Carol Lewis' 1956 Chevrolet

The first version of Carol's Chevrolet. Notice that it's still not nosed, and that it features the stock grille and Buick hubcaps. The flames on the hood are different as well, as they don't have the red and yellow part applied yet.

A photo of Carol's Chevrolet taken by George Barris at Lynwood City Hall. Photo by George Barris.

A photo of Carol's Chevrolet taken in front of the Barris Kustoms Lynwood shop. Developed in June of 1957, the photo was taken before the tragic shop fire that took place December 7, 1957. Photo from The George Contaoi Photo Collection.

Notice the flamed top, and additional flames on hood and fender tops.

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1956 Chevrolet Bel Air restyled by Barris Kustoms for Carol Lewis of Baldwin Hills, California. Carol was Dean Jeffries High School Sweetheart, so Dean gave her car a makeover. The stock white car was applied with black flames, tipped with gold. First, it was neither nosed or decked, so it featured solid flames. Later when the chrome on deck lid and hood was removed, red and yellow flames within the black livened things up even more. The first version did neither have the top flamed, nor red and yellow flames on the fender tops. After it received it's new flamejob, the grille section was restyled by removing every other vertical and horizontal bar, and adding expanded metal. Gold inserts were installed between the trim strips, made of Naugahyde! Inside centers of the Buick hubcaps were treated with an anodized dye to give novel effect. Later, it was fit with Oldsmobile Fiesta hubcaps. Inside, Dean striped the dashboard, package tray etc, upholstery was kept stock, but who would notice? Even the engine compartment got striped, radiator, tank, regulator, air cleaner, everything! Lakes pipes and dual spotlights wrapped up the style.

Magazine Features

Dig March 1957
Car Craft May 1957
Trend Book 143 Restyle Your Car