In 1937, Buicks and Louis Vuitton bags were special. That same year Louis’ son, Georges, died and with his death concluded the golden age of this now infamous-named brand.
No one could have imagined how a ’37 Buick Special and a handbag would cross paths decades later. You see, Noah Hipolito of Azusa, California, owned one of these four-door Touring Sedans before, but with an expectant wife he had to sell it to purchase a bigger home for his growing family. Never regretting the sale, but definitely wishing he would come across another Buick, he patiently waited for the right one.
Years passed and Noah found himself the proud owner of L. Duran Auto Body Works in Azusa. He finally found the perfect ’37 Buick to restore and the project was a breeze to complete because the majority of the work would be done at his own shop. From the Midnight Black paintjob and multiple coats of PPG urethane clear, to the charcoal gray cloth with stitching mimicking that of its original factory specs and additional wood grain accents, it was all in the palm of his hands. Noah and crew also installed a custom Helix airbag suspension kit and complemented the look with 16-inch artilleries and Firestone whitewall tires.
This ’37 was completed just in time for his wedding day, where he gave it to his wife, Carmen, as a wedding gift. Knowing the sacrifices her husband had made for them over the years she told him he could keep the Buick in exchange for a vintage Louis Vuitton bag. Without hesitation, Noah was off to the nearest LV store to seal the deal. “I got my Louis and still have my car,” Carmen says with a smile.
1937 Buick Special
Vehicle Nickname
The Wish
Owner
Noah Hipolito
Car Club
Antiques Car Club
City
Azusa, CA
Interior
L. Duran in Azusa installed a charcoal gray cloth with stitching mimicking that of its original factory specs and additional woodgrain accents.
Engine
Original ’37 Buick with three-speed transmission
Body/Paint
Noah and team at L. Duran put down the Midnight Black paintjob.
Suspension
L. Duran installed the custom Helix Airbag Suspension kit
Wheels/Tires
Painted 16-inch artilleries with Firestone wide whitewalls
The Year In 1937
Safety glass in vehicle windscreens becomes mandatory in Great Britain.
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge opens.
First NFL game in Washington, D.C.; Redskins beat New York Giants 13-3.
Mexico nationalizes oil.
1937 Buick Special comes off assembly line and represents the Antiques Car Club 78 years later.
This sports sedan featured a new creased roofline that proved to be a favorite...
Lowriders practically have to become battery experts by default. Most of us aren’t running single batteries in our cars or trucks. With the amount of power required to run hydraulics, airbags, big stereos, and the rest of our setup, usually one battery just won’t do the trick. So, aside from finding room in our cars to stuff all those components, we also have the tricky task of stashing several batteries somewhere cleanly and accessible enough to charge and route the cabling out of. Most of the time our engine bays aren’t conducive to more than one battery, so we have to find new ways to mount multiple batteries, and anyone who has worked with typical lead acid batteries knows that this is a tough proposition.
For one, lead acid batteries leak, even when they’re right-side up. After spending thousands on paint, upholstery, and everything else, we don’t want to take chances on corrosion occurring in areas our friends and judges will see. So what’s the best course of action? Here we’ve selected an assortment of batteries to help you make the right decision for your project. The good folks at Optima make batteries we tend to think are some of the best on the market and decided to stack up two of their top sellers next to a lead acid battery. We also threw in a charger since our cars often have to sit idle for indefinite amounts of time and need some help to come back to life.
Take a look and see if there’s room for one (or more) of these in your car or truck. Also, it’s recommended you disconnect batteries prior to testing them to see if they are OK or not. Vehicles that have been modified with fuel injection, high-output radios, amps, and various other accessories can hold voltage in small capacitors that can trick the battery test device.
Overview
Thinking of running a variety of accessories on your car? Optima’s Yellow Top batteries deliver plenty of power for long periods of time, whether you’re out in California or in a colder state. They are conducive to repeated recharging after deep power drains. With lower internal resistance, Optima Yellow Top batteries provide consistent power and can fully recharge in one hour and continue working after 350 full discharges. Optima batteries are filled with AGM (absorbed glass mat) and are sealed, so it won’t leak and you can get creative with mounting, even doing it upside down. If your car is loaded with electronics, such as a big stereo, a hydraulic system, fuel injection, air conditioning, and so on, this is truly the battery for you. Prices and dimensions vary. You can visit www.optimabatteries.com to see which model is best for your car or call (888) 867-8462 to speak with one of their technicians about the setup you plan to use.
Overview
If your car or truck is more of a stock configuration and may sit for long periods of time, the Optima Red Top will deliver plenty of cold cranking amps time after time. Although not intended for accessory-loaded vehicles, the Optima Red Top is leak proof, which, like the Yellow Top, gives you the opportunity to mount it in a variety of locations. It also has amazing high-power delivery and is resistant to the most common causes of battery failure. They can sit for a long time without dying, unlike conventional batteries. This maintenance-free battery also has plenty of vibration resistance and works well on motorcycles. Prices and dimensions vary. You can visit www.optimabatteries.com to see which model is best for your car or call (888) 867-8462 to speak with one of their technicians about the setup you plan to use.
Make/Model
Optima Digital 1200 Charger
Features
Constant-on/momentary tailcap push-button switch, mode select side switch
Overview
Sometimes AGM batteries have gotten a bad rap because people have returned them after unsuccessfully trying to recharge them with a standard charger. This is usually because they’re using the wrong tool for the job. Not all AGM batteries like Optimas can be charged by standard chargers, so it makes sense to have a charger that can recharge AGM and wet cell batteries like the Digital 1200. Unlike standard off-the-shelf chargers, it analyzes what is needed to get a complete charge in the least amount of time. It alters how much amperage and voltage is applied to bring the battery back to a full charge. With an LCD menu and gauge, it’s simple to use. Just select the battery type by pressing the picture on the menu. Although it doesn’t provide engine start capability, it makes sense to have one of these if you buy an Optima battery since it will charge other batteries down to 1.25 V. The grips also have integrated LED work lights and it features a nifty USB charging port. At $200, it’s not cheap, but is one of the best user-interface chargers on the market.
Overview
AC Delco has been making batteries for a long time. They are standard lead acid-type batteries and very reliable if you want to go with something more traditional. Their terminal design is leak resistant and envelope separators are designed to help eliminate shorting and “corrode-through” to improve reliability and car battery life. The large reservoirs above the plates provide ample electrolyte reserve for maintenance-free performance. Both positive and negative grids are lead/calcium alloy to maximize corrosion resistance, increase cycle life, and reduce water consumption to improve battery durability. Prices vary by size. Visit www.acdelco.com for more information.
If you perform an LS swap in an older classic it may look like you’ve got plenty of room, but dig a little deeper and you just may encounter problems-especially if you’re planning on running air conditioning. While there’s plenty of room all around the motor, the stock mounting location for an A/C compressor (which is on the bottom) will most likely interfere with your frame.
To address and answer that problem, LSX Concepts has engineered an easy-to-install, high-mount A/C bracket system.
This simple, clean, and cost-effective solution delivers correct belt alignment, factory stability, and great custom styling. Each of their brackets are water-jet profiled and CNC milled and drilled for a precision fit. Designed by a staff of racers, their brackets are made from 6061-T6 aluminum, and their kits are compatible with your junkyard LS1 or your high-dollar LS.
