Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth

Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth gracing the cover of Car Speed and Style June 1958. Restyled and painted by Joe Crisafulli at the River Body Shop in San Jose in 1957, the car featured an intricate scallop design that wrapped around nearly every panel. The issue included a roundup of scallop paint jobs, and Leroy’s Plymouth stole the spotlight.

A street shot of Leroy's 1955 Plymouth. Nosed and decked for a cleaner silhouette, the car was brought to life with one of Joe’s signature scallop paint jobs. Photo from the Joe Crisafulli Scratchbook and Photo Collection.

A side view of Leroy's Plymouth, showcasing Joe Crisafulli's bold and layered scallop design. The rear quarter panel appears to have suffered a dent, and it was possibly in for touch-up or repair when this photo was taken. Even with the blemish, the custom’s dramatic lines and flowing paintwork steal the scene. Photo from the Joe Crisafulli Scratchbook and Photo Collection.

Mazie Neece with cousins Laura Smith and Les, posing on a sunny day in 1957 next to Leroy's Plymouth. The custom was a familiar sight around the Neece family during Leroy’s time with Mazie. The location is unknown, but the car and the memory live on through The Tracy Zimmermann Collection. Photo courtesy of The Tracy Zimmermann Collection.

Another photo of Mazie with Laura Smith and Les, standing beside Leroy's Plymouth in 1957. Photo courtesy of The Tracy Zimmermann Collection.

Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth was a colorful custom built in San Jose, California. Leroy was a member of the Axle Busters of San Jose, and the car was restyled by legendary custom painter and builder Joe Crisafulli while he was operating River Body Shop around 1957–1958.

Restyling

Joe nosed and decked the Plymouth to give it a smoother, cleaner look, removing the factory emblems and trim from the hood and deck lid. The car’s standout feature became its elaborate scallop paint job, an intricate design in multiple colors that covered nearly every panel, from the hood and roof to the rear quarters. The bold layout exemplified Joe’s unique style and flair for complex, freehand patterns.

Media Feature

The car’s eye-popping appearance landed it a cover feature on Car Speed and Style June 1958. Inside, it was included in a roundup of scallop paint jobs, showcasing Joe's creativity and Leroy’s eye for attention-grabbing customs.

Legacy

Although not as well-known today as his earlier 1947 Plymouth Coupe, Leroy’s 1955 Plymouth captured the spirit of late-1950s custom styling in Northern California. It also helped shine a light on Joe Crisafulli’s talents as both a painter and builder.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Car Speed and Style June 1958