Meet Tempie Abate, a classic car fanatic from Orange, California. Like many car enthusiasts, he was always on the lookout for his next fix, his next dream car. One day, while browsing through magazines and websites, he came across a 1961 Cadillac Coupe d’Ville that caught his attention. The car was not just any ordinary Cadillac, but a custom-built masterpiece by legendary customizer Rick Dore.
Tempie followed the car’s journey for a couple of years as it appeared for sale on different sites and auction houses. He couldn’t stop thinking about it, and his heart longed to own it. Finally, the moment arrived when he couldn’t resist anymore, and he made the decision to buy it. The car was already completed, and Tempie was pleased to know that the car’s work was done by one of the most renowned customizers of all time.
The custom caddy was not just another car, but a work of art that was sure to turn heads wherever it went. The car had been nosed, decked, and completely shaved, with the rear bumpers frenched and the rear fins cut, stretched, sharpened, and filled. The stainless side trim was removed, the door handles and emblems shaved, and the lower character line enhanced to make the car look low, lean, clean, and mean. It sat on one-off Colorado Custom Julesburg wheels that were specially made for this car.
Under the hood was a rebuilt 390 engine with 325 HP V8, with a full Air Ride Technologies suspension. The paintwork by Lucky 7 Customs Marcos Garcia was a House of Kolor custom mix of candy orange laid over a gold base with a custom mix of metal flake flames and pin-striping along the sides, hood, and interior dash. The custom interior featured fawn leather quad bucket seats, front to rear center console, and a 3-D neo-classic headliner, all hand-built by Bob Divine. The car also had a thumping sound system with CD, Arc Audio 5150 amp with a 12-inch subwoofer, and components that were sure to make the ride even more enjoyable.
The car made its debut at SEMA when it was built and was even featured as “Custom Lowrider of the Year.” It had won many local car show awards, and in 2007, it won the “Coolest Custom” award at the Good Guys Southwest Nationals. Tempie couldn’t be more thrilled to be the owner of such a prestigious car.
Tempie didn’t have to do much to the car as it was already a masterpiece, but he made a few tweaks to make it even more his own. He enjoyed taking the car to different car shows, and he and his wife loved cruising in it on the weekends. The car brought joy and happiness to their lives and was a conversation starter wherever they went. Tempie is grateful to everyone who was involved in building the car, from Rick Dore to Marcos Garcia to Bob Divine. He feels fortunate to be the proud owner of such a unique and beautiful car that has brought him so much happiness.
