Bengt-Olof Johansson's 1955 Chevrolet Custom

The story from the owner and builder:

The story of Bengt-Olof Johansson's Custom Cheva!

Originally, this two-door hard top belonged to the American embassy in Stockholm. In 1964, my brother bought it for SEK 800, drove it home to Småland in the middle of winter on shiny summer tires.
Outside Norrköping on Riksettan, he slipped and then drove off the road. Once home, he restored it to its original condition and drove it for about a year.
In 1965, my friend Ingemar and I bought it from my brother for SEK 1,700. In 1966 I was at Marmorhallarna in Stockholm at a car show and got very inspired,
At that time there were hardly any convertibles in Sweden and I wanted that!
And with the great help of my brother Anders, I started building my convertible-custom dream in 1967! Every spare moment was spent in the workshop.
We bought a completely rusted cab-55, where we used the cab stand and the cross frame. Three years later it was ready!

Some facts:

• Compressor-fed tuned Chevrolet engine.
• Mustang disc brakes front.
• Dual four-port carburetor.
• Electric opening of suitcase, fuel hatch, doors, convertible and window lifts.
• Bar in the back seat with electric drain.
• Recessed steering wheel.
• Power brakes and power steering.
• Varnished 20 times with sand-colored metallic flake.
• Special interior at the back made by a car saddle maker.
• Full-coverage carpets and the inside are covered with black and white cowhide.
• Walking / jumping turn signals at the rear, which were built by a windshield wiper motor.
• Automatic antenna winding when the radio is on.
• Keystone rims were purchased at Rogers Custom in Gothenburg, the same rims are still on the car today.
  

In 1973 I replaced the supercharged engine with an Oldsmobile 455 engine with associated TH400 gearbox + diffed 12 bolted rear axle. The package had only traveled 750 km, and is still in the car today.

Over the years, I have repainted it several times, candy red, yellow metallic, but for the past 30 years it has been red in different shades.

In 2012, I switched to rack and pinion steering with disc brakes, new intake, new carburetor, aluminum radiator and a few other goodies. Runs like a clock!