Sometimes, all it takes to become inspired to drop everything in order to build an actual lowrider, and maybe even change your life, is to catch a glimpse of the right car at the right time. That's how it went down for Rodney Noakes of British Columbia, Canada. "I started watching Boyz in the Hood and I said to a friend who had been building cars for a few years, 'Find me a '63 and I'll build a sick lowrider,' " Rodney remembers. "About six months later, he did so, and I started building my '63."
Rodney quickly realized that there are times when you need to take matters into your own hands. "My '63 is the reason I opened my own shop [NCC Autosports in Nanaimo, BC]," he admits. "I got tired of watching from the sidelines. It's hard to find a shop that cares about your car like the owner does."
One look at this '63 Chevy Impala convertible will convince you the Rodney cares about his cars. He also received assistance from fellow Canadian and Rollerz Only C.C. member Dontre (see the "North Of The Border '57" story elsewhere in this issue). It's obvious that Rodney has the desire to do things right, and it all began the day he caught Boyz in the Hood. "Here I am today," he says, "the owner of my own shop."
Maple Leaf RagOwner: Rodney NoakesVehicle: '63 Chevrolet Impala convertibleCity/State: Nanaimo, British Columbia, CanadaClub: Rollerz Only C.C.
Engine/Drivetrain: A 2002 350-c.i.d. Chevy Vortec crate engine with aluminum heads, Hooker Lowrider headers, Flowmaster exhaust and 350 Turbo transmission was dropped in by Rodney at NCC Autosports in Nanaimo.
Body/Paint: The owner credits "Money Mike" at Dontre Restorations in Langley, BC, for the "flawless" Aston Martin silver paint. The lower panel murals featuring the faces of beautiful women and Rollerz Only lettering are the work of Vince at Game Correct Kustoms in Surrey, BC. Pacific Plating in Vancouver, BC provided the profusion of professional chrome plating on the undercarriage and elsewhere.Interior: NCC Autosports made sure not to drop a stitch on the tan vinyl upholstery. The interior was also updated with a smoothed and painted dash with digital gauges.
Sound System: Neither did NCC Autosports miss a beat when they installed a Digital Designs/MB Quart sound system.
Setup: Four ShowTime Hydraulics pumps with 12 Gold Plus batteries combine for all of the hoppin' power that Rodney requires. The frame was reinforced and 3-ton springs were added at NCC Autosports.
Tires: Hankook Mileage Plus whitewalls
Wheels: 14x7 Dayton wires