Albert Gonzalez, Jr. of Downey, California, wanted to build a car that would be remembered in lowrider circles, and when he first finished his '63 Chevy Impala a decade ago, he knew that he was on the right track. Albert received a taste of the limelight when the car was used in the logo design for the Lowrider Caliente Tour back in 1998. The '63 also saw exposure on a few album covers and it even received some movie action. With all of that said and done, Albert wanted to start over and build a marquee car for his club, because someone in Lifestyle C.C. had told him that you build your car to be the best in its class and that's what Albert was trying to do.
Before tearing down the car, Albert came up with a game plan and visited Mario Gomez at the Candy Factory. Once Albert knew what Mario had planned for the convertible, he moved on to the next step. The car was taken down and Albert shipped it out to have minor body work done to it. With the car in pieces, Mario worked his magic in Chuy's garage, "En La Calle Hammel," where the Candy Factory was based at the time.
With the mood right and the secret brew mixed, the car was basecoated in Mario's popular butterscotch color. Albert then helped Mario mask up the intricate patterns that run throughout the car. Mario's paint scheme consists of two different paintjobs on one car, just like the Marvel Comic's Batman villain "Two Face." Walt Prey brought out his brushes and accented the graphics with his pinstriping paints.
Albert then made some calls and started work on the X-frame. The convertible frame was molded and then Rod Duran and Jesse left it ready for Mario to give it a paintjob that would tie into the exterior of the vehicle. Just like the body, the frame was taken to Walt Prey, who complemented the graphics with fine lines and custom designs.
Albert wanted to make sure that everything on the car would be up to par so he decided to give his old 350-cid Chevy Camaro small-block engine a facelift and an overhaul. Albert started off by adding an Edelbrock mild cam, and then an Edelbrock intake and carb combination. The engine was then outfitted with a fully chromed March Performance serpentine system. While the engine was out of the car, it was plumbed in stainless steel hard-lines and dressed up with chrome-plated billet accessories.
With the Lowrider Super Show just around the corner, Albert knew that it was time to finish the car, so he talked to his fellow club members, let them know of his intentions and asked for some help. Cesar volunteered his shop and everyone stepped up to help out. A crew of Lifestyle members stripped the floorboards down to metal and then proceeded to carefully mold the floorboards of the already painted car. Gilbert Melendez and Albert grabbed some donated paint from Gilbert's brother Frank and went to town blending and painting to tie the "belly" into the exterior of the vehicle.
The Camino Real Collision boys in Pico Rivera, California, then helped Albert reinstall the rolling chassis that featured a new chrome undercarriage and was done through Victor at Best Plating in Pomona, California. The chassis was hooked up with a new set of 13x7 72-spoke Zenith wire wheels. The classic Impala also received an ABS disc brake kit to help it stop on a dime. Before the body and frame were reunited, Albert had John Herrera and Bobby Flores do all of the tubing. With plans to drive this car, a TCI Performance 700R transmission was added while a Matson polished aluminum radiator helps it keep its cool.
Everything seemed to be coming together. The car was running well with its new Flowmaster Hushpower exhaust system. Albert started to work on the interior, adding miscellaneous items like a Dakota Digital dash and a chrome Ididit steering column. Albert went hunting at the junkyard for other things that he needed for the interior, such as a set of newer electric power seats that give the interior a modern feel. Albert also customized the car with a late '60s Pontiac GTO center console that extends to the rear of the vehicle.
Albert then went to long time friend Danny Galvez at D&D Designs and convinced him to do his interior. The result is a collaboration that was not expected by anyone. Danny spoke to Henry at Henry's Customs in Monrovia, California, and they all came to an agreement on stitching up the interior. The interior was done in two different leathers that Albert had tracked down. Tony at Covina Auto Trim in Covina, California, upholstered the custom convertible top that ties into the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
Last on Albert's agenda was the hydraulics. Albert wanted a modern system with an old-school feel, so he contacted Ron at Black Magic Hydraulics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ron turned him on to his Old School pumps, which are gravity-fed hydraulic pumps like the old Pescos, but with modern armatures and casings. Once he had the pumps in hand, Albert started to work on a hydraulic oil reservoir to feed the pump heads. Albert then called Saul at Wild Child Customs to help with the plumbing. The setup was wired by Albert's friend Aaron "Bubba" Garcia, who helped troubleshoot the loose odds and ends related to the trunk.
Now just when you think that you have the perfect car to be under the spotlight, someone passes you up and it's back to the drawingboard. This is something that happens a lot in lowriding and it's sometimes a factor when building cars. It can take years to catch up with "the Joneses." Sometimes, you just need to bite the bullet and go for it; if not, your car will never come out.
That was the case with Albert's '63 Impala. We're happy to see that with the support of his family and Lifestyle Car Club, plus his rapper cousin "Lil' Rob," as well as the late Mario Gomez and everyone else who contributed, Albert had the desire to go for the spotlight one more time and break out his '63 all over again.
Two FaceOwner: Albert Gonzalez, Jr.Vehicle: '63 Chevrolet Impala convertibleCity/State: Downey, CaliforniaClub: Lifestyle C.C.-Los Angeles
Engine/Drivetrain: An '86 Chevy Camaro 350-cid engine was fitted with an Edelbrock intake and carb, MSD distributor, March Performance pulleys and brackets, and a TCI 700R transmission.
Body/Paint: The Candy Factory cooked up some custom paint mixtures and pinstriping was added by Walt Prey.
Interior: Danny and Henry at Henry's Customs did this full leather interior with modern seats stitched in two different tones of leather.
Setup: The owner and Saul of Wild Child Customs equipped the car with two Black Magic Old School pumps, two number eight faucet slowdown valves, two Adel square dumps, and four Optima batteries.
Tires: 5.20 Premium Sportway
Wheels: 13x7 72-spoke all-chrome Zenith wires