Ala Kart (custom car)

Ala Kart is a custom car, a customized 1929 Ford Model A roadster pickup, built by George Barris, Richard Peters, and Mike "Blackie" Gejeian in 1957. Originally owned by Peters, it is a two-time winner of the Grand National Roadster Show "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" (AMBR) trophy (1958 and 1959) and Hot Rod cover car in October 1958. Featured in hundreds of car shows, Ala Kart has won more than 200 trophies. It has also made numerous appearances in movies, usually in the background of drive-in shots, and dozens of magazine articles since. It is considered by many to be "one of the most iconic hot rods ever built."

Ala Kart's influence can be seen in numerous custom cars and hot rods built since its debut. Its innovative use of color and graphics, particularly the combination of pearl white paint with candy gold scallops and pinstriping, inspired a generation of customizers. The truck's distinctive silhouette, with its chopped top and lowered stance, also became a popular design cue. Even today, builders often cite Ala Kart as a key source of inspiration, demonstrating its enduring legacy in the world of custom car design.