Summer Volume 4 Issue 2 - Impala SS Clubs of America

IMPALA
TM
SScene

Published Quarterly by ISSCA.org
Volume IV Issue II
Summer 2013
PRE-NATIONALS 2013
ISSUE
Chuck Moutoux is presented
with the 2012 "MISK
Award" by ISSCA President
Bill DeBlasio. Will he be able
to hold on to the title for
2013?
Don't miss out, this year's Nationals at C
CH
HA
AR
RL
LO
OT
TT
TE
EM
MO
OT
TO
OR
R SSPPE
EE
ED
DW
WA
AY
Y in Charlotte, North Carolina looks to
be the best yet!! This year's event is being hosted by CarISSMA (Carolinas Impala SS Motor Association) and there
has been nothing spared in preparation! Check out the Nats Website at https://sites.google.com/site/isscanats/home for more
information!
ISSCA includes all Impalas from 1958 to present. ISSCA was re-established in 2009. We look forward to your support, and should you have
any questions please don’t hesitate to contact any of us through the contact page of the ISSCA website or here. http://issca.org/contact-us/
We look forward to your participation in ISSCA. To submit articles for the Impala SScene magazine, e-mail Jim Gross at
[email protected] Thanks.
Table of Contents
Page 1: Editor’s Note
Page 2: ISSCA News
Page 10: 2013 ISSCA Nationals News
Welcome to Charlotte, NC!
Page 15: 96 Super Sport Wedding
Impala SS Community Member Submitted Article
Page 24: A Look at Nationals Past
Indianapolis 2006
Editor’s Note
Jim Gross
ISSCA SScene Editor, Secretary & Area 8 Director
Greetings, fellow ISSCA members!
I hope you are as excited as we, the ISSCA Board of Directors are in
anticipation of this year's Nationals Event! Details are being finalized and a lot of great
events are being planned. There will DEFINATELY be something for everyone! With
that said, get signed up, registration ends soon! I look forward to meeting old friends
and making new ones, too!
I would like to remind everyone that ALL submissions for magazine articles are
appreciated and requested. I would like to do “member highlight” type articles in each
issue, so if you have anything to contribute, please contact me at
[email protected].
I appreciate ALL of the participation among members and non-members alike who go
out of their way to make this club what it is. Thanks again and remember, THIS IS
YOUR CLUB and magazine. I am always open to any and all articles, pictures and
ideas that anyone wants to contribute.
Thanks again,
Jim Gross
ISSCA Secretary, Area 8 Director & Impala SScene Editor
[email protected]
1
ISSCA NEWS
Since our last issue, we have been privileged to accept Ryan Jones as Director at Large. Ryan is a
member of the Michigan Impala SS Legends (MISSL) club. Welcome aboard Ryan!
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President: Bill DeBlasio
Vice President: Don Lambert
Treasurer: Pat Whalen
Secretary: Jim Gross
Public Relations Officer: Robert Wagoner
Impala SScene Editor: Jim Gross
• ISSCA Board of Directors:
•
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Region 1: Open
Region 2: Open
Region 3: Lance Bartling
Region 3: Open
Region 4: Pat Whalen
Region 5: Open
Region 6: Chad Christensen
Region 7: Don Lambert
Region 8: Jim Gross
Region 9: Bob Fandetti
Region 9: Ed Bowser
Region 10: Mike Kender
Region 11: Bill DeBlasio
Region 12: Gary Cardarelli
Region 12: Nabil Guffey
Region 13: Richard Estrada
Director at Large: Jose Hernandez
Director at Large: Robert Wagoner
Director at Large: Ryan Jones
We still have some open Director spots, so anyone wishing to join vacant Board positions is
encouraged to contact the Officers or a Board Member.
2
NATIONALS NEWS
2-1-2013
Concord, NC
G-FORCE and the Impala SS Clubs of America Join Forces for the 2013
Impala SS Nationals
G-FORCE Racing Gear has joined the Impala SS Clubs of America as a Official Safety Equipment
Provider of the 2013 Impala Nationals Event being held in Concord, NC.
