Thomas A. Holden

Thomas A. Holden, age 91, of Chesterfield Twp. Mi., passed away on May 4, 2020. He was born on September 25, 1928 in Roseville, Mi. to the late Burton F. and Mary A. Holden. He married Marjorie M. Moses on May 7, 1953. He is survived by his wife, Marge; son, Tom (troop); and daughter, Sandie Holden. Also, survived by two grandchildren Chelsea (Kyle) Sorrell and Ariel Dodgson. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Jean Ewing and Mary Hanson. Tom was the owner/operator of Kustoms Unlimited since 1951. Tom always knew what he wanted. He would say “When I go, I don't want anyone fussing, sending flowers or the rest of the ‘pazazz and razza mataz’... From the gurney to the fireplace. Then if you want, set up a keg of Budweiser and/or Verners in the middle of the shop and have a party with anyone that wants to come.” Tom always had a love for mechanics and flight. As a youth, he hand built many gas powered model airplanes, mostly of his own design. Upon graduation from Roseville High School in 1947, young Tom joined the United States Air Force serving for 20 years before retiring at the rank of Master Sgt. While being an aircraft mechanic, Tom learned to weld and paint, giving him the talents to start doing body and paint work. Tom's first car was a new, 1951 Chevrolet on which he frenched the headlights and taillights and changed side trim. After all the attention and other guys wanting their cars done, Tom soon found out that whether he wanted to or not, he was in business and "Kustoms Unlimited" was born. Tom's first big job was his 1933 3-winow coupe. Tom cut the top off, channeling and sectioning it making it a roadster. Since that time he has built many cars for himself, and performed custom body and paint work on hundreds if not thousands of bikes, cars and many other things over the years. Some of his crowning achievements include his "HALF FAST¬- HALF TON" 1957 Ford Ranchero, the "ULTIMUS" 1959 Chevy El Camino, "PRACTACAL- A- T" 1922 Ford Center Door Model – T. Tom also had a few Ridler Award contenders over the years, winning the award with Frank Morabito's "GARAGE FATHER ROD" at the 1979 Detroit Autorama and winning the 1973 Canadian Championship with John Muzik's “Muzi Kart”. Tom has done work over the years for many different clients including Promotions, Inc., repairing damaged show cars while they were in the Detroit area. He worked on show cars from Greased Lightning to the Batmobile and Tom Selleck’s Ferrari. A wide range of race cars and show cars have passed through the doors of the shop as the decades progressed. Tom’s “KusTOMs Unlimited” shop also has to its credit building most of the "Monroe Handler Project" giveaway cars for the I.S.C.A, and the "Ford Coors Courier". Even the “Big Three” had Tom doing cars for the New Car Show in Detroit along with a few prototypes. But the "Ultimus" was where Tom made his mark. His El Camino was awarded Best Truck, Best Custom, Best Interior, Best of Show, People’s Choice and Ford Motor Company's 'Special Achievement Award'. It won Best of Show and Peoples’ Choice at the Detroit show two years in a row. This, according to Tom, was a feat that had never been accomplished before. Later that year, the “Ultimus” was chosen to be one of Car Craft Magazines’ “Top 10 Customs” for 1963. In early '62, Tom served as a judge at the 10th Annual Detroit Autorama. Tom also served on the MHRA Board of Directors from the early ‘60s until the late ‘70s as Second Vice President and First Vice President. Tom was also appointed I.S.C.A. Coordinator in 1963, appointed I.S.C.A. Division Director in 1972, and was Judge and Judging Supervisor until the mid '70s. Tom is a “2000 Detroit Autorama Circle of Champions” inductee. In 2002 he was selected as one of Detroit Autorama's “50 Who Made a Difference". Along with that, Tom taught auto body at New Haven High School for 26.5 years, retiring in 1999. Twice retired, as Master Sergeant in the Air Force and as High School Auto Body Instructor, Tom enjoyed doing restoration and custom work on cars for customers alongside his son, Troop, who has been with him on and off since his preteen-age years, striving to keep up tradition. A memorial party may be held at a later date. Stay posted. Arrangements in care of Jowett Funeral Home – 57737 Gratiot, New Haven.

Thomas A. Holden

September 25, 1928 - May 4, 2020