Article & Photos by Tom Simpson
Build consultants Rick and Tempie Abate
It all started on Labor Day in 2013. My wife Bev was telling a friend, Rick Abate, about a dream she had to have her own 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air (which she named "Marilyn" as in Marilyn Monroe.)
When Bev was of driving age in high school at Wilson High School in Long Beach, she had a 1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass, all tricked out. When she was serious about cruising, at Oscars Drive Inn, and other hot spots, she borrowed her older sister's car. Her sister Gloria had a 1955 Bel Air two door hard top.
In 2013, I had a 1936 Ford farm truck that I restored to near original condition. Rick and Tempie Abate who own Classic Car Marketing in Orange, California, and had been in business for approximately 15 years, handled the sale of my truck. In just 15 minutes, the ar had an accepted offer and my new project to build my wife the car of her dreams took on life.
Rick and Tempie Abate are best known as the owners of Classic Car Marketing in Orange, Calif. As their core business, they market collectable High end cars for others and have become well known in the industry for honesty and integrity and for being knowledgeable about the Market status.
Tempie has a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline with a 462 Big block in it that she has shown and has won numerous shows, in addition to being a VIP Meguiar's sponsored car, she has been featured at SEMA with her car and has been featured on "Car Crazy" with Barry Maguiar. Rick has an equally nice 1961 Bubble Top Impala that is possibly the best known '61 Impala in the country, simply known as "Dream Sicle". Rick's car has been featured on multiple magazines in addition to being featured at SEMA in 2014 on "Car Crazy" with Barry Maguiar. Rick and Tempie also build high-end cars for SEMA. Currently, they are building a full custom 1967 Cadillac for SEMA 2016. Here is a short list of some of their sponsors: Maguiar's, Cambra Speed Shop, Autobahn, Orange Auto Upholstery, PPG, OPG, Bernal Auto Style, Z Autosound, CPP, ACCUAir, and American Racing.
Rick and Tempie helped us fulfill Beverly's dream because of our personal friendship. They gave direction and made sure the build was on schedule. At the beginning Rick was funny, he told me they would help but he just didn't have time to do all the running around, so that was my job!!
Bev decided she wanted a 1955 Sport coupe (no post) in the classic High School Hot Rod style, Rick and I acquired a car, took it to Autobahn in Costa Mesa, disassembled, stripped, painted and reassembled the coupe. The car is now Clearwater Metallic Blue and White, a Gray and White 1957 interior with a blue tooth radio and hidden 1500 watt amplifier in the trunk. It is powered by a SBC motor and a 2004R transmission. The project was completed in fifteen weeks.
The unveiling was held and 'Marilyn' began competing in car shows. At Inderle in Tustin, Bev won Best in Show and four cars from Chip Foose's entry. At the Del Mar Good Guys show, Marilyn won the Memory Lane Award. Bev and I also exhibited the coupe at the Good Guys show in Pleasanton, California. We enjoy going to car shows to exhibit "Marilyn" because of the Classic Cars and the great people.
Last year, Christine Danchuk interviewed Bev and was the first female to be interviewed by Danchuk Automotive. Danchuk is located at Dyer Road and the 55 fwy and is well known throughout the country as a supplier of 1955, 56, and 57 Chevrolet parts. Marilyn is also a Maguiar's sponsored vehicle and will appear on the poser and T-shirt at the Huntington Beach Cruiser Meet in March of 2016.
Marilyn entered the Grand National Roadster Show at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona and won First Place in the Conservative Hard Top, 1955 to 1959 class. Prior to Marilyn's entry in the Roadster Show, we put her on Dan and Rita Tavaglinone's car lift for a good cleaning. Dan operates a construction company and Rita has an Art studio. Rita frequently appears in Huntington Beach at the Street Fair. Their warehouse contains their Classic Cars, including a 1957 truck that Rita made the interior for.
We arrived at the Fair Grounds for the Grand National Roadster Show on Thursday for move-in. We wiped down the car and cleaned her up in preparation for the exhibit. Our friend Rick Abate cleaned the engine bay. It was a day-long process. While we were at the show, I got my picture with Wayne Cornini, and Kent McCord of 1 Adam 12 fame. Bev got her picture with Kent McCord and Chip Foose. We talked with all who would listen, and we listened, too. It was a great time.