Our other example stopped us in our tracks at the Grand National Roadster Show this year. Built by Utah's Bo Huff for owners Nick and Donna Phillips, the '55 Chevy convertible (this one started life as a sedan) is actually a clone of a Chevy Sam Barris built back in the '50s. It's not chopped or sectioned but looks plenty wild with vertical quad lights, a '56 Chrysler grille frame surrounding a custom grille, '56 Ford trim, fender skirts, a Continental kit, and '56 Chrysler taillights in extended quarters. Best of all, this old-school custom gets the benefits of updated technology like a modern 350 and air springs.
Full-on customs aren't for the faint of heart, and it helps to have good design sense-or a professional rendering. Then again, nothing says, "This is my Tri-five," quite like a custom Chevy you designed yourself.
Contemporary Radical CustomTry as we might, we can't all live in the past forever, so it's great to see designers like Chip Foose and owners like Christopher Titus who are willing to push Tri-five styling into the 21st century.
There are a couple of significant things worth pointing out on the Titus '56 Chevy, which was penned by Chip Foose, built by his well-known father, Sam, and featured back in our October '03 issue. First is the fact that, as radically restyled as it is, it's still immediately recognizable as a '56 Chevy. Foose didn't throw away all of the car's distinctive characteristics; he just streamlined and updated them. Another cool factor is that this is a phantom body style-Chevy never built a two-seat roadster in '56 (well, except for the Corvette). Here's the really sneaky part, though: this roadster actually has rear seats (albeit abbreviated ones) that are revealed when you remove the hard tonneau cover.
There are many other traits to like about this Chevy-the tasteful two-tone paint, the decklid trim reminiscent of a Nomad, and the thoroughly redesigned taillights that still fit in stock housings. The fact that Titus actually drives it is certainly cool, too. Perhaps what we like best, though, is the same thing we like about traditional-style customs-a willingness to reinterpret a car's design, not just accept it for what it is.
Gasser StyleTo be honest, we're a little hesitant to include straight-axle Chevys in our lineup. That's partially because the Gasser-style revival has been going on for a few years now, and who knows how soon the novelty will wear off. We're also inherently suspicious of jacked-up cars in general. (Remember the '70s? We do!) On the other hand, few cars wear the street Gasser badge as well as Tri-five Chevys.
Rex and Deby Marshall's metalflake red '55 is a particularly good example, partially because it's a survivor-it was built into a straight-axle car in the mid-'60s as some kid's high school project. It's got all the right stuff, too-tilt front end, Moon tank, fenderwell headers, Ansen and E-T five-spokes, Mickey Thompson slicks, even a period-correct Sprite can puke tank. Rex also built adapters to mount 409 valve covers on the 400-inch small block, just to add a little more old-school credibility. Black vinyl upholstery, '64 Impala bucket seats, and vintage J.C. Whitney headrests complete the look; just crank up the Credence Clearwater Revival and go.
Best of all, this car gets used (are you seeing a theme here?). Rex and Deby drove from Utah to California to participate in last year's Asphalt Ego-Rama and didn't flinch a bit when we hit rain en route to Arizona. A Richmond six-speed (one of few modern concessions) makes it a lot more roadworthy than you might think, and it'll still run 12.48 at 110 mph. Okay, we give in-what's not to like?