The line between a traditional-style lowrider and a custom low has blurred in recent years; even many OG lowriders are now building what we've dubbed "low rods." So many, in fact, that we run a low rod feature in nearly every issue. Thus, it makes sense to be including some low rod tech, like adding airbags instead of juice to a traditional Chevy Impala.
In this case we're referring to putting a Master Image Customs (MIC) Speed Bag air ride kit on a '65 Impala SS owned by Enrique Vargas. Enrique has rolled on 13s forever, but he decided to redo has hardtop more low rod-style by adding bling and bagging it. So he put on a set of 20-inch Alba Karma wheels (with spinners) wrapped with Hankook 245/35-ZR20 Ventus Sport high-performance tires. The big rims and radials looked out of place on a '65 at first, but now that we've gotten used to seeing it rollin' on alloys, it looks tight!
But when it came time for Classic Auto Customs (in Ontario, California) to bag the car, they found that the offset of the 20-inch wheels and the wide tires created some minor clearance problems on the front end. "If this car was still on 13s or 14s bagging it would be a simple one-day bolt-in operation with the MIC kit," said Andy Diaz, owner of Classic Auto. "If the wheels had a deeper offset so the rims would sit outboard more, we probably wouldn't have had any clearance problems either," he added.
However, in this case, the front inner fender sheet metal had to be cut, the upper spring pockets had to be opened up, lower control arm modifications had to be made and the inner fender panels had to be removed totally. No mods were required for the rear suspension. Otherwise, the installation was pretty straightforward and the car lays out low.
An array of DEI audio equipment will be installed in the trunk soon, so Andy (and chief installation technician Keith Pillow) mounted the compressor and air tank on the left ledge of the trunk leaving the deck and tire well areas open. Enrique also wanted the system to be "quick," so fast electric valves (with mufflers) were mounted (up under the frame) and a pressure-controlled CO2 bottle was added. For a bit of OG look, custom chromed hard lines were plumbed between the CO2 regulator and the air tank. (The 100-percent duty air compressor is used only as a backup for the gas.) Follow the photos and you'll see how simple it is to have your ride rolling on air in no time with MIC.
With an MIC air ride kit you'll be laid in the shade.
The MIC Speed Bag II air ride kit includes everything you'll need to give your Impala all of the moves of hydraulics. We used the Speed Bag I kit since we are adding gas to boost the system speed.
1. Before any work was done the trunk was stripped and several rusted out spots were repaired. Then Andy sealed the trunk with a Herculiner paint in liner (as featured in April '04 LRM).
2. Special cups for the '65 are attached to the big ported Firestone bags.
3. The upper spring pockets and lower control arms had to be modified to allow the front bags to fit up far enough to allow the car to lay out.
4. In addition to removing the inner fender panels the fender sheet metal had to be modified to clear the fat Hankook radials.
5. No modifications were required for the rear bags on the swing arms. | 
6. The bottom of the rear bags were bolted in place as shown. |
7. Air lines were attached to the front bags for testing before they were mounted. | 
8. & 9. Then the bags were slipped in place and the bottom was welded to the control arm from the underside. |
09. | 
10. Fast electric valves with mufflers will be used to make the moves quicker. |
11. Once the bags were in place the tires/wheels were mounted again. | 
12. & 13. Test lines were run to a T fitting and then pressurized with the shop air hose both front and back to check suspension movement and clearance. |
13. |
14. The next step was to install the compressor and air tank on the trunk ledge. Note a liquid-filled pressure gauge attached to the custom-bent chrome hard line. |
15. The continuous-duty air compressor is fitted with an electric pressure control valve to keep the pressure in the tank up at all times. | 
16. The rear bag valves were mounted up high between the gas tank and the frame to keep them out of harm's way. Then 1/2-inch air lines were run to the bags and the trunk. |
17. The front bag valves were mounted inside the frame near the transmission cross member. Then 1/2-inch air lines were run to the front bags and the trunk. | 
18. Then the CO2 bottle and pressure regulator were installed and the hard line connected to a steel-braided line. Then the regulator was opened and the gas run to the holding tank. Note the frost coating on the lines from the cold gas. The black gas tank was later replaced with a polished aluminum tank.19. The holding tank liquid-filled pressure gauge shows 200 psi in the holding tank. |
19. The holding tank liquid-filled pressure gauge shows 200 psi in the holding tank. | 
20. For a more OG look, an eight-switch dash panel was installed instead of the supplied 10-switch box. |
21. Locked up, the '65 has all the clearance it needs to get over anything. | 
22. Moves include front, back, corners and a radical side-to-side. And it's fast! |
23. The 20-inch Alba wheels and Hankook Ventus Sport radials tuck totally when the car is laid. Sweet! | |