They are designed and engineered to fit Gen III and Gen IV small-block Chevrolet engines, including: LS1, LS2, LS3, L99, LS4, LS6, LS7, LSA, LS9, LSX, and custom-built engines using aftermarket blocks (4.8-, 5.3-, 5.7-, 6.0-, 6.2-, 7.0-liter), including standard deck and tall deck blocks (9.200 deck height up to 9.740 deck height).
For project “Helldorado” we purchased the LSX bracket, PN 10005LSA. The kit comes pretty much complete, with the exception of your A/C compressor, as well as an eight-rib serpentine belt. The instructions included in this kit are both extensive as well easy to follow, so we suggest following their recommended steps.
For this particular tech piece, we will go over the basic steps for this install, but following the supplied instructions is really easy and highly recommended. While the installation can be done with some mechanical prowess and tools, we opted to have Jessie at Custom Dimensions install the unit.
Before we begin here’s a few tips:
1. Before removing anything, snap some pictures with your phone to note the original hose and belt routing. This may come in handy if you decided to remove the kit.
2. Do not install the pulley onto the tensioner until instructed to do so.
3. You can install the tensioner puck four different ways but use the one recommended in your instructions.
4. Test-fit all parts before applying Loctite to the tensioner bolt.
5. Do NOT remove the tensioner without removing the idler pulley.
6. Have a torque wrench handy to make sure that you have all the bolts correctly tightened.
Special Note:
If you are installing this unit on a lowrider, and find that the A/C compressor runs close to the hydraulic cylinders, be sure to cycle your cylinders to make sure that they do not rub on the A/C compressor when fully lifted or laid. As for us, our install did NOT require the shaving of the A/C bolt tabs. This was a complete bolt-on unit.
With that done and out of the way, here are the basic steps required to install this kit:
1. For starters, begin by removing the intake or any other engine components that may interfere with access to your pulleys and belts. For this particular install we began by removing the engine cover as well as the AIRAID intake system.
2. Begin by pulling back the spring-loaded tensioner pulley to remove pressure from the belt.
3. From there remove the belt and the remove the two tensioners and the idler. Once those have been taken off, remove the idler bracket.
4. Assemble the LSX front and rear brackets as shown in the diagram and keep all the bolts loose. For this step you will also be using the pulley from the Corvette tensioner.
5. Once complete, attach the bracket assembly to the passenger side cylinder head.
6. Attach the A/C compressor.
7. Torque all 10mm bolts to 25 lb-ft
8. Install serpentine belt.
9. Attach all necessary lines, charge the system, and enjoy the chilled air.
Monthly Tech Tip
Clear, Sand, and Buffin Two Hours!
by Axalta Coating Systems
This month’s Axalta Paint Tip is for all you painters who don’t have the convenience of a spray booth heater or are just plain impatient to get to the final paint finish results. Axalta LE 5600 productive “air dry” clearcoat is a special clearcoat that you can use without needing heat from a spray booth. There are a lot of painters out there who don’t have the comfort of baking capabilities and if you do happen to have those comforts this is something that will help you save on your gas bill over a longevity of time. Other benefits from this clearcoat product is that the dry time is amazing as well as being dust free in just 10 minutes. You can also sand and polish your finished product in just two hours. It’s pretty simple to cover too as you spray it out of a 1.2 to 1.4 spray gun tip size. Spray two medium wet coats continuously without flash time on multiple panels. This will help you prevent less dirt trapping between coats. This clear can be used especially for collision repair shops or custom shops. Right after two hours of clearcoat applications on multiple laid-out patterns of color, you can smooth down the hard lines with 800- to 1,500-grit sand paper. To get the job done quality quick, get your hands on Axalta LE 5600 Clearcoat.
For more technical advice please feel free to contact Axalta’s product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
At just 11 years of age, Charyssa Padilla, of Phoenix has already accomplished what many adult men could dream of: getting a custom lowrider finished and featured in LOWRIDER Magazine! Of course, it wouldn’t have been done without the help of her loving father, Danny, and his connections with the right people in the custom car scene.
Charyssa explains that she has frequently been with her father, whether he was in the garage working on his ’59 truck or when he was at the Otra Vida Car Club functions. Being around the lowriding lifestyle not only created a special bond the two have ultimately shared together, but it allowed her to learn about responsibility, patience, and the trials and tribulations associated with building a cool custom ride.
Charyssa says that the build on her lowrider, a slammed blue pedal car, took about 10 months. Dad knocked out the body modifications, while Pete at Pete’s Auto Body in Phoenix finished up the metallic Belize Blue paintjob. The famous artist, Chavo, of Chavo’s Pinstriping, also in Phoenix, laid down the fine lines of pinstriping and silver leafing. David Sanchez of Dave’s Auto Body & Upholstery in Phoenix stitched up the gray vinyl and blue velvet plush seat. Mike at Kerr West took care of the chrome plating needs while Swings Engraving complemented it with some elegant engraving.
Custom paint, silver leafed, and a velvet interior for this one-of-a-kind pedal...
Father and daughter searched high and low for just the right accessories, which included working headlights and taillights, a custom front grille, bumpers, chain steering wheel, continental kit, dashboard with gauges, and fender skirts.
Charyssa says now that her one-of-a-kind custom car is complete, she proudly has it on display at the car shows and she’ll even bring it along to the car club get-togethers and cruises. She thanks God and her family for their help and support, but in particular, her biggest thanks go to her father for all the hard work he put in to building up this little cruiser with simply big impressions. Charyssa also sends out thanks to Otra Vida Car and Bike Club, Dave’s Auto Body & Upholstery, and a big “thank you” to Dave Sanchez for providing some building space for La Ranflita at his shop.
When you’re a kid your toughest decisions consist of what flavor ice cream to pick or which video game to play that day. For a few really cool kids their day consists of picking out what color they want their custom Sky King trike to be painted.
Samiyah “Sami” Almaraz was practically born into lowriding, so when her dad came home with a trike, she was surprised and excited. “I already knew what color I was going to paint it and what I was going to name it,” Sami says. So with a little inspiration from her dad, this three-month build was off and running.
With a hands-on attitude, no decision was made without Sami’s approval. “Cherry Bomb,” as it would eventually be known, started with a visit to Ronnie in Phoenix. Ronnie would lay down a custom candy blend of Wild Cherry serving as the basecoat. He would then layer it with a sequence of multiple flaked pattern combinations. Chavo was called in to complement this dazzling paintjob by adding his custom fine line pinstriping colors, consisting of various shades of Bullet Gray, Rose Red, and Gold leafing. Marinate, at Marinate Kustoms, fabricated a custom seat covered in a blend of rich dark burgundy. OG Engraving completed custom-engraved designs on the pedals, handle bars, and fender trim. Then it was off to Papago Plating and Damone Plating to complete this trike’s metalwork. “I can’t wait to display it at the next lowrider show,” Sami says. “Thank you Dad and Mom for all your help building my Cherry Bomb.”
Sky King Trike
Owner
Samiyah Almaraz
Nickname
Cherry Bomb
City/State
Phoenix, AZ
Upholstery
Marinate Kustoms fabricated the custom seat, which was covered in a blend of rich dark Burgundy material.
Body/Paint
Ronnie laid down a sequence of multiple flaked patterns over a custom blend of candy Wild Cherry basecoat.
With over a century of Cadillac history, Mike Lopez aka “Cadillac Mike” decided to create a platform where all the makes and models that helped turn Cadillac into a symbol of excellence, luxury, and American tradition could be showcased. Going on its fifth year, 2015’s Caddy Fest featured some of the industry’s top Cadillacs on display. Its new, bigger location offered aisle after aisle of original and full-custom cars.
