JUST A DREAM – ROSS HUGHES 1950 FORD CUSTOM
One of the standout customs cruising the Grand Prix circuit at this year’s Kustom Nationals was a radical 1950 Ford convertible gleaming under the Phillip Island sun. It shimmered like a rare gem, proudly wearing its age rather than hiding it. Up close, its character lines had been respected, not erased in some over-restored facelift. Intrigued by the sculpted steel and eclectic mix of components, I went looking for its caretaker.
The man with the keys was Ross Hughes — a lifelong automotive enthusiast now enjoying the thrill of cruising his first full custom.
“I’ve been into all sorts of cars for the last 40 years,” Ross explains. “Hot rods, muscle cars, race cars and classics. I’ve built them, bought them and rebuilt plenty.”
Among his more notable past rides was a supercharged Hemi-powered ’34 Chevy coupe well known in Melbourne two decades ago. Since then, Ross has owned several performance-modified Corvettes and even spent time piloting NOS-enhanced street bikes.
“C2 split-window ’63 Corvettes are a passion my wife Fiona and I share. We have a few coupes and one very special Grande Sport Evolution roadster inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008 — the only one in the country. There’s also a reasonably quick Ducati in the shed.”
After sustaining injuries and selling the ’34 Chevy — a sale that didn’t end as agreed — Ross felt the pull back toward traditional rodding. He admired ’39 Lincoln Zephyrs and had previously spoken with Terry Cook about the famed “Scrape”, but steel examples were scarce in Australia.
Then Fiona spotted the custom Ford languishing in the rear of the It’s a Dream Museum on Route 66. The name stuck.
“It was a bit of a trade-off,” Ross says. “We both got what we wanted.”
Built in 1987–88 by renowned Kansas City customiser Doug Thompson for Ed Guffey, the car toured extensively across Europe and America, earning multiple magazine features and culminating in the 2000 International Show Cars of America Top Radical Kustom award. Thompson — a Kustoms of America Hall of Fame inductee — had already achieved star status with his clone of the Barris-built Hirohata Mercury, and this Ford continued to collect major trophies for over a decade.
The Ford came with serious pedigree — and hidden problems.
Despite reviewing more than 100 photos prior to purchase, structural and mechanical issues only became clear once the car arrived in Australia. Paint damage, a deteriorated roof and significant chassis concerns required attention.
Ross turned to trusted friends Rob Darnell of Robnell Cobra fame and former Arrows F1 engineer Peter Turk. Over four months, the original frame was comprehensively strengthened and updated with quality components.
“It now drives, performs and stops as it should,” Ross says. “I’m happy to put my grandchildren in it.”
With the underpinnings sorted, hot rodder John Fairburn spent countless hours rejuvenating the ageing paintwork, restoring depth and shine without altering its identity.
Under the louvered bonnet sits a worked 302 Windsor. Originally fed by twin carburettors, the setup proved temperamental, so Ross replaced it with a single four-barrel Edelbrock carburettor and matching intake in EnduraShine finish for reliability. Air-conditioning, disc brakes, electric seats and rear air suspension ensure the custom is more than just a showpiece — it’s a genuine cruiser. The tired 30-year-old wiring system was also replaced to improve safety and functionality.
Future refinements include replacing the 1980s-era cassette player with a period-correct ’50s radio, installing era-appropriate gauges and relocating the console-mounted award plaque.
“We’re not changing the content,” Ross says. “Just making it safe and enjoyable to drive.”
The Merino Pearl Blue over silver paint, paired with its white and blue contoured interior, was considered trendsetting when built. The millimetre-perfect stitched stripes continue through the seats, Carson top headlining and into the trunk. Flames added during the 1990s remain divisive among purists, but Ross accepts they are now part of the car’s story.
Thompson’s craftsmanship shines in the metalwork. Every panel was sculpted in steel, including the signature scallop along the flanks. Components were artfully blended from a ’62 Thunderbird, ’53 and ’57 Cadillac, ’57 Chevrolet, ’52 Ford, ’53 Chrysler Windsor Imperial and ’62 Lincoln Continental — a creative mix that rewards close inspection.
The custom also passed through notable ownership over the years, including custom legend Daryl Starbird, further cementing its significance within the kustom scene. Doug Thompson himself is recognised in the Kustoms of America Hall of Fame, and this car is acknowledged alongside his achievements.
“With the documented history and the trends it started, we’re honoured to be its custodians,” Ross says. “It needed more work than expected, but we’re proud to have this piece of art — and we plan to drive it at every opportunity.”
Backdropped by the sweeping Phillip Island circuit, the Thompson-built ’50 once again turned heads — not as a trailer queen, but as a living piece of kustom history back where it belongs: out on the road.
And that’s exactly how Ross intends to keep it.
