Kyle Smith wins over fans by customising Harley-Davidsons and cars with traditional American style paint art and pinstriping

IT’S an old traditional art form, but this Brookvale petrol head has turned his hobby of ‘pimping up’ his cars and bikes into a successful business — hand-painting them into works of art.

THINK ‘Ramone’ from the movie Cars — he’s the one who believes “the automotive body can be a vehicle for expression” — and you’re getting close to what Kyle Smith does for a living.

The 33-year-old from Freshwater is one of a handful of people in Sydney and possibly the only one on the northern beaches, who customises cars and bikes by painting them by hand.

He has a style inspired by American car artwork from the 1960s and ’70s, with a modern twist.

Kyle Smith in his custom paint workshop. Picture: Troy Snook

Harley-Davidsons are big business for Smith Concepts. Picture: Troy Snook

Now he has turned what was a hobby into a burgeoning business called Smith Concepts, in Brookvale, employing three others to help with the rising demand.

“My wife always explains what I do by saying, ‘Imagine the car Ramone from the movie Cars with the fancy paintwork’,” said Mr Smith, who formerly worked in signage and graphic design.

It comes as no surprise that Cars is a popular movie in the Smith house, especially for the youngest member, Kalani, 3.

Mr Smith’s style is also proving a hit with petrolheads who are willing to pay thousands.

A customised Harley-­Davidson with an intricate design, which can include gold leaf, can take more than 40 hours of work and cost up to $6000.

Smith Concepts staff (l-r) Tim Ossington, Kyle Smith, Tom McBeath, & Sheridan Swanson. Picture: Troy Snook

Ramone, from the movie Cars.

Kyle Smith’s son has his own set of wheels. Picture: Troy Snook

“Some (interstate) customers are even prepared to remove parts of their bike, box it up and send it to me,” Mr Smith said.

Around 75 per cent of his business involves motorbikes, mainly Harley-Davidsons, but he also customises cars as well as any type of helmet and even skateboards, which can cost around $200 for a basic job.

Mr Smith said he was self-taught perfecting his skills on his own vehicles.

Detail of custom artwork by Kyle Smith. Picture: Troy Snook

Kyle’s skill is self-taught and he used his own cars to perfect his artwork. Picture: Troy Snook

Each piece is custom-made ... there won’t be another one like it. Picture: Troy Snook

Skateboards cost about $200 Kyle’s custom artwork. Picture: Troy Snook