Dave Puhl’s Illusion Show Car, New York Auto Show 1966

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1966, features Dave Puhl’s Illusion custom show car on display at the New York Auto Show. The archival image highlights the radical, low-slung silhouette of the vehicle, which is finished in a vibrant copper metallic paint with a signature silver stripe running the length of the body. Built by legendary customizer Dave Puhl of Trend Customizing, the Illusion was a masterpiece of mid-century “Kustom” culture, featuring a mid-mounted engine that is fully exposed through a cutout in the rear decklid. The car is exhibited at the New York Coliseum on a red carpet platform, with a male mannequin in a red cardigan and tan slacks standing nearby. In the background, a montage of automotive photos and the rear of another custom vehicle—bearing a “KPP 110” license plate and an Iron Cross motif—are visible. While the New York Coliseum has since been demolished and replaced by the Time Warner Center, this factual record preserves one of the most famous examples of the 1960s bubble-top and show-rod movement. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.