Bernardo Auto Body Customs

Jim and George Bernardo's 1948 GMC pickup. Once completed, the truck took first prize in the radical custom truck class at the Hot Rod & Custom Car World's Fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts. It was featured on the cover of Custom Rodder February 1960, and the feature story described the Bernardo Brothers truck as one of the smartest pickups in the country.

Johnny Dell's 1951 Mercury was restyled by Jim and George.

Richard Piscatelli's 1954 Mercury of West Haven, Connecticut. Richard's Merc was restyled by Bernardo Auto Body circia 1959-1960.

An ad for Bernardo Auto Body from the 1961 Hartford Autorama Souvenir Pictorial.

Phil Rapuano's 1954 Ford of Hamden, Connecticut. Phil's Ford was restyled by Bernardo Auto Body.

Gary Broccoli's 1955 Mercury Monterey of West Haven, Connecticut. Gary's Mercury was restyled by Bernardo Auto Body.

Peter Chiraluce's 1956 Ford Victoria of West Haven, Connecticut. Peter's Ford was restyled by Bernardo Auto Body.

Tom McHugh's 1957 Plymouth two door sedan of Norwalk, Connecticut. Tom's Plymouth was restyled by Bernardo Auto Body in the late 1950s or the early 1960s.

Jim and George Bernardo's 1957 Plymouth convertible of Milford, Connecticut. Jim and George ran Bernardo Auto Body in Milford, and they were specialists in unique finishes such as Metalic, Candy, Pearl and Metalflake. Their Plymouth was completed early in 1961, making its debut at the 1961 Hartford Autorama. It featured a Silver Metalflake paint job, making it one of the first Metalflaked cars.

Bob Croatti's 1959 Ford Thunderbird of Milford, Connecticut. Bob's Thunderbird was restyled by Bernardo Auto Body. The build was completed in 1961, and it made its debut at the 1961 Hartford Autorama.

This 1962 Studebaker Hawk GT was supposedly restyled by "Beansie" in the late 1970s. In July of 2017 it was advertised for sale on Craigslist. At the time it was located in Fairfield/Vacaville and the asking price was $18 500 USD.

Bernardo Auto Body of Milford, Connecticut was run and operated by Jim and George Bernardo. In 1961 The Bernardo Brothers had 7 cars displayed at the Hartford Autorama. At the time their shop was located at 215 Naugatuck Avenue. According an ad they ran in the souvenir pictorial for the show, they were specialists in unique finished such as Metalic, Candy, Pearl and Metalflake.

Cars Restyled by Bernardo Auto Body Customs

Jim and George Bernardo's 1948 GMC Pickup
Johnny Dell's 1951 Mercury
Phil Rapuano's 1954 Ford
Richard Piscatelli's 1954 Mercury
Gary Broccoli's 1955 Mercury Monterey
Peter Chiraluce's 1956 Ford Victoria
Jim DeSalle's 1957 Oldsmobile Convertible
Jim and George Bernardo's 1957 Plymouth Convertible
Tom McHugh's 1957 Plymouth Two Door Sedan
Bob Croatti's 1959 Ford Thundrbird