Limelighter

Gould's '58 Chevy -

Car Craft July 1964

Headline: Sculptured Chariot

Captions: Frank, a 47-year-old public accountant, was introduced to custom cars when he saw some of Bill Cushenbery's work, and decided he'd like a car with all the gadgets he particularly wanted. So, he put Cushenbery to work. The dash was completely removed, as were the front seats. Bill installed two 1950 Nash teardrop instrument housings on an airplane strut. Rear seats were stitched to look as if they were buckets. The section between them flips up, exposing a fire extinguished in its own upholstered compartment. Trunk was completely upholstered in black carpeting; lid is held in place by magnets  All stitching is in white Naugahyde and black nylon with silver thread. Exterior finish is Lime Gold; wild wheels are Astro. Side was entirely de-chromed, grille is completely new, by Cushenbery, and headlights are dual Lucas, hooded and extended. Tunneled taillights are another Cushenbery product, as are nerf bars, front and rear. The mill is stock throughout, though the compartment has been given the full chroming treatment. All work was done with metal-no plastic was used on car. And, it is yet under construction. Frank, a paraplegic as a result of shrapnel wounds in his spine, from World War II, wanted a car that would be comfortable to drive, with a minimum of foot work. When all work is completed, car will be essentially "hand operated." The only ting Frank will have to use his foot for will be brake. Dimmer switch is now on the console, controlled by the right hand. An estimated $10,000 went into luxurious car. 

Text: Frank Gould is understandably proud of his '58 Impala. Featuring Bill Cushenbery body magic, it earned Custom Sweepstakes and Best Interior awards at the '64 Winternationals Auto Fair.