55 Chevy Cameo

[The Modeling Hermit]

Some of you that frequent other boards may have seen this in the past, but I felt like showing it anyway. I call this a catalog custom, because I used a 1959 J.C. Whitney catalog to replicate a truck that somebody from that era could have built, using parts from that book. It might not be to many of today's viewer's taste, but at that time, it was at the height of style. It's loaded with spinner hubcaps, fender skirts, fog lights, spot lights, bed rails, bed cover, lake pipes, and has had curb feelers added after the picture was taken.

The pictures were taken with a film style camera, and I didn't realize until after I had the truck constructed that the interior pictures didn't turn out, but inside it has bucket seats, console, tissue dispenser, and a record player (known to most people as a record destroyer).

People actually did dress they're vehicles up like that. Actually, I have to admit that I kind of like it, as long as they didn't get carried away. I remember a 55 or 56 Buick the the owner went so far as to put on a huge horse hood ornament with a lighted nose. That was over the top, even for me.

[The Modeling Hermit]

Beautiful! You need a digital camera, I'd love to see some interior, engine and chassis pics!

I now have a digital camera, but at the time that I built this, I was still a "prisoner" of film.

[DRG]

Now that looks like a truck I would have built up back in the sixties.

I still have the JC Whitney cat. somewhere around here.

[mikemodeler]

I remember looking thru the JC Whitney catalog as a kid and asking my Dad to buy stuff for the family station wagon. Today many of those parts would be considered tacky but back in the day, it was the thing to do!

I would say that you have captured the style and essence of the day with the build. Living in the South, I occasionly see some older pickup trucks that have been "customized" like the one you built. Nice job, now you need to build the companion car to go with the truck.

[Sixties Sam]

Great concept! You have created a piece of car culture history. How about a shot in front of a house with pink plastic flamingos in the yard?!

Sam

[ChrisPflug]

I remember that even through the 70s the JC Whitney catalog had a whole page devoted to nothing but hood ornaments

[Modlbldr]

That looks good. Two questions? Does it have a "Necker Knob" on the steering wheel and where did you get the wheel covers?

Later-

[ewaskew]

Your idea is right on.

As for today's taste,it is what it is,a reminder of the past very well done.

[bsoder]

Well I think you nailed the look you were after perfectly!...way cool cameo

[walt francis]

Super Job and that was every kids dream book.

[Foxer]

First, Douglas ,, that is right on! Perfect JC custom!!!

Now, my first car, a '51 Plymouth, got a set of Mag HUBCAPS from " the Catalog". .. soo cool! Also a set of mostly black seat covers as I painted over the painted wood dash with black and sprayed black fabric dye on everything else inside. Oh, installed a set of RED seatbelts for safety!

What else was a kid with no means to do but JC Whitney?

[The Modeling Hermit]

Thanks for the compliments everybody. Tom, I'm not sure what the hubcaps came from as there were just from the parts bins. They closely resemble what Whitney advertised as 57 Dodge wheel covers. It does have the knob on the steering wheel, what in my area was referred to as a suicide knob, because they often became entangled on ones cloths during turning maneuvers.

[charlie8575]

Looks great! I love the color and the accessories are just right...enough without over-doing it.

Charlie Larkin

[Guest Johnny]

Great retro build! Really take me back!

Grandpa dresed up his 54 Ford Victoria like that. There were also a couple of businesses (Brown's TV Repair, and a Paint Store) that dressed up their panel trucks that way! All from JC Whitney's catalog!

Hey! Don't forget the static straps!!!

[torinobradley]

I remember that even through the 70s the JC Whitney catalog had a whole page devoted to nothing but hood ornaments

And I remember a Ford truck driving around here with every darn one of them on it... It even had a fenced in coral for all the little metal horses.

[Bernard Kron]

Cool, man! Model kits from that period contained a ton of that stuff precisely because it's was in style! Great idea well executed!

[Guest madazzskilzkustumz]

My dad says it looks like it drove thru JCWitney with a magnet! I Like it Thanks JIMMY!