Here’s one that may split right down geographic lines. This 1962 Chevy Impala was parked outside of the 2011 SEMA show and caught our eye while walking past it one afternoon. Low riders were born on the West Coast and while you’ll run into a couple here and there at shows, most of them still live out west. This particular car struck us as being exceptionally clean and dripping with amazing paint.
We aren’t sure if the car has hydraulics of if it lives its life at this altitude. While the hydraulics make for a neat show, we think it would be cooler if the car lived life clipping ant hills. One of the reasons these cars are still primarily West Coast dwellers is that they’d struggle to live on awful East Coast roads and anywhere else where cold climates cause frost heaves, pot holes, and other evil road obstructions. Not to say the roads are mirror smooth on the left coast, but they tend to be a heck of a lot smoother than the junk we roll on here in the east!
Is low and slow cool? Have low riders outlived their shelf life? Is this 1962 Chevy drool worthy or in need of a complete do-over?
You tell us: Cool or Not?
Call me weird maybe but I dig the traditional low riders. This is pushing towards the end of the range I really like for years but the execution is perfect!
I like traditional lowriders. This one is real clean, my only gripe is the billet steeering wheel, and fiberglass speaker pods and console.
I really like the paint and the pinstriping.
A classic Impala Lowrider… It’s been done before and it will be done again. You know why? Because it WORKS! Definitely cool in my book.
Like it i agree lose the billet wheel. WAY out of place. At least it does not have stupid 30′ wheels
Very Cool IMHO. I agree fully with Lon_H. And, I do spot Hydrulic Switches on the dash left of the column.
Not usually a fan of lowriders, but this one works because of its traditional look.
I’m with Mad Matt. It’s WAY cooler than any donk. Nothing wrong with this at all.
im not really into lowriders but this once nice. Cool for sure.
I’m a sucker for a well-done lowrider. Put a stocker wheel in it and it’s done.
Traditional lows, like this Imp, are the heart of this movement, what’s not to like? Check the leafing! Shall lose the billet steering wheel,though.
Tires. Too. Small.
Very nice. Agree with most that the billet wheel should go. And if it’s to be a trad. low, lose the interior ‘glass, too.
LOVE the mint-green, porcelain-smooth paint!
Speedy – traditional lowriders have always, ALWAYS used 13″ wires. That’s what defines the genre.
Cool!
I remember when lowriders used 15 inch deep dish Cragar SS wheels with 5.60×15 tires, with a skinny whitewall.
Not a fan of lowriders.
Being from So Cal I’ve always appreciated a nicely built traditional low-rider. The one’s I don’t like are the over done monstrosities that can’t even be driven.
As Chad is famous for saying…..’that car is totally bitchin’ Dude’!! Most definitely a thumbs up!
Absolutely love it! Low riders have always been a favorite of mine. And not to mention, I’ve always been into the classic Impala as well. Put ’em both together and you got a great car!
Hey, Throw on Carlos Santana and I’m there babe.
Love it,and thats because of the traditional look.
I am proud to affiliate with a crowd such as y’all. We go from screamin dyno pulls to lowriders. Like many above, my only issue is with the wheels. For cars that drip with style and craftsmanship, to select wheels like that just doesn’t make sense. It’s traditional but there are other lowrider wheel choices that look much cooler.
Its still a cool car. You might not like the graphics (I don’t) or the application, but you can’t argue with a classic.
Not. With the hydros, batteries, and stereo this car weighs around 4500 lbs and it’s sitting on 13 inch tires that are rated for a 3000 lb car. No wonder they drive really slow.
I dig this one: classic Impala, tasteful striping, 13″ Dayton wires. It’s the one with the Pancho Villa murals, gold plated everything, etching on the brake drums and crazy upholstery I can do without.
Except for the billet steering wheel and fiberglass center console and speakers I love it.
I agree with Jack, why the 13′ wheels when so much is out there. Thimbs up