Joe Boccuzzi's 1949 Chevrolet

"Bocuzzi's Cars Win Trophies" - May 17, 1959 the Sunday Herald ran a story on Boccuzzi and his award winning Chevy. Scan courtesy of Lisa Monahagan.

Sab's mother, Tony Sabia, Joe Boccuzzi & Red Farrington

Gary Grippo

A photo of the car dated November 1963. This was a photo that Joe's daughter Lisa came across. According to Joe's cousin, Mark, the Chevrolet was hit by a drunk driver, and it ended up in a junkyard. Photo courtesy of Lisa Monaghan.

1949 Chevrolet Convertible owned and restyled by Black Road Auto Club member Joe Boccuzzi of Stamford, Connecticut.

"Midnight Joe"

In 2018 Joe's cousin Mark told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that Joe was known as "Midnight Joe," as he always was working on cars through the night. The Chevrolet was restyled by chopping the top three inches. The headlights were frenched and it featured a 1954 Chevrolet grille with added bars.

Impala Powerplant

Power came from a 1958 Chevrolet Impala engine that Bocuzzi had installed. The engine ran three carburetors and a Mallory ignition. It ran a 1957 Chevrolet transmission and differential, a stick shift with Thunderbird linkage, Traction Master torque bars, and 14-inch wheels.

Green Cadillac Paint

Once the bodywork was completed, Joe laid down 20 coats of hand-rubbed green Cadillac paint. It was dressed up with 94-inch lake plugs, leather upholstery, red wheels, and a Corvette steering wheel.

Bocuzzi's Cars Win Trophies

May 17, 1959 the Sunday Herald ran a story on Boccuzzi, announcing that "Bocuzzi's Cars Win Trophies." Boccuzzi was 20 years old at the time, and according to the story, he was the only member of any area club that had won trophies in competitions. He had won one for customizing and one for the best time in its class at the West Hampton Raceway, West Hampton, Long Island, New York.

Junked

According to Joe's cousin, Mark, the Chevrolet was hit by a drunk driver, and it ended up in a junkyard. Ray Soff's buddy Ron Franko tried to buy the car. "It was on the side of the house," Ray told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in April of 2021. "He took photos of it, but he never could find them."