1954 Chevrolet Custom Convertible
VIN: C54F049447
Formerly of the Gordan Apker Collection. This 1954 Chevrolet Custom
Convertible was inspired by a full-custom '54 Chevy hardtop that
was built in California in the late 1950s. That car was built and
owned by Duane Steck and known as "Moonglow." When Moonglow
appeared on the cover of Car Craft magazine, Gordon really took a
liking to it. He and his wife never really forgot about the custom
Chevy from California. Years later, Gordon was inspired to build a
similar car, but using a '54 Chevrolet convertible instead of a
hardtop like Moonglow. He found a perfectly restored convertible at
a car meet somewhere in the Midwest. With this nicely restored car,
he had his bodyman and mechanics at his shop in Des Moines turn it
into his own version of a Moonglow-inspired custom convertible. The
work included chopping the top while retaining a chopped folding
top and adding frenched headlights and frenched '56 Chrysler
taillights. The rear bumper was lowered and the grille modified
with extra teeth. Door handles, hood and decklid trim were removed
just as it was on the original Moonglow. The interior is in the
stock pattern and is by Ciadella. The exterior colors were changed
from the original Moonglow which had blue in the inset to an
orange-red which goes well with the interior colors. The mildly
modified engine was equipped with twin carburetors and mated to the
stock Powerglide. The car was lowered all around and dropped
spindles were used in front. Gordon was always proud to mention
that nothing used on the car is anything that wasn't used in the
1950s. Nothing newer than the mid-'50s was used on the body or
mechanical details of this car. This Custom Chevrolet Convertible
is a incredible tribute to the original "Moonglow" custom of period
fame and an exciting find.
