By Brian Brennan – Photography Provided by Mecum Auctions Inc. & John Gilbert
The world of custom cars experienced a significant loss on May 30, 2016, with the death of Gary “Chopit” Fioto, an exceptional talent from Long Island, New York. His career began with highly customized and carefully crafted automotive art that inspired many. Our first encounter with Gary was through our friend Bo Huff, who encouraged us to reach out after seeing the wildest bubbletop creation in Florida.
When we spoke to Chopit, his personality was as lively as Bo had described, which led to an invitation to visit him. It was here that many of us became good friends with Gary. The first of Chopit’s hot rods to be featured was his restyled 1932 Ford pickup, painted in a “blazing” fire red, notable for its chop, channel, and section metalwork. It was an incredible-looking hot rod with Gary’s signature flair.
It wasn’t until Gary fulfilled his dream of relocating Chopit Kustom to Southern California that we met him at Huntington Beach’s Donut Derelicts. There, Gary welcomed us to his shop in Stanton, California, just a block from the former site of Hot Rods by Boyd. Fast-forward to 2025 and his legacy lives on as his son, Nicholas, continues the family tradition of customizing cars in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
In downtown Chicago, the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum became a popular spot for enthusiasts to admire unique vehicles. Curated by an automotive-loving couple, the collection included everything from classic cars to the most creative custom builds. Among them was Gary’s top achievement, a stunning, custom-built car that took four years of hard work. The bubbletop Ford won Blackie Gejeian’s 2005 Fresno Autorama Sweepstakes Award and gained fame in the custom car community. (And we were lucky to see him roll it out of the trailer for the first time.)
As the vehicle debuted at the 2006 Grand National Roadster Show, spectators admired its splendor, earning the Outstanding Custom and George Barris Kustom d’Elegance awards. Its success continued at Darryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show in Tulsa where it took home the grand prize. Dominating the Detroit Autorama, it received the Roth Rageous trophy and won in the Hand-Built Custom class. This was followed by recognition at Carl Casper’s 2006 Custom Car Show in Louisville, Kentucky, where it was awarded the American Cup. Featured in publications like Street Rodder magazine, this iconic creation was also showcased at the 2023 MCACN show, cementing its lasting legacy.
The vehicle’s steel and aluminum bodywork is a visual feast, showcasing modified features that epitomize custom culture. Built on a 1988 Lincoln Town Car chassis, it features canted quad headlights, giving it an unmistakable 1950s and early 1960s custom car look. The bumpers—adapted from classic Cadillacs—reflect the golden age of chrome, while finned taillights enhance the silhouette from a 1960 Chrysler. Carefully hand-formed and oxy-acetylene-welded fenders display bespoke craftsmanship.
Within its elegant interior, occupants are enveloped in a luxurious atmosphere. The pearlescent white bucket seats contrast beautifully with a vintage Chrysler Astradome instrument panel, while the yoke-style steering wheel offers an immersive driving experience. An upgraded Vintage Air system ensures comfort on afternoons spent cruising the fairgrounds beneath the bubbletop, complemented by the mild-mannered 350ci Chevrolet V-8 engine fitted with a period-appropriate chrome-plated six Stromberg carburetor setup.
This custom creation is more than just a vehicle; it’s a tribute to the creativity, passion, and craftsmanship of the custom car community. Gary “Chopit” Fioto left behind not only a car but a legacy that echoes through the roar of its engine and the shine of its polished surfaces—a clear symbol of innovation and passion in automotive design.
The next step for this amazing custom is as it moves across the bidders’ stage at Mecum’s Auction and heads to Larry’s Legacy auction at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum. When you read this, we will know the “rest of the story,” so we will keep an eye out to see where the next home for this noteworthy custom will be. MR
