1961 Impala Bubble top, I think it needs an LS and updated suspension and brakes

[classiccarcustoms]

Finally time for a face lift under my 1961 Impala.
This was the day I pulled her out of storage.
I was running CPP complete suspension and stock style disc brakes. Looked good, drove great.
My intentions were to just clean the underside and install A/C and an LS engine.
Next thing you know, I pulled her off the frame.

[RMMiller]

That's a beautiful car, we just saw one the other day with the same paint scheme. I was sitting out in front of a garage off a main road in town, hadn't seen it there before so I suspect it doesn't leave the garage much.

[classiccarcustoms]

Powder coated the frame.
Complete front and rear Ridetech coil kit showed up from Santa 🎅
Also added an extra adjustable upper trailing arm.
-Global West upper rear shock brace crossmember.
-Global West left and right frame supports.
-Global West panhard bar drop down centering bracket.

Hope to get Baer brakes this week.
Engine and transmission installed this week.

[classiccarcustoms]

I also started stripping the underside. To no suprise i found a couple bad patch jobs, truck floor and patch on the floor. I will have to cut out and weld in new.

New truck floor welded in, complete floor stripped, repaired, sealed, seam sealed. Ready to paint today.

[HotWheelz]

OOH YES!

Yours is exactly the build I would love to have!

the Best of Success to your build!

[classiccarcustoms]

Under side is painted Raptor bed liner, tinted body color.

[jaybee]

Sweet!

[classiccarcustoms]

Suspension complete, motor and trans installed.
Underside of car is painted. Frame is ready to go back under car.

[rixtrix1]

Wow! Car looked great on the outside; now looks great underneath, too. My aunt bought one of these new, only a 283/PG, but it was a sharp looking car. Cuz drove it in high school, then traded it in for a '70 Chevelle. If only we knew then what we know now, but both cars are long gone.

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
When I had the underside all cleaned and sealed, I was on the fence, paint underside of car black, body color, black bed-liner or body color bed-liner. Glad I went body color bed-liner. Shows off the powder coated frame and detail.

Frame is under the car.
Working on fuel tank and lines.
Hope brakes show up soon.

[HotWheelz]

Beautiful car! Fantastic build!

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
Baer Pro plus 6p front & rear brakes showed up this week.
Also started on the interior and trunk panels.
Focal 6x9s in rear package tray, Kicker 12" woofer under rear shelf. All will be hidden.
I have to get the dual power antennas and sequential LED tail lights installed before the trunk panels can go in.

[blown32]

What a sweet build...beautiful car!

[DKz Garage]

Beautiful build!

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
Almost got trunk panels installed.
Now time to start wiring LS into car

[classiccarcustoms]

Picture173203

[Motown 454]

Wow what a beautiful car!

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
Finally got some time to work on Impala again.
Smoothed and painted body color inner fenders and radiator support.
Radiator and a/c condenser mounted. Dakota gauges and dash mounted.

[Alwhite00]

My god what a beautiful car.

My buddy built a 59 bubletop 20 years ago. We had it on air ride, 17” wheels, 350/700R. Red with the white between the chrome. Red interior. My favorite out of 20 cars he’s built. He sold it about 17 years ago...

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
I just finished smoothing and painting inner fenders and radiator support all body color. Changing all bolts out for button head stainless.
Hope to get hoses and lines installed this weekend.
Also got rear bumper installed.

[classiccarcustoms]

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Finally got some time to start building the exhaust.

[classiccarcustoms]

One side is all the way out the back.
Took some time. All mandrel bent 2.5”.
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[droptop62ss]

Nice build ! Is that Magnaflows exhaust kit for our impalas? What size tires and wheels are you running on the back ?

Thanks
Andy

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
The exhaust started out as Magnaflow exhaust kit, I had to buy 6 extra 90 deg and a couple of 45's and cut and make changes.
A couple extra hangers.
Rear rims and tires are 20x11's with 295-30-20. I did narrow the rear end 2" each side.

[droptop62ss]

Thank You !

[classiccarcustoms]

Rear brakes and exhaust all done. Now back to finishing out the trunk close out panels, then finish power windows and interior.

[classiccarcustoms]

Trunk is finally done.
Now on to interior
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[65 drop top]

Man I love this car, great job

[classiccarcustoms]

At alignment shop now.
Getting close. 176556176557176558

[David Sloan]

Beautiful car !
Excellent choices

[droptop62ss]

Powder coated the frame.
Complete front and rear Ridetech coil kit showed up from Santa 🎅
Also added an extra adjustable upper trailing arm.
-Global West upper rear shock brace crossmember.
-Global West left and right frame supports.
-Global West panhard bar drop down centering bracket.

Hope to get Baer brakes this week.
Engine and transmission installed this week.

what ride tech kit did you use in the rear ?

[droptop62ss]

what ride tech kit did you use in the rear ?

