The 1950s Revival Leadsled usage cable car was build during a time when mainstream America seemed to rediscover the ' 50s . Nostalgic TV shows and movies such asHappy DaysandGreasewere extremely pop .
Though traditional impost had all but disappeared by the end of the 1960s , by the mid ' 80s they were well on their way back . Ever - farm numbers of car enthusiasts start resuscitate the flair of the 1950s as well . Some were lead off to seek out the original ' 50s custom , and ' fifty - vintage cars were being built in the classical " leadsled " style .
One of the best object lesson of the customs revival meeting is this 1950Chevrolettwo - door hardtop , in the first place build by Doug Thompson for Larry Cochran of Belton , Missouri . Even though it looks like it could have rolled out of the Barris Kustom shop in 1955 , this grand Chevy was in the first place built in 1986 .
Like any full tradition , this Chevy was treated to an extended list of modifications . The headlamp were frenched , and the hood was modified with rounded corners , trim remotion , and six rows of louver . A ' 50Mercurygrille first step was primed with a grille forge from a ' 59 Imperial center bar mated to ' 51 Mercury bumper guard . Thompson chop the top a salubrious four in for an extra scurvy profile .
Sculpted bodyside lineament lines were hired hand - formed in alloy to taper into custom rear pilot exclusive cut back with ' 54 Mercury tooth . Rear V and taillight from a ' 53 Cadillac were graft on to the Chevy ’s rearward fender . Chrome lakes pipes were amply frenched into the rocker panels . Bumper guards from a ' 52Pontiacwere smoothly regulate into the front and rear bumpers . For hubcaps , Thompson used the ever - democratic Cadillac " Sombreros . "
Many custom railcar enthusiasts lecherousness after the look of the original custom , but only a choke - firmly few need to live over the comparatively crude applied science of 1940s and 1950s cars . Like their street pole first cousin , most advanced - day nostalgic customs take advantage of more up - to - date and reliable self-propelled mechanicals while maintain a purely vintage exterior appearance .
Benjamin Thompson supercede the original nut - joint frontsuspensionon this Chevy with componentry from a 1969 Camaro . The engine is a essay - and - genuine little - block Chevy / Turbo 350automatic transmissioncombo , for trouble - loose cruising .
After its completion , the Chevy scooped up the prestigious Harry Bradley Design Achievement Award at the 1986 KKOA Street Custom Spectacular . From there , it was seldom see until custom gatherer extraordinaire Jack Walker acquired the car in 2000 .
Walker , who had furnish design remark when the elevator car was earlier being build up for his friend Cochran , had Thompson give it a impudent paint job in custom mixed color close to the original , and had Bob Sipes stitch up a more traditional white tuck - and - roll Department of the Interior to supervene upon the ' 80s - style velour Cochran picked . Thesteeringwheel was also swap out for a more nostalgic1959 Impalaunit .
Proving that the appeal of a well - contrive custom car is timeless , the Chevy was award with aCustom Rodder MagazineTop Ten Pick at the Goodguys Heartland Rod and Custom Nationals in 2002 , 16 year after it was originally build .
