Sam Barris' 1955 Chevrolet

Bo Huff used to ride shotgun with Stan in the Chevrolet during it's heyday on the streets of Dragerton. The car stuck with Bo, and in 2002 he convinced one of his customers to build a clone of it. It took Bo 16 months to transform an old sedan into a clone of the convertible as it appeared while Stan owned it. The clone was completed in 2004, just in time for the 2004 Grand National Roadster Show, where it once again won the Convertible Class.

1955 Chevrolet Convertible owned and restyled by Sam Barris at Barris Kustoms. The rear fenders on Sam's Chevrolet were reshaped in order to accept 1956 Chrysler taillights. Both front and rear fenders were extended to give it a longer appearance. The sidetrim was made from 1956 Ford components that were modified to parallel the dip aft of the door. The body was nosed decked and shaved for handles. The rear gravel pan was extended and a continental kit was added. The exhaust pipes were routed through the rear bumper corners. Dual spotlights were added to give the windshield a visual chop. Fender skirts and custom hubcaps on wide whites wrapped up the style.

In 1957, Sam's convertible took home First Place in the Convertible Class at the National Roadster Show. After that, the car was sold and resold. In 1958 it wound up on a used car lot in Arizona. Stan Robles, who was serving in the Air Force at the time spotted the Chevrolet at the car lot, and he knew he had to have it. A couple of hours later he had become the owner of a genuine Barris Kustom. Upon his release from the Air Force, Stan returned to his hometown of Dragerton, Utah with the car. Back home Stan started restyling the car further. First, he painted it forest green with mint scallops. Then it was repainted eggplant purple with lilac scallops. When it came to body modifications, lakes pipes were frecnhed in, canted quad headlights from a 1959 Chevrolet were installed, and scoops were added to the sides.

By 1972, Stan had moved from Dragerton, and the old custom had been parked in his mother-in-law's yard for years. She grew tired of the non-running car, and more than once she threatened to have it hauled off if he didn't come get it. Like any typical son-in-law, Stan lent a deaf ear to his mother-in-law's rantings. Eventually, she made good on her threat. The last time anyone ever saw the formerly elegant custom, it was being hauled to the crusher on a wrecker.

The Bo Huff Clone

Bo Huff used to ride shotgun with Stan in the Chevrolet during it's heyday on the streets of Dragerton. The car stuck with Bo, and in 2002 he convinced one of his customers to build a clone of it. It took Bo 16 months to transform an old sedan into a clone of the convertible as it appeared while Stan owned it. The clone was completed in 2004, just in time for the 2004 Grand National Roadster Show, where it once again won the Convertible Class.

Magazine Features

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Clones

Nick Phillips' 1955 Chevrolet Convertible