Many prominent ISSCA racers, including ISSCA club president Bill DeBlasio, have relied on GFORCE Racing Gear products for years to keep them out of harm's way in the harshest of racing
conditions. G-FORCE'S line includes a wide selection of SNELL-approved helmets, fire suits,
racing shoes and more.
"The ISSCA has a wide range of members who compete, from Auto Cross, Drag Racing or Road
Racing, all these series have unique safety requirements and the ISSCA has always taken this very
seriously," said G-FORCE Racing Gear's Don Stodola. "We share the ISSCA's dedication to Racing
Safety requirements, as it dovetails perfectly into our offerings for everything from stock car and
drag racing to road course racing."
And if supporting the event wasn't enough wait until the Awards / Dinner Banquet following the
Event to see what Don, and G-FORCE Racing Gear helped us with in regards to Awards this year.
"We are very pleased with G-FORCE Racing Gear joining us in this years National Event, it shows
their strong support in the Motorsports community no matter how big or small of an event. We look
forward to working with Don, and G-FORCE for many more years to come." stated ISSCA PR
Director Bob Wagoner.
The Impala SS Nationals is a four-day event combining Auto Cross, Road Solo, and Drag Racing
events. G-FORCE Racing Gear will be made available through select retailers in the Local Concord,
NC area. The Impala SS Nationals is scheduled for Aug. 7-10.
For more information in regards to the safety equipment G-FORCE Racing Gear has available please
visit www.gforce.com.
For up to date news and information on the ISSCA Impala SS Nationals you can visit the Impala SS
Clubs of America at www.issca.org events section.
3
3-1-2013, ISSCA HEADQUARTERS
Greetings Fellow ISSCA Member,
We hope all is well and everyone is off to a great start in 2013, because ISSCA is! We are sending
you this note to let you know that the 2013 ISSCA Nationals registration is now open. Please go to
www.issca.org and register for the event as soon as possible. We hope you are planning to join us
this year, and we think after you read this email you’ll agree the 2013 ISSCA Nationals is a “can’t
miss” event. The 2012 ISSCA Nationals was incredibly successful and the two year run in the Motor
City under the guidance of MISSL (highlighted by the Woodward Dream Cruise) drew rave reviews.
The kind comments were much appreciated and we are hoping to up the ante in 2013 with an even
bigger and better event! ISSCA has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes and now it’s time for
us to announce the location and itinerary for this year’s blockbuster event!
CarISSMA has been working feverishly to plan an event for the ages. I know what you are saying,
how is that possible after the show MISSL and ISSCA put on at Nationals in 2011 and 2012? How is
that possible after some of the great ISSCA Nationals in Tulsa 2003, Vegas 2004, Pocono’s 2005,
Indy 2006, St. Louis 2007 and 2008, and the joint ISSCA-ImpalaFest event in Dallas in 2009? Well,
amazingly, we think we’ve outdone ourselves and we are hoping you will agree.
ISSCA and CarISSMA will be hosting the event for 2013 in the heart of NASCAR country in
Concord, NC and we think it will be the best Nationals yet. The dates to block off are Tuesday
August 6th through Saturday August 10th, 2013 so start making your plans to attend now. When you
think about it it’s a perfect place to hold the Nationals. Not only is this the home of NASCAR "Where Racing Lives” - but the facilities themselves are world class. The zMAX Dragway is called
the Bellagio of drag strips and it is part of this little track you may have heard of - Charlotte Motor
Speedway. The world famous CMS isn’t just famous for the good old boys trading paint, it’s also
one of the best motorsports facilities in the whole world. We will be able to drag race, autocross, and
road race in the same complex just a stones throw from the host hotels.
The Road Racing event will be held in the infield of the world famous Charlotte Motor Speedway.
