It was 1987, and Steve’s Uncle Sonny and Cousin Jeff dragged home a somewhat-complete ’55 Chevy. The car was full of potential but was missing several pieces, and there wasn’t an engine or transmission in sight. None of that mattered to Sonny and Jeff, as they knew exactly what they wanted to build.

The late-’80s represented the golden age of Pro Street, and the philosophy was simple: stuff the biggest rear tires as possible under a car, add enough engine to make them useful, and then make sure everybody noticed. Sonny and Jeff wanted a car that embodied that era.

With assistance from Chris Alston, the Chevy was backhalved and fitted with a narrowed rear chassis. Alston also helped fabricate the 12-point rollcage that remains in the car today. To make room for massive rubber, the quarter-panels were widened and raised 4 inches. The result was Pro Street perfection, with enormous Mickey Thompson meats tucked under the dramatically reshaped rear quarters.

For the next year, the family garage became ground zero for the build. Sonny and Jeff handled much of the work themselves, transforming their workspace into a temporary paint booth when the time came for color. Renowned painter Lowell Biagi sprayed the Chevy in Porsche Guards Red in 1989, and remarkably the car still wears that same paint today. Ron Woodward of San Pablo completed the transformation inside with a custom red and gray interior that perfectly captured the look and attitude of the time.

Power originally came from a 454ci big-block Chevy nestled between the framerails. By 1990, the Chevy was finished and turning heads everywhere it went. During the height of the Pro Street movement, it stood among the finest examples of the breed and even earned coverage in a few enthusiast magazines.

Meanwhile, the younger Jackson was paying attention. “Years later Uncle Sonny let me drive the car and take it to shows,” Steve recalls. “I could only dream of having a car like this back then; owning it never crossed my mind.”

Like many enthusiasts, Steve eventually tried to create a dream car of his own and purchased a Pro Street 1948 Angia that he tinkered with for a few years. While the Anglia was undeniably cool, it never quite captured the magic of his Uncle Sonny’s ’55.

Knowing how much it meant to him, Steve occasionally told his uncle if the car ever came up for sale, he would be interested. Uncle Sonny’s response: “Steven, I’ve had the car for over 30 years. It’s not for sale.” That answer seemed pretty definitive.

Years had passed when Sonny unexpectedly called and asked Steve a question he never thought he’d hear: Was he still interested in buying the Chevy? Steve did his best to remain calm, but inside he already knew the answer.

The deal came together with one important promise. If Steve bought the car, it would never leave the family. A promise that remains intact today.

With Steve’s tremendous respect for the Chevy, he’s also not afraid to improve it. Over the years, the car has received suspension upgrades designed to make it more enjoyable to drive while retaining its unmistakable Pro Street character.

The most significant changes came after the original big-block spun a bearing. Rather than simply repairing the engine, Steve viewed the setback as an opportunity.

The wounded Rat was shipped to Mark Jones at VortecPro in Georgetown, Texas. Jones transformed the combination into a serious street bruiser, expanding the displacement to 496 ci with compression set at a pump-gas-friendly 10:1.

An aggressive Isky camshaft measuring 0.632-inch lift and 286 degrees duration helps the engine breathe through GM HP rectangular-port iron heads and an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake manifold. While the engine maintains a classic big-block appearance, modern driveability comes courtesy of Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection and MSD ignition components.

The result is an impressive 635 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque. Enough to make those giant rear tires earn their keep.

Custom headers built by Mark Weiss feed a 3-inch exhaust system topped with Flowmaster 50-series mufflers, giving the 496 a voice that rolls across the pavement like distant thunder.

While the engine was out, Steve took the opportunity to freshen the engine room. Steve Lininger recessed and refinished the firewall, carefully upgrading the area while preserving Sonny’s work created decades earlier.

Backing the engine is a TH400 prepared by Clean’s Racing Transmissions (the go-to back in the day) backed by a Coan torque converter and B&M Pro Stick shifter. Out back the original Chris Alston’s Chassisworks narrowed 9-inch remains in service, equipped with 4.56 gears and strange 31-spline axles.

Global West control arms, Viking coilovers, upgraded springs, and a Gene Smith sway bar improve front end behavior. The rear suspension utilizes custom torque arm bars, a Panhard bar, QA1 coilovers, and 500-pound springs.

The Weld Racing Rodlite wheels measure a skinny 15×4 up front and a massive 15×15 in the rear. Wrapped around those rear wheels are Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires measuring 33×21.5 inches.

Inside, the custom interior remains largely unchanged from its original design. The stock dash, Auto Meter gauges, Grant GT steering wheel, and custom upholstery continue to transport occupants back to the heyday of Pro Street.

The beauty of Steve’s ownership is keeping the car grounded in its well-kept history. He doesn’t hunt trophies or insane horsepower as to him the car is all about how it drives conversation.

“The only thing that beats working on the car with my son, Jake, and my friends, is taking it to shows with my wife and daughter,” Steve says. “In fact, having my daughter, Abby, drive the car to a show last year was an absolute life highlight.”

That statement says everything you need to know about this Chevy.

What began as a field rescue in 1987 became a magazine-featured Pro Street icon in 1990. Today it serves a much more important role. It brings generations together.

“My cousin Jeff [died] in March 2023 after battling cancer for a year and a half. He wasn’t just my cousin, he was one of my best friends and he was always there to help me. I learned a tremendous amount from him over the years working on our cars. Jeff was the inspiration behind the build of the ’55,” Steve says. “In Jeff’s honor, we love sharing this car with family and friends. That’s what it’s all about.”

In a hobby often obsessed with what’s next, Steve’s ’55 Chevy is a reminder that sometimes the greatest builds aren’t measured by elapsed times or dyno sheets, they’re measured by the memories they create and the people who get to enjoy them together.

That said, Steve admits a supercharger may eventually find its way underhood. After all, it’s hard to argue with the visual impact of a giant blower breaking through the sheetmetal.