For decades, American car companies have pursued an elusive "European influence" in automotive design and engineering. In more recent years, a small-but-dedicated bunch of European hot rodders and custom enthusiasts has emerged with an equal desire to wrench on and express themselves through vintage American machinery. The irony is as thick as one of those dark, chewy, and warm European beers.

Ulf Kusendal from Sweden is one of those custom fans. "It all started in October 1995 when I bought a '56 Cadillac Coupe de Ville," Ulf says. "My goal was to build a cool custom, including a chopped top, lowered [suspension], stretched fenders, and whitewalls.

"In the fall of 1996, the car was taken completely apart," Ulf continues. "The body was in such bad condition, you could see through it in a lot of places due to all the rust. Body modifications started with a 2-inch top chop. The rear fenders were stretched 3 inches, followed by bead-blasting the body, frame, and all the parts. After that, hardly anything was left of the body! The project was put on hold until October 1998."

At that point, Ulf began the extensive rust repair on the big Cadillac--no small task. "Approximately 11 kvm (120 square-feet) of sheetmetal was needed for the body recovery!" Ulf exclaims. Additional modifications included shaved trim, subtle fender extensions over the headlights, a custom grille, and a stretched rear bumper. Later that year the car got its first paint job--gloss black--before progress again faltered. "The project was put on hold again while a house was remodeled, two businesses were started, the family went from two to four, and three other cars were built," Ulf explains.

Picking up where he left off in the winter of 2001, Ulf decided on a new hue, a red-pearl finish that he felt showed off the custom work more effectively. The chassis was modified with air springs from Air Ride Technologies, a Lincoln 9-inch rearend, disc brakes, and 20x8.5-inch Intro wheels with Bridgestone rubber. At that point, Ulf also installed a '95 Chevy LT1 V-8 with a 4L60-E transmission, and then bolted the body on the chassis and strung new wiring.

The car's final assembly began in the winter of 2002 with Ulf building the custom sheetmetal engine cover and firewall that help define his creation. In the meantime, his fiancee Mari worked on the interior--a significant element in its own right--which was stitched in tan leather and cloth and set off with a custom dash and digital gauges. "The car was completed in time for the Custom Motor Show in Jonkoping, Sweden, in April 2003," Ulf says. "There, it took four trophies: Best Engine, Best in Show, Best Custom, and the John D'Agostino Pick.

"This car is not a trailer queen," Ulf insists. "It's driven to most events, usually with family and a matching camping trailer in tow. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, the car was driven 10,450 km (more than 6,000 miles)."

Even better, it's a true home-built custom. "This car was built in our family garage during late nights and weekends by me and my fiancee," Ulf says. "With this project I want to say that anything is possible, even though it seems impossible. I want to thank my fiancee Mari for making this ex-dream possible!"