My 68 Impala Build

[shopking68]

I have been a lurker for a long time. But I finally decided to post up. I have had this car since I was 18 and I tore it down completely because I wanted to restore it the right way. I read too many magazines and got all these big ideas in my head, ha.

List of parts and mods being used-

20x8.5 and 20x10 Coy C5 wheels
Nitto INVO tires (295/35/20 and 255/35/20)
Stainless Steel Brakes Force 10 front brake kit with 13" rotors
Global West Suspension upper and lower A Arms
Hotchkis front and rear sway bars
Hotchkis upper and lower rear trailing arms
Chevy 12 bolt rear with Strange Engineering parts and disc brakes
air ride (havent decided on place I getting parts from)

I havent decided on a motor either. I really like the power of the GM 572, but I dont like the price lol... I would like at least 650HP in this tank I am open for suggestions.

Here is what it looked like before I tore it down


My dad fabbed this rotisserie for me




Some pics of the chassis. Test fitted my brake kit the other night. Gonna bolt on the rotors this weekend.


rear end powder coated with the INVO




Did a test fit with my wheels sitting up in the wheel wells. Will have to do some cutting so I can get a full drop with my bags.


Heres my 72 sittin in my shop

[77thor]

Looks like a great project... you don't see very many 68 Imp's around.

[Wicked58]

I've been looking at those Coys rims. Looks great so far, best of luck with the build!

[wellis77]

Sounds, and looks, like a cool project. Looking forward to seeing it come together.

[2ndgenhunter]

Very sweet fb. I have a 68 custom coupe ss. Keep us posted.

[pitbull73]

nice 68 i got a seventy thinking bout doing the same thing to it they make nice cars when done right

[shopking68]

Thanks for the comments. I am hopefully going to get something done this weekend

[LSXZ28]

Sweet Imp! And I love the C10 too!

[shopking68]

Thanks. Got the front brakes all bolted up today. SSBC is a pretty good kit, I am happy overall with the looks and ease of the kit.

[coogle]

great to see a 68 Impala build. I have one my self . and I am looking for a good source for disc brakes front and rear. can't wait to see what you do with it.

[IMPALAMAN1]

Nice job!

[nekkidhillbilly]

like both the car and truck

[Tony_SS]

Nice shop! I like that c10 too.

[yumyumchoppers]

don't you have to trim the frame around the bag on the front. Sure does look purty.

[IMPALAMAN1]

depending on bag of choice you do need to trim the pocket.

from experience.
firestone 2500 highly suggest trimming the inner roll or not using these bags at all. I went through a few of them. they always look like they clear... but dont.

slam speciaties re62 trim the inner roll and inner part of the pocket.
im currently running thise in hte front... and love them but it takes me 125psi to lift the front with a 327.

current plans are to swap them out for the re72.. but you do need to notch qute a bit if you want the car to sit low.

the other option is to make a tall upper cup and get the bag out of the pocket..... sacrificing how it will lay.

something to think about on the rear end. im also running the re72 bags in the back on custom control arms.... the location of the 7" bag to not rub in the front of the frame runs into problems on hte rearend itself. the bag comes into contact with the lower control arm bracket on the rear end. i have trimmed mine back to the housing and have not had any adverse effects....

[shopking68]

Thanks for all the info on the bags impalaman, that stuff is def noted! Sounds like I have some work cut out for me on my air ride setup...

[IMPALAMAN1]

PM ME ANY QUESTIONS.... I LOVE THE CAR...

HERE IS A PIC OF HOW THEY SIT COMPARED TO STOCK







JUST AN FYI.. THE REAREND IS HOUSING IS ABOUT 1/4" FROM THE FLOOR SO ANY LOWER IN THE REAR YOU WOULD HAVE TO NOTCH THE DRIVESHAFT TUNNEL.... SOMETHING I DIDNT WANT TO DO YET. 17" WHEELS FOR THE FRONT I HAVE THE L.C.A'S PULLED ALL THE WAY IN TO HELP WITH THE CAMBER.

[shopking68]

You got a badass car impalaman! I am sure I will be PM u soon... Thanks

[IMPALAMAN1]

Yours is going to look kick ass! If you need pics just holla at me.

[shopking68]

Well I haven't posted in a while, been busy with other projects, like my truck, got it all lowered so here is some updates.



Decided we are going to mini tub the car. With my air ride and tall and wide tires, there was no room left in the back, but I think this is the best thing to do, my dad knows how to do it also. So starting cutting out the passenger side first. We are going to do 1 side at a time so we don't get overwhelmed. I also decided to smooth my firewall, I think it makes the car look real professional and not rushed on a restoration.

My dad cutting out the old panels and the inner wheel well.



The car also needs new front and rear quarters. He we are mocking the fit up making sure everything will fit nice and neat.


My rear end is getting ready to go be assembled, so in the mean time we had a spare rear end that we put in to test out all my rear suspension parts. It was a easy install, only took a few mins and I was able to get the frame off jack stands, I was pretty pumped.



All the Hotchkis parts went in smooth with no problems, they make great parts and nice quality


Got my front tires friday from Discount Tire Direct, they are 275/35/20.


Frame on the ground! feels good