Ever since I was a little kid, my favorite car was the ’55 Chevy, I had the Hot Wheels, AFX cars, etc. In 1983, when I was 17, I saw a ’55 Chevy Bel Air (hardtop) for sale and spent my life savings on it. I had no idea of the condition, but it was mine. Turns out it had a bad motor and trans among numerous other things. Not at all being a mechanic or ever having worked on a car, I bought the shop and assembly manuals then proceeded to tear it apart and rebuild it page by page, bolt by bolt in my parents driveway as we didn’t have a garage. I got it to run (sometimes) but the highlight was when I was able to drive it to my Senior Prom in ’85. When I pulled up to the valet, the attendant said “I’m not driving that! You can park it right next to the front door.” which I did and couldn’t have been prouder of that car. The car mostly sat while I was away at college, tinkering with it when I could. I left school in 1989, and decided to enlist in the Marine Corps in ’90. When I went to boot camp, my mother sold it because she was a little upset with me at the time (of course when I graduated boot camp she couldn’t have been prouder) but the car was gone. The sale of that car is still a topic of discussion at most family get togethers. Fast forward a few years to 1998, I had the opportunity to purchase another ’55 Bel Air (hardtop) and knew I’d never let this one go. Still not a mechanic, I had friends who were and even met more helpful individuals over the course of 7 years as I (we) built my dream car. From Marshal “Woody” Woodward who helped install the new S&W Race Cars narrowed frame and rear end. Frank Beck, President of Beck Racing Engines, who I met at a car show in Del Mar, CA. I remember he took the time to walk over to the TCI transmission booth and ensured I got the correct 700R-4 transmission to match the crate 383 motor I bought from him. To Jamie “Jamz” Snyder (RIP my friend) who did the bodywork and laid down the most perfect paint job patiently teaching the finer detail of body prep and paint. In trade for services I did some carpentry work upstairs in his garage. My brother-in-law Brucie Mattison who helped me finish it up and make it all work, plus countless others over the years. In 2004 as I was set to deploy for the 3rd time, and decided to send the car to Young’s Upholstery in Norfolk VA to do the upholstery because I was SO close to finishing. So after 7 years, 4 moves, and 3 deployments, in May 2005, I finally was able to drive it for the first time! I took it to my first car show, with a smile so big I didn’t need headlights that evening on the way home. Spent the next several years going to any show I could get to and some not so local in NC, VA, PA, SC, NJ, TN, KY & GA, my wife Taira, “happily” (my word not hers) followed along with the kids, all knowing the drill of; park the car, put their uniforms on, get the correct towels with the correct polish to clean their assigned area/parts. In May of 2010, I happily, and temporarily, handed the keys over to my son Dylan, who took the car to his Sr Prom and to my daughter Lacey, who took it to her Sr Prom in 2014, two of my happiest memories. So happy in fact that the motor I had to rebuild after my son’s prom and the transmission I had to replace after my daughters never even phased me. I only hope they remember that day as much as I remembered mine in ’85. I know the car is far from perfect, it has scratches, stains and leaks, but after owning the car for 23 years, I continue to drive it weekly and am looking forward to 2038 when I can “hopefully” watch my grandson Lincoln drive off to his Sr Prom!