Dick Ward's 1949 Chevrolet
1949 Chevrolet originally restyled by Dick's Body Shop for Long Beach Renegades member Dick Ward of Long Beach, California. The headlights were frenched and the body was de-chromed, except for the Pontiac side trim which was installed. All the body seams were filled to give it a cleaner appearance. The car featured a floating grille bar from a 1952 Oldsmobile mounted by using two steel straps. A later Merc grille shell was molded into the louvered hood to create a smooth surround for the grille bar. In the rear, the stock taillight openings were filled in and taillights were incorporated into the bumper guards. The interior was upholstered by Gaylord's Upholstery Shop in green and white Naugahyde.
When the car was shown at the 1958 Renegades Rod & Custom Motorama, it was owned by fellow Long Beach Renegades member Harold Johnson of Long Beach, California. By then it was powered by a bigger 1955 Chevrolet 235 inline six engine. Accessories such as lakes pipes and Dodge Lancer hubcaps were installed as well, [1] and the body was painted in a mother of pearl nitro lacquer by Harold. Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style painted candy green scallops tipped in root beer on the car using Harold's pearl as under base. The scallops were pinstriped in black by Larry as well.[2] In the souvenir program for the 1958 Renegades Rod & Custom Motorama the car was presented as a 1950 Chevrolet.
Magazine Features
Car Craft April 1954
Car Craft November 1954
Trend Book 116 Custom Cars 1955 Annual
Custom Cars August 1958
Car Craft February 1959
References
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