Style Unlimited, Majestics, Maniacos, and Big Tymerz were just a few of the car clubs out in full force showing off their latest Cadillac creations. The legendary Lifestyle Car Club displayed a few of their LOWRIDER magazine cover cars, such as Rick Ortega’s “Eyes Without a Face” and Bobby Flores’ “Cotton Caddy,” as well as the crowd favorite “Game Over” of Rollerz Only Car Club. TJ of “The Avenue Customs” (located in Las Vegas) surprised the crowd by chopping the roof of a Fleetwood Cadillac and turning it into one of his signature, fully functioning convertibles. Throughout the day, attendees watched as TJ and crew sawed, grinded, and welded the convertible trim and rack into place. This free car show had it all. Attendees enjoyed vendors, such as Ojo Rojo, who was giving out samples of their delicious bloody beer mix. Along with Curious Entertainment bumping those classic old-school jams, Caddy Fest has turned into a “must attend” event.
We talk to so many people and when we ask them about what stage of completion their car is in, we get answers like, “There’s still more things I’d like to do,” “I plan on totally redoing it again soon,” “It’ll never be done,” and the like. Most of us know that pain from firsthand experience. There’s the stuff you want to do and the stuff you need to do, but somehow it seems like you’re always chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Thankfully Danny Ramirez knew when to say when. Looking at the detail on this ’61 Impala ragtop, it’s hard to imagine what more he could possibly come up with.
Danny picked up this ride from a friend because it was a good deal, but it was in rust-bucket condition. He turned to the guys at Top Notch Customs in Riverside, California, to help breathe some life back into it … and did they ever. Four Rooster pumps, with four aircraft filters, four Zig Zag slow-downs, four Adex dumps, and Tubular A-arms help drop the lowered frame that was molded and shaved off all the accessory brackets to smooth it out. Everything’s hardlined, and eight batteries underneath a custom cover keep all the electricals clean.
The body is sweet indeed. Top Notch spent countless hours molding the fenders, hood, and trunk, smoothing out the floors, recessing the firewall, molding and extending the skirts, shaving the mirrors, and creating one-piece bumpers before adding House of Kolor magenta with Shimrin 2 FX Spark. To set it off even further, Jaime Castilla did the extensive engraving, along with Mike Lamberson’s pinstriping, and Alberta Herrera’s muraling. Chromework was done by X Metal Finishings.
On the inside, a pair of ’92 Lexus power seats straddle a custom console where the window and other switches reside, along with the Pioneer head unit that powers two Rockford-Fosgate amps, Infinity speakers, and JL subwoofers. A Dakota Digital cluster sits inside a dash that was customized to remove the fan, switches, glovebox, and vents. A chrome ididit column, CFR steering wheel, Lokar pedal assembly, and custom visors complete the package. The stitchwork was done by none other than California Upholstery.
CPP disc brakes at all four corners help bring those Galaxy wheels to a standstill. They’re all getting power courtesy of the 350 topped with a custom air filter, Edelbrock 650 carb, and custom radiator. A 700-R trans turns a 9-inch rear with a custom driveshaft.
The guys at Top Notch came up with the name Candy Kisses for the car after deciding on the color scheme inspired by a pink pedal car at the shop. You might wonder why this color was picked, but when you think about how much it lightens up the body lines because of the car’s sharp edges, it definitely brings out the moldings more. If pink was good enough for Elvis’ Cadillac, it’s worthy of a ’61 rag.
Danny would like to thank the guys at Top Notch, and his wife and kids for the part they played in the project. “I wouldn’t do anything different,” Danny says. We don’t blame him. If only we could ever get to feeling that way about our own endless projects.
1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertilbe
Vehcile Nickname
Candy Kisses
Owner
Danny Ramirez
City/State
Pacoima, CA
Engine
350 V-8, 700-R trans
Interior
Lexus front seats with custom console. Smoothed dash. Stitchwork by California Upholstery. Dakota Digital gauges, ididit column, CFR wheel.
Sound System
Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, two JL 10-inch subwoofers, two Rockford Fosgate amps
Body/Paint
Bodywork and HOK Magenta paint by Top Notch Customs. Pinstriping by Mike Lamberson. Engraving by Jamie Castilla. Chrome by X Metal Finishings. Molded fenders, hood, and trunk, smoothed-out floors, recessed firewall, molded and extending skirts, shaved mirrors, and one-piece bumpers.
Suspension
Four Rooster pumps, four aircraft filters, four Zig Zag slow-downs, four Adex dumps, Tubular A-arms, molded frame, 9-inch rear
Aside from the U.S. putting its first man into space, the Berlin Wall starting construction, and tensions mounting with the new leadership in Cuba, changes were happening in the car world as well, particularly with Chevy. The famous 409 V-8 was introduced and later immortalized in a Beach Boys song. It’s said that only 453 ’61 Impalas were equipped with the SS option, and only 142 of those carried the 409 engine. The Super Sport edition was also unveiled midyear by Chevrolet and featured beefed-up springs, heavy-duty shocks, dash grab bar, padded instrument panel, 7,000-rpm Sun tachometer, and a four-on-the-floor manual transmission option. Fullsize cars were given a total redesign as Chevrolet’s Impala began its third generation. A bubbletop and two-door pillared sedan were also added to the lineup. A convertible like this was priced around $2,847 and weighed around 3,600 pounds.
Bill Hayes Sr., of Pomona, California, says he has been into cars—particularly Chevy cars—for as long as he can remember. His very first ride was a ’56 Chevy Bel Air four-door. Over the years, Bill’s typical method of operation would be to buy a car, put a little money into it, then eventually sell it and go buy another car. His son definitely followed in his footsteps, also getting into cars and customizing them. Bill says that he had dragged his kid everywhere, from car shops to car shows.
It had been a while since Bill had bought and fixed up a car, but just recently he started getting that familiar itch again. He had come across this rare ’66 Chevy Caprice for sale. Bill’s mother-in-law knew he really wanted it and even offered him some cash to use for the purchase. Once the car was home and he started getting into this new project, he found out that it was going to be a much bigger mission to get it where he truly wanted it. There were times he felt like giving up; he had definitely put his blood, sweat, and tears into this car! With the encouragement and support of his wife, his mother-in-law, and his son, he pushed on through and the Caprice project started to really take shape.
On a beautiful Christmas Day in 2014, Bill took his family out for the first ride in the Caprice, known as “Hooked on a Feeling.” Even his mother-in-law was in the car. He wanted to take her out for one more special ride, just the two of them, so that he could show his thanks to her for all her help. Unfortunately that ride never happened, as she died. Although she may not be here physically, she is definitely riding along with Bill spiritually.
Bill gives big thanks for the emotional and physical support given to him by his mother-in-law, wife Linda, and son Bill Jr. He also sends a special thanks to his longtime friend, Eddie Flores.
1966 Chevy Caprice
Vehicle Nickname
Hooked on a Feeling
Owner
Bill Hayes Sr.
Car Club
Together Car Club
City
Pomona, CA
Body/Paint
Bodywork and paint done by L. Duran in Azusa, California. Paint color was in the original color of Lemonwood Yellow. Phillip’s Fine Lines in Upland added subtle accents of pinstriping and lettering.