Never mind I found it !:hand:

[classiccarcustoms]

I founds some nice low back power bucket seats and made brackets to bolt into factory location. Now build a center console and then off to interior shop. 177392177393

[HotWheelz]

What a beautiful, sexy build! If I had my choice of super models or this fine ride, I WANT THE CAR!!! Absolutely beautiful Bubble top!!!

[Tsaints1115]

Great car.

If I can ask a couple of questions...

When you added the second upper trailing arm on the rear did you have to fabricate a bracket or did you simply aquire a second OEM on and bolt it on the chassis?

Second, who makes the billet hood hinges?

Thanks.
I have a 60 wagon and you thread is inspiring.

[classiccarcustoms]

Adding 2nd rear upper trailing arm: I had to drill holes in frame and installed a bracket supplied by Ride Tech as far as the rear end side, I had to weld on a bracket to housing supplied by Ride Tech.

Eddie Motor Sport billet hood hinges. FYI They don't fit good at all. Looks great but at their lowest setting the hood sits up at least 3/8" at the wiper cowl. Sat perfect with stock hinges.
I have pictures and measurements into Eddie Motors sports. If I don't hear anything I will modify them to fix that gap, but at $600 I shouldn't have to.
Or take them off and throw them away and make a set.

Just finished the interior, here are some pictures

[classiccarcustoms]

She drives great. Got 400 miles on her.
Now I want more. When I built the LS2 I built it for boost. So New Currie 9" ordered.
Also ordered Edelbrock super charger. Both should be here this week.
Some current pictures of under the car, before out with the old.

[Woodsie]

Incredible car

[mlsully]

I founds some nice low back power bucket seats and made brackets to bolt into factory location. Now build a center console and then off to interior shop. 177392

Outstanding build!! What are those bucket seats out of? Looking for something for my 62 that has a low back and not overly shaped so still looks like it belongs. Also, how difficult was it to fab up brackets? I have not had the bench out yet to see how flat the floor is and what I’ll ha e to work with. Thanks in advance!

[classiccarcustoms]

Thank you.
Front seat are out a 1996 Toyota Avalon. They fit great. Perfect size.
Mounting them, i used all the factory spots on the Impala and factory brackets from Toyota. I welded 3/8 metal plates to the floor at the factory seat location with nuts welded in, so they bolt right into the factory floor. I can see if I have picture.
Do not get the Avalon seats with memory......
I also have these seats now in my chevelle and 55 bel air.

[mlsully]

Awesome, thank you so much for the information!

[classiccarcustoms]

Added Currie 9”
Going with more power so upgraded last part
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[Tincup]

Very nice:1st:

[Motown 454]

Wow I love this car. Nice upgrades to the suspension.

[cutlassmann]

what size wheels are these 22?

[68EFIvert]

Beautiful car. Very tasteful modifications. :twothumbs

[csouth]

Just saw this car on Youtube while I was looking for something else Ridetech related.... Nice build

[GNon18s]

Sick ride!:headbang:

[classiccarcustoms]

20s

[Cramer4918]

Reviving an old thread...

Absolutely stunning build! Thank you for the info on the seats. I am building a '61 Biscayne now and plan to put buckets in.

What kick panels do you have? Were they fabbed up with the interior?

[classiccarcustoms]

Reviving an old thread...

Absolutely stunning build! Thank you for the info on the seats. I am building a '61 Biscayne now and plan to put buckets in.

What kick panels do you have? Were they fabbed up with the interior?

Thank you.
Only negative thing I would say about the seats, for my kids to get in the back, there was no release lever or button, so you had to power the seat all the way forward and power fold it forward for them to get in and out. Not sure if they made a 2 door model that had release slide to gain rear seat access??? That is the only negative I would say. I have used those seats in many other builds and love them..
As far as the kick panels, I made them, fiber board and fiberglass. They were just a prototype as I was going to build another paid that the speakers were hidden.

[eversaul86]

Beautiful build. Nice work! Love the motivation for me!
Martin

[Cramer4918]

Thank you.
Only negative thing I would say about the seats, for my kids to get in the back, there was no release lever or button, so you had to power the seat all the way forward and power fold it forward for them to get in and out. Not sure if they made a 2 door model that had release slide to gain rear seat access??? That is the only negative I would say. I have used those seats in many other builds and love them..
As far as the kick panels, I made them, fiber board and fiberglass. They were just a prototype as I was going to build another paid that the speakers were hidden.

Wow! How did I miss your reply?!?!

Thank you for the info! I will have to look into that. I wonder if the Solara has the same style seat. It was a two door Toyota Sedan.

I'm still in the process of getting mine going. I will need to look into kick panels soon. I have my A/C and heater hoses coming in from that area on the passenger side.

[Pucegtr1]

Hello Sir

I know you sold your 61, but I also have a 61 impala and I have Avalon seats. Would you happen to have the picture still of how you made the brackets? And how the brackets looked welded seats to the floor ?
It would help me out a lot. I know it's been 4 years and you probably don't have them anymore but I'd thought I ask.

Thanks for any help with my project.