CMS is considered the home track of NASCAR and is the site of many NASCAR races including
the Coca-Cola 600 and the Sprint All-Star Race. The Richard Petty Driving Experience uses CMS,
and the movies Days of Thunder, Talledaga Nights was filmed there. The autocross event is being
held on the east side of the zMAX Dragway with a great open area layout planned for the racers.
Immediate following the autocross will be the drag racing at the zMAX Dragway a.k.a. the "Bellagio
of Drag Strips." The car show and David Fornwalt Memorial Sound Off location will be just north of
Charlotte Motor Speedway at Backing Up Classics Auto Museum with over four acres of parking
and many great photo opportunities. We are also bringing back a popular event from the past and
will be ending the 2013 ISSCA Nationals with an awards dinner following the car show on Saturday.
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Hotels: This year we have THREE host hotels to choose from with different price structures to fit
every budget and the hotels are all next to one another for easy access. More hotel info will be
coming soon. All the venue events, great eating spots and other area attractions are all within
minutes of each other and within a few miles of the hotels for a very convenient week with little to
no travel.
Also, if your significant other is not into the car scene, there are many things to see and do nearby
for them to make the trip worthwhile. Families are encouraged as always.
As we frequently say – please remember that we do all of this for one simple reason. We are car
guys who all share the same passions of the GM B-Body’s. We all have a burning passion for our
Impala SS’s, Caprices, Cadillac’s, and RoadMasters. We do this in our spare time and there is no
paid staff and it is purely out of love for the cars and the wonderful community we’ve been a part of
for over a decade. Your dues go directly to operating expenses of the club and we hope you come to
Nationals to see your fellow enthusiasts and to participate in the only B-Body national event in
existence.
Thank you for being a valued member of ISSCA and we genuinely hope you attend Nationals. If
you’ve come before, you know what it’s all about. If you’ve never attended, it’s worth the trip! Even
if it’s not feasible to drive to the event, we have many members who fly in just to be a part of the
festivities and we strongly encourage it.
As ever, we also encourage you to get involved as a volunteer. If you have a few hours a month in
the evenings to help us plan and if you have access to the internet then we want you on-board!
Remember this is your club. We currently also have openings in a few area chapters so if you are
interested in joining the BoD as a Director please let us know. If you have any questions or
suggestions to make your club better or are interested in volunteering for the 2013 ISSCA Nationals
please contact an ISSCA Officer or Director for more information.
Respectfully,
Your ISSCA Officers and Directors
5
3-1-2013
Concord, NC
Impala SS Clubs of America welcomes Dick Miller Racing Inc.
The ISSCA is happy to announce Dick Miller Racing Inc. will be joining the Impala SS Nationals
event in August.
Many prominent ISSCA, and B & D Bodied racers currently use Dick Miller Racing. Dick Miller
Racing offers suspension pieces to complete suspension packages for our cars ranging from under,
and to over 450hp. Dick Miller Racing Inc. will be on site during the event offering his products, and
service.
“I am happy to be a part of this year Nationals,” said Miller Racing's owner Dick Miller. “I enjoy the
commitment I see from the ISSCA, and its racing community.”
Mr. Miller will also have available his newly published book – How to Hook and Launch: Traction
Mods for the Street & Strip where he explains the physics behind what gets a car moving from a
standing start, and how to best harness the various powers at work
“Many of us in the ISSCA are very pleased with Dick Miller Racing, and what he offers for our cars,
We look forward to having Mr. Miller, and Dick Miller Racing join us for this years event, and for
many more years to come.” stated ISSCA President Bill DeBlasio.
For more information in regards to the components Dick Miller Racing has available please visit
www.dickmillerracing.com
For up to date news and information on the ISSCA Impala SS Nationals you can visit the Impala SS
Clubs of America at www.issca.org – events section. Information will also be available on
AutoGuide's website impalassforum - ISSCA News section.
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ISSCA Announces TV Personality Lou Santiago as a Special Guest
Breaking News!!
