The story of Leo Millan and his hot '61 Chevy Impala ragtop would have been right at home in the recent Lowrider Readers' Rides special. That edition carried the theme of "Heroes And Role Models" and focused on real people from all over the country (and world) who choose to cruise low and (sometimes) slow. Leo's a real estate investor now hanging his hat in Tennessee and his ride was definitely a wise investment, imported as it was from Southern California.
Into the lowrider scene since he was 16, Leo says that he always wanted a '61 convertible but admits that he couldn't previously afford one. Once he had flipped a few properties and generated the necessary disposable income, however, the time had come for his own super '61. Leo's associate Alex at P&G Motors in Rialto, California, built the car from the ground up and handed it over to Leo as a "turnkey" after a one-year build time.
Leo currently has other projects in the works. He owns a '49 Chevy truck and is working on a '51 Chevy convertible as well as another '61 Impala convertible with his brother Joe. Clearly, the recent real estate slow-down hasn't cooled Leo's love for lowriding. As this fire engine red convertible can attest, the man's passion for low-lows is burning stronger than ever.
Red RagOwner: Leo MillanVehicle: '61 Chevrolet Impala convertibleCity/State: Clarksville, Tennessee
Club: No affiliation (though the owner received "a lot of help from Rollerz Only C.C.")
Engine/Drivetrain: The original 283-c.i.d. was cleaned and dressed and now sits like a prize jewel in the spotless engine compartment.
Body/Paint: This hot ragtop wears fire engine red paint with white inserts on the side moldings.
Interior: The interior was likewise restored in red and white using an interior kit.
Sound System: A 12-inch sub satisfies Leo's hunger for pounding sounds.
Suspension: P&G Motors in Rialto, California, installed an airbag setup with two 5-gallon tanks and three compressors.
Tires: P155/80-R13 Firestone
Wheels: 13x7 L.A. Wires