Update on the '67
The '67 went out on its first real outing today. A trip from Pindi to Islamabad; where the beast will be rebirthed, properly.
Prior to the road trip, we got a lot of things done in quick time. First on the list, was the exhaust system. The Impala now boasts twin exhausts (one per bank of the "V" of the 8 cylinder 5.7L engine), which are 2.25 inches thick, and have a huge 2.5 foot muffler tapering off to twin exhaust exits on each pipe. The sound is phenomenal! The boisterous roar of the V8 has been muffled to a low, raspy growl at idle, which rises to a lovely, blood-curdling snarl at higher revs. Definitely one of the wisest investments I've made on the vehicle, thus far!
When we were done with this, the next thing on the agenda was a quick tweak of the engine...which was missing the odd beat at tickover. Some adjustment was all it took, and we were good to go...right to the alignment wallah...since the Impala was looking kind of knock-kneed and toe-curled, after we'd fixed its tie rod ends, etc. 
For the trip to