Newcastle Tutors Come To You

Newcastle, California is not a famous or well-known city—in fact, it’s not even a city at all! It’s an unincorporated community located in northern California not too far from the capital of Sacramento. Similarly, Joe Bailon is not a famous or well-known figure in popular culture. But, there is a good chance you are familiar with his unique invention: the paint color referred to as Candy Apple red. Bailon was born in Newcastle, and though he maintains the same sort of obscurity that surrounds the community, he has made major contributions to the automobile industry with his special color.

Bailon, now in his nineties, spent his life as a car customizer. In the early days of the automobile and during post-war mass production, customization was a sign of status and popularity for many people, especially celebrities. Bailon worked on cars for Sammy Davis, Jr., Zsa Zsa Gabor, Dean Martin, and others. He was also responsible for the design of the iconic Olds Tornado car of the Pink Panther movies in the 1960s. As a result of his work in car customization, he was inducted in the National Rod and Custom Museum Hall of Fame.

Bailon is credited for developing a distinct shade of red—Candy Apple—known for its bright tone and glossy finish, closely resembling the appearance of a candied apple. This eventually resulted in the creation of other candy shades, with metallic base coats topped with transparent color coats and a final clear coat.

This contribution to the world of automobile customization lead to an award named after him: the Joe Bailon Elegance Award, given to other car customizers for the appearance of their paint job, interior design, engine design, and suspension by the San Francisco Rod, Custom and Motorcycle Show. The award features a Candy Red Apple, hand painted by Bailon himself every year for the winner.

Candy Apple red, as a shade, has gone on to appear in other products besides automobile paint. Nail varnish, appliance finishes, and even clothing new features the shade thanks to Joe Bailon’s work developing and naming the color a few decades ago. We may not think much about people like Joe Bailon when we go about picking a nail color or a new tshirt, but we are drawn regardless to the bright, cheery appearance of Candy Apple red, or any other candy shades on the color spectrum.

Bailon now lives in Auburn, California, close to his hometown of Newcastle. Tutors that work with clients in Newcastle do not need to go so far as to invent new methods of teaching, nor do students need to things so far beyond the scope of an assignment they encounter new sets of problems. But, they can take a cue from Bailon by working creatively, not expecting much fame from their work, but enjoying the recognition that comes when success is achieved.