Engine
GM 327 cid built by Brothers in Montclair, CA
Sound System
Mission Audio in Pomona installed a Kenwood head unit and an Infinity amplifier
Suspension
Hoppo’s in Ontario, CA, installed a Viair airbag setup controlled by four dash-mounted switches
We have all dreamt of one day owning a lowrider. Hopefully you too will one day have the unenviable task of deciding which car you will fix up. For some, it is easy; the timeless Impala will always be the car of choice. For others, it is more of a luxury thing and they opt to build the ultimate status symbol: a Cadillac. When Luis Ramirez decided to make his dream a reality, he decided to go against the grain and turn a Lincoln into his lowrider masterpiece.
This Continental interior package comes with Manta Ray skin.
With several years of lowriding under his belt, and the usual Highclass Car Club “all hands on deck” mentality, this dream was in full swing. As soon as Low-Life in Santa Fe completed the custom reinforced and molded suspension it was onto Speedy’s Metal Finishing to complete all the chrome and polishing. New Era would then apply the Candy Apple Red base and purple tape shades with Skippy of Curlys Pinstriping adding lengthy lines of gold flake throughout. Shinji-Hara of Japan was brought in to add his signature murals depicting the theme of this car. Riding Dirty in Torrance would put together the multicolored red suede and Manta Ray peanut butter leather interior with Carlos Santana in Bueno Park installing a custom touch-screen head unit powering multiple TV screens and Pioneer speakers. With the 13-inch, custom-engraved Zenith wire wheels and 155/80-13 radial whitewalls installed, this dream was finally ready to hit the lowrider car shows.
“Thanks to everyone who was involved with my latest build,” Luis says. “Especially my family and son Lil’ Jr. who always rides with me. Let’s live life and enjoy the ride.” l
2000 Lincoln Town Car
Vehicle Nickname
Bitches & Money
Owner
Luis Ramirez
Car Club
Highclass Car Club
City
Azusa, CA
Interior
Riding Dirty in Torrance put together the red suede and Manta Ray peanut butter leather interior.
Engine
2000 4.6L V-8
Body/Paint
New Era applied the Candy Apple Red base and purple tape shades with Curlys Pinstriping adding gold flake lines throughout.
Suspension
Custom reinforced and molded suspension by Low-Life in Santa Fe with Speedy’s Metal Finishing completing all the chrome and polishing.
Wheels/Tires
13-inch, custom-engraved Zenith wire wheels with 155/80-13 radial whitewalls
Saturday, February 27th, Lowrider is coming back to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona for the 2016 Arizona Super Show Concert, Car Show, and Hop.
Featuring premier custom and classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles from all over the western United States. Check out all the crazy paintjobs, dazzling interiors, and other wild modifications.
Come for the custom vehicles stay for the activities. There will be an auto culture art exhibit, celebrity appearances, car hop competition, live performance by Baby Bash and Brenton Wood and other fun-filled activities.
Save time and money by purchasing your tickets early on Ticketmaster here.
We’re all, at least in part, enamored by older things-in particular, cars. The technology and responsiveness of our rides may be a far cry from newer stuff, but there’s a charm in keeping things simple. Also, there was a care of craftsmanship in vintage automobiles that seems to be lacking nowadays on modern cars and everything else. They were built to last as long as you took care of it. Not so much with newer cars where the paint is bubbling after 10 years. I think we’d all take low gas mileage over plastic trim any day.
The same can be said about old movies. Smoky bars with men in fedoras, traditional all-or-nothing stunt work, and sets that had to be built instead of being faked on a computer brought a sense of realism because, after all, it was real. And let us not forget the ladies. Emblazoned on Martin Madrigal’s Fleetline are some of the finest Hollywood ever produced. Although they’ve all since passed on, Elizabeth Taylor, Veronica Lake, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Rita Hayworth could steal a scene with just a glance in their day. They’re still turning heads on this ’48-the final year of that particular body style reflective of the art deco era of America before the space-age look of the ’50s came about.
Martin had been looking for a ’48 for a few years and finally found one in driveable condition. After driving it for a while he decided to do something a little different to stand out from the standard stock restoration. As a fan of the old Hollywood imagery, he had the right theme to go with and just needed to round out the package with the right components. The frame was powdercoated by Santos at Junior’s Finishing and reinforced by The Bag Man in Anaheim, California, before being given Fatman spindles and a 3-inch C-notch. Firestone airbags were also added, along with VIAIR compressors hidden under the fenders, and 3/8-inch hard lines by Adam Lopez keeping all the air flowing.
The drivetrain is all original with the 216 inline-six updated with a one-wire alternator and manual trans with vacuum assist. The gears in the rearend were sourced from a ’57 Chevy and front brakes were changed to 11-inch disc units. Aside from the clean brightwork throughout, OG equipment includes cloth wiring, overflow tank, washer bottle reservoir, tissue paper filter, and glass fuel filter. Three Optima Red Top Batteries ensure there’s always enough power.
The interior work is another California Upholstery masterpiece with two-tone leather and suede that goes nicely with the original woodgrain brought back to life by Bob Kennedy of Whittier. Several TV screens can be seen throughout the car, including one in the custom console and one large 22-incher in the trunk. The trunk is a true work of art with lighting in all the right places to show off the floating compressors, Pioneer woofers, and Plexiglas covers with the floral pattern sandblasted on it to cover the amps and other electrical components. Accessories on the interior run the gamut and are too numerous to list, but it’s all original GM equipment.
The body was kept true to stock and shot in House of Kolor candy magenta and black by Frank Navarro. The impressive muraling was done by Danny at DSG and his handiwork was accented by the fine pinstriping of the one and only Mike Lamberson. The undercarriage was pinstriped by Conejo and engraving throughout the car was done by Speedy’s Metal Finishing in Long Beach. Yolanda’s Plating did the equally eye-catching chrome work.
Martin would like to thank his sons Angel and Martin Jr. who pitched in a lot of late nights from wiring up the stereo to doing the amazing Plexiglas and fiberglass work in the trunk. He’d have been all on his own if it wasn’t for their help. He’d also like to thank his wife for her understanding of this family project. It’s a classic in its own right, but we’re sure those ladies immortalized in murals would approve of the final product. The car probably visited many drive-ins along the way, watching the movies they brought to the big screen.
1948 Chevy Fleetline
Vehicle Nickname
Old Hollywood
Owner
Martin Madrigal Sr.
City/State
Lakewood, CA
Club
Oldies
Engine
216 inline-six, three-speed manual trans
Body/Paint
House of Kolor candy magenta and black, muraling by DSG, pinstriping by Conejo and Mike Lamberson, engraving by Speedy’s Metal Finishing
Suspension
Frame reinforced and C-notched by Bag Man SS, powdercoated by Junior’s Finishing, VIAIR compressors, Firestone airbags, Fatman 21/2-inch drop spindles
Sound System
Pioneer head unit, amps, speakers, tweeters, and woofers with numerous TV screens
Interior
original with leather and suede upholstery by California Upholstery, custom console by Martin Madrigal Jr. and Angel Madrigal, wool carpet
This is the last year of the Aerosedan style of Chevy’s fleet. In 1949 the body was totally changed as the march toward the aerodynamic look of the ’50s began. Production of the two-door Aerosedan reached an impressive 211,861 units, but a hike in inflation brought the price to around $1,434, which was about 9 percent higher than the previous year. The model lineup for 1948 remained the same as the previous year. Trim was adjusted slightly with a vertical center bar added to the grille and a broader crease molding fitted below the windows. The 216 motor got precision main bearings instead of the older type that had to be reamed on installation. Since gas rationing was over and Americans were buying up cars left and right to see the country after the war ended, a popular slogan “See the USA in your Chevrolet” began appearing in ads. Dinah Shore later recorded a song by the same name in the ’50s.
