Customs Rocco Chiero and his Customs

Growing up, his name was very common in the publications I read. Tell me a little about him. He has had some really nice customs pass threw his hands. I`ll start with two and will repost weekly. He was from Chicago. The Merc was in the classifieds in a magazine called Classic and Custom in the 80`s.

 

Cool....

 

I remember the name. He did some cool Customs.

 

I think he was just a wheeler dealer in rods and custom. I had a good friend fly out to Chicago to buy a car off of him, just to find out he already sold it. I'm not sure, but I think he even had a deposit on the car. He was NOT a happy camper.
Said friend wound up buying a 53-4 Buick custom called "White Gold" later on.

 

I would think with a name like Rocco Chiero he wouldn't be hard to find information on.
Ok, @Sancho, where are you? E

 

Back in the day, I worked with Steve Anglin and we did a lot of buying, selling, and trading with Rocco. His day job was as a city truck driver in Chicago. Talk about nerves of steel!

 

Didn't someone (maybe even me) post some info about him in the W.E.H.T. thread? I believe in a discussion on Steve Anglin's Ford. I will go see........ One moment please

 

Yep, it was me. I had found this quote that Rocco himself posted on Rik's archive in response to one of the photos of Steve's shoebox.
"THE 50 FORD WAS PURCHASED BY ME ROCCO CHIERO FROM STEVE AROUND 1985 I ENJOYED IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WHEN I SOLD IT TO TOM ESTEVEZ, WHO GOT IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW HERE IN CHICAGO, SAW THE CAR BEING CONFISCATED ALONG WITH HIS OTHER HOLDINGS ON TV, LATER WAS SOLD AT A GSA AUCTION ALSO IN CHICAGO TO A TRUCK MECHANIC, AND I NEVER SAW IT AGAIN."

I will see what else I can find.

 

I have a few adds from the 80`s out of a Old Cars Weekly I cut out, of the cars he had for sale. I will post them later. Among others pic`s when I find them.

 

Don't want to derail what Jim has going here but I did just find this one. Newspaper coverage from 2014:


1951 Ford Coupe, Rocco Chiero, Crestwood

This eye-popping 1951 Ford Custom was a consolation prize for its owner, Rocco Chiero. The Crestwood resident's heart was set on finding an ultra-desirable 1949 Mercury. Crazy high price tags forced him to look at other options.

"This Ford had been created with the same visual lines. It's just as good -- like a mini-Merc to me."

The glistening showstopper was built in 2005 downstate near St. Louis, in Litchfield, before heading to Maryland. Chiero purchased the chopped and lowered Ford in 2012.

The vehicle features 1955 Pontiac side trim, late-model Cadillac taillights, Desoto bumpers and a 302-cubic-inch V-8. "I can't drive anywhere without attracting a bunch of attention."

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140113/entlife/701139987/

 

Whew, that is one beautiful shoebox! Looks like a Metalflake paintjob.
So Rocco C. was buying cars as recent as 2012. Anybody know what he's up to these days?

By the way, I knew you'd some up with something, Sancho. You the man! E

 

If people have pic`s, post away, he had many cars. Here`s one of him with a Merc from about 83 from the KKOA Leadsled`er. It was a Lincoln Land Kustoms show.

 

This was in Street Scene in 82. Looks like it is the same car. But it`s not.

 

Wow, never ceases to amaze me how many Mercs were being built in the 80s and how many seemed to be prowling the streets back then. There are still plenty of them around today, but I think cost prohibitions limit the amount of "new" ones being built nowadays. E

 

Rocco's selling his shoebox.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/full-custom-chopped-1951-ford/6390683482.html

 

Rocco is 75 now and still doing his thing. He loves all of his cars but never keeps anything for very long .... Here are a few recent cars he has had in his hands

 

It saddens me to inform everyone that Rocco had passed away in January of 2019. I miss my dad greatly and I thank all of you for starting this post about him. Cars were his favorite thing and the family came in at a close 2nd. Lol. The chopped 84 Cadillac Eldorado is the only car left in our family's possession. If anyone is interested please let me know. Thank you. -Rocco-

 

Sad to here this. Would of been nice to meet him.

 

This car is now owned by Jack Walker who owned the Hirohata clone for many years.

 

RIP

 

I'm very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing @RocDaddy. He is one of the custom guys that was going full swing in the early days of the KKOA. I would have loved to meet him and sit down and talk customs with him. I'm sure you miss him greatly.
I'd like to learn more of his chopped El Dorado, but it is too new for the cut off year rules here on the HAMB. Please feel free to contact me via personal messages and we can discuss it that way.
Again, my deepest condolences to you and your family. Rest in peace Mr. Chiero..........E

 

FWIW his old OT ramp truck is for sale on farketplace.