Robert Ludwig's 1955 Chevrolet

The '55 as it sat when Robert Ludwig bought it in 1974. Photo courtesy of Robert Ludwig.

Photo courtesy of Robert Ludwig.

The Chevrolet as it sat in 1983. It sat 6 years before Robert, stripped, primered and painted it. Photo courtesy of Robert Ludwig.

Photo courtesy of Robert Ludwig.

Robert ran the car with a tube grille for about a half year. Photo courtesy of Robert Ludwig.

The car as it sat when Jeff bought it from his dad in August of 2014. Photo courtesy of Robert Ludwig.

The Chevrolet as it sat after Jeff had lowered it and installed 1957 Dodge Lancer hubcaps on red rims and white wall tires. Photo courtesy of Jeff Ludwig.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Ludwig.

The Chevrolet as it sat after Jeff had removed the hood scoop in Septermber of 2014. Photo courtesy of Jeff Ludwig.

Jeff's Chevrolet at the 2014 Customs by the Sea in Wildwood, New Jersey. Bob's old custom was one of the historic customs that was displayed at the show. Photo by Sondre Kvipt - Kustomrama.

1955 Chevrolet restyled by CJ Auto Body of Reading, Pennsylvania in 1962. It was said that well known Reading engine builder Roger Synestry owned it at one time. A Zimmerman did also own it in the early 1960s.

April 8th, 1974 Robert Ludwig bought the car from David Weaver of Reading. When Robert bought it, it was brown with Astro wheels, and it featured a 1953 Chevrolet grille and 1956 Buick lenses. The lenses were frenched in slightly, and the quarter panels were extended. All bodywork was done in lead, including the molded grille surround. Power came from a 1957 Chevrolet 270 horsepower 283 cu. in. engine. The engine ran two 4 barrel carbs and a four-speed transmission. In 1976 Ludwig grafted on a 1967 Chevrolet Big Block Corvette style hood scoop, painted it mist green, installed Cragar SS wheels and drove it daily. In the spring of 1984 he sprayed 23 coats of metal flake red lacquer on the car, and installed a set of Tru-spoke wire wheels. The car had been sitting for 6 years when it was painted red. Around 1987 Ludwig sold the 283 engine to a customer who was restoring a 1957 Chevrolet. The engine was replaced with a more powerfull 327 cu. in. Chevrolet engine that was fed trough three dual-port carbs. In the late 1990s he replaced the wheels with polished Fenton five spokes.

Jeff Ludwig, the son of Robert, acquired the old custom from his dad in August of 2014. Jeff decided to put it back in a late 1950s, early 1960s style by removing the hood scoop, lowering the car and installing 1957 Dodge Lancer hubcaps on red rims and white wall tires. When Jeff got the car, it retained the black pleated interior that was installed in the 1960s, as well as the original lead custom body work.