Posted Nov 09 2008, 06:00 PM by Rod Chong with 12 comment(s)

I first noticed this Chevolet Impala at SEMA 2007, where it was parked up in front of the Las Vega Convention Center.  I took the opportunity, to take a pile of photos of the car, but at the time didn’t really have an outlet, other than my personal Facebook page.

As you can imagine, I was very delighted to see the Impala on display at the Mother’s Wax booth at SEMA this year.  Unfortunatley, there was no info board on display so I can’t tell you any details about the build or the people behind it.

None-the-less, we can enjoy a quick look at this stylish and elegant machine.


 
The one logo on display with the car was that of Air Ride Technologies….  This would make sense as the car is “laying frame” on the ground.


 
It’s pretty clear that no expense has been spared with this build. A lot of the time, I find these big budget cars to be overdone; without a sense of restraint or design balance…. It’s a bit like dumping an entire container of sugar into your tea because you like the taste of sweet.

More is not always more….


 
The designers of this car have more than a great eye;  they have managed to achieve a fine balance between traditional style and modern influence. Not an easy thing to do, but I think this Impala has found something close to perfection.

You can see that window frames have been smoothed and molded in: a modernization.  At the same time though, the seats carry the style of 1960s buckets: period look.


Also notice how the belts have been integrated to the seats.


 
The engine itself is a work of art.  All surfaces have been smoothed out,  the majority of the wires hidden from view. Looks a bit like an Art Nouveau sculpture to me!


 
The classic wheel styles are just perfect on the Impala.


 
Some people think that low profile tires have no business being on  anything older than say a car from 1978… I think this application is just fine though. The wheels are also a reasonable size.


 
The license plate says “Bad Ass 409”…… that says it all no?

Does any one know more about this car?

:Rod Chong


Comments

B2K said:

I know something - this car can only be driven on soft carpets ;)

November 9, 2008 7:11 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Alvin Wong said:

Holy crap that is clean. I love the engine bay...wow!

November 9, 2008 8:10 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Rob ekstrak said:

not really feeling this at all.. looks like a beached cuttle fish. One of the things i love about lowriders is their sort of 'draped menace'.. this has none of that. way too friendly looking. too damn clean

November 10, 2008 1:18 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

liamsil80 said:

I know they dare not drive the car lest they ruin that engine bay

November 10, 2008 4:30 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

bobberz said:

Wow, so clean.  Wouldn't drive this car, paint is too shiny to put stone chips, dead bugs on it.  Love the interior though.

November 10, 2008 8:32 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

84ae86 said:

I thought Impalas have three tail lights and Bel Airs and Biscaynes have two.

November 10, 2008 10:12 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Naga_Ten said:

That engine... oh... my... God...

I think I'm in love...

ARGH, I'm betraying my love for JDM!!!

November 10, 2008 12:07 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

leongsoon said:

That interior is pure class, I really appeciate what they did to the dashboard and how they integrated the seatbelts. Yes, this is indeed very close to perfection!

November 10, 2008 5:03 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

firelizard said:

two tails... isn't that a Biscayne?

November 11, 2008 2:53 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

dan said:

It's a Bel Air, more info here: blog.cardomain.com/.../showlow-feature.html

not really my thing at the moment (always evolving) but I really like some aspects like the dash.

November 12, 2008 9:49 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Raymond said:

Love that ride looks bad ass.

December 23, 2008 10:54 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Ben Dover said:

They always said , dogs are a mans best friend. well i think they wrong because when i seen this beuty , i feel in love. so to whoever that did this. Very good. i always wanted a impala. its a dream car.

February 6, 2009 4:44 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters