Dick's Paint & Body Studio

An early business card for Dick's Paint Studio, located at 1905 E. Alondra Blvd., Compton, California. Specializing in scallops, flames, paneling, striping, and boat painting, this card dates back to the 1950s when Dick Jackson was establishing his name as a skilled painter and customizer. According to Karen, Dick likely had his iconic crest logo designed sometime after this card was printed, a mark that would stay with him throughout his lifelong career in custom paint and restoration. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

Dick gave Ron Dragoo's 1954 Mercury a maroon and silver scallop paint job in the mid 1950s. It was Dick who originally owned and built the Merc. Ron spotted it during the build, and decided that he just had to have it. Sometime after Ron purchased the Merc from Dick, he had Dick repaint the car for him. Ron told Bill Layman that he took the car to Dick and gave him a free hand as to the color. There was no discussion about doing the scallops, so when he picked it up he was surprised and shocked to see that Dick had added the scallops. He wasn't very happy at first, but learned to like them after a while. Photo from The Ron Dragoo Photo Collection, provided by Bill Layman.

Bud Campbell's 1955 Plymouth Sport Coupe

Buddy Alcorn's 1950 Mercury was originally restyled by the Ayala Brothers at Gil's Auto Body Works for an undisclosed owner in 1952. Buddy Alcorn of Dominguez, California acquired the car in 1955 and promptly took it to Barris Kustoms for further enhancements. 1957 marked another pivotal moment for the Merc when Buddy traded it for Dick Jackson's 1957 Ford. Jackson, who ran Advanced Custom Paints in Compton, California, infused new life into the Merc with a two-tone paint scheme, pinstriping, dual spotlights, and Oldsmobile Fiesta hubcaps.

Dick Jackson's 1958 Ford Thunderbird was restyled in 1958. The car was later sold to Calvin Wiekamp.

Jim Cirivello's 1959 Chevrolet

Ken Leake's 1959 Chevrolet Impala

A business card for Dick's Paint and Body Studio in Compton, California. After leaving Barris Kustoms following the 1957 fire, Dick opened his own body and custom car shop at 15715 Atlantic Avenue. Like many former Barris employees, Dick continued to work long hours, sometimes helping at other shops during the day and customizing cars at night. Sadly, his Compton shop was burned down in 1967 as the area became increasingly plagued by gang activity. Photo courtesy of Karen Jackson.

A newspaper ad and photo of Dick's Yamaha dealership, Custom City Sports Center, located at 15721 South Atlantic Avenue in Compton, California. After running his custom and body shop, Dick expanded his business ventures by opening the sports center, where he sold and serviced motorcycles, trophies, and custom-lettered apparel. The shop also catered to car enthusiasts, advertising “Buy – Sell – Trade” for custom and antique cars. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

A business card for Carriage Auto Restoration and Dick's Paint & Body Studio in Carson City, Nevada. Using his familiar crest logo, Dick continued offering award-winning restorations, custom cars, and street rods while based in Nevada. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

A business card for Dick's Paint & Body Studio in Paso Robles, California. After moving to Paso Robles in 1992–1993, Dick revived the name of his original Compton shop, once again operating under the Dick's Paint & Body Studio banner for roughly nine years. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

A business card for Dick's Paint & Body Studio in Sutter Creek, California. After nearly a decade in Paso Robles, Dick and Karen moved north to Sutter Creek, in California’s historic 1849 Gold Country, where they lived for two years. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

A business card for Dick's Paint & Body Studio in Tehachapi, California. After moving to Sutter Creek for two years, Dick returned to Paso Robles for another two, before he and Karen eventually settled in Tehachapi, where Dick continued working under Dick's Paint & Body Studio name established in 1957, staying true to his lifelong passion for craftsmanship and kustom culture. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

A photo of Dick Jackson with Mox Miller's 1958 Chevrolet Impala taken in his garage in October of 2010. Purchased new by Miller, the car was transformed into a semi-custom showstopper with a breathtaking panel paint job by Dick, accentuated by outline striping from Dennis Ricklefs. Since its completion in 1962, the Impala has never been started or driven in its current configuration. It was meticulously hand-pushed in and out of car shows to maintain its pristine condition—an incredible testament to the era’s custom car culture and craftsmanship. Dick had the car in for some repair before it was shown at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

Dick Jackson's iconic Dick's Paint & Body Studio logo, originally designed by legendary striper and artist Tom Kelly. This large hand-painted version, measuring 3 ft 8 in high and 2 ft 7 in across, was later recreated by Dave Whittle and proudly displayed in Dick’s garage. The crest first appeared in the 1950s and remained a lasting symbol of Dick’s craftsmanship, creativity, and lifelong dedication to custom paint and restoration. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

Advanced Custom Paints was run by Dick Jackson in Compton, California.

Cars Restyled by Advanced Custom Paints

Buddy Alcorn's 1950 Mercury
Ron Dragoo's 1954 Mercury Monterey
James Langston's 1955 Chevrolet
Bud Campbell's 1955 Plymouth Sport Coupe
Dick Jackson's 1957 Ford
Mox Miller's 1958 Chevrolet Impala
Dick Jackson's 1958 Ford Thunderbird
Jim Cirivello's 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Ken Leake's 1959 Chevrolet Impala