Bruce Schwartz' 1958 Chevrolet
1958 Chevrolet Bel Air owned by Embers member Bruce Schwartz of Los Angeles, California. Bruce bought the car as a stocker in 1959. It was silver blue and powered by an inline 6 when he got it. Bruce used to race the car at Lions, and the Bel Air was actually Bruce's introduction to drag racing. About the same time as he bought the car, Bruce met Joe Andersen of Joe Andersen's Custom Shop. Bruce was impressed by Joe's paint jobs, and went to work for Joe at his shop. Bruce's first Andersen paint job on the Bel Air was Pearl Ice Blue. Before painting the car, the door handles were shaved, and dual spotlights were installed. Electric hidden buttons were used to operate the shaved doors.[1]
Not too long after the car was painted Pearl Ice Blue, Bruce and Joe added candy blue paneling and pinstriping to the car. This version was shaved for emblems as well. As time went by the car was further restyled by changing the taillights, replacing the stock grille with a 1960 Oldsmobile grille and lowering the car. Inside, it was fit with a custom made white tuck and roll upholstery. A matching upholstery was installed in the trunk as well. As a bonus for his effort at the shop, Joe bought Bruce a set of chromed wheels.[1]
By 1964 Bruce's Bel Air had received another paint job by Joe Andersen. The car was now blue with pinstriped panels and some darker blue fadeaway paint. As time went by, Bruce became more interested in drag racing and went to work as a crewman on a fuel dragster. Other crew positions on other dragsters followed, and he lost interest in the show car scene. He sold his Bel Air to a guy named Jack Shishido of Gardena, California, and eventually lost track of the car. When Bruce sold the car it had received yet another Andersen paint job, and it was painted pearl blue with a candy blue metalflake top when Jack bought it. This version did also have dual frenched in antennas.[1]
References
Did you enjoy this article?
Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world.
- Help us keep history alive. For as little as 2.99 USD a month you can become a monthly supporter. Click here to learn more.
- Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive regular updates and stories from Kustomrama.
- Do you know someone who would enjoy this article? Click here to forward it.
Can you help us make this article better?
Please get in touch with us at mail@kustomrama.com if you have additional information or photos to share about Bruce Schwartz' 1958 Chevrolet.
This article was made possible by:
SunTec Auto Glass - Auto Glass Services on Vintage and Classic Cars
Finding a replacement windshield, back or side glass can be a difficult task when restoring your vintage or custom classic car. It doesn't have to be though now with auto glass specialist companies like www.suntecautoglass.com. They can source OEM or OEM-equivalent glass for older makes/models; which will ensure a proper fit every time. Check them out for more details!
Do you want to see your company here? Click here for more info about how you can advertise your business on Kustomrama.