Zacharias Banker, who recently moved to California from Arizona, is an active member of the Klique Car Club in East L.A. Zach has built other cars in the past and wanted to start all over on a new project. While out looking for an Impala, he quickly jumped at the chance of picking up a convertible classic. This '62 Impala convertible named "Amuana Mafioto," or Black Princess, is a true black beauty that was created over a two-year time frame.
Since Zach was traveling back and forth between states, that made it easier for him to keep an eye on the project and it also allowed him to use the best of the best craftsmen shops from both states to create his Black Princess. He started off by jumping into this restoration project with Bert from The Chevy Shop in El Monte, California, who happens to be the right source for convertibles. Bert's crew took on the task of restoring the car to better-than-stock condition. The first thing they did was to pull the car off the frame to work on the body. Once the car was prepped, it was shot with The Chevy Shop's specialty Jet Black paint to go along with the mirror image-looking body. The car's straight body lines were then complemented by Bugs Auto Art in Arizona. Bugs' lines were done in a combination of paint and silver leaf that tied in the Cars Inc. interior kit with the exterior.
Model: Destiny Monique Makeup:...
Model: Destiny Monique
Makeup: Kim Bui
Stylist: Chynna Dolls
After the car was put together by The Chevy Shop, Zach started adding as much detail as he could to his ride. He took the car to Customs Lowz in Riverside, California, where they took on the job of plumbing and dressing up the crate engine. Jesse also designed the trunk compartment of the car, which looks more like a modern-day moonshine still. The hydraulic system featured threecustom round pumps that were plumbed in stainless tubing. The whole trunk, as well as the batteries, were covered with fiberglass panels, allowing the hydraulics to be the main focal point when the trunk is open. The Chevy Shop also made sure to include power windows and their own power vent windows, which they sell exclusively to Impala owners only. The whole car's undercarriage was also chrome dipped by The Chevy Shop, including a Grand National rear end geared up to take the abuse of the engine.
This Black Princess is just one more accomplishment for Zach, who tells us that he is currently starting on his next project. With the support of his wife, family, and the plaque he proudly flies, he is now planning on tackling a '57 project, and since everything came out so flawlessly on this '62 rag, he plans to use the same build team.
Amuana Mafioto
Owner: Zacharias Banker
Vehicle: '62 Impala convertible
Club: Klique Car Club--East Los Angeles
Engine/Drivetrain: Stock GM Performance 350-cid engine and transmission combo for better highway performance
Body/Paint: Painted by Bert and Mata at The Chevy Shop. The pinstriping was done by Bugs in Arizona.
Interior: The original Cars Inc interior kit was installed by The Chevy Shop.
Sound System: Two JL Audio amplifiers power the JL subwoofers and midrange speakers, which were installed by Brad at Custom Lowz.
Suspension: Custom hydraulics were installed by Jesse at Custom Lowz. The hydraulics include three round AH-2 aluminum pumps, plumbed tubing, and Adel dumps for precision control of the hydraulic fluids.
Tires: Original 13-inch Premium Sportway 5.20s
Wheels: 13x7 Zenith wheels featuring color spokes to match the vehicle