Leif Helander's 1955 Chevrolet

The car as it sat when Leif bought it in 1965. Photo courtesy of Leif Helander.

Leif's Chevy at the 1967 Hot Rod Show. Photo from Aspes Nostalgi & Racebilder.

Photo from Aspes Nostalgi & Racebilder.

Photo by Kåre Söderholm.

Photo courtesy of Hans Hammarberg.

A photo of the Golden Illusion taken in 1969, after Leif had won awards for best car, best paint and best interior at the Hot Rod Show in Stockholm. Photo courtesy of Lei Helander.

Photo courtesy of Leif Helander.

Leif's Chevrolet featured a stereo sound system, a Mignon record player, an 8 track player and a Sony TV. Photo courtesy of Leif Helander.

A photo of the Golden Illusion taken during a vacation. Photo courtesy of Leif Helander.

The sign Leif displayed next to the car at the 1969 Hot Rod Show. Photo courtesy of Leif Helander.

Leif's Chevrolet as it appeared in 1970.

Photo courtesy of Timo Ala-Krekola.

The Golden Illusion as it sat in 2002. Photo by Hans Hammarberg.

Photo by Hans Hammarberg.

Photo by Hans Hammarberg.

Photo by Hans Hammarberg.

Photo by Hans Hammarberg.

1955 Chevrolet Convertible owned and restyled by Leif Helander from Sweden. Leif traded the car for a customized 1956 Plymouth, a battery and record player in 1965. He started to restyle the car shortly after he bought it. In 1967 the Chevy was shown at the 1967 Hot Rod Show, by then it was painted yellow. Leif finished the car in 1968, and in 1970 he won prizes for best interior, best paint, and best custom at the Hot Rod Show. This version of the car was named "The Golden Illusion".