Richard Zocchi was a Northern California native who radically customized all makes of cars since the age of 16. His gorgeous eye-catching creations have won countless prestigious awards at all the major West Coast car shows based on excellence in design, workmanship and paint.
In the mid 70s, when custom car creations were virtually at a standstill, Richard’s awesome “Cool 50” Mercury was one of the primary vehicles that inspired the resurgence of customizing 50s cars that continues to this day!
Rich passed away October 20, 2016 but his original designed customs will continue his legacy. His gorgeous creations graced countless magazine covers and his passion for this “sport” continued throughout his entire life. This website showcases a few of his most stunning creations. All of these cars have new owners except for the 39 Dodge, 56 Lincoln Continental Mark II and Cool 50 Mercury, which are owned by Cherie Zocchi and currently are not for sale.
1958 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
1968 Dodge Polar
This unique custom 1968 Dodge Polara has the look of a Detroit concept car from the ’50s and ’60s and won First Place at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA, as well as at the Sacramento AutoRama in the same year. It also captured the coveted Gene Winfield Award at the West Coast Kustoms Car Show in Santa Maria, CA.
The creamy vanilla and butterscotch pearl paint perfectly matches the ultrasuede interior – absolutely beautiful!!
1960 Dodge Pioneer
1962 Chrysler 300
This eye-popping beauty is another masterpiece in Richard’s long line of creations. It debuted at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA in January 2013 and was awarded the coveted George Barris Kustom D’Elegance Award, which is his pick for the Best Custom in Show. Master painter Art Himsl applied PPG toners and pearls which were custom mixed by Art and then topped with gold pearl. The colors are a soft and medium orange sherbet.
1959 Buick Invicta
This lovely car won Best in Show at the Good Guys in 2004, plus Top Five at Cruizin’ Paso Robles the same year.
A three inch chopped top is among the many body modifications but not too much for its already radical factory look. Peaches and cream two-tone pearl paint are easy on the eyes.
1957 Ford Fairlane
The top has been chopped three inches. All body work was performed by John Aiello of Marco’s Lucky 7 Customs of Antioch, CA.
Headlights were frenched two inches with hand-made chrome rings. The chrome grill was made out of 3/8” aluminum bars, created by Glory Grills. The front bumper was frenched by extending the pan over the top of the bumper with the use of round rod. Bumper bolts were flushed.
Wheel wells and rockers were lowered ¾”. All door and trunk handles were eliminated and Unkl Al’s solenoids were installed.
Taillights were frenched three inches with hand-made chrome rings. Perforated metal was used over red plastic to create the taillights then capped off with a large bullet. The license plate was frenched into the body and the gas nozzle was put inot the trunk. The rear bumper pan was hand-made and the bumper bolts were flushed and the bumper ends were capped off with a nice clean look. Stainless on doors was re-worked to eliminate the key hole to create a continuous unbroken line. New gold anodized inserts were made and installed.
Paint is blue-green PPG mixture by Macos Garcia, owner of Lucky 7 Customs of Antioch, CA. All the edges of the stainless and body were fogged in (highlighted) a darker shade of the same color.
Bucket seats were used and lowered for hear clearance. Upholstery is white pearl trimmed with blue-green ultra suede. Plush blue-green carpets finish off this perfect setting. Work was performed by Bob Divine of Martinez, CA who also installed a high tech Pioneer stereo system.
Running gear is a Ford 351 Cleveland. Suspension sits on air bags
Hubcaps were custom made from a 1956 Lincoln Premiere, capped off with a bullet. Tires are Diamondback Classics 195 R-75-15.
1956 Lincoln Premiere
This beautiful custom debuted at the Sacramento Autorama and took home the prestigious Harry Bradley Award for excellence in design, workmanship and creativity. It was also well received at the 50th anniversary of the Grand National Roadster Show and at the Good Guys Get Together in Pleasanton.
The top was chopped five inches. Upper rear side molding was hand-built by John Aiello. Rear glass was sunken into trunk to give the car that smooth flow. Windshield and all glass work was performed by Dan Mazzoncini of Dan’s Glass, Concord, CA.
Complete hand-built front end was created around a 1958 Cadillac front bumper. 1956 Olds headlight rims were used again ( a Zocchi trademark). Makes the car look like it’s moving when standing still. The hood was extended 2 ½ inches, the corners were rounded and filled to create the grill opening. The grill was hand-made by John Aiello and consists of ¼ inch round rod (22 pieces), then chromed. Front wheel opening were raised one inch to accommodate the bumper.
Rear quarter panels were filled to eliminate continuous body line from front to back, thus creating the leading edge for the scoop – a fantastic original design idea. It was then trimmed with three chrome spears from a 1958 Cadillac. Side moldings remain stock.
Tail light lenses are from a 1954 Packard, extended and shaped.
Bumper was molded and cleaned and a special bracket was made to house
the license plate. Rear trunk cavity was formed with round rod and a
rear grill was made to match the front. All doors and the trunk are
remote with Unkl Al’s entry systems.
All body work was performed by John Aiello of Acme Auto Body, Antioch, CA.
The paint was mixed from Dupont materials – yellow and cream white, then covered with gold pearl. Paint was applied by Darryl Hollenback, also of Acme Auto Body. Pinstriping was performed by Art Himsl.
