The Marin’s 1953 Chevy
Photos: Spike Marble, Story: Tony Colombini.
The supervisor at the plant, an up and comer, the salesman, or a customer representative. That is who Chevrolet built this car for in 1953 and 1954. The guy who has dreams of making it big in business, putting in his time, gettin’ things done kind of guy. A step or two on the ladder.
This is the 150 Business Coupe model with the notchback coupe body and a 235 straight 6 reaching 108 horsepower. It was the perfect car for the guy who is about to start a family. Practical and stylish. Perfect to compliment the American Dream.
When David Marin was a little boy, like many young men, looked up to his father Robert Lucero Marin. They would go to the Pomona Swap Meet together, admire all the cool cars and the culture on the blacktop. His mom and dad were high school sweethearts in the 1950’s and this was just the car that brought back so many wonderful memories for them. After his father passed, he wanted to honor his parents by building a car like they had dreamed about and passing on his vintage history, style and culture to David’s new family.
It was eight years ago when David bought this car off a craigslist ad. The condition was good and solid, no rust but it was all stock with 14” Astro Supremes. Not quite the 1950’s traditional custom look he was going for. Not long after that he reunited with his cousin Jose Campana’s family and his car club “The Dead Sleds”. Merc John from Riverside proceeded to chop the top 3” and shaved the emblems, mouldings etc. They peaked the hood, frenched the headlights and massaged in some 55 Chevy 210 taillights.
Under the hood Pauly Rivera also from Riverside helped with the swap of the 235 to a 350/350 combo with the help from CePe, President of the Dead Sleds. Pauly also helped with the Mustang II front clip and 4-link rear end and suspension. Paysa/Chuy did the upholstery and Paul’s All Pro Glass did the, well glass. The car was re-wired and then handed over to Frank Rosales at GoodWorx in Lake Elsinore, CA for the San Marino Blue hue and Blue Pearl by Matrix. Then Danny Alvarado laid down the lines.
We have a ton of hours, blood, sweat and tears into 53 Jazzy Rose (named after his wife Rosie and their daughter Jazlynn). When it was done, the dreams of not only me, but of my family and friends were realized and the sense of pride that comes from a realized dream is passed from one generation to the next and the next.
