Members of South End Kustom in California are chopping a ’39 Merc at the 2014 Leadsled Spectacular.

Keith Dean grew up in his father’s car shop – shaping metal into custom California hot rods. The son of Dick Dean is in Salina this weekend chopping and reshaping a 1939 Mercury.

“This is a great event and we enjoy having a chance to meet so many Kustom fans,” he said. Dean brought three other team members from his shop in Hemet, California to cut the top off the Merc they found in Longmont, Colorado.

“We bought it for just over $18,000 – and when we’re done it will be worth a bit more,” he said with a smile.

Keith Dean prepares his next move on the ’39 Merc.

They’ll wrap up the project in Oakdale Park on Sunday.

Keith was inducted into the KKOA ( Kustom Kemps of America) Car Builders Hall of Fame at the Leadsled Spectacular in 2013. To see more of Keith Dean’s projects, visit http://www.southendkustom.com/projects

Along with the cars, there are booths, concessions, and entertainment throughout the park.

Saturday night there is a 50s concert at the Stiefel Theatre featuring tributes to Johnny Cash and Ricky Nelson. Hollywood stars Cindy Williams, Bo Hopkins, and Candy Clark from the cast of “American Graffiti” are scheduled to be on hand to sign autographs.

The 2014 Leadsled Spectacular will be held at Oakdale Park through Sunday, beginning at 9:00 each day.