Pics
The Team
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it also takes a village to restore a classic car. I certainly could not restore my ’59 Impala all by myself. Kudos to the awesome gearheads below that are playing a huge role in helping me make my dreams come true.
Dad
Provides the most excellent workshop and tools for restoring classic cars.
Brad
Helps every chance he gets, no matter if the task is mundane or treacherous.
David
Solves complicated problems while minimizing the amount of work needed.
A dream
35 years
in the making.
November 20, 2021
I discovered muscle cars at at early age. Let me rephrase – I was *seduced by* muscle cars at an early age. I fully blame my Dad and my Uncle Jim for introducing me to my addiction. But let me tell you, what an addiction it is! Everything about the cars of the late 50s / 60s / early 70s just lights my fire. While in high school, the first car that I (nearly) restored was a ‘66 Chevelle, and the second was my red ‘68 Dart. But let me tell you about the car I first fell in love with…
I remember being about 15 or 16 and voyaging out that summer with Dad and Uncle Jim to look for old cars to resurrect. During one such expedition, we stumbled upon a WHOLE FIELD of classic cars, each one begging to be restored. I had my pick of Chevelles, Camaros, Mustangs, Mopars, etc. But what caught my eye that day was this mysterious bat-winged beast that stopped me dead in my tracks – a 1959 Chevrolet Impala. I had never seen anything like it before. Unfortunately, it was too far gone to restore (or my elders somehow talked me out of getting it – it was one or the other). But honestly, it was too late. I was hooked. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was constantly on my mind. In fact, I used that model of car as the basis for my senior art project – a pointillism piece. That’s how much I thought about this car.
(Aside: Where the hell did I put that artwork? I can’t seem to find it anywhere, and it’s driving me cRaZy.)
Despite the various obstacles I’ve encountered throughout my life that have prevented me from getting this car, I never stopped believing that I would someday own a ‘59 Impala.
35 years later, I’m proud to say that that someday is TODAY.
Granted, she needs a LOT of work, but I’m actually excited about it. In fact, that’s the part I look forward to most. Some of my fondest memories have been working on cars alongside Dad and my brother Bud. I can’t wait to start tearing into this one.
Let’s begin!