Bayou Beauty"; Rod & Custom, December 1961
Headline: Bayou Beauty: Sleek and Smooth, Here's A Winning Chevy From Down Louisiana Way
Photo Captions:
Interior is done in red and white Naugahyde. Panels have checkerboard design. Rear end has four '58 Olds taillights. Pan was rolled, license shroud frenched.
Trunk was given complete carpeting treatment to match interior of Chevy.
Called "the Debutante," Harvey Walters of New Orleans, La., restyled his '58 Chevy two-door Biscayne into a glamorous hardtop. Star Kustom Shop, Wichita, Kansas, did the radical bodywork and the flaming Titian red lacquer paint job. Interior was styled in matching red and white Naugahyde by Frank Turner, also a Wichita customizer.
Reworked '58 Chevy panel trim is retained on the side. Doors and trunk have electric pushbuttons. To date, Harvey has put $2000 into his machine - and by the looks, it's money well spent. He's reworked the engine, too, giving his car even more appeal.
Fender fins were also extended rearward and blended into the body pan. The trunk has been completely shaved, and hand formed, rolled pan installed. License shroud was molded into the pan and is protected by chromed nerf bar. Tail lights are '58 Olds.
"The Debutante" Speed & Custom, October 1962, pgs. 26-27
Headline: The Debutante (Cover Car)
Debutante (actual article)
Photo Captions:
- This Chevy was chopped four inches and the center post was cut out. The nose of the custom has a chromed rectangular tubed grille.
- Fancy side trim was added along with an extension of the rear fins. Tail lights are '58 Olds.
- Star Kustom of Wichita, Kansas, has turned out a winner in this '58 Chevy.
Here's the period-perfect test on the Debutante:
"When the '58 Chevy made its debut back in 1958 the customizer saw the terrific potential of the car, which could be made into a top custom job. Now Harvey Walthers of New Orleans, is ready to debut his '58 custom Chevy and it's appropriately named the Debutante. Harvey took his '58 Chevy to Darryl Starbird of Star Custom Shop, Wichita, Kansas, and picked it up three months later, one of the top '58's to ever have been built.
Darryl started on the Chevy by removing the top and chopping it four inches. Since the car was a Biscayne two-door, Darryl removed the center post and made it into a hardtop. To add length to the short and stubby body, a log side trim was added and rear fins were extended nine inches. Tail lights were handmade using '58 Olds lenses, the rear pan was rolled and a license shroud added. Fins were also brought forward onto the door, giving the car a long low sleek look. Attention was also given to the front end where the headlights were frenched and chrome rectangular tubing was mounted. Below a rolled pan was constructed with a matching license shroud.
With chrome wheels, narrow wall tires and a 15 coat brilliant Titian Red lacquer job, the '58 had its new face lift complete. One of the best '58's ever seen."
Popular Customs, Fall 1965, pgs. 16-17.
Interestingly, Spencer Murray ran an article well after the Debutante had been transfigured into the Fantabula. Also, this article on the Debutante was called "Bayou Beauty."
Photo Captions:
- Starbird has succeeded in his attempt to emphasize the stock contours of the Chevy. Metal work emphasizes massive lines.
- Interior is done in red and white Naugahyde. Panels have checkerboard design.
- Rear end has four '58 Olds taillights. Pan was rolled, license shroud frenched.
- Trunk was given complete carpeting treatment to match interior of Chevy.
- Starbird has succeeded in his attempt to emphasize the stock contours of the Chevy. Metalwork emphasizes massive lines.
Here's the text found in this article:
"In the car shows it's known as the Debutante. But it doesn't live up to its name because it's an old-timer in the winner's circle.
Harvey Walthers of New Orleans, La., ins the owner of this sharp '58 Chevy that has been given the complete treatment by Darryl Starbird's shop.
One of the biggest alterations to the Chev was the 3" top chop and removal of Biscayne center post. This was further exaggerated by extending the rear quarter panels 6" and utilizing dual '58 Chev side trim section to give a lengthier appearance.
Extensive reworking was done on the front end as well. Headlights are frenched by use of '58 Mercury rims. The grille is made from 2" rectangular tubing and the other grille shell was formed of exhaust tubing. The pan is rolled and sports bumperettes for protection.
Rear end has four '58 Olds taillights altered and joined with a chrome band. The bumper was removed and a rolled pan fills the void. Again, small bumperettes are used."
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
