Junior's House of Color

Ron Dulin's 1956 Plymouth Fury of Long Beach, California. Dulin was a member of the Cut Outs of Long Beach car club, and his Plymouth went through seven iterations between 1956 and 1962. This photo shows the car as it appeared circa 1960, after Junior Conway had given it a Candy Tangerine paint job.

Garret Greydanus' 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air being worked on at Junior's shop. Garret's Chevrolet was customized by Ed Schelhaas before Junior and his crew gave it a beautiful paint job. The spectacular build did also feature hydraulic lifts by Ron and Lou Aguirre. Photos taken February 19, 1961, at the 1961 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona shows it running the lifts, making it one of the first hydraulic lifted cars after Jim Logue's 1954 Ford and Ron Aguirre's X-Sonic. Photo from The Junior Conway Photo Collection.

Teddy Z and Steve Hill working on Teddy Zgrzemski's 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air. The photo, taken at Junior Conway's shop on Lakewood Blvd, captures Teddy in the driver's seat with Steve working on the front. Steve Hill's 1940 Ford can be seen in the background. As Teddy recalled, "Larry Watson was in the front building," with Paul's Kustom Interiors next door and Howard's Boats nearby. "Junior was across from Howard's, and across from Larry was Gene's Muffler Shop. It was a commercial complex. Great days!" Photo from The Steve Hill Collection.

Danny Dingillo's 1958 Chevrolet Impala and Phil Curry's 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air. Both cars were painted at Junior's shop, and the photo was taken right after they had been painted. Photo from The Junior Conway Photo Collection.

A photo of Danny Dingillo with his 1958 Chevrolet Impala taken during a Rod & Custom Magazine photo shoot. Another photo from the same session appeared on the cover of Rod & Custom August 1964. Danny's Impala boasted a brilliant Candy Apple Red finish, expertly laid down by Junior Conway. Posing proudly in front of the fire station in Downey, California, this Impala's deep red paint gleams, perfectly complementing the fire engines in the background. Gordon Dudley worked with Danny at the Los Angeles Fire Department. In 2024, Gordon told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that a little-known secret about the photos is that underneath the towel, Danny is hiding a primer spot. "Danny had entered the car in a custom show at the Long Beach Arena prior to the photo shoot, and a motorcycle that was displayed next to his car fell over and damaged the paint." Photo courtesy of Danny Dingillo, provided by Gordon Dudley.

Phil Curry's 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air

Pat Ward's 1961 Chevrolet Corvette, of Inglewood, California was painted by Junior Conway of Junior's House of Color.

Steve Scott's Uncertain-T of Reseda, California. Built by Steve in a small family garage, the build was started in 1960 and completed in 1965. He was 17 years when he started the build. The inspiration came from a cartoon that a friend had made in class. In 1964 Junior painted the first version of "The Uncertain-T" in a gorgeous Metalflake Tangerine Orange.

Junior's House of Color was a renowned automotive paint shop based in Southern California, founded by Hersh "Junior" Conway. Known for pioneering custom car painting techniques and producing flawless, high-quality work, Junior’s House of Color played an influential role in the custom car and Kustom Kulture movements.

Early Career at Barris Kustoms

Junior started his career at the legendary Barris Kustoms shop in Lynwood during Easter of 1955, working under George Barris, an iconic figure in custom car scene. Junior quickly developed a reputation for his expertise in custom paint and bodywork, gaining valuable experience that would later define his career. Barris Kustoms was known for pushing the boundaries of custom design, and Junior’s time there was formative in shaping his own vision.

Founding of Junior's House of Color

In late 1961, George Barris relocated Barris Kustoms to Hollywood. Junior decided to take this opportunity to venture out on his own. Teaming up with Jesse Lopez, the two found a small building in South Gate, near Eastern Avenue and Garfield Avenue, and set up shop. Jesse arranged a phone line and coined the business name "House of Color." The first shop was a small space with room for just two cars. Despite its modest size, Junior's shop quickly gained a reputation for quality and innovation. One of Junior’s first projects was restoring a Model A Roadster. During this time, he worked closely with his friend Jesse Lopez, experimenting extensively with candy colors, which were becoming popular in Southern California during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Candy paint, with its rich and vibrant hues, became a hallmark of Junior's work, and many of the cars that rolled out of his shop during this period were finished in candy shades. These paints, with their deep, layered colors, became a defining characteristic of Junior's House of Color. After a few months in operation, Jesse left the partnership, leaving Junior as the sole proprietor. Junior subsequently renamed the business to Junior's House of Color.

Growth and Relocation

Junior's House of Color became well-regarded in the custom car community, attracting clients from across the region. Over the years, Junior moved his business several times to accommodate growth and changing demands. After the initial location on Eastern Avenue, Junior relocated to Lakewood Boulevard in Bellflower, situating himself near another prominent figure in custom car painting, Larry Watson.

According to Teddy Zgrzemski, this area was a hub of custom car activity. Describing the vibrant community, Zgrzemski recalled that Larry Watson operated out of a front building, with Paul's Kustom Interiors and Howard's Boats nearby, creating a bustling commercial complex for custom car professionals and enthusiasts. Across from Howard's Boats was Junior's House of Color, with Gene's Muffler Shop opposite Larry’s business—a testament to the collaborative spirit and shared passion that characterized these "great days" of Kustom Kulture.

Celebrity Clients and Hollywood Work

During the 1960s, Junior also attracted a celebrity clientele, which included prominent figures such as Steve McQueen, the Smothers Brothers, Bill Cosby, and Ann-Margret. Although these projects highlighted the prestige of Junior's work, he found working for celebrities challenging, as they often relied on their names for preferential treatment. Preferring to avoid Hollywood’s influence, Junior made efforts to steer his business away from that scene whenever possible, choosing instead to focus on clients who shared his respect for quality craftsmanship.

Shift to High-End Restoration Work

As the custom car scene evolved in the late 1960s, Junior shifted his focus toward restoring high-end cars, a move driven by both his commitment to flawless workmanship and the higher earnings potential compared to custom work. Junior always aimed to deliver impeccable results, but many custom car enthusiasts struggled to afford this level of quality. By focusing on high-end restorations, Junior could continue to uphold his standards. During this period, he occasionally worked with Jesse Lopez, and if projects required extensive lead work, he hired Bill Hines, a respected figure in custom car metalwork, to assist.

Legacy

In 2013, Junior remained dedicated to his craft, working long hours each week, a testament to his passion for automotive art and his commitment to excellence. His shop, Junior's House of Color, became a significant name in the custom car world, representing the high standards and innovation that characterized Southern California's Kustom Kulture scene. Junior’s contributions to automotive painting, particularly in the use of candy colors and his commitment to detail, left a lasting legacy, and his shop became an enduring part of American custom car history.

Employees

Jesse Lopez
Paul Kleiter
Peter Limpert

Cars Restyled or Painted at Junior's House of Color

Steve Scott's Uncertain-T
Garret Greydanus' 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air
Ron Dulin's 1956 Plymouth Fury
Phil Curry's 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air
Danny Dingillo's 1958 Chevrolet Impala
Pat Ward's 1961 Chevrolet Corvette
Ronnie Maffi's 1962 Chevrolet Corvette
Larry Sturchio's 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix