Not only is
this collection of beautifully-illustrated true stories perfect for car
lovers, it is charming enough to captivate even the reader who never before
understood the mystique of vintage automobiles.
Ralph Reschke of Lawrence loves the “twins,” which is what he calls
his matching 1955 Plymouth Belvederes. He has created these red and
black beauties from junkyard rejects, and they are particularly
spectacular when seen together.
Reschke’s love for the ’55 Plymouth started when he was a kid in
Sabetha, Kan. He bought a 1955 Belvedere when he was farming with his
dad one year after graduating from high school. That car left such a
memory that he has re-created it.
In 1993 he found a green and white Belvedere hardtop sitting in a Denver
junkyard. Although it was in rough condition, he liked it because it had
an unusual amount of original equipment. Reschke says that of the
730,000 or so 1955s built, only 852 had air conditioning. Air
conditioning was a $600 option on a $2,300 car, so few chose it. His car
also has power steering, power windows, power brakes, a radio with a
rear speaker and variable-speed wipers. Because of the way his car is
equipped, he figures it may have belonged to a factory executive.
Reschke brought the hardtop back to Lawrence and began its restoration.
With the exception of the interior, he did most of the work himself, and
it required a lot of patience. For example, one of the stainless steel
trim strips was badly damaged and a replacement was very hard to find.
Reschke made a pattern from a block of wood and reshaped the entire
strip by hand. It took him three days to do one 6-foot-long piece.
When the hardtop was nearly done, Reschke located a convertible. By that
time, he had a shop in which he could work, and he was ready to retire.
In 2000, after heart surgery, he started work on the convertible. It was
in bad shape, so he took the body off the frame and built new
floorboards. He has added every factory accessory to the convertible.
Although Reschke says he is really attached to his hardtop, he had a
smile “a mile wide” when he got his convertible running. The thing about
twins is that you can like both equally and get double the reward.
Notice: The information on this site is
not intended as a substitute for the advice of a professional who is
qualified to examine, diagnose and repair your vehicle.
Reschke’s love for the ’55 Plymouth started when he was a kid in
Sabetha, Kan. He bought a 1955 Belvedere when he was farming with his
dad one year after graduating from high school. That car left such a
memory that he has re-created it.
Reschke brought the hardtop back to Lawrence and began its restoration.
With the exception of the interior, he did most of the work himself, and
it required a lot of patience. For example, one of the stainless steel
trim strips was badly damaged and a replacement was very hard to find.
Reschke made a pattern from a block of wood and reshaped the entire
strip by hand. It took him three days to do one 6-foot-long piece.
