John and Ann Scarlett's 1956 Metropolitan

The Imp as it appeared when it was featured in Trend Book 175 Custom Cars 1959 Annual.

The Imp is a 1956 Metropolitan restyled by Wirth's Body Shop for John and Ann Scarlett of San Jose, California. John and Ann were a middle-age couple at the time. The Imp was fit with a cut down 1958 Buick grille. The grille was installed into a reshaped grille shell. The scoop on the hood was removed, and 1956 Chevrolet headlights were installed. To lower the car visually from the front, Bill Babb of Wirth's Body Shop dropped the hood a full five inches. After removing the scoop, three rows of louvers were added to accentuate a sporty touch. The decklid was cut and fitted with exterior-mounted hinges. To give greater length to the car, the rear fenders were extended and fit with 1956 Packard Clipper taillights. The front fender side moldings were cut before Joe Crisafulli applied a scallop paint job over a red base.

Magazine Features

Trend Book 175 Custom Cars 1959 Annual