The ISSCA is proud to announce that Velocity TV by Discovery “Car Fix” TV host Lou Santiago
will be joining us for the ISSCA Nationals.
Lou's passion for car building again took to the forefront in 2005, when he landed a job on Spike
TV's Muscle Car showing
viewers the "how to's" of
car building for two
years. Lou has been on
many other Automotive
TV Shows as well.
“I have been a Impala
Guy since way back”stated Lou Santiago,
when I was contacted about
the event I had to know
more. “After hearing what
CarISSMA, and the ISSCA has laid out, and its premo location it’s a No Brainer not to check this
out. Four Days of GM Muscle, I'm all in.”
Today, Lou has a new home for his plasma cutter, and it is called Car Fix, which can be seen on
Velocity TV by the Discovery Channel. He will be building some really cool stuff and showing the
masses once again that you too can be a car builder extraordinaire.
The ISSCA is really excited on having Lou attend the event, this goes to show on how Big of a event
this is going to be, and the Hard work that has been put into it, and we are just getting started. It's
looking like it will be one for the ISSCA record books, you wont want to miss it.
ARE YOU IN??
For More information on Lou feel free to visit Lou’s web site – www.lousantiago.com or by visiting
– www.velocity.discovery.com/tv-shows/car-fix
For up to date news and information on the ISSCA Impala SS Nationals you can visit the Impala SS
Clubs of America at www.issca.org– events section. Information will also be available on
AutoGuide's website ImpalaSSForum.com - ISSCA News section.
7
Contact:
Sylvia Laurence
336-714-1526
For Immediate Release
Impala Nationals Names Sticky Fingers Smokehouse
as Title Sponsor
April 15, 2013 – Sticky Fingers Smokehouse in Concord, NC will be presenting the 2013 Impala Super
Sport Clubs of America National Gathering. The ISSCA Nationals will run from Tuesday, August 6 through
Saturday, August 10 in Concord, NC where attendees will be competing, and attending events at Charlotte
Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway, and Backing Up Classics Museum. Highlights of the week will include a
NASCAR Hall of Fame tour, an Auto Cross, Road Course, Drag Race, Car Show and Sound Off Events.
“All of us on the ISSCA Board are extremely excited with having Sticky Fingers Smokehouse join
us as our Primary Marketing Partner for this year's National Event being held in Concord, NC. This is a win
- win situation for everyone involved. Cool Cars, Great Food, and a perfect location, it cant get any better
than this,” stated Public Relations Manager Robert Wagoner.
As the title sponsor, Sticky Fingers will cater the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 10 following
the Car Show. They will provide an array of slow-cooked Memphis-style barbecue, southern sides, and
signature desserts. During the week attendees will also be invited to dine at Sticky Fingers Smokehouse
located at 8021 Concord Mills Boulevard where they can enjoy hickory-smoked jumbo wings or a Seriously
Sticky Burger – a juicy Angus burger piled high with pulled pork, cheddar cheese, coleslaw, and Tennessee
Whiskey barbecue sauce.
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“We are thrilled to be a part of this year’s Nationals,” Sticky Fingers Area Director Steve Henry said. “I’m
confident it will be an exciting and action-packed week.”
Sticky Fingers first opened in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina in 1992 where its five famous barbecue
sauces were invented. Twenty years later, the smoked meats are still slow cooked on-site in barbecue pits
and the famous barbecue sauces are more popular than ever. For a list of upcoming specials, locations,
and menu options, join the Stick-E-Club online at www.stickyfingers.com/sf-signup.html, or log onto
www.facebook.com/StickyFingersSmokehouse.
About Sticky Fingers:
Sticky Fingers is a unique barbecue smokehouse concept with 17 locations in the Carolinas, Tennessee,
Georgia and Florida. Sticky Fingers specializes in high quality barbecue and comfort food and offers five
signature barbecue sauces – Memphis Original, Carolina Classic, Tennessee Whiskey, Carolina Sweet
and Habañero Hot. In addition to its core restaurant business, the company has generated successful
catering, online mail order and retail barbecue sauce businesses.
