Photos and research courtesy Kustomrama

Once Helen had bought her 1956 Chevrolet Hardtop, she started sketching out plans for restyling the car. Joe Bailon, of Bailon’s Custom Shop, took those sketches and applied the ideas to Helen’s car, and the result was everything she could have wanted.

First, Joe filled the deck lid and shaved and peaked the hood. He removed the door handles, replacing them with an electric operation system. Chrome tubing become a custom grille, and the rear fenders were shaped to fit some 1956 Buick lenses, inverted at the lower half.

To provide a raised-up look, Joe outlined the side-trims in gold and white. The front fender tops played host to horizontal radio aerials, while twin lakes plugs slid into place beneath the car. After completing the bodywork, Joe applied his trademark Candy Apple Green paint to the Chevy. Chromed reversed wheels and dual spotlights finished off this unique car.

Helen’s Chevy was shown at the 9th annual National Roadster Show in Oakland in February 1958, where it won a best in class award in the Hard Top Convertible category. In July of that same year, it was nominated as one of just 28 “Top Customs of the Year” in Motor Life.

Ed Amaral bought the car after a time. He wanted to show the Chevy at the Oakland Roadster Show, so the car received a coat of nitro lacquer and dark green toner with gold powder added. Rod Powell used lime green candy paint to outline the trim and body lines, while Andy Southard pinstriped it in white.