Being a family kind of man can keep you quite busy, what with providing for your family, attending your children's school activities and family functions with the wife. It's hard to believe that Edward Denava of norwalk, California, has enough time to fulfill his passion for lowriders, specifically his beauty of a bomb, a '48 Chevrolet Fleetline that he calls "Root beer Float."
A member of the old Memories Car Clubsan Gabriel Valley chapter, Edward recalls how he found the '48: "I first saw the car at my friend's house and it sat there for two years before I had the nerve to ask him to sell it to me," he recalls. once he got the car for a deal, only three grand, he took it home and stripped it down to the frame, the best way to do a restoration job because this way you know exactly what is wrong or right with the vehicle.
Once he saw the car torn down, Edward made to sure to document and catalog what was there, what needed to be replaced and what had to be done to the '48 Chevy. a big part of the visuals on the car is the paint. "The second stop for the car was the paint shop," Edward reports, "and after seeing the color combo on the Chevy, I knew that this was going to be one of L.a.'s baddest Fleetlines out there."
As for help and inspiration, Edward thanks both Frank Ventura and Roger Ramirez at o.M. Restorations in East Los angeles for their countless hours of building the bomb, and to his wife for her devotion. speaking of devotion, Edward also wanted to mention that his oldest son is following tradition. "My dad has been lowriding for years, so my growing up and going to car shows, attending car club meetings help me know what I wanted at a young age," Edward relates. "so when I got a chance, I took advantage of that opportunity and that's what my son is doing now."
Root Beer FloatOwner: Edward DenavaVehicle: '48 Chevrolet FleetlineCity/State: norwalk, CaliforniaClub: old Memories C.C.-san Gabriel Valley chapter
Engine/Drivet RaIn: The stock engine was swapped out by Mike's Mechanic shop in East Los angeles, California, where Mike yanked out the old engine and dropped in a fresher one from a '57 Chevy. The 235-c.i.d. engine runs well and purrs like a kitten when idling, but gives out a nice sound when rolling down the streets with its straightpipe exhaust system.
Body/Paint: "Pollo" at G's auto body in Lynwood, California, made darn sure that the car was tiptop in the body before hitting it with a PPG two-tone color scheme paint job. For a little pizzazz, Danny the pinstriper in the san Gabriel Valley came up with a few tasty licks to embellish the car. "Lil' Ed" at Isabel's Chrome Plating in Downey, California, gets props for doing a great job on the Fleetline's plated goods.
Interior: Edward made sure that the bomb's interior was just as tight on the inside, so he scoured the swap meets and Internet to find the right stuff and then had Mike Perez of whittier, California, stitch in an oG-style hampton Coach kit to the factory seating. Mike also handled the door panels and headliner to tie everything together.
Sound System: Edward made another stop in Downey, this time for some tunes which were installed by Ruben Martinez at Evan's stereo shop. The all-Kenwood sound system keeps Edward and his family on the beat when rolling to the shows and events.
Suspension: Edward lowered the bomb a bit for a cooler stance and lowrider attitude.
Tires:Firestone
Wheels: 16-inch artillery