###
For additional information, please contact Sylvia Laurence, Director of Public Relations, Sticky Fingers Smokehouse 154
Charlois Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103. Phone: 336-714-1526; E-mail [email protected].
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2013 Impala SS Clubs of America
Nationals Gathering Event
ISSCA is working Double overtime to offer you one of the Biggest & Best Events for 2013. We
have contacted the Carolinas Impala SS Motor
Association also known as CarISSMA and look
forward to working with them in regards to the 2013
Event!
The location of the 2013 event is being held in
Cabarrus County which is also known as "Where Racing Lives!" Here you will find area information
for the Event, right down to directions on how to get to Concord, NC. You will also find information
on the tracks, hotels, the Venue, and various attractions around the area. Of course you will also be
able to register for the Nationals from right here as well.
For 2013 we have multiple hotels for you to choose from, all within just
a few minutes of the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the zMAX
Dragway. The host tracks will have a Auto Cross, Drag Race and a
Road Course event, we also have a Spectacular Car Show planned, and
More! You will also get the opportunity to get up close and personal
with many of the other attractions that are available in Cabarrus County.
The Nationals will have some great surprises along the way, CarISSMA has laid out a Huge Venue
for the week, an awesome ISSCA Chartered Club Challenge (ICCC) is being planned, the meals will
be first rate, and the Saturday Awards Dinner will be a real treat for everybody. So be sure to bring
your cameras, and camcorders!
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Events
NOTE: All events and times are subject to
change
ISSCA has "official" activities on August 8th,
9th, & 10th. As with most ISSCA nationals, the
bulk of the events will be focused on these days.
Many people will arrive on Tuesday August 6th to
get settled in for the event and explore the area. So
feel free to spend an extra day with your friends, get in some site seeing, and visit all the great
locations that Cabarrus County has to offer. You may even decide to stay into Sunday as there is a
abundance of things to do and see while you are there!
http://issca.org/issca-national-gathering/registration/ <<<CLICK HERE<<
July 15, 2013 – Online Registration Closes
Tuesday - August 6th
Early Check in at Host Hotel(s). - 9a to 5p
Early Event Registration & Goody Bag Pick-Up
Wednesday - August 7th
Check in at Host Hotel(s). - 9a to 5p
On Site Event Registration & Goody Bag Pick-Up
Day Event - NASCAR Hall of Fame Tour - 10a to 4p
Thursday – August 8th
Day Event - Road Course Event - 9a to 3p
Night Event - ICCC KART Racing Event - 6p to 10p
Friday - August 9th
Day Event - Auto Cross Event - 9a to 3p
Night Event - Drag Race - Gates open @ 4p
Racing from 5p - 9p
Saturday - August 10th
Day Event - Car Show & Sound Off - 8a to 5p
Night Event - Dinner & Awards Ceremony 6p to 10p
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Event Locations
Hilton Garden Inn - HOST HOTEL
7831 Gateway Lane, Concord, North Carolina, 28027
(704) 979-2900
Spacious guestroom or suites, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and sleep comfortably in
the bed with adjustable firmness. Watch cable programs on the 32-inch HDTV. Refrigerator and
microwave. Suites and executive rooms feature a separate living area with sofa bed. Start each
morning with a cooked-to-order breakfast. In the evening enjoy dinner at the Great American Grill
and sip cocktails at the Pavilion Lounge. 24-hour business center, fitness center and indoor pool help
as available. No Pets - Non Smoking (smoking oasis available)
Sleep Inn & Suites - HOST HOTEL #2
7821 Gateway Lane, Concord, NC, US, 28027
Phone: (704) 979-8800
Fax: (704) 979-8801
Guests will enjoy many full-service amenities, including Free Morning Medley Hot Breakfast, free
local calls and free weekday newspaper. There is also a fitness center and seasonal outdoor pool
located on site, free wireless high-speed Internet access, a guest computer with printer and access to
copy and fax services. All rooms include refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons
and ironing boards. For special occasions, be sure to ask about whirlpool bathtub suites and twobedroom executive suites. No Pets - Smoking Rooms Available
Wingate by Wyndham - HOST HOTEL#3
7841 Gateway Lane NW, I-85 exit 49 Speedway Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
704-979-1300
Stay connected with free Wi-Fi Internet access and stay informed with your free newspaper. Each
morning, gear up for your day with a free hot breakfast and get in a workout in our fitness center.
