River Body Shop

Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth gracing the cover of Car Speed and Style June 1958. Restyled and painted by Joe 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 Heinrichs' 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 Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth, showcasing Joe'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.

River Body Shop of San Jose, California. The shop was run by Joe Crisafulli. In 2015, Joe told Kustomrama that the shop was on River Street, with the river behind the shop; "I was at that location for about one year. Did a lot of nice cars there. Then winter came, and the river rose. It came through the back door to the street. The shop was full of mud, so I couldn't do anything but quit. The landlord said I could cancel the lease." Joe's brother, Larry, was a bodyman, and worked with Joe in the shop. Tony was another bodyman that worked at the shop.

Cars Restyled by River Body Shop

Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth