Bill Layman's 1954 Chevrolet

A photo of the Chevrolet next to Fred Rowe's 1951 Mercury. An old Barris Kustom that Bill bought and restored right after the Chevrolet was completed. Photo courtesy of Bill Layman.

The Chevrolet was featured on the cover of Rod & Custom February 1991, along with the restored version of Fred Rowe's 1951 Mercury.

Photo courtesy of Bill Layman.

Photo courtesy of Bill Layman.

Photo courtesy of Bill Layman.

Late in 2021 Richard Burch sold the car to Lou Kriger. According to Lou, he had to convince Richard and his wife Dottie that he would take good care of the car and keep it unchanged. "I’ve brought it from Alabama to Crescent, Pennsylvania, only miles from where it was built in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania," Lou told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in November of 2021. "Bill and Art’s craftsmanship has withstood the test of time and my plan is to show it again, as I feel Kustoms are meant to be shared with other enthusiasts." Lou told Kustomrama that it had been at least twenty years since he had seen the car at the Pittsburgh World of Wheels. Photo courtesy of Lou Kriger.

Photo courtesy of Lou Kriger.

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1954 Chevrolet Bel Air owned and restyled by Bill Layman of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Bill patterned his Chevrolet after Duane Steck's 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air, better known as the Moonglow. It was not built as a clone, but rather a tribute build, looking like the first version finished in a bright, almost candy blue paint job almost like the final version. All work was metal finished and leaded where needed. The work was done in Bill's two car garage with the help of his close friend Art Klos. Art performed the body and paint work on the car. The build was completed in 1988.

Bill sold the Chevrolet in 1997. In 2014 it had changed hands four times, and it was currently owned by Richard Burch from Eclectic, Alabama. Richard purchased the car in 2004.

Back to Pennsylvania

Late in 2021 Richard Burch sold the car to Lou Kriger. According to Lou, he had to convince Richard and his wife Dottie that he would take good care of the car and keep it unchanged. "I’ve brought it from Alabama to Crescent, Pennsylvania, only miles from where it was built in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania," Lou told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in November of 2021. "Bill and Art’s craftsmanship has withstood the test of time and my plan is to show it again, as I feel Kustoms are meant to be shared with other enthusiasts." Lou told Kustomrama that it had been at least twenty years since he had seen the car at the Pittsburgh World of Wheels.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Rod & Custom February 1991