Refresh with a swim in our outdoor pool, and stretch out in one of our executive suites for added
comfort. Pets Allowed (additional fee) - Non Smoking
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EVENTS
Auto Cross
Location: ZMAX Dragway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South
Concord, NC 28027
We will time each run then display, and or announce
your time. Remember, smooth is fast. There will be
penalties assessed for hitting cones or missing the
stop box. There are light poles in the zMAX lot and
the course will be designed to minimize any chance
of contact. Nonetheless, be sure to walk the course
beforehand and be aware of where you might end up if you accidentally miss a turn. We will have
removable window markers on-site. You will need your ID # on the window so we may score
autocross.
**NOTE**Your ISSCA member number will be
your car competition number in all events .
Road Rally Solo 1
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South
Concord, NC 28027
To be held on the .75 mile infield road course.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is Charlotte's most exciting
place for racing action. One of the largest sports
facilities in the Southeast, the speedway seats nearly
165,000 fans. There's room for 50,000 more in the
infield, where you'll get a real taste of the action, from
pit fumes to hard-core racing fans. The facility boasts an
infield road course, smaller go kart track, and various areas used for skid pad and driving
experiences.
Drag Race
Location: ZMax Dragway, Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South
Concord, NC 28027
The zMAX Dragway nicknamed "The Bellagio of Drag Strips"
is a state-of-the-art four-lane drag strip located on 125 acres
across U.S. Highway 29 from the Charlotte super speedway.
The drag strip officially opened on August 20, 2008, and a
public open house was held a few days later.
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The first NHRA event was held September 11–14, 2008. The dragway features the only all-concrete,
four-lane drag strip in the United States. The starting line tower is 34,000 square feet and includes 16
luxury suites, race control areas and a press box. Two grandstands, on either side of the strip, can
hold a combined 30,000 spectators. Twenty-four luxury suites with hospitality accommodations are
located above the main grandstand. Two tunnels run underneath the strip to enhance fan mobility
between the both sides of the grandstands, and race facility.
Car Show
Location: Backing Up Classics Auto Museum
4545 Highway 29
Concord, NC 28027
Jim Morrison has graciously opened up his facilities to host
this year’s Nationals Car Show. Morrison, along with his
brother Gary have taken what started out with watching their
father buying, collecting and selling cars, to collecting and
displaying vehicles that some of us will never see in our
lifetime. Please make time to check out all this museum has
to offer and check out the history there. There is a lot of
racing and other memorabilia to see.
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96 Super Sport Wedding
Submitted article by Derek and Vaughn Smith from the ISSF
Posted by Vaughn Smith:
Ok guys, I figured I'd share this with the people that could appreciate it the most. My brother (username
djsmith1996) is getting married in our home town of New Orleans on June 1st. Several months ago I pitched the idea
to him about how cool it would be if we drove our 96's from Las Cruces, NM where we currently reside to New
Orleans and used them instead of limos to usher the groomsmen to and from the wedding. He bit on the idea harder
than a hobo on a ham sandwich. He and I will use this post in the upcoming weeks to document this event. Derek's
car at the time was in need of a motor rebuild. He utilized Karl Ellwein to do the work and man, did he knock it out
the park. I will let Derek chime in at some point to give full details, but some of the work that's been done on the car
are as follows: built to a 355, LE2 heads with Cali compliant cam (he plans on moving there after getting married),
3000 stall yank, extended upper and lower control arms, ridler wheels, 2'' cowl hood, 4:10 gears with aluminum
crown vic drive shaft. I will have him post pics in this thread.
