Jesus Valencia's 1949 Chevrolet
1949 Chevrolet Club Coupe owned by Jesus Valencia of Pomona, California. The first version of Jesus' Chevrolet did not feature any major body modifications. The car was lowered, shaved, nosed, decked and painted in primer. Taking the car out on its first spin, Jesus got hit by another car, and the Chevy was wrecked. The body was actually so damaged after the crash that Jesus decided to have it replaced.[2]
The second version of the car was restyled by Joe Garcia of Drag-N-Shop, and featured a 4" chopped top. The top was chopped 4 inches all around, and made into a hardtop with the drip rails removed. Just like Barris did on Dan Landon's 1949 Chevrolet Club Coupe. The original split window windshield was replaced by an Oldsmobile one-piece windshield and the rear glass was kept stock. The headlights were frenched, the doors were shaved for handles and the hood and truck were nosed and decked. The rear fenders were cleaned up by removing the taillights. New taillights were placed in the bumper guards, using Impala lenses. After these modifications were done, the car was primered grey. This version did also feature stock fenderskirts that had been extended downward about an inch to match up better then the stock ones, side pipes and Cadillac Sombreros.[2]
After a while Jesus brought the Chevy back to Joe Garcia at Drag-N-Shop for further modifications. By then the car had been prime red ref. This time an Oldsmobile inspired grille opening was fabricated and molded in. A homemade floating bar and parking lenses were fit inside the new opening. The stock front bumper was kept, but it was shaved for bolts and bumper guards. The stock sidetrim was kept and the quarter panels extended about 4 inches and peaked into a molded rear pan. A 1954 Chevrolet front bumper was used with the modified rear end. The trunk lid on the car was sectioned two inches to flow better with the quarter panels and. the door corners were rounded. The car rolled on Firestone 670-15 3 1/4" WW bias plus tires all around. Jesus' father Miguel did the interior of the car, while David Anthony Garcia of D.A. Designs pinstriped the dashboard.[1]
Wanting an upgraded driveline for highway usage, the car was powered by a 1972 Chevrolet 350 engine hooked to a TH350 transmission. A 1974 Chevy Nova 10 bolt rear end was installed in the rear. Up front, a Fat Man Fabrication Mustang 2 with quick 1/2 air ride suspension was installed. And in the rear a ladder bar type suspension also using bags. David Garcia of Drag-N-Shop installed the airbags on the car. Once finished, the car was painted PPG Red Mahogany. As Jesus wasn't completely satisfied with the work done at the Drag-N-Shop, he redid parts of the work his parents' backyard before painting the car Red Mahogany.[1]
Sold to Russia
The car was later sold to Russia. By 2017 it has received a Red Metallic paint job, and it was owned by Carbers Kustom Power in Moscow.[3]
Magazine Features
Gasoline Magazine Number 6 2006
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 The HAMB - anybody have some pics of this incredible 49 chevy?
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gasoline Magazine Number 6 2006
- ↑ Slava Mashkarin
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