Never let it be said that when it comes to custom cars that lowriders, the people who own and build them, would call their rides "subtle." The flash of paint and chrome, the glistening of glass and well-dressed tires is almost like a showgirl or "dancer." So when "Lil' Jesse" of Lancaster, Texas, thought of a theme to his car, it was a natural to call it "Striptease," a nod to one of his favorite pastimes of chillin' with his boys.
"I've been attracted to lowriders, hot-rods, classics and trucks since I was nine years old and decided back then that I was going to have top-notch cars when I was older," says Jesse. "I was taught by my older brothers that if you want something done nice and clean then do everything right." The car was found by one of his brothers at a local swap meet, who called Jesse to tell him to come down and check it out.
Jesse reimbursed his brother and proceeded to take the '63 Chevy Impala out to Joe and Hugo at JB Kustoms in Oak Cliff, Texas, where they dismantled the Chevy down to the bare frame. "Joe did everything that I asked," adds Jesse. "But I still want to do more with toys and details on the car. There's a motto that we have down here: we do things bigger and better in Texas."
TechspecsStripteaseOwner: Lil' Jesse
Vehicle: '63 Chevrolet Impala convertible
City/State: Lancaster, Texas
Club: Presidentez C.C.
Engine/Drivetrain: Jesse had Hugo of JB Kustoms in Oak Cliff, Texas, warm over the OG 327-c.i.d. powerplant with a Holley intake system, Chevrolet valve covers and a ton of chrome accessories. Hugo also painted the block to match the car's exterior. A Powerglide transmission gets the ponies to the rear, while a chrome Flowmaster exhaust expels the spent fumes out dual muffler tips.
Body/Paint: Hugo and the crew at JB Kustoms disassembled the ride to the frame, created suicide treatments for the trunk and hood, and then Joe at the shop painted the car in House of Kolor candy black cherry. The pinstripes are from the brush of Mr. Crawford in Oak Cliff, while the elaborate mural on the trunk depicts private dancers entertaining Jesse and his comrades at the local strip joint. As a special custom touch, small jewels adorn parts of the mural, a nod to the goodies that Jesse has bestowed on the ladies at the club.
Interior: The upholstery and interior digs on the ragtop are kept to 1963 standards. The owner opted to install the Classic Industries kit himself and the upholstery fits like a glove. The top is also black and the boot to cover the collapsed top is made of matching suede material.
Sound System: On his list of things to do is a sound system, but for now Jesse just listens to the breeze.
Suspension: Chris and his crew at the Drop Zone in Arlington, Texas, used special top-of-the-line big bags for the air suspension, with 10 switches, two 10-gallon air tanks and chrome air lines for the setup. The frame is painted candy black cherry and is pinstriped. The chrome on the chassis and elsewhere on the ride was removed and sent out to Polido Plating in Balch Springs, Texas.
Tires: P175/75-R14 Cooper radials
Wheels: 14-inch Dayton wires