Career
Bailon has customized such cars as Zsa Zsa Gabor"s Rolls-Royce, Danny Thomas" Continental, Dean Martin"s Cadillac station wagon and Sammy Davis, Junior."s, Chevrolet Vega wagon. Joe built the Olds Toronado-powered Pink Panther car of the eponymous films. The San Francisco Rod, Custom and Motorcycle Show annually gives the Joe Bailon Elegance Award for the visual appearance of the paint, interior, engine, design and suspension.
The trophy, unique for the award, features a Candy Apple Red apple, painted by Bailon.
Bailon, who grew up in Newcastle, California, as the youngest of ten children, later worked in the Richmond Shipyards prior to fighting in World World War II and later customizing cars. He lives in Auburn, California.
