Rod Emory, hailing from the lineage of the renowned Valley Custom Shop builders in Burbank, California, recently shared a captivating story on Facebook about a piece of his family’s history coming full circle. This tale highlights the enduring legacy of custom car craftsmanship and the tools that shaped it.
After seven decades, a substantial 36-inch hammer, a vital custom car shop tool, has made its way back to the Emory family. Rod Emory’s grandfather established the Valley Custom Shop in 1948, operating until 1961. This shop was a pioneering force in custom car modifications like channeling and sectioning. Remarkably, their groundbreaking work was achieved primarily with hand tools, with the exception of a CP riveter ingeniously adapted into a planishing hammer – the very tool at the heart of this story.
In 1961, Neil Emory, Rod’s grandfather, transitioned from shop ownership to managing the body shop at Chick Iverson Volkswagen/Porsche in Newport Beach. This marked the hammer’s departure from the family. Over the years, this essential custom car shop tool passed through the hands of notable craftsmen including Mel Swain, Mickey Thompson, Walden Speedshop, Bill Collins, and others, becoming a silent witness to automotive history.
A pivotal connection was made through Detmer Metalshaping, linking Rod Emory to Hombre Verde, the hammer’s then-owner. This connection facilitated the hammer’s acquisition and its homecoming to the Emory shop.
According to Rod, “I can’t even begin to describe the feeling I have knowing that this hammer is back in the family. My grandfather shared so many tips, tricks, and skills with me growing up and to have his hammer in the shop is such an honor. My dad Gary Emory remembers this hammer in the shop when he was a kid. I will keep this in the Emory family forever!”
This hammer is more than just a tool; it’s a tangible link to the golden age of custom car building and a testament to the Emory family’s enduring contribution to automotive artistry. The return of this custom car shop tool symbolizes the preservation of heritage and the timeless value of craftsmanship.
