Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth – His Life, Times, Cars and Art by Pat Ganahl Published by Cartech Books ISBN: 1884059682 RRP: £

Who was Ed Roth? The answer depends on who you ask, and when they knew him.

To some he was a counter-culture, greasy-finger nailed, renaissance man of the mid-20th century. To others he’s the creator of Rat Fink and builder of some of the most recognisable custom cars ever to see candy paint. Cars such as Beatnik Bandit, The Mysterion and The Outlaw.

Some knew him as a devout Mormon, while others recall a Harley Davidson-riding man with a devilish glint in his eye. He was definitely a force of nature and a creative genius whose work had e profound influence on popular car culture.

Roth’s rise to fame began in the fifties, and peaked during the custom car boom of the early sixties, and every kid of the day in America knew about Rat Fink.

In later years, Roth turned to other pursuits but a growing interest in hot rod history in the nineties brought him back to the force, and he was more popular than ever.

To say his life was interesting is an understatement and author Ganahl covers it all from art to custom cars: from monster shirts to VW-powered trikes. It’s all here.