American Grafiti
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American Grafiti
Remember the 58 Impala. Have some pics I want to share with you all, it's my late Father-inlaws final project, his first car he owned from when he was a teenager, and unfortunately the last. He spent countless nights restoring a hunk of rusty metal to the wicked machine it is now, getting it ready for the marriage of his daughter(my wife) cause we wanted a classic car wedding. He called the buds up, we scored a 59 Studabaker, Ford Fliptop(really cool), and his 58 Impala. Three weeks before the day he passed away from a massive heart attack, the entire wedding was on the verge of cancellation, we decided the show must go on after several heart to hearts with his closest friends, he would have wanted it that way. His car was the official wedding car and yours truely got to drive her to the reception.
Here she is, thought you guys and gals would enjoy a classic, cause to me it's alot more than just a car. He did almost every inch of this car except the interior and the motor, everything else was him including the paint.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/492657079EygKnc
Here she is, thought you guys and gals would enjoy a classic, cause to me it's alot more than just a car. He did almost every inch of this car except the interior and the motor, everything else was him including the paint.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/492657079EygKnc
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Joined: Jan 2008
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I have always loved that car.
In the 80's there was a Red 59 Impala Convertible owned by the kid across the alley from where I lived.
It had the 348-6 pack in it.
He let me drive it one day because I did some repair work on it for him.
That car although getting slowly worn out ,ran great.
Collectible Car Magazine did an article on that car in the 90's
In the 80's there was a Red 59 Impala Convertible owned by the kid across the alley from where I lived.
It had the 348-6 pack in it.
He let me drive it one day because I did some repair work on it for him.
That car although getting slowly worn out ,ran great.
Collectible Car Magazine did an article on that car in the 90's
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59 Impala convertible, I would say thats rare, be worth a pretty penny nowadays. The 243 that came with this one was pretty tired, now it has a 327 thats built solid. It was meant to drive and not sit in the garage or be towed to show n shines.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Very nicely done! I like how he didn't go overboard with it, refreshing to see underhood that isn't full of chrome and billet. He had good style, sorry for your loss.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
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From: Murphysboro, IL
GOOD LOOKING car!
My fiance' and i are thinking of doing that at our wedding in March, the only problem is I can't find anyone who has a 1948 F-1 to haul us away in, cause I ain't riding off from the church in nothing but a Ford. Unless it says Massey Ferguson or Allis Chalmers on the side!
My uncle has a few old Corvairs he has restored and I have gone with him to haul them aroudn the country whenever he has bought or sodl one. He's had so many he's starting to forget where he has bought or sold some of them.
Another uncle restores old Farmall/International tractors. He's prolly got 10 or 12 in his shed right now, ALL fully polished and parade ready, he's got three in his shop in restoration status and one outside that is the next project. We might spring for IH red for our getaway vehicle but i'd rather have Grandpa's old Massey!
My fiance' and i are thinking of doing that at our wedding in March, the only problem is I can't find anyone who has a 1948 F-1 to haul us away in, cause I ain't riding off from the church in nothing but a Ford. Unless it says Massey Ferguson or Allis Chalmers on the side!
My uncle has a few old Corvairs he has restored and I have gone with him to haul them aroudn the country whenever he has bought or sodl one. He's had so many he's starting to forget where he has bought or sold some of them.
Another uncle restores old Farmall/International tractors. He's prolly got 10 or 12 in his shed right now, ALL fully polished and parade ready, he's got three in his shop in restoration status and one outside that is the next project. We might spring for IH red for our getaway vehicle but i'd rather have Grandpa's old Massey!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Nice clean car, I haven't seen one around for years and years now. Just a heads up and a suggestion, I would promptly replace that single throttle return spring on the carb with a double one. There's a disaster just waiting to happen.
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
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From: Lubbock, Texas
that a beautiful car i havent seen an impala like that in a long time there usually covered in gold and chrome and bouncin all over the place, but that is a REAL nice car.
Don
Don
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From: Cullman Alabama
Oh yeah, she's a bueat. The cars of my youth.
One fine fall day in '61' I was driving my Dad's 58 wagon.
On normal acceleration at the Green light, the left motor mount broke.
The engine rocked over to the right, which pulled the throttle wide open.
Suddenly the car leaped across the intersection, tires screetching...
It's one thing when you throw the brick down on the pedal, ready for the accleration.
But when it jumps out from under you, not expecting it.....a rare form of terror.
I had trouble stopping it. Finally had to turn the key off. Nearly rammed the car in front of me.
Chebby's fix was a strong cable that went across the Drivers side Motor mount from the frame to the engine. Be sure you have that installed. Especially with the old original mounts. The 327 had more than enough power to override the front brakes on those old shoe/drum setups.
Listen to your old mentor now! My knees are still shaking from that one!
One fine fall day in '61' I was driving my Dad's 58 wagon.
On normal acceleration at the Green light, the left motor mount broke.
The engine rocked over to the right, which pulled the throttle wide open.
Suddenly the car leaped across the intersection, tires screetching...
It's one thing when you throw the brick down on the pedal, ready for the accleration.
But when it jumps out from under you, not expecting it.....a rare form of terror.
I had trouble stopping it. Finally had to turn the key off. Nearly rammed the car in front of me.
Chebby's fix was a strong cable that went across the Drivers side Motor mount from the frame to the engine. Be sure you have that installed. Especially with the old original mounts. The 327 had more than enough power to override the front brakes on those old shoe/drum setups.
Listen to your old mentor now! My knees are still shaking from that one!
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Thanx for the response guys, nice to get some "experienced" advice. I'm thinking a brake upgrade for it, maybe disc brakes, not original but safer. I'm over 200lbs and and I have to put some mustard into when breaking from higher speeds.
