Just finished reading Hot Rod Deluxe from the local malt shop and feel a bit energized at this whole scene....New here and just finding my way around the HAMB..... I am in the early stages of taking a 64 impala 4 door into what I see as a family style get away vehicle. I am a novice at this and thought after seeing the hot rod deluxe rag at the local malt shop I'd talk about what I've done so far and what I think I want to do to finish the car. And see if anyone has any ideas for me. I am doing the original 327 bored 40 over with a balanced 350 crank, a 262 extreme energy cam, cr moly rings, hyperneutectic pistons and bigger intake and exhaust vlaves, ported heads. That's all done... I like the new performace edelbrock air gap intake for idle to 5500. As a heavy car, I want as much low end and torque as posible while still running on pump gas for touring and possibly pulling a vintage tear drop trailer of some kind. Mating the engine to a 700r4 which barely will fit in the x frame of this car. Any advice on that? The 700 r4 should give those low rpms for high speed comfortable cruising. Want to shave it and am currently finishing the engine compartment clean to accept the VW color cyber green, which is a lime gold pearl color that should look much better than the original avacado. Want to lower it some with 95 implala struts and still find a way for 20 inch wheels all the way around. Handling is paramount and I do not care for air ride but instead would like recomendations on a simple reliable low cost low maintenence suspension. Tuck and roll white interior is what I go for with maybe a lime piping. The original speedo I'd like to replace with a set of insturments clustered in the same place. Is there any instrument panels made for this car? I definatly like how rad rides did a 62 biscanye. But way too much money. You can check it out..The car has it's own website www.chicayne.com I suppose it's nice to have that kind of money to build a 1200 hp car but it's just too over the top if you know what I mean. That's a big reason I find your publication so much more interesting. Regular folks doing what they can..... Thanks for listening. Best regards, Guac
Does this count as an introduction? Anyway, glad to see another '64 Impala HAMBer. What's your car look like (post a pic)? It sounds like you've got a lot of work ahead you as do I.
Well, no pictures yet and it's basically rust free. Half inch dents at the eyebrows. Small crease at the passerger door. Owned by an elderly couple with 150 k miles and in need of mechanical work. Bought for 3000 2yrs ago. Starting over basiclly and I suppose I should get some pictures before paint.... The engine is now completly redone and should be around 370 hp and 405 ftlbs torque. About as much as I want to do there.. How's yours going? Guacamole
Today I spent taking the complete front end off. Unlike yours, mine has a lot of rust. There were a lot of rusty bolts that would not budge or the nut broke free, so I to use the torch to cut them off. Next weekend, the motor and tranny come out. Then after that I will be cutting out the bad floor boards and rear quarters to weld in new ones. It's going to be a long rusty road for me. See my Intro post for my plans for the car. Check out the pictures on my website under "The Way It Is..."
Welcome to the HAMB! Here's a '64 4 door a friend has been driving DAILY for the last decade plus and this is the third incarnation I've seen of it. It has light blue and white tuck & Roll and a metallic silver outside. Before that it was pastel blue primer with a flat sealer with prism flake in it. He torched the coils before and it was way low and kept getting lower over a decade so he just replaced the springs whith stock ones and will start the "cut and adjust on the ride height soon. I did the hole filling on the doors where those goofy handles usta be and he has remote push button doors now. Like I said this IS his daily driver and he parks it at the highschool he works at every day. Four door customs are Punk Rock!
Hey DrJ, Where did your friend get the custom grille. I don't know whether I like taking out the high beams or not. But I do like the grille.
[ QUOTE ] Hey DrJ, Where did your friend get the custom grille. I don't know whether I like taking out the high beams or not. But I do like the grille. [/ QUOTE ] Well, I made some patterns and he cut out the black plexiglass hide-em covers you can barely see behind the grill to close off where the extra lights were and then he took it to Glory Grills, here in L.B. and had the grill made to order. Glory Grills advertizes in some of the magazines and does mail order I think, but then you'll have to fit it yourself... He filled in all but the outside two tail lights too and installed '50 Pontiac bullet lenses.
Here's my brother's...SuperSport actually...we did a few body mods to it a few years ago...NOT your average run of the mill '64 Impala...recognize any of the mods? The rear end shot...got any guesses on this one? FWIW, not much of an intro, but it'll do...for now...welcome. R-
Never really fell for Morticia, I think I go more for Herman Munster's babe. How's the auto doors working out? I'm just about to order a set from Jegs. They give good warranty and the entire set is 120.00... Thanks for the pics, once I get the outside done I'll post, or maybe sooner. Look'in good! Still wondering about wheel size and suspension. Guacamole
Uhhhhhh... The HAMB and Hot Rod Deluxe aren't related...? And Hot Rod Deluxe only put out TWO ISSUES- Now isn't it "Car-culture deluxe"? Anyways, If I had a 64 impala and I could keep myself from making it a LOWRIDER, I think I would go with a hardcore "futuristic 60's" look, Frosted lenses, rolled pans and tube grills galore! Or you could play it "safe" and go with the "bellflower" look, Bellflower tips, some LACE paint, chromed-reverse wheels, and a tube grill (what am I forgetting gentlemen?) That'd be pretty damn cool too...
Geez... This pic makes me feel really good about my project! What plans do ya have for it? [ QUOTE ] welcome guacamole con chile, good luck on your ride, here is a pik of one we are doing [/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] Uhhhhhh... The HAMB and Hot Rod Deluxe aren't related...? And Hot Rod Deluxe only put out TWO ISSUES- Now isn't it "Car-culture deluxe"? Anyways, If I had a 64 impala and I could keep myself from making it a LOWRIDER, I think I would go with a hardcore "futuristic 60's" look, Frosted lenses, rolled pans and tube grills galore! Or you could play it "safe" and go with the "bellflower" look, Bellflower tips, some LACE paint, chromed-reverse wheels, and a tube grill (what am I forgetting gentlemen?) That'd be pretty damn cool too... [/ QUOTE ] The thing is, In the 60s there wasn't really any difference between what we now call a "Bellflower Custom" and what we now call a "Lowrider". Customs had lifts then, they just weren't "Hoppers" yet, at least not in the abundance and recognition they are now. In fact, Bellflower Customs were often called lowriders, because they were low. The terms were used synonymously, if they were used at all. Mostly they were all just "customs" Actually, the term was used more to describe the attitude of the driver, who drove with the seat all the way back and slouched down low (so he presented a smaller target?) Some guys woud lean on their right elbow in the seat and drape their left wrist over the steering wheel and look out over the dash just under the mirror. I still see that around town sometimes... Yea, I do/did it too. There weren't many custom cars with chopped tops back then either. Now it seems like the first thing that gets done to a car. Other than similarity in title and the name of one publisher on the first two issues of each, CK Deluxe and HR Deluxe are not related and don't come from the same magazine publishing sources. Jesse, You going to "invent" a new rear for that sixtyfour or do you have a body to graft on? I can see the start of a Starbird radical custom thre if it went that way...
You are correct sir! Car Kulture Deluxe was the rag. I was mistaken. Good article in there about the HAMB. The 49 chopped Olds project I believe. I wonder how that's comming along... Guacamole
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