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1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler - Cool Fifties Customizing

Back In The Day

By Doug Marion, Photography by Doug Marion
1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Left Side
Seen a '57 Tropical Turquoise Chevy car hauler lately? This 2008 effort is part-original and part-updated. It was built by the Wallners to haul one of their two '57s. Wife Nancy has a Tropical Turquoise Bel Air sport coupe.
1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Left Side
Seen a '57 Tropical Turquoise Chevy car hauler lately? This 2008 effort is part-original

Previous "Back In The Day" stories have presented true tales of '50s and '60s street and strip races, numerous hot Chevys, plus many high performance stories. This month, we tip our hat to millions of vintage Chevy customizers. They had an immense impact in the decades we mentioned on the cruising and car show scene and still do today.

Many used to cruise burger drive-ins and popular speed shop and filling station hang outs, night after night after night. They sought other custom machines to admire and check out, plus like the rest of us, they wanted to be part of the "scene." One thing worth mentioning is the fact that some of the very best were from small towns in rural America.

Two Chevy guys we've known for over 25 years (and have no idea they are in this story) are South Lebanon, Ohio's Joe Johnson (he's been at it for some 55 years) and Carlinville, Illinois' Barry Wallner (he's been at it for almost 50). We know you can relate to both. Check out our photos for some of their home-spun handiwork. Post-War personal customizing first got hot back in the '50s and has never slowed down.

  • 1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Junior Stock 57
    This superb Junior Stock 270hp '57 150 is owned by Nancy and Barry Wallner. It won top awards at the NHRA Holley Bowling Green Reunion in 2006 and 2008. The NHRA then invited them to come to last September's U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis and partake in a special nostalgia display.
    1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Junior Stock 57
    This superb Junior Stock 270hp '57 150 is owned by Nancy and Barry Wallner. It won top awa
  • 1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Motor
    One thing Joe Johnson is noted for is his finned aluminum firewall paneling. Everything else is a blend of the 1950s-to-present, including the nice aluminum inner fender covers.
    1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Motor
    One thing Joe Johnson is noted for is his finned aluminum firewall paneling. Everything el
  • 1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler 52 Chevy
    The 1949-1954 Chevys have been popular with cruisers and customizers for many decades. Joe Johnson ran a hot '37 six-cylinder Gasser in the '60s to national prominence and he still digs max performance today. But check out his home-built, double-whammy, V-8 '52 custom-built entirely in his garage.
    1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler 52 Chevy
    The 1949-1954 Chevys have been popular with cruisers and customizers for many decades. Joe
  • 1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Leather Interior
    The nostalgic red and white, rolled and pleated interior features many 1950s modifications, plus a few that have spanned five decades. An example is the custom dash face.
    1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Leather Interior
    The nostalgic red and white, rolled and pleated interior features many 1950s modifications
  • 1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Front
  • 1957 Chevy Tropical Turquoise Car Hauler Rear Right
By Doug Marion
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