Jim Musick's 1950 Chevrolet

A photo of Jim's Chevrolet in front of Gene Winfield's 1950 Mercury

Jim's Chevrolet as it appeared when it was featured in Rod & Custom March 1954.

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1950 Chevrolet Bel Air restyled by Winfield's Custom Shop in the early fifties for Jim Musick of Modesto, California. Gene Winfield and his crews nosed and decked the car. All of the unnecessary chrome were removed for a cleaner appearance, including all the chrome moldings, ornament and emblems. Removal of the side trim caused the car to appear shorter than it really was, to a hand formed contour line was added to the front fender. The doors handles were removed, and the push buttons were located in the tips of the spotlights. The hood and front fenders were peaked and the headlights were frenched by using 1953 Chevrolet headlight rims. The grille opening was reworked similar to an Oldsmobile grille shell, he welded the top grille bar to the hood, and shaped the sides with parts he found laying around in the shop. He fit the opening with a floating grille made from a late Willys top bar that he cut in half, sectioning it two inches and mounted it upside down, making the W to a M, which stood for Jim's last name. The top piece of the grille was from a late model International truck grille bar, shortened two and a half inch. The lower corners of the hood were rounded.

The two-piece windshield was replaced by a Olds one-piece. Scoops were made in front of the rear wheel openings, cooling down the rear brakes. The rear bumper was replaced by a 1953 Oldsmobile unit, mounted lower that it would originally be, making the car appear lower than it actually was. Both bumpers were cleaned for license and bumper guards, making the overall of this car a real slick custom. New taillights were mounted vertical and frenched into the body by using 1953 Studebaker lenses. The gas filler pipe was concealed behind the license plate in keeping with the latest development of the time. The plate folded out with the help of a Ford bracket.

The exhaust pipes were routed through the bumper due to the low ground clearance. Jim wanted is as low as possible, so Gene added 4 inch lowering blocks, Jim wasn't happy, so Gene de-arched the springs. Though the car by then hit bottom at the slightest provocation, Jim still wanted it lower. In desperation, Gene tore the trunk flooring from the Chevy and built a ten inch kick-up on the frame. The drive shaft tunnel had to be raised, and the inner wheel wells had to be heightened. The front was lowered by reworking the lower A frames and raising the upper spindle arm, dropping the nose 4 inches. Once the bodywork was done, it was painted flat pink with a black top. The stock upholstery was stripped, and replaced with leatherette of antique white and pink. 1953 Studebaker hubcaps on wide whitewalls wrapped up the style.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Rod & Custom March 1954