Lowriders have been obsessed with custom paint since the invention of bunny ear antennas and 14-inch Cragar wheels. If candies, flakes, and pearls were drugs, you could say that plenty of us have had multiple overdoses. Most of us can’t even make up our minds which color we want, and when we think we narrowed a certain color down we start to change our minds as the spray booth door closes and the compressor kicks on. After all, when you look at a custom paint color chart you may want lime green today but tomorrow it’s tangerine, and a month later you’re having your car rubbed out and it’s now candy magenta! This story is about how much we are fascinated with pearls and candies that we also wish we could shoot them. From the days of lead paint on up to the latest waterborne craze, paint chemists are constantly engineering product materials to support easy, quick, and accurate applications. In today’s modern paint world, a candy apple can be shot in two stage, which doesn’t sound like it would be that hard to do for some of us rookies. We decided to get a hold of a couple lowrider motorcycle fenders and a tank and then run them over to the Wizards custom body shop in Whittier, California. Sorel Knobler is the shop’s proprietor and custom paint guru. This guy was learning how to paint back in the late ’60s/early ’70s. Back then they painted with nothing but good old lead-poisoned lacquer. A good thing for Knobler was that he grew up in Boyle Heights, which was the haven for early and well-known lowrider car clubs and custom cars. It took time, practice, and patience to custom paint any vehicle back then and Knobler had those virtues. As he grew wiser and older into the lowrider custom paint scene, he joined up with “Big Ed” Madrigal, the famous custom painter out in the Valley in the ’80s. Knobler learned a lot from Big Ed’s techniques in bodywork, flake, and intricate patterned candy paint. From there Knobler would eventually go on and open up different shops here and there as he continued his love for lowriders and custom paint. Part of Knobler’s resume is that he also has belonged to the Lifestyle Car Club for 40 years and his experience has always come to play in his help and ideas to advise members who were getting ready for paint. Knobler’s journey as a painter has led him through the use of every brand of paint materials imaginable. Today he seems to be in solace with Axalta (Du Pont) coating systems. He says he loves the primers and clears but is turned on by how easy the candies and pearls are to shoot. Although he should be able to paint blindfolded by now, he says spraying the Axalta products is just about like that. Knobler took on the lowrider bike parts by sanding down the original paint on these Harley parts. He then sealed them up with Axalta’s quality Primer Sealer and after masking up a two-tone candy paint scheme on the fenders he sprayed Axalta 7175S ChromaBase basecoat. Being a wizard as he claims to be, he added some flake to the gold base before spraying CFX Scarlet Night (candy red) on the bottom half of the tank and fenders. Knobler went on to spray CFX Lava and Bronz candy to the top half of his design. L8700S Clear was used after some subtle tape shade designs and as sure as this high-performance clear dried right away, Knobler sanded down the parts smooth enough for him to run them over to Philips Fine Lines in Montclair for some complementary ‘striping and variegated Gold leaf designs that Phil is famous for. After Phil tied in this custom combo creation, Knobler rushed back to his shop to unload some more Axalta L8700 Clear for the final result, which, as you can see, came out way too cool! We know that this doesn’t look easy for a novice, but with experience comes a skillful painter. Knobler says that when you spray a single-stage candy like the Axalta CFX Bronze, Lava, or Scarlet colors he applied here, he used about 20 to 30 psi of air pressure and that it was applied as easy as if he were shooting primer. Other tips are to overlap your coats 50 to 60 percent, read the instructions on the paint cans to know the right ratio of material mixes. Like any other painter out there, in the beginning there will be some trial and error, but once you get the feel of that spray gun down, make up some business cards and start custom painting like a wizard. Spray on.
Axalta CFX Basecoat Candy brings a new level to overall custom paintjobs with a two-stage system.
Andrew Chavez, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, isn’t one to brag about himself or tell many his life story, however, the rocky road that brought him to where he’s at now should be shared. Andrew opened up to LOWRIDER magazine and explained that he was not always a good person, and he admits he went through some hard times when he was younger. He was not only involved with street gangs, but illegal drug use. Heroin just about took his life, but fortunately, a stint in prison was a big wake-up call that made him realize that he took his free life for granted. While there, he recalled happier times when he was into lowriding and cruising. He realized what he lost and he wanted to go back to that time when cruising a lowrider brought him nothing but joy and happiness.
Andrew turned to God and prayed that he could find his way out of the mess he got himself into. With hard work and determination, Andrew eventually got himself away from drugs and out of the gang life. His wife, Annette, was a big support for him along the way. He says when he found himself this clean ’67 Impala convertible for sale along a roadside, it was the one thing that really brought him serenity. No matter what little things may have bothered him-even something as silly as a small argument with his wife-he found that a cruise in his ’67 would take away all worries and stress factors instantly.
The ragtop Impala has been in Andrew’s possession for seven years now and he definitely has no plans to let it go. In fact, many may think he’s fixed it up to the point where it’s fully complete, but he says he has more plans for it and wants to do more upgrades to it every year from now on so that it will be different in some way at each annual car show.
Still, Andrew’s real enjoyment will always come from driving around town and hearing the horns honking from passersby and just seeing people take pictures of his ride at intersections. Andrew sends big thanks to his wife for all her love, support, and patience during the build of this classic Chevy. He also sends thanks to Roberto, Pro Collision, and everyone else who lent a helping hand.
1967 Chevy Impala Convertible
Vehicle Nickname
Drop It Like It’s Hot
Owner
Andrew Chavez
City/State
Albuquerque, NM
Club
Imperials
Body/Paint
Pro Collision in Albuquerque took care of the necessary bodywork before laying down a Turkish maroon color over the car’s body. “Shadow” from Dallas, TX, was the talented airbrush muralist who depicted the trio of curvy beauties.
Engine
’67 Chevy 283-cid with two-stroke powerglide. Rebuilt by Carinos Restorations in Roswell, NM.
Suspension
Slam Specialties in Albuquerque installed their custom airbag setup, allowing the Impala to slam low or rise up 8-10 inches.
Wheels/Tires
5.20 Premium Sportway whitewall tires are wrapped around 13-inch Zenith 72 cross-laced spoke chrome rims
Shop Krazy Kutting City Yuma, AZ Owners Armando Gonzalez and Santiago Gonzalez
The art of engraving is an artform as old as man. It is a highly detailed process involving the skills of a true craftsman. The craftsman is responsible for creating unique images that sometimes have to be duplicated withexact precision over and over again. The popularity of engraving within the lowrider community has exploded within the last few years with Krazy Kutting at the forefront of this artistic “must-have” accessory. “This business almost didn’t come to fruition,” Armando Gonzalez says, reflecting back on how he and his brother Santiago “Santi” turned a three-year plan into reality. At the time, both brothers were enjoying well-paying jobs. One with a double major in business and the other working as a mechanical engineer, life’s responsibilities made it difficult to walk away from the certainty a corporate job provided each of them. The two would eventually hatch out a three-year plan that would allow them to transition into this family business.
A custom fab company with a CNC machine, plasma water table, and laser-cutting...
