1955 Chevrolet Cameo - Red Rock Special

The sun had taken its toll on the wood in the bed to where it resembled a rotted fence. “You could step right through it in most spots,” Dennis says. The exterior paint was not in much better shape with holes and rust here and there. After negotiating a deal with his friend’s father for $500 cash and $1,000 worth of traded-out mechanical work on his semi-trucks, the Cameo was his. Dennis handed over the money, aired up the tires, put a new battery in it, and poured gas down the carburetor. Surprisingly, after sitting there dead for five years, it fired right up and he drove it home.

Dennis’ ultimate goal was to turn the truck into a show vehicle, but finding the time and money made it difficult to do. So the project sat in idle for a few years while Dennis figured out a game plan. One day Dennis came home to find his best friend David Kinnison had taken the Cameo completely apart. Parts were scattered all over his backyard, but David provided the motivation for Dennis to start the project. The two friends spent two years putting the truck back together for its first resurrection. The truck was shown at a few events in Arizona and Southern California, and was then retired to the garage. Unfortunately, the Cameo ended up sitting in the garage for 15 years when one day, David called and asked about the old pickup they restored.

It only took six months of working weekends to reassemble the truck with help from his co-workers at Escondido Rock and Gravel. Next the truck was wired up to get it running, and then it was off to ACM Paint and Body of Escondido, California, for bodywork.

Two to three months of labor and the truck was painted with a nice, shiny coat of DuPont gloss-red. The interior was the last thing to complete on the truck. Dennis had been looking at other classic vehicles at local car shows and found an upholstery guy who did nice work by the name of Armando’s Custom Upholstery in San Jacinto, California. The stock bench seat was reshaped and recovered with leather and custom door panels made. ct

Dennis Jones

Drivetrain
Engine: LS1 Turn Key
Heads: stock
Valve covers: stock
Manifold: stock with carbon stickers
Ignition: stock
Headers: stock
Exhaust / Mufflers: DynoMax / 2½ dual pipe
Transmission: 700-R4
Modifications: rebuilt and shift kit
Shifter: ididit

Body
Style: Cameo
Fenders front: stock
Hood: stock
Grille: stock
Bed: stock
Bodywork and paint by: ACM Autobody & Paint of Escondido, CA
Paint type / Color: DuPont / red
Headlights / Taillights: stock / blue dot
Outside mirrors: stock
Bumpers: stock re-chrome