LemonLaid

Danny Arriaga of Saugus, California, has owned a few custom lowriders in the past, including a '78 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, '64 Chevy Impala convertible and his infamous "Street Tattoo," a candy-painted '59 Impala hardtop. These were all nice rides, but none compared to the Premier Car Club member's newest project, this immaculate candy yellow '58 Impala hardtop called "Lemonlaid."

Danny's latest creation was taken a step further than his previous rides as it involved a full frame-off customization. The five-year project was welcomed by the 34-year-old who enjoyed the challenge. The first thing that Danny did was ship the car to Classic Auto in Paramount, California, where "Pollito" and Joe stripped the original forest green color to get it ready for the new lemon yellow paint. Using only the best in the industry, Danny trusted his car building instincts and asked Ed Montanez of Carloonies in Northridge, California, to give his '58 a fresh finish.

After he prepped and blocked the body, Ed broke out his best paint gun to flow on a PPG and House of Kolor candy three-stage paint job. When Ed was done putting down a few ghost patterns, the '58 was shipped to Walt Prey in Northridge, who laid out a few lines that would set the pace for the other three pinstripers who worked on the car. The joint effort included the mobile services of Gary Berg and Bill Marygold, and a final pinstriping by Bob Iverson. Lemonlaid was then taken to "Mac" of Northridge Auto for the final touches to the finish.

Danny then moved on to the suspension. The first trick done to the classic ride in this department was a bolt-on disc brake upgrade. This helps to stop the posi rearend that was added to the wrapped and molded Canadian X-frame. Other suspension tricks done by Homies Hydraulics in Paramount included adding a telescopic driveshaft, and molding the front upper and lower A-arms. Danny then convinced his compadre Anthony to part with a hard-to-find Pesco hydraulics setup.

Once the vintage setup was pieced together it included two OG Pesco aircraft pumps, an equalizer that controls the rear from swaying when driving, check valves and faucet slowdowns. Danny also had to track down the aircraft fitting and tank, which he found at Norton Sales in North Hollywood, California. Danny also bought chrome Adex dumps, which were purchased from the "Pesco Master," Ted Wells, who made a rare house call to ensure that this ride would be ready to bust out at the San Diego, California, Lowrider Tour stop.

The original engine was taken to the home of Danny's brother Jose, where the dynamic duo worked on rebuilding the 283-c.i.d. V-8 and dressing it up with serpentine pulleys, Edelbrock carburetor, intake and air cleaner, as well as Cool Flex hoses and a billet valve cover. An Optima Yellow Top battery that matches the exterior of the car was dropped in to power up the sound system installed by Joe at Henry's Customs in Duarte, California. Rounding out the sounds are two Rockford Fosgate amplifiers, four midrange separates and two 10-inch JL Audio woofers, all controlled by a Pioneer head unit mounted in an original '50s record player. "Chino" of Classic Auto tracked down the old piece along with such other hard-to-find options as fender mirrors, cruiser skirts, sun visor and Continental kit. Other custom tricks done to the car include a custom tube grille made by Phil's Grilles in Little Rock, California.

To show off the new glass that Mark "the Glass Man" cut out for his '58, Danny and friends Abel and Javier installed original power windows and wing windows. Inspired, they next installed a six-way power bench seat that was upholstered by Henry of Henry's Customs in color-matching velour and vinyl. With the car almost finished, Danny bolted on a set of custom LA Wire wheels purchased from Homies Hydraulics.

Danny freely admits that could not have put this five-year project together without the support of his wife, Susan, and their kids Daniel and Jessica. The owner also relied on a few other friends to help him get his Lemonlaid made in the shade.