Armando’s “Krazy Kreation,” which was Lowrider Truck of the Year in 2007, 2008, and 2009 would serve asthe catalyst for what we see today. “Back then we had to build our own parts,” Armando says, “and over time, more and more people would ask me to build parts for their own cars.” This would eventually lead Krazy Kutting to work on some of the industry’s top lowriders, such as Lowrider Car of the Year RM Series, Spirit Runner, and Freak Show of Los Angeles Car Club. Their client list also includes numerous A-list celebrities, like Paul Wall and the infamous Kid Frost. “We treat everyone the same,” Santi says. It is this simplistic business model that has allowed Krazy Kutting to be in business for over 11 years. A little known fact is that everything is done in-house. Their 11 employees, who mainly consist of family members, have access to a CNC machine, plasma water table, and laser-cutting machine. “All our engraving is done by us,” Armando says. Each one of us has gone through a two-year training and now we have in-house engravers and shaders.
Krazy Kutting however is taking the term “family business” to another level. Two of their engravers happen to be their wives, Karina and Isavra (and yes, that’s right, their wives). Even the mother-son duo, Lori and Anthony, help out with engraving and shading. Almost everyone in the family is involved in one way or another. Unfortunately, the cornerstone for this great family was taken from them too soon. A great mother, wife, and sister, Aracely, who was a Kuwait war hero, will forever continue to serve as the family inspiration.
“We are strategically located in Yuma, Arizona, allowing us to serve customers from all over the world … from Texas to Northern California, all the way to Hawaii, Spain, and even Italy,” Armando says. With plans of doubling in size, it is their quality and turnaround time that continues to set them apart from any “would-be” competition. With most items already in stock, they feature a variety of products, from custom plaques to necklaces. There isn’t anything they can’t do for their customers. “We feature everything from scroll work, diamond cutting, Aztec-style designs, as well as club logos,” Armando says. With new products in the works, such as custom billet grilles that have been in development for over a year, Krazy Kutting is continuously looking for ways to improve and provide their loyal customer with continued superior quality and better service.
It was at a local Harley-Davidson dealership and a fateful trip to pick up parts that Mike and his father would spot a Pearl White ’04 Fat Boy for sale. After some negotiation, not only was Mike on the way home with parts for his father’s bike, he also now was on the road with his very own Harley. As he rode home, Mike began daydreaming of the endless possibilities this latest project had in store for him. Unfortunately, the finalized project you see before you has gone through quite the twist and turns to get here. “There are two things that stand out in any vicla,” Mike says, “your paint and your pipes.” Unfortunately for him, he had neither. A basic White Pearl paintjob was blamed for most of this bike’s misfortune. First, his back wheel came off as he was exiting a freeway, then he was rear-ended. It was then that he realized it was time for a change of color. First, however, was a visit to Superiors Car Club President Jorge Maldonado, who would stretch the rear fender and install a set of custom ear-shattering tailpipes. From there, it was off to Danny D Designs, in Baldwin Park.
“From 1 to 10, what kind of paintjob do you want?” Danny D asked. “I want a 15,” Mike answered. “I wanted a paintjob nobody would forget and more importantly a paintjob they would see coming down the highway. While over 13 different candy color combinations were being painted, Peter Tapia of Anaheim Plating was busy polishing and chroming all the bike’s metalwork. Joe Maldonado of Backyard Customs would also go on to install the 18-inch Carlini “Gangster Apes” provided by Militia Cycles. El Monte Stereo would install the custom Shotgun Shock air-ride suspension and the custom, one-of-a-kind, hand-tooled leather seat with ribbon patterns was created by the “Seat Guy.” With the highly anticipated Santa Barbara show just around the corner it was all hands on deck to finish this masterpiece. Mike, Joe, and longtime friend Jose Rodriguez would pull several all-nighters to ensure the bike would be completed on time. All the hard work would pay off, as Mike would take the First Place trophy at the show. As luck would have it, during his celebratory ride home a truck on the freeway would hit a 2×4 causing it to damage one of the bike’s saddle bags. Soon the call was made to Danny D notifying him that the bike was on the way back to his shop, only this time Mike gave Danny the blessing to add his beloved Pink color. “I’m glad I did,” Mike says, and to this day it seems that is what makes this paintjob pop, and it is what most people notice first.
I could not have completed this project without the help of my club brothers, especially Joe Maldonado and Jose Rodriguez-I thank you for all the late nights and hard work. Special thanks goes out to Jose Beltran who introduced me to Danny who is responsible for creating this paintjob. Above all else I want to thank my dad, Leonel Gonzalez, for all the support and helping me with my first bike.
2004 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Owner
Mike Gonzalez
City/State
Orange County, CA
Club
Superiors Car Club
Engine
2004 Harley V-2 four stroke
Body/Paint
Danny D Designs laid down paint schemes, featuring over 13 different candy color combinations.
Interior
Custom hand-tooled leather seat with ribbon patterns by the Seat Guy
Since 1903, Buick has been embedded in the American culture and, although at times taking a backseat to the big brother Chevrolet and little sister Ford, Buick’s innovations, cutting-edge designs, and a pursuit of luxury performance has sustained this iconic brand for over a century. The craft of modern luxury, however, is not exactly what came to mind when Nasario “Nash” Moncayo, of Perris, California, came across this 1985 Buick Regal at a local tow yard. With a fascination for cars that goes back to the age of 15, Nash saw potential, and soon this Regal was off to start a new life.
First on the list was to upgrade the undercarriage by adding a tubular suspension with 4 ton more bounce coils activated by a chrome two-pump setup featuring Adex dumps and eight batteries installed by Top Notch Customz in Riverside, California. Peter and Paul, of Top Notch Customz, would also give this car its signature look by spraying a unique blend of PPG Root Beer brown with Gold metallic pearl throughout the body, as well as undercarriage. Mike Lamberson would later add accenting pinstripe lines. Mark Lopez, of Elegant Upholstery, was called upon to cover this full custom interior in Sandcastle Brown leather, adding a five-color combination pattern running down the seats as well as custom door panels. The Art of Sound in Upland, California, upgraded the audio system with an Alpine head unit and coaxial two-way type-r speakers throughout. With a Nardi steering wheel in place and custom billet grille installed, it was time to visit Charlie, of Wire Wheel King in Campbell, California, who made a set of custom anodized gold 13×7 reverse wire wheels just for this project. With a little over a year to complete this project, Nash is proud of bringing this Buick back to life. He is now able to truly say that this is “craftsmanship at its finest” for Empires Finest Car Club style.
Nickname: It Is What It Is
Owner: Nasario “Nash” Moncayo
Car Club: Empires Finest Car Club
City/State: Perris, CA
Vehicle: 1985 Buick Regal
Engine: Factory 1985 Buick V-6 4.1
Upholstery: Mark Lopez of Elegant Upholstery covered this full custom interior in Sandcastle Brown leather adding a five-color combination pattern running down the seats as well as custom door panels.
Body/Paint: Top Notch Customz sprayed a unique blend of Root Beer brown with Gold metallic pearl throughout the body, as well as undercarriage.
Suspension: Tubular suspension with 4 ton more bounce coils activated by a chrome two-pump setup installed by Top Notch Customz in Riverside, CA.
Wheels/Tires: Charlie of Wire Wheel King in Campbell, CA, made a set of custom anodized gold 13×7 reverse wire wheels mounted onto 5/20-13 Premium Sportway.
