Revamping a Rarity: Jim Fox’s Custom 1955 Chevy Cameo

Jim’s Fox’s Outlook-Changing ’55 Chevy Cameo 

The Chevy Cameo is one of the rarest Chevy trucks ever built. Only available for three years starting in 1955, the GM designer envisioned a one-piece cab/bed bodied pickup, but the engineers were concerned about sheetmetal distortion due to torsional stress on the frame. Together they decided to conventionally design the Chevy Cameo using fiberglass panels to the existing steel cargo box. 

As a car guy who admitted he “can’t change a spark plug,” Jim Fox had recently sold his ’70 Vette and ’66 Bronco for funds to start his next project.

“I wasn’t looking for a truck,” Jim tells Street Trucks, “but when I first located it, it grabbed my attention.”

The 1955 Chevy Cameo stood out among the bevy of online vehicles that were for sale on the website he was searching. The Chevy was located in Iowa so Jim boarded a plane to take a look. Once Jim saw the truck, he mentioned to the owner that it was the first vehicle that looked as good in person as it did in pictures throughout his search. Jim immediately made the deal, and the truck was shipped to Jim’s home in Louisiana.

All first-year Cameo’s were painted two-tone white and red from the factory, so the guys at M&L made sure it was changed to give it some fresh flair.

The original owner/builder, EJ Parker, had spent six years building his dream but couldn’t keep it due to personal reasons. With only 40 miles on the Cameo, Jim knew he was looking at a historic truck that he would turn into his own. M&L Customs had a hand in transforming the entire truck from the ’55 stock look to a complete custom truck by first adding a modest adjustable shock kit bringing the Chevy lower to the ground when needed.

The next step was beefing up the motor by removing the stock 235ci six-cylinder engine and replacing it with a crate small-block 350 and updating and upgrading every single piece under the hood. Custom headers and exhaust make sure the ’55 Cameo can keep up with all the modern-day vehicles. All first-year Cameos were painted two-tone white and red from the factory, so the guys at M&L made sure it was changed to give it some fresh flair. PPG Hot Hues Crimson Splash paint was used for the entire base, including the engine block and transmission.

For someone who hasn’t quite been a truck lover, the ’55 Cameo has certainly turned him into one.

The 6.5-foot longbed was converted from the stock look to a solid kiln-dried oak bed for longevity and looks. Inside the Cameo, the upholstery was also two-tone, and came with arm rests, dual sunvisors, a cigarette lighter, chrome interior door knobs, and a large wrap-around rear window. Although this was a huge upgrade in ’55, the men at M&L decided to completely change the cabin. A set of 2006 Stratus bucket seats replaced the long bench seat. Custom leather and suede were added to every inch of the interior along with new carpeting to match.

Jim Fox was fortunate to receive a flawless and perfectly crafted Chevy truck. For someone who hasn’t quite been a truck lover, the ’55 Cameo has certainly turned him into one. The Chevy was originally purchased as a retirement gift to himself, but since he took possession, he’s been traveling to car and truck shows almost like a job.

Jim wants to extend his appreciation to all the friends he’s met along the way and to his wife, Debbie, for understanding and supporting his obsession that took over the garage and show scene in Louisiana. Although GM only sold around 5,000 Chevy Cameo trucks back in 1955, Jim’s custom pickup is his prize and passion.

TRUCK SPECS

Owner 

• Jim Fox
• 1955 Chevrolet Cameo
• Baton Rouge, LA

Chassis & Suspension

• Mustang II front suspension
• 1-inch tubular A-arms
• Sensa-trac shocks
• Rear leaf springs
• Max Air adjustable shocks

Wheels & Tires 

• 18×8 Ridler chrome wheels
• 275/40R18 and 245/45R18 Nitto tires

Engine & Drivetrain

• Modified 350 SBC @ 425hp
• Aluminum heads
• Roller rockers
• Doug’s shorty coated headers
• Magnaflow mufflers
• QTP electric cutouts with remote
• 2 ½-inch coated steel exhaust system
• Holley 750 carb
• Power Master starter
• Speedway “red” fuel pump
• Edelbrock intake manifold
• Painted engine block
• Chrome Front Runner pulley system
• Aluminum radiator w/chrome hose
• SPAL electric cooling fan
• Street Rod wiring kit by EJ Parker
• 700R4 transmission with cooler, painted to match
• Ford 9-inch rearend, 3.73 gears

Body & Paint 

• Shaved emblems
• Chrome trim
• PPG Hot Hues Crimson Splash paint
• Kiln-dried oak bed w/ stainless hardware
• All body panels gapped, smooth firewall, custom gas cap in bed, master cylinder battery box under cab, all done by M&L Customs in Fair Grove, MO

Interior & Stereo   

• 2006 Dodge Stratus bucket power seats w/  custom leather and suede material
• Custom door panels and headliner, custom console, billet door and window controls, Ididit chrome tilt steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Tach-Force gauges, square weave carpet done by M&L Customs
• Retro AM/FM stereo, Pioneer components in kick panels

Special Thanks 

• “To all my friends I’ve made attending shows, Mike Allemon, Kerry Duplessis and Randy Accardo, my wife Debbie for putting up with my Ridler obsession.”

Photo Credit: Suraj, Vivek