Dick Jackson's 1938 Chevrolet Sedan

A photo of Dick with the Chevy taken circa 1951. Under Sam Barris's guidance, the car underwent a series of modifications. The first thing Sam told Dick was that he had to put some primer spots on it to make it look like it belonged at the shop. Next, he gave Peep a complete set of Cadillac Sombreros, telling him that he needed those. They found a way to screw them on before Sam told Peep they had to lower the car. Sam gave Peep blocks for the back, and they figured out how to lower the knee action in front. Finally, he came in with a new set of original teardrop skirts to ensure the Chevrolet truly got the Barris Kustoms touch. Photo from The Dick and Karen Jackson Collection.

Featured Story - Dick "Peep" Jackson

1938 Chevrolet Sedan owned by Dick "Peep" Jackson of Lynwood, California. Growing up in Lynwood, Dick's passion for automobiles began as a kid in the 1940s. In 1949, at 14, while other kids might be lost in games or studies, he was irresistibly drawn to the Barris Kustoms shop. Every day after school, his trusty Whizzer bike would halt outside the roped-off premises of the shop, marking his daily ritual of gazing at the craftspeople at work.

Broom Boy at Barris Kustoms

Though the ropes at Barris Kustoms were meant to shield the artisans from the distractions of curious onlookers, it wasn't long before Sam Barris noticed the persistent young spectator. "Hey, we're getting tired of you staring at us. You want a job here?" Sam remarked one day. To the young Dick, this was an open door to paradise. Taking on the role of a floor sweeper, he soon found himself amongst legends like the Manok brothers, Bill Ortega, and the Barris Brothers themselves.

Peep

It was at Barris Kustoms that George Barris christened Dick "Peep," saying, "You're only a peep." However, despite the light-hearted nickname, Peep's dedication did not go unnoticed. Within six months, he transitioned from being an unpaid observer to earning 22 cents an hour, gradually moving up the ranks to become the spotlight guy. While juggling school and a morning paper route, Peep's real education was at the shop. He grew close to Sam Barris, who became both a mentor and a friend. The bond deepened when Peep took on the role of babysitter for Sam's kids, leading to a symbiotic relationship of favors exchanged.

The Barris Kustoms Touch

The camaraderie culminated when Peep acquired his first car – a pristine, stock 1938 Chevrolet sedan. Under Sam's guidance, the car underwent a series of modifications. The first thing Sam told Dick was that he had to put some primer spots on it to make it look like it belonged at the shop. Next, he gave Peep a complete set of Cadillac Sombreros, telling him that he needed those. They found a way to screw them on before Sam told Peep they had to lower the car. Sam gave Peep blocks for the back, and they figured out how to lower the knee action in front. Finally, he came in with a new set of original teardrop skirts to ensure the Chevrolet truly got the Barris Kustoms touch.

Sam and the shop were instrumental in shaping Peep's skill set. He was taught the intricacies of sanding and masking, with his first-ever paint job being the dashboard and steering column of the iconic Bob Hirohata's 1951 Mercury. By 1952, Peep was learning to weld under George Barris's meticulous eye, adhering to the strictest standards of quality.