We are twins and although fraternal look identical to most people, Derek's vanity plate reads 2 faced. The concept is
taken a step further because the drivers side has gloss black powder coated 20X8.5 and 20X10 ridler wheels with
matching gloss black vinyl side scripts and gloss black powder coated dual angle cut tips. The passenger side has
matte black powder coated 20X8.5 and 20X10 ridler wheels with matte black vinyl side scripts and matte black
powder coated dual angle cut exhaust tips. The wheels are "two faced". It looks like two completely different cars
when you look at it from the drivers side and the passengers side.
My 96 started as a DGGM and now has been painted hot rod black
with a flat clear. It has a SLP style hood from Street Trends and
polyurethane smoothie bumpers. The wheel moldings have been
removed and smoothed and the door spears are deleted. The trunk
emblem is powder-coated matte and gloss as done by Sharps
Custom
coatings.
The wheels
are Eagle
225 20X8.5 and 20X10 powder coated gloss black with
matching gloss black vinyl side scripts and pillar emblems.
The interior is charcoal grey and has charcoal grey
leather/suede seats from leatherseats.com. Like i said earlier
we are from New Orleans so my vanity plate reads VOODOO
which I think ties in well with the matte paint job.
We don't come home as often as
we would like, usually twice a
year. looking forward to some
crawfish, charbroiled oysters, and
fishing.
15
Posted by Derek Smith:
Hey guys, sorry that it took so long to finally give this thread some life. As you can imagine these last few weeks
have been a blur. Please excuse the quality of some of the pics as they were taken with my iphone.
As my brother stated, I started this project this past August. I live in Las Cruces, NM and spoke to a few local guys
about rebuilding my stock lt1. I didn't feel comfortable with most of them so I sought advice here. I even considered
shipping the car to Los Angeles (where my wife lives) to have it build by a guy you guys recommended (I can't recall
his name). Anyway, the name Karl Ellwein kept popping up in the suggestions so I decided to give him a call. Karl is
a really cool guy and answered all my questions etc. I'm a novice at best when it comes to engine building
components, but Karl made me feel comfortable with employing his services for the build.
Karl was able to find a bare block in the Maryland area for my build. Even better, he was able to get it for free! This
saved me the cost of yanking my motor and having to pay shipping cost twice (to Maryland to be built and the return
trip to New Mexico when complete). Without going into great detail (specs in my sig), Karl built a 357 and installed
the 1.6 RR and LE2 Heads (bought slightly used on LS1Tech). The shortblock arrived in New Mexico in early
February. I also found a powdercoated intake manifold, WP housing, and 52mm throttle body. Here is a pic
(assembled) taken at the shop that completed the install:
While the motor was being built, the car basically
sat in the stable as the ugly duckling next to her
matte black stablemate:
I did a few suspension upgrades to include Bilstein shocks and some mystery lowering springs i purchased from the
forum (paid $150 shipped).
After the motor was installed, I was able to get my 2" Glasstek Hood
installed along with the Langness Spoiler (purchased used on the forum for
$140 shipped). My plan was to add smoothie bumpers and a full paint job
but the budget didn't permit as i had a few other things on the list. I had the
front end (fenders forward) painted along with the spoiler for $600. It's by
no means showcar quality but blends well with the rest of the car. I plan on
using it for road trips so
this will do for now:
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We took the two ladies to a car show that was very poorly planned. Car show in New Mexico during dust storm
season sounds like a great idea so we left and took the two big girls to a Mexican restaurant. Big girls like Mexican
food.
Next, I added a set of 20x8.5
and 20x10 Ridler 695s that
were powdercoated gloss black
and matte black to complete my
2 Faced Theme. The idea was
to make the car look like two
different cars at the same time.
