Among the many ways to acquire a cover-quality lowrider is to get a hot tip from a fellow car club member. That's how it went down for "Big Blue," the owner of this '67 Chevy Impala from San Jacinto, California, called "Showdown" and a member in good standing with Ultimate Riders C.C. "I got a phone call from a club brother," says Big Blue. "I went to see it and bought it that weekend. I drove it to a Black History parade and then I took it home, tore it down and began to rebuild the entire car."
The car was completed to Big Blue's satisfaction in just four months with much of the work being done by the owner and his wife, "Lady Blue." The enterprising couple removed the car from its frame and began rebuilding from the ground up. And Big Blue isn't kidding or just being considerate when he gives credit to his wife for helping him with the mechanicals. "My wife turned as many bolts as myself and I do appreciate her," admits the proud masculine half of the Blue crew.
Showdown is currently showing up on the car show circuit where it has made Big Blue and Lady Blue fixtures in the winners' circle. What does the future hold for this silver-blue ragtop? According to Big Blue, Showdown won't be down for long. "I want to complete a few things and drive it weekly," he tells us. That sounds like a good plan to us.
Showdown
Owner: "Big Blue" and "Lady Blue"
Vehicle: '67 Chevrolet Impala
City/State: San Jacinto, California
Club: Ultimate Riders C.C.
Engine/Drivetrain: Big Blue built up the '67 383-c.i.d. engine with an Edelbrock intake and carburetor, and RV cam, and matched it up to a 350 transmission and 3-inch Flowmaster exhaust system. The show-quality chrome plating found on Showdown came courtesy of Victor at Best Chrome & Polishing in Pomona, California.
Body/Paint: Nino at Nino Auto Body in San Bernardino, California, performed the body modifications like the shaved firewall before prepping the sheet metal and laying down two-stage '06 Toyota Blue paint. "Wild Bill" and Jeff of San Bernardino shared the pinstriping duties, while Erin Money of Orange County, California, made the most of the limited mural space on the '67 (doorjambs, wheels, etc.) for a series of images important to Big Blue; ie, a likeness of Lady Blue and a few of his past cars "presented at lowrider shows," a '53 Chevy "big-body" and '90 Cadillac Fleetwood.
Interior: Evans Upholstery in San Bernardino reworked the two-tone blue vinyl seats and door panels. Digital gauges add a high-tech splash to the dash.
Sound System: Big Blue looked up The Hookup in Perris, California, where Benny hooked up his '67 with a primarily Pioneer sound system that's nicely integrated into the original-looking interior.
Setup: Well-known lowrider "V-Max" (Vernon Maxwell) at Ultimate Hydraulics in Norco, California, contributed the three-pump whammy setup with Adex dumps, 8-inch (front) and 14-inch (rear) cylinders, 3.5-ton springs, four switches and eight batteries. Additionally, the frame was wrapped and the suspension was modified with molded A-arms and trailing arms.
Tires: P155/80-R13 Celebrity
Wheels: 13x7 Crystal wires