Trinity Handcrafted Custom Car Masterpiece
A one-of-one handcrafted concept car by master metalworker Joe Magliato, Trinity represents the culmination of seven years of uncompromising design and fabrication. Blending copper, stainless steel, and aluminum into a fully functional rolling sculpture, it stands as a singular expression of craftsmanship, engineering, and artistic vision—created without constraint and refined to the highest level of detail.
Its seven-year build process allowed for continuous refinement without constraint, resulting in a level of detail and execution that defines it as a true handcrafted masterpiece.
Design, Engineering & Build Highlights
One-of-one, hand built custom concept vehicle by Joe Magliato (Big Iron)
Constructed over a seven-year build period with no production constraints
Hand-fabricated bodywork utilizing copper, stainless steel, and aluminum
Finished in a hand-patinated copper and antiqued brass exterior treatment
Powered by a rebuilt small block Chevrolet Vortec 350 V8
Rebuilt 700R automatic transmission
Custom stainless-steel headers with hand-fabricated fluted side-exit exhaust
Rebuilt Jaguar-style independent rear suspension (1980s design)
Dual Aldan American shocks per side
Front suspension incorporates a 1936 Ford axle with friction shocks
Wilwood braking system with finned Corvette calipers
Hand-built custom steel chassis and integrated structural framework
Three-passenger configuration
Approximately 200 miles since completion (primarily transported to events)
Award-winning show vehicle with recognition at major concours and custom car events
Winner at the Los Angeles stop of the 2025 Hot Wheels Legends Tour
Trinity stands as a true concept car in the purest sense—an uncompromising, hand built expression of craftsmanship, vision, and time. Conceived and created by Joe Magliato, a professional blacksmith and coppersmith, the vehicle represents the full realization of his metalworking abilities across multiple disciplines.
More than simply a custom build, Trinity is the culmination of decades of experience and technique, brought together into a single cohesive form. Every surface, joint, and detail reflects Joe’s mastery across multiple materials, incorporating hand-fabricated elements in copper, stainless steel, and aluminum. The result is a vehicle that transcends traditional categories—part machine, part sculpture, and entirely unique.
Looking to take his craft even further, Joe envisioned Trinity as a modern interpretation of a Western stagecoach, building it entirely from the ground up. Beginning with a 1936 Ford front clip carrying the VIN used for registration, Joe hand-built a custom steel chassis and fabricated the remainder of the vehicle by hand, continually refining and evolving the design as it took shape.
Unlike builds constrained by deadlines or production expectations, Trinity was developed over the course of seven years. This extended timeline allowed Joe to work without compromise—carefully evaluating and refining every detail, ensuring that each element met his exacting standards before moving forward.
At its core, Trinity is exactly what its creator intended: a culmination of all his metalworking skills and blacksmithing techniques across various mediums. It reflects his ability to work seamlessly in stainless steel, aluminum, and copper—bringing together everything he has mastered into one uncompromising, fully realized vision.
Collector Significance
Few vehicles can genuinely be described as one-of-one in both concept and execution. Trinity is among that rare group—an entirely handcrafted creation that exists outside the boundaries of traditional automotive design.
Its combination of functional engineering, award-winning presence, and sculptural craftsmanship places it in a category more aligned with coach built or commissioned works than conventional custom builds. The seven-year development process, combined with its unique material composition and unmistakable visual identity, ensures that no comparable example exists.
For the collector seeking something beyond the expected—where engineering, artistry, and individuality converge—Trinity represents an opportunity to acquire a piece that is as much a work of art as it is a machine.
Technical & Title Details
Built utilizing a 1936 Ford front clip with VIN-based California registration
Hand-built custom steel chassis and structural framework
Titled and registered in the state of California as a 1936 Ford
