Skip to content

347: Johnny “Jalopy” Wood – Funky cartoonist contributor to Full Custom Garage.

Show Date: 02/06/2021

(Season 15 EP 6)

This Week’s Topic:

Johnny “Jalopy” Wood – Custom Contraption Concept Artist / Cartoonist.

This is a 4-part series on the Full Custom Garage experience.
Part 1 – January 23, 2021 Link to podcast
Ian Roussel, the man himself

Part 2 – January 30, 2021 Link to podcast
Brooks Ferrell, Executive Producer

Part 3 – February 6, 2021
Johnny “Jalopy” Wood – Conceptional Artist / Cartoonist

Part 4 – February 13, 2021
Victor Cacho, Client seen on Full Custom Garage.

Mr. Jalopy has had three of his cartoon drawings made into drivable vehicles. There is the Johnny 5 VW van / truck resting on a t-bucket set up. Then there is the Space Junkie 2 bubble top, slotted mohawk shaped fins with an all-in-one steering, gas pedal and brakes. Next there is the Funky Futura From Ventura dune buggy show ride that was made with a truck cap and a can of Great Stuff insulating foam.

How does that happen? There are thousands of automotive artists who would love to have their drawings brought to life.

There is only one guy who could have brought Johnny’s cartoons to life. That guy is Ian Roussel of TV’s Full Custom Garage. It was brought to Ian’s attention of a cartoon showing a VW with an exposed front engine – similar to a t-bucket. That’s when Ian contacted Johnny asking permission to fabricate it. Of course, Johnny said “Heck Ya!”.

Johnny was asked to fly out to Ian’s shop to help finalizing the design. He didn’t expect that Ian would start handing him power tools, bending rods and insulation foam. It was Ian’s mission to stay “true” to Johnny’s image that was created. Sometimes he had to sketch up several images as Ian was plotting his next move. No pressure there… right?

The two soon realized the artist and fabricator were as one.

Now you can see Johnny sketch out his ideas live on Facebook every Monday night. It’s a 1 hour show where he will pick a theme and begin drawing something. This is as real as it gets. It’s like watching those guys, in the 60’s, doing cars and weirdos on T-shirts at the World of Wheels. Imagine if you had the chance to watch Ed Roth, with his big top hat, drawing out one of his crazy weirdos. Don’t miss Johnny Jalopy drawing out his own crazy weirdos.

Don’t worry… his show is not about watching paint dry. It’s not an art lesson. We should add that it’s a lot of fun and full of humor because Johnny is joined by Ity-B who reads off comments from viewers around the world. Their banter is like an old vaudeville act.

Here is how you can check out more of Johnny Jalopy:
http://johnnyjalopy.com/
You can access his Facebook where you can watch him every Monday night 9:30 EST.


Letters from listeners


1951 Ford Sedan Gasser Drag Car

Our swap section should be called a “Car Carroll”. A whole bunch of cool rides have arrived and are sitting in the swap section. Click here for more…

1932 Ford Pick Up – Old School Hot Rod
1975 Plymouth Fury Sport
1980 AMC AMX Drag Car
1970 El Camino
1972 Chevy S-10 Custom Truck
2001 Arlen Ness Antique Sportster with Sidecar
2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
2005 Neon SRT-4
2013 Viper SRT-10 GTS
and more!


You have something to say? We what to hear it.
Give us a call on the WHRR hot line at: 414-215-9477 (WHRR) or send us an email to: comments@wisconsinhotrodradio.com

Leave your name and contact info because we might read your stuff on the radio.


There are so many ways to tune in Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio.

Tune into the live broadcast this Saturday morning from 9 to 10 am. In Southeast Wisconsin dial FM 100.3 or FM 107.3 or AM 1290.

Not close enough to get the signal? Use your cel phone or computer and use the live streaming feature by clicking here or go to www.FonzFM.com.

Wait… not available to listen this Saturday morning? Come back later in the day and there will be a podcast version of the show embedded in this page.

Like to be able to move around while listening to the show? Go to any podcast service like iTunes, Google Music, Stitch and others to download the shows.

Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio has been on the air since 2007.

Listen Any Time