Dick Gonzales 55 Yellow Pearl

[Richard Gonzales]

Hi Guys, I am Dick Gonzales owner of the Yellow Pearl 1955 Stude. It was the cover car of Dec 1959 Rod and Custom Mag. The car completly destroyed by a barn fire in 1973. I am building exact replica of that car with the exception of a 2 1/2 " chop, Art Morrison chassis and Corvette power. This should be completed by 2012 at a cost over 100K. It is being built at New England Rod And Custom in Fitchburg, MA.

The 1955 Stude in the 1950's part number two video was painted Olds Rose Mist and had 1" tuck and roll and some custom body work. That was me driving, receiving the trophy and kissing the girl,yea!

I was a member of the car club "Cut Outs of Long Beach" California at that time with 30 show car members .

My main competition was Junior Conway with his great looking Ford.

Larry Watson painted the 55 Stude Yellow Pearl and I did all the dirty work ( wet sanding) 10 coats of pearl and 30 coats of candy yellow ( sanding between coats) Larry laid out the scallops, layed on the paint and pin striped black around the scallops ( sipping on his wine). The first showing was at a Santa Barbara car show and there were so many bugs and butterflies attacking the car , we had to get large fans to get rid of them.

If anyone would like any further information of the southern california scene in that era I might be able to help.

Our club use to hang out at the Clock Drive-In located at Long Beach Blvd and Carson St. in Long Beach, CA.

If any friends from that era would like to correspond about old times, be my guest!

[Bryan & Sarah]

Let us be the first to welcome you to the HAMB!! That's an interesting bio you have, I hope one day someone says that about us. Checked out your site, you'll have to get some photos of that Stude uploaded 'cause it was featured 10 years before I was born. Always hate to hear about fire claiming anything, let alone a legendary car like that. Good to know that you're gonna do it again. Once again, welcome!! Bryan & Sarah

[Richard Gonzales]

Thank You for the welcome and I will get Pictures posted. I will also post pictures of my present ride, 1997 Vette " Speedy Gonzales" Graphics/Theme depict the cartoon mouse. License is ADIOS. 700 HP street driver says it all! This car has been a show winner this last year.

[xhotrodder]

Welcome!

[Sir Woosh]

Welcome aboard from Maryland! Pretty much the same way I'd hate to think of anyone dying in a fire, it kills me thinking of losing special rods in the same way.
I lost one that way and will probably never be able to duplicate it again. No way without pics to describe how well a 57 Pontiac Safari wagon can look as a pick up. It was a gasser in the early 60's that I got hold of when it was retired. Returned it to the road only to lose it by fire. Can you imagine cutting up a decent 57 Safari today?
But it I get stupid rich, it's on the list to be reborn...........

Looking forward to seeing yours return to it's glory!

[Thom Mead]

Welcome from Texas. You've joined a great site, jump in and participate.

[farmer12]

Welcome from the Netherlands!

[RDR]

Welcome to the H.A.M.B Dick Gonzales....I have seen the pictures of your Stude as it was being painted,.... at Watsons' museum in Victorville. I built a tribute to Larrys' Grapevine in the scalloped version....I'll say tribute instead of a clone 'cause I started with a '52 and later running gear...but tried my best to stay true to the overall look and attitude of the ' Vine... In fact in my avatar..that's Watson sitting in the co-pilots seat as we cruised Spring St. ...Paso 2002. ....Have a great time building the Stude and enjoy it, as I know you will ! Randy

[53olds]

welcome from oregon, heres a ton of pics of your old stude:
http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/beautiful_custom_cars/watson_custom_cars/watson-painted-1955/

[Rikster]

I just came across this post... and felt it needed another bump.

Welcome aboard Dick. Looking forward to see your old Studebaker being recreated. Do you have any photos of the project that you can share. Or perhaps some old photos of the original one?

Here are some photos of your car taken at the Larry Watson Museum.

http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/0/223020/7618734/DSC04979-vi.jpg


This is I guess one of the most famous photos ever taken of your car...

http://images25.fotki.com/v943/photos/2/223020/5174636/P7140077-vi.jpg


The same photo but without the wonderful Watson shop background was used on the COver of Rod & Custom Magazine...

http://images29.fotki.com/v1013/photos/2/223020/5174636/Watson55StudeRCCover-vi.jpg

http://images27.fotki.com/v1019/photos/2/223020/5174636/Watson53StudCover-vi.jpg


And here is an older photo of your car, before the famous Watson paint was applied.

GT350Lady photo
http://images42.fotki.com/v1378/photos/2/223020/6894764/image002-vi.jpg

If you have some more photos to share... it would be best to start a new posting in the main section so that everybody can enjoy it.

[RDR]

not to hijack the thread, but noticed on RIKs' post...the R&C magazine had Paul Wellborns label on it....He owned a speed shop in Eugene, OR in the 50s and was THE place if you were a car guy,for sure....went to a reunion of old drag racers from 50s-60s this past weekend and one of the most complete photo albums of the old days was from Paul Wellborns collection

[Rikster]

not to hijack the thread, but noticed on RIKs' post...the R&C magazine had Paul Wellborns label on it....He owned a speed shop in Eugene, OR in the 50s and was THE place if you were a car guy,for sure....went to a reunion of old drag racers from 50s-60s this past weekend and one of the most complete photo albums of the old days was from Paul Wellborns collection

The scan of the cover was made by my good friend Paul Kelly in Australia.
I don't have this issue. I will ask where he got it.

[rayford]

welcome from Ga

[twink]

Welcome from Pa.

[Rikster]

not to hijack the thread, but noticed on RIKs' post...the R&C magazine had Paul Wellborns label on it....He owned a speed shop in Eugene, OR in the 50s and was THE place if you were a car guy,for sure....went to a reunion of old drag racers from 50s-60s this past weekend and one of the most complete photo albums of the old days was from Paul Wellborns collection

I just heard from Paul Kelly... the new owner of the magazine.

His words;
"I bought this magazine, along with twenty or more others in the late 70's
from a guy who bought and sold older car magazines."

So I guess at one time in the 70's.. he must have decided to get ride of his magazine collection. And a "business man" from Australia bought them.. and resold them again.

[mad mechanic]

Hello from over the pond. Lookin forward to reading about your memories of the early days of car shows.

[themoose]

Welcome from Connecticut

[big bad john]

Welcome to the H.A.M.B. from Wisconsin

[327-365hp]

Hi Dick welcome to the HAMB from Holden,

[g-lover51]

Welcome to the HAMB

[firstnomad]

Welcome to the H.A.M.B...................from Arkansas City, KS.
The two things that I fear most is fire, and tornado's !
It was a bitch'n Stude !

firstnomad
www.angelfire.com/jazz/flatlandstudio (http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/flatlandstudio)