The driver’s side has matte
black wheels while the
passenger side has gloss black
wheels. I completed the look
with 3.5" slant cut gloss and
matte powdercoated tips (sorry
the pics don't do it much
justice).
At this point, we were ready to hit the road. Unfortunately my brother and I couldn't leave together as our schedule
didn't permit. Me and the ole ball and chain hit the road at 4am, but not
before making it official:
A shot taken at daybreak,
with 4.10s she has a little
drinking problem:
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We stopped in San Antonio for the night and hit the
road for New Orleans the following morning at 4am.
Another shot taken near the completion of the 1,000
-mile trip. She got thirsty again:
But hey, Murphy liked the trip:
Mission half complete once my brother Vaughn
made it to New Orleans:
We found two big girls at a local bar one night:
At this point, It was game day. At least two of the chariots were here on time:
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My step dad arrived fashionably late in his 96 DCM with 30k miles. Damn prom queens:
I think she knows me pretty well. Impala
cufflinks and 7" Kenwood screen as gifts
from the misses:
On the way to the chapel we made a pit stop at the reception hall to
drop off a surprise (will explain later) and to load up the
groomsmen. Nothing like playing tag on I-10 with 3 Impalas as
you weave
in and out
of traffic:
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Waiting for the ceremony to start:
Who's that creep with his hands on my woman?
Oh, just one of my best men, Devin:
Remember that surprise that i told you about? How else did
you expect a car guy to get the garter belt off? Creeps use
creepers.
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Me and my bride. Mission complete.
Ever since I was 17, The New Orleans Lakefront was the spot to
go on Sundays. I remember watching all the old cars cruise and
wanted to have one of my own. It was a must that we stopped on
the lake the day after the wedding. I probably should have
removed the "Just Married" prior to cruising with my friend
Herb. I don't think he's happy about our union.
After the honeymoon in St. Lucia, it was time to head back to reality:
But I don't think Murphy minds one bit:
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And just like that, we're back in New Mexico:
To say we were tired does not explain the level of exhaustion. This pic pretty much sums it up though:
Car was washed within the first hour of being back in New Mexico, tucked in, and ready for the next adventure.
Sleep well big girl:
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Highlights of the trip:
1: A/C went out despite being fixed twice (once prior to leaving New Mexico and in New Orleans after our arrival)
2. Lowering springs, 20's, 3 family members and a trunk full of luggage are not a good idea
3. Returning from St. Lucia at midnight, knowing you have to hit the road to return home 4 hrs later (due to the A/C
issue) and the car won't start (battery died)
4. Seeing oil on the ground at 4am when you have to leave, only to find out it is red (transmission fluid), then
deciding if to get on the road or not. I decided to chance it and at daybreak checked the oil and it was full (odd) and
no apparent leak under the car.
5. Due to issue #4, being paranoid about the transmission (I swear it felt like it was slipping) when you're only 4 hrs
into a 17 hr trip.
6. My H.I.D.s from DDM Tuning going out on a dark stretch of I-10 west of San Antonio (kinda scary at 70 mph) at
4 am. Flicking the switch off then on, they came back on. Went out again 5 minutes later, but came on again. Then
drove another 2 hrs with them on and no issues (very weird).
7. A 4-foot Louisiana snapping turtle crossing I-10 at 7 am nearly caused the SUV in front of me and the car next to
me to roll over.
8. Locking the keys in the car while the engine running at 4 am, at our San Antonio Hotel (luckily I gave the misses
the second set of keys).
Oh, and because I know that you hornballs love women almost as much as you love Impalas, a pic of the bridal party.
In case you didn't know, The one in the fancy dress is already taken:
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A Look At Nationals Past
As we gear up for the 2013 Nationals, here are a few pictures to bring back some memories from the
2006 Indianapolis event. Hope to see you at Charlotte!!
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