10/29/2026
Before custom car culture became a nationwide phenomenon, young builders in Sacramento were already reshaping American automobiles.
Meet Dick Bertolucci, a Northern California custom car pioneer who started working on custom builds in his father's garage in 1948. Alongside fellow Sacramento customizers like Harry Westergard and Norm Milne, Bertolucci helped shape the region's early custom car scene.
His personal 1938 Chevrolet Coupe became a standout example of early custom styling, featuring a chopped roof, a reshaped rear window, and molded fenders. These weren't just cosmetic changes — they reflected the creativity and craftsmanship that helped define the custom car movement.
Dick Bertolucci's legacy lives on through the cars he built and the generations of customizers inspired by his work.
