History Of Deuce Steel and Hot Rods & Custom Stuff -

It's well known that the Custom vehicle and Hot Rodding's history have strong ties with Southern California style, culture and general way of life. This story is no different.

Clark was born in Iowa, where his grandfather was a machinist and tool inventor and his father had worked as a blacksmith and welder. When the Clarks moved with their young son to Southern-California in 1949 at the age of 2, they arrived just in time for the beginning of the rodding explosion. Randy learned to weld and work metal by working with his father at a young age, doing such tasks as welding large tanks form the inside because, "he could fit the best".

Living in the epicenter of the entire custom-car movement and attending the local drags, Randy caught the Hot Rod "bug".  At age 12 Randy bought his first set of "wheels", $12 for a Model T that didn't run which he managed to trade up to a 1930 model A 5-window (that did run), he was off and running.  Right out of high school he started working on cars at a local gas station. At a young age Randy developed a particular weakness for the early Fords, especially the ’32's , aka. "Deuces".

Although his father's welding and blacksmithing profession didn't translate directly into cars for him, it definitely did for Randy.  In 1964 he started work at a Pontiac-Cadillac dealership and later he worked for a GMC dealer. His interests soon swung  toward a more "custom" approach to working on cars and especially motorcycles. Over the next 30 or so years Randy lived the Southern California motorcycle and Hot Rod culture to the fullest, working on and building vehicles as jobs came his way.

In 1989 Hot Rods & Custom Stuff officially opened it's doors in Escondido, California, in northern San Diego county. The business objective: offer a full spectrum of services for the Hot Rodder. Everything from parts and service to full, frame-of restorations and custom builds can be had at Hot Rods & Custom Stuff.  The company motto is, “We do it all & we do it right!”  It’s an ambitious goal, but it’s a challenge the company tackles every day.

Over the years, Hot Rods & Custom Stuff creations have graced the pages of numerous magazines and garnered trophy cases full of awards. The most famous of these would have to be the notorious "M-80" (a 1949 Chevrolet Business Coupe built for Chris Williams), and winner of both the Yosemite Sam Radoff "Sculptural Excellence" and Ridler awards in 2001.  A first for any car.

In 2002 Randy's love for the '32 came full circle. Although he had the opportunity to build many early Ford's over the years he never thought that any of them lived up to his image of what a true "Deuce" should look like. So after many hours of research, design, fixture creation and some trial and error, “Deuce Steel” was born. Its genesis came in 2 forms. First, a stock dimensioned 1932 Ford frame with many upgrades that should have been there originally. Such upgrades include a fully boxed frame, box steel double “K” member and integrated mounts for 4-link bars, brake and clutch assemblies (plus much more). The second is a swooping creation which is just how Ford should have really designed their frame in ’32.  All of the upgrades from the stock frame are included but with 3” kickups in the front and rear, additional suspension clearance above the axles and a 3” pinched front end for the perfect fit. It gives the vehicle the lowest and coolest stance in the industry, “the stance of a low-boy and the look of a high-boy”. Randy thanks Dave Iversen for the inspiration to build frames which make '32 Fords "Longer, Lower and Cooler".

Moving on into the future Deuce Steel has many product offerings coming in the works. Firewalls, gas tanks, tail-light recesses and corner trim are just some of the many ideas in development. So as we arrive at the 75th anniversary of the original “Deuce” we are not only looking to the history of the industry but also to the future.