment using modified fenders, late 50's Corvette grille and custom handmade hood. A built LS1 and full air ride suspension ensure it moves as well as it looks. The ElCamino ended up being chosen as one of the 12 finalists out of 3500 entries and went to be shown at the Goodguys Nationals with the other 11 finalists. The top car chosen was to be sent to SEMA to sit at PPG's booth, and was also to have a Hot Wheels car produced in it's likeness. Sadly, the El Camino was beat out by another car, but it still showed well, created a buzz, and got into PPG's 2009 calendar. Since then it has won best radical custom at Austin's 2009 AutoRama.

 

Another vehicle I was really proud of was a 1964 Chevy Pickup that was a full custom build similar to the El Camino. Anything that could be shaved was, and the Maltese Cross theme was used throughout. It rolls on a full air ride suspension and the 700ish HP chromed and polished motor pack a punch that you wouldn't expect from such a beautiful show truck. It has won best interior and best custom truck in every show it's been entered in except one. It was beat out for best custom at San Antonio's 2008 AutoRama by a former Riddler award winner, a loss we could accept LOL. It got revenge by winning best custom Truck at Austin's 2009 AutoRama.

Another car I was a large part of was a 67 Chevelle 396SS- another custom build. It was another car that I saw the body thru from start to finish, but I did not get to see it finished. Assembly was nearing completion when I left that job.

 

Some other cars I worked on there:

At Burton's Customs we strive to provide quality service at a price that won't break the bank. We specialize in paint, body, audio, and detailing, among other things. We want to be your one stop shop for all of your aftermarket needs.

In these tough economic times We offer an opportunity to breathe new life into your old trusty car to save you the need of picking up a nice shiny car with a new payment. We offer everything from minor detailing and rejuvenating, on up to more involved restorations.

We also specialize in Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest, and look to be South Texas' leader in anything you need for your StarQuest.

Contact Burton's Customs today to see how we can make your car a hit, without taking a hit to your wallet.

                                                             830-305-4082

                                                   burtonscustoms@gmail.com