Custom interior consists of four bucket seats with continuous center console running through the middle in a cream gold vinyl. Headliner was hand-built, as well as most of what you see on the inside. Work was performed by Bob Divine Interiors, Martinez, CA.
All chrome and stainless by Sherm’s of Sacramento, CA.
Tires are Coker classic radical whitewalls – 205 R-75-15. Seven inch Roadster wire sheels were used with T-bird centers capped with a bullet.
The engine is a stock 368 cubic inch, with factory power steering, power brakes and power windows. Chassis work consists of dropped spindles by Fat Man, adapted to Granada power disc brakes. The back was lowered with the use of lowering blocks and re-worked leaf springs. Frame was C’d and drive shaft tunneled. Monroe air shocks with compressor were used in rear. All work was performed by Bill and Tom Fraser of Antioch Muffler, Antioch, CA. The car rides like a dream for as low as it is (5 inches all the way around).
Pioneer stereo was installed.
Engine was painted by Evan Kohler, Richard’s brother-in-law.
1956 Lincoln Continental
1956 Dodge Royal Lancer
The car premiered at the 2000 Grand National Roadster Show San Francisco Cow Palace and was awarded the prestigious George Barris Kustom d’Elegance Award. (Richard Zocchi won this award three times now … he was the winner of the very first George Barris Kustom D’Elegance Award in 1992 with his fabulous ‘39 Dodge and again in 1994 with his chopped yellow pearl ‘51 Olds).
At the Sacramento Autorama the car won the very first Manuel Arteche Memorial award. At the Good Guys All American Get Together in Pleasanton, California, it was in the Top Five customs. Finally, at the West Coast Kustoms Paso Robles 2000 car show, it received the Larry Watson Nostalgia Pick.
The top was chopped four inches. The rear window was sunk into the package tray to create the flowing line. The side roof molding was hand-built. The windshield and all glass work was done by Dan Mazzoncini of Dan’s Glass, Concord, California.
The upper hood was lengthened 1 inch to create the hood grill and rear scoop. The centerpiece of the grill opening was sectioned three inches and the grill cavity was hand-formed. The front grill hood scoop and rear grill were hand-made of three-sixteenths round rod by John Aiello. Headlights were extended out four inches to simulate early 50s Studebaker look. Headlight bezels again used by Zocchi is his trademark look – ‘56 Olds with the outside lip cut off.
Front and rear bumpers were frenched and extended … all bumper bolts shaved off to give it a clean appearance. Front and rear wheel wells were flared. Hand-made rear skirts were added. Rear quarter panels were extended four inches. One-half inch round rod was used to create cavity opening on taillights, which were hand-built by Gene Winfield. Side molding was used from ‘57 Pontiac which was altered on the quarter panels. Doors and trunk handles were all removed and Unkl Al’s remote system was used.
Paint was applied by Marcos of Lucky 7 Auto Body, Antioch, CA. PPG toners of violet and white were used in a custom mix by Marcos with gold pearl.
The front suspension was re-worked with drop spindles from Fat Man Fabrications by Bob Madsen. The car was then turned over to bob Westbury for installation of Air Technology Air Ride System.
The interior was hand-built by Bob Divine Interiors of Martinez, California. It was done in violet and white to match the dash and exterior. Pioneer sound system was also installed by Divine.
The engine is a stock 315 Hemi except for a mild cam. The engine was all painted and detailed.
All chrome work and stainless work was done by Sherm’s Plating of Sacramento, California. The car has radial tires with 2 ¼ inch whitewalls. Hubcaps were custom made.
1956 Chrysler Windsor
This car has all the right custom touches to accentuate the already well-designed factory lines and was the winner of many Best of Show awards in 1996.
The chopped top sets it apart from any other Chrysler, with pearl paint by Art Himsl. The stunning interior is next to none. This car also includes air conditioning.
1946 Lincoln Club Coupe
1939 Dodge Coupe
This gorgeous creation is arguably one of Richard’s best designed and built customs. It has won numerous sought-after awards, including the first George Barris Kustom d’Elegance Award in 1992, as well as Best of Show in Paso Robles and the Good Guys in the same year.
1962 Pontiac Grand Prix
his car is a clone (except for the 2 1/2 inch chopped top) of Richard Zocchi’s original Grand Prix that Gene Winfield built for him in 1962.
It features a custom built bullet grill and staggered and frenched headlights. Tail lights are 62 Chrysler Imperial tail light lenses turned sideways and mounted on a chrome tube. Original tail lights were filled and peaked. Engine is a stock 389 with factory 3 x 2s. It runs and handles like new.
Outstanding orange and white pearl blended paint is absolutely flawless and breathtaking.
1961 Oldsmobile 88
This gorgeous 88 was the top winner at Santa Maria 2008!
The top is chopped three inches using a 1961 Ford Starliner roof with a 1967 Camaro rear window. The headlights are 1960 Buick and the grill is 1960 Mercury; the taillights are hidden. The interior has bucket seats with a handmade console. The car has wire wheels and Cokerwide whites. It has a Stock 394 engine – it runs and drives like new. The car has airbags.
1960 Oldsmobile 88
This two-tone chopped candy gold creation captured the World’s Most Beautiful Custom award at the Sacramento AutoRama in 2004!
The car has one-of-a-kind headlights and a handmade bar grill. It has many custom features and runs and drives like new!
1950 Mercuy "cool 50"
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