The comprehensive, self-tuning kits from companies such as Holley, Edelbrock, FAST, and MSD have made EFI conversion a truly bolt-on, DIY project, while the inclusive control module kits from Chevrolet Performance complement their crate engines to make LS swaps amazingly straightforward.
Yes, it is unquestionably a new world of performance, but even with products that make the project easier than ever, converting to electronically controlled fuel injection in your older Chevy-whether you’re going with a simple TBI-style conversion on the existing small- or big-block, or taking the plunge with a full-on LS conversion-involves more than simply slapping on the throttle body, plugging in a few connectors, and installing a high-pressure fuel pump.
There are a number of supporting elements required to get the engine started and keep it running, from wiring the engine to the controller and the all-important fuel system considerations. Thanks to healthy aftermarket support, addressing these issues is comparatively easy, although fabrication of one sort or another is highly probable. You just have to plan for them at the outset of your project.
We’ve outlined 10 of the most common items and sub-projects of a typical EFI conversion, which will give you a practical idea of what you’ll be facing when you finally decide to pull off that carburetor and bolt on a throttle body. Nothing here is all that complicated, and even moderately experienced wrench-turners should have no problem tackling them.
Don’t let all the wires dissuade you. Jump in and make the conversion!
Mass Airflow Sensor Installation
If you’re going to run a mass airflow metering system on your vehicle, such as the system used on production GM LS port-injection engines, proper positioning of the airflow sensor is critical for ensuring accurate readings and, consequently, optimal performance. GM recommends for its control systems that the tube be at least 4 inches in diameter and that the mass airflow sensor is oriented so that the connector end is mounted between horizontal and fully upright. Chevrolet Performance’s universal air induction kit (PN 19301246) includes a straight tube with a boss already installed to accept a GM mass airflow sensor.
Accelerator Pedal
When using a GM-based system with an electronically controlled throttle, the original, cable-operated throttle pedal is eliminated and an electronically compatible pedal must be swapped into the vehicle. A sensor tells the engine controller how much to open the throttle when you step on the pedal. For safety and accurate readings, GM recommends the pedal should be mounted at least 2.5 inches to the right of the brake pedal and 2 inches below it, with at least 3?4-inch clearance between the pedal and the transmission tunnel. You can source a pedal from a late-model salvage vehicle, but the easier (albeit more expensive) way to go is one of Chevrolet Performance’s control module/harness kits, which include the electronic pedal as well as the engine controller itself, and more.
Engine Control Module
Inclusive EFI kits such as MSD’s Atomic EFI, Edelbrock’s E-Street, FAST’s EZ-EFI, and Holley’s HP EFI include the necessary engine control module and harness-and they’re great because they basically tune themselves. But if you’re building a system from scratch or installing a Chevrolet Performance LS crate engine, you’ll need an appropriate control system. For those with some nerd in their blood you can build your system and try your hand at tuning with products such as MegaSquirt’s systems. If you’re more into the plug-and-play method and you’re using a crate engine, we highly recommend one of Chevrolet Performance’s control module/harness kits. Along with the controller and harness, the kits generally include the throttle pedal for electronic throttle control, oxygen sensors and their mounting bosses, a mass airflow meter, a fuel pump power module, and more. It’s pretty much everything you need to wire up the engine and get it running.
Wiring Harness
If you haven’t purchased an inclusive EFI kit and plan to forage in the salvage yard or on Craigslist for your components-and maybe even an entire engine-you’re going to need a wiring harness to connect the engine control module to the injection system and related sensors. And even if your used engine comes with a controller and a big wad of wiring, the OEM harness will likely have way too many unnecessary connections that won’t be used in your retrofit project. Rather than spending days trying to figure out what’s necessary and what isn’t, the easier alternative is spending a few extra bucks on a harness designed for such swaps, like those from Painless Performance or Performance Systems Integration. Along with a much easier and more straightforward installation, these dedicated harnesses are more aesthetically pleasing, too, with minimal wiring that doesn’t clutter your engine compartment.
Fuel Pump In-Tank vs. Inline
Even if you’re an EFI newbie, you’re probably aware of the need for a high-pressure fuel pump to support the system. There are countless options, from production-based pumps to a plethora of aftermarket pumps to support a vast range of projected horsepower ranges. The question, however, is whether to use an external, inline-type pump or an in-tank pump. The in-tank pump is the ideal solution, mostly because its immersion in the fuel helps keep it cooler. But for EFI conversions on a budget-and featuring mildly or moderately built engines-a high-quality inline pump will suffice (don’t forget the appropriate filter, too). Just mount it close to the fuel tank and below it, because it will still need gravity feed. As for the in-tank options, you can get your fabrication on and craft a system yourself that replaces the stock fuel sender assembly; adapt a universal kit such as the one from Tanks Inc.; or step up to a replacement, EFI-capable tank (see the Fuel Tank Considerations tip.).
Fuel Tank Consideration
If you’ve decided to go with a replacement fuel tank to support your EFI conversion, there are several choices and, like everything else associated with building a performance vehicle, only your checkbook balance binds them. For applications intended primarily for street driving, there are tanks that look like stock units but with modifications to support drop-in pump modules. They’re reasonably priced, too, from vendors such as National Parts Depot and Rick’s Camaros, priced in the few hundred dollars range. After that, you’re looking at custom, high-performance tanks such as those from Rick’s Tanks. They are for more serious performers such as the street/track Pro Touring crowd and those regularly running on the dragstrip; and they are typically baffled to minimize sloshing and/or surround the in-tank pump to ensure the pickup remains immersed during hard launches and hard cornering. Generally, you’re looking at around $1,200 to more than $2,000 for one of these tanks.
Fuel Tank Venting
Just like in a carbureted system, proper fuel tank venting is essential for preventing vaporlock, fuel slosh, fuel odor, and more. In fact, it’s even more of a concern with EFI as the return system is bringing hot fuel back to the tank, which can quickly build vapor pressure. In that regard, the traditional vented gas caps of older vehicles may not provide adequate relief, while the design of many custom tanks for a high-pressure EFI fuel system may not accommodate venting at all. You can add a small fitting somewhere near the top of the fuel filler neck-as long as it is higher than the tank itself and prevents fuel from entering it-and run a vent hose to the exterior of the car (away from the exhaust). There are aftermarket solutions, too, such as the vent from II Much Fabrication, which allows the use of a sealed fuel cap and provides filtered air to the tank. It mounts above the tank on a flat, level surface, which pretty much means somewhere in the trunk.
Fuel Return Line
Unless you’re using a factory-style returnless fuel system, your EFI conversion is going to require a fuel return line from the engine back to the fuel tank. That’s a 3?8-inch fuel hose for the vast majority of systems. If you’re going with an aftermarket, EFI-compatible fuel tank it’s just a matter of cutting the hose to length (probably around 15-18 feet for most vehicles) and connecting it. If you’re retaining the stock fuel tank, it will have to be modified to accept the new line. In many cases, you can modify the sending unit module by drilling the appropriate hole and TIG-welding on a length of 3?8-inch stainless steel line. The tank itself can be drilled if there’s no room on the sending unit. You’ll also want to swap the original feed hose from the tank to the engine with a new hose that’s suitable for high-pressure fuel injection.
