Carroll Hamilton's 1961 Chevrolet Impala

A photo of Carroll Hamilton’s 1961 Chevrolet Impala custom taken at an indoor car show in the early 1960s. Known as the Elegant Empress, the car featured a Candy Tangerine over gold paint job by the Alexander Brothers and was featured in Speed and Custom December 1963. Photo courtesy of Carroll Hamilton.

The original Alexander Brothers estimate for repainting Carroll's Impala Candy Tangerine over gold in 1963. Still proudly framed today, the handwritten document details the work that transformed the car into the Elegant Empress. Photo courtesy of Carroll Hamilton.

A framed display featuring the Speed and Custom December 1963 article on the Elegant Empress. The feature showcased the car after it had received its Candy Tangerine over gold finish. Photo courtesy of Carroll Hamilton.

1961 Chevrolet Impala owned by Carroll Hamilton of Cincinnati, Ohio. Built in the early 1960s, the car gained national attention after appearing as the "Elegant Empress" in Speed and Custom December 1963.

In 1963, Carroll delivered the Impala to the Alexander Brothers Custom Shop in Detroit for a full repaint. A surviving shop estimate, dated May 1963, lists the work as a Candy Tangerine paint job over a gold base, along with block sanding, stripping, interior color detailing, and refinishing the dash and steering wheel to match the exterior. The estimate totaled $500, a typical price for a high-end candy paint job from the Alexander Bros during that period.

Shown at indoor car shows, the “Elegant Empress” featured a clean, mildly restyled exterior with show-quality detailing, chrome accessories, and period-correct custom touches that helped it stand out on the Midwest circuit.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Speed and Custom December 1963