How a Kentucky Coal Miner's Move to California Led to Bob Graham’s Gleaming '55 Chevy

Central Octane

By Dean Kirkland

Published 6 months ago on

July 17, 2024

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Mike Graham's grandfather was a Kentucky coal miner who decided in 1939 that enough was enough and headed to California.
Grandad started a shop in Centerville and passed on his love and knowledge of cars to son Bob Graham.
Bob's son Mike continues to improve Bob's last build, a 1955 Chevy, that today is a tribute to his late father.

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There’s something about dads and cars that’s more American than apple pie and arguing over who makes the best BBQ. Before some of us could walk, we were handed a wrench and told to “hold this.”

Dean Kirkland Portrait

Dean Kirkland

Central Octane

For Mike Graham, co-owner of Graham’s Hot Rod Shop Inc. in Fresno, those early lessons were less about learning to fix things and more about learning the sacred art of the grease monkey, handed down like a family secret from father to son. But this isn’t just a tale about turning wrenches and checking oil levels; it’s about a father’s love, a son’s devotion, and a 1955 Chevy that stands as a gleaming reminder of their shared passion.

Growing Up in a Garage

A young Mike Graham, barely old enough to reach the pedals but already elbow-deep in engine parts, growing up in a world where the smell of gasoline was the scent of home. His dad, Bob Graham, was a Chevrolet man through and through, selling those iconic rides from 1955 until the turn of the millennium. Bob’s enthusiasm for anything with an engine was so contagious it could make a Prius owner yearn for a muscle car. For Bob, a car wasn’t just a way to get from A to B; it was a rolling expression of freedom and power, a love letter to the open road.

Bob Graham was the kind of guy who could rebuild a ’32 Ford with his eyes closed and probably tuned the family lawnmower just for kicks. Mike wasn’t just his son; he was his apprentice in the grand workshop of life. Let me set the scene: a 6-year-old Mike, perched on the tank of a Harley-Davidson Sportster, gripping the handlebars like he was born to ride. This was no ordinary upbringing —this was boot camp for gearheads.

A Family Affair

Mike learned the ropes (and the wrenches) in his dad’s small shop. It was about fixing cars, bonding, and understanding that sometimes the best way to understand how something works is to take it apart and put it back together.

Bob had a demonstrator car every year — a perk of being a top-notch Chevy salesman. To the uninitiated, it looked like the Grahams were rolling in dough, but as Mike wryly notes, “We weren’t well off. It was all we could do to afford for him to have a demonstrator like that.” Those shiny new cars were less a sign of wealth and more a badge of honor, a testament to Bob’s dedication to his craft.

The Graham family’s love affair with cars didn’t start with Bob. Mike’s grandfather was a coal miner from Kentucky who decided one night in 1939 that enough was enough. He packed up the family and headed to California, where he opened a garage in outside of Fresno in Centerville, a tiny town a stone’s throw from the Kings River. The grandad could fix anything, from a Model A to a toaster, with a piece of his leather belt if needed. That kind of mechanical genius doesn’t just happen; it’s passed down through the generations like a prized recipe or an old war story.

Star of the Show: The 1955 Chevy

Now, let’s talk about the star of our show — the 1955 Chevy that was Bob Graham’s last great build. As Bob got older, he wanted to tackle one more project — a car that would stand as a monument to his lifelong passion. The ’55 was that car, a tri-five beauty that was a symbol of a life spent in pursuit of automotive perfection.

Bob bought the Chevy as a complete builder car and, alongside a buddy, spent the better part of five to seven years transforming it from a rust bucket into a showstopper. Meanwhile, Mike and his friend Chris Schmidt were busy running their own shop, building cars for other people. They didn’t have a lot of time to help Bob directly, but they provided parts, guidance, and moral support.

The Final Push

Eventually, it became clear that Bob needed a bit more help. His hands didn’t work like they used to, and the project was stalling. That’s when Mike and Chris stepped in, clearing a space in their home shop and taking on the final stages of the build. They finished the last 10-15% of the car, including installing the new 383 small block stroker motor Bob had always dreamed of.

Mike remembers those final years fondly. The car gave Bob a sense of purpose and joy, keeping him active and engaged until his passing in 2016 at the age of 81. After Bob passed, Mike brought the car home, making a few improvements but always staying true to his dad’s vision. He swapped out troublesome carburetors for a more reliable Holley Sniper setup and installed an electronic 4L60 transmission, refining the car into a smooth-running beast that Bob would have loved even more than the first version.

A Living Tribute

For Mike, the ’55 Chevy is a living tribute to his dad. It’s a testament to the bond they shared and the lessons learned in a small garage filled with tools, laughter, and the occasional colorful word when things didn’t go quite right. This magnificent piece of rolling history is a family heirloom in the truest sense.

Mike’s story is a reminder that cars can be a connection to our past that reminds us of our family’s journey and heritage, a way to remember those we’ve lost, and a means to carry forward the legacy of those who taught us everything worth knowing

The ’55 Chevy is a symbol of that legacy, a car that keeps Bob’s memory alive every time it roars to life.

About the Author

GV Wire Producer Dean Kirkland is the founder and director of Gas and Gears, an independent film production company that has produced numerous television series and feature films, including the award-winning documentary “Racing Through The Forest” (2014).