Oxygen Sensor Installation
Your EFI conversion is going to require the installation of oxygen sensors, which provide the engine control module signals related to the oxygen content in the exhaust, which helps determine the optimal fuel delivery. They’re mounted in the exhaust system, which means either your long-tube headers or the flow-tubes behind the exhaust manifolds will have to be drilled to accept the threaded bungs for the sensors. If you’re handy with a welder, it’s a DIY job. If not, you’ll have to have the modification made by someone who is. When it comes to locating the sensors, you’ll want them as close to the exhaust manifolds as possible so they’ll get up to operating temperature as quickly as possible. You’ll also want to install the bungs so the oxygen sensors aren’t positioned in a way where they’ll get bashed on speed bumps or scraped on steep driveways-and if your car has a catalytic converter or two, mount the sensors in front of them. One more thing: Use wideband sensors, because they afford greater tuning latitude. Narrowband sensors simply indicate lean or rich conditions.
Instrumentation
This is really a tip for those of you planning an LS conversion, because the old, mechanical gauges aren’t going to work with the engine controller. Besides the electronic versus mechanical issue, the range of the original instruments likely won’t cover that of the LS engine, like the oil pressure gauge, for example. The solutions vary, but the easiest is creating a custom gauge panel with electronically compatible gauges from the likes of Auto Meter or Classic Instruments. Higher up the spend-o-meter, California-based Redline Gauge Works can modify just about any factory gauge cluster with the guts of electronic instruments, while Dakota Digital offers a number of VHX direct-swap clusters for popular vehicles featuring controller-compatible instruments. We’re seeing more of them in restomod cars and they look great.
Monthly Tech Tip
By Axalta Coatings System
Read Before You Load the Gun
The art of vehicle refinishing demands the very best products, especially in the lowrider world of paintjobs. Axalta coating systems offers an array of paint colors and tints for any color application. When it comes to automotive painting, the refinish craft requires a blend of skills that must come together to provide a result that meets yours and or a customer’s approval each and every time. Axalta provides coating systems for custom, passenger, and commercial vehicle applications that enable refinish shops to meet their demanding goal.
This months “Paint Tip” is about reading the instructions on the can before you empty your material into your spray gun. You must know the proper ratio of mixtures it takes before you apply the undercoat, base, color, and clearcoat. In todays paint coating industry, Axalta’s paint chemists are constantly engineering product materials to support easy, quick, and accurate applications. Every day, paint materials are constantly changing. The most skilled painters read the can before mixing, which is why they have return customers. Skills and the right product don’t make for a great paintjob, only knowing what you mixed and how it’s applied from that gun brings home that trophy.
For more technical advice please feel free to contact Axalta’s product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
Legendary clubs and faithful members who commit themselves to the lowriding movement have been key ingredients in keeping the rolling tradition alive.
Conrad Ramirez from Oldies Car Club is one of those dedicated souls who lives and breathes the lifestyle. He is the owner of Conrad Kustomz in Pasadena, Texas, where the one-stop shop has produced countless custom rides with metal fabrication work, flawless paint schemes, audio installs, new stitchwork, and the list of customization goes on and on. In fact, his own LOWRIDER magazine feature, ’54 Chevy Bel Air “Sweet Anabel,” is a prime example of his successful shop creations. His love for lowriding was instilled at an early age and many can relate to his childhood surroundings, especially when it’s your father, grandfather, and cousins hitting the Los Angeles boulevards or local car shows in their beloved Bow Tie classics.
Ramirez is a Texas native and his dedication to the sole Texas chapter of Oldies Car Club has been a priority for over 10 years. There’s high expectations flying this club plaque and Ramirez sparked the Houston, Texas, lowriding community interest with his sixth annual Pasadena Tejas Super Custom Car Show and Concert.
Conrad Kustomz LLC, Pachucos R Us, and El Chuco Ramirez Productions presented a showdown not to be missed in East Texas. The Sunday kickoff consisted of a range of custom vehicles descending into the main exhibit arena and outdoor spots to fill the grounds to capacity. If it was variety the attendees wanted, they certainly got it with bombs, motorcycles, SUVs, bicycles, G-bodies, and more.
Ramirez would like to thank his club members, his family, and friends, and everyone who contributed to the attainment of putting on yet another great show in Pasadena, Texas.
It is often said that good things come to those who wait, and waiting is exactly what Joel Ramon Castro, of San Diego, California, has been doing since the start of his latest build when a family road trip to Arizona turned into a potential car purchase. “I was looking for a convertible,” Joe says, “when my nephew mentioned he knew of a ’62 Chevy wagon sitting in a field.” Although weathered and neglected Joel saw plenty of potential, but as luck would have it the owner was not quite ready to let it go. Several years passed when he finally got a call from his nephew stating the wagon was finally up for sale, and soon enough the wagon found itself on the way to San Diego to begin its restoration journey.
With a budget and plan in place the restoration began with a trip to Imperials Autobody in San Diego where Robi would cover this classic in Twilight Turquoise Blue, making the car appear as it would have rolling out of a Detroit assembly line. The project, however, came to a screeching halt when Joel got the good news that his oldest daughter was accepted to UC Santa Barbara. A few years and several tuition checks later the restoration was finally back on track with an interior revival that included the installation of an original ’62 turquoise color combination matching original Chevrolet specifications along with a rare OE third-row bench seat. With the build halfway completed, the project was once again put on the shelf when his other daughter was accepted to her older sister’s alma mater. This time however, it would take even longer to restart, as his son would be attending San Diego State University. With two of his three kids now graduates he decided he could not wait any longer and it was time to finish this wagon project. The original ’62 small-block Chevrolet 283 was rebuilt along with OE powerglide transmission, 14-inch BFGoodrich whitewall radials were mounted onto OEM ’62 refurbished Chevy Impala hubcaps and after the endless amounts of original accessories he had been collecting over the years, such as a compass, vent shades, tilt steering wheel, along with power windows and seats were mounted in place the only thing left to do was put up that prestigious Impalas Car Club plaque in the back window.
“This project took a lot of hard work and effort,” Joel says, “and for that I would give special thanks to my wife, Elizabeth, daughters, Krystal and Karla, my son, Charlie, aka “Big Cat,” my brothers, Fidel and Jose, and more importantly my father and mother who taught me the value of an education.
1962 Chevy Impala Wagon
Vehicle Nickname
Just a Wagon
Owner
Joel Ramon Castro
Car Club
Impalas Car Club
City
San Diego
Interior
Original ’62 turquoise color combinations matching original Chevy specifications
Engine
Original ’62 small-block Chevrolet 283 with powerglide transmission
Body/Paint
Imperials Autobody in San Diego covered the wagon in a Twilight Turquoise Blue
First introduced in 1974, the Trueray wire wheel in its day was one of the most coveted of direct-bolt-on wire wheels. Fortunately, not all good things must come to an end. After an absence of 25 years, Truespoke Wire Wheels is re-introducing this classic design, now hand-built in limited production. This wheel is a great choice for use on custom cars, lowriders, muscle cars and show cars of all descriptions.
Features
Sizes: 13 – 18 inch diameters
60- Straight-lace spokes
Direct bolt-on style – no knock-off adapters
Hand-built in California
Polished front and rear for a show-quality finish
Copper/nickel/chrome plating
Rear wheel drive only
Bolt patterns: 5 on 4.75″ and 5 on 5″
Stainless steel spokes and nipples available as an upgrade
Each set of wheels includes a choice of “Dome” or “Hex” style caps with Trueray chrome medallions, identical to the originals
Prices start at $1,995.00 per set.
For more information please visit www.trueray.net for more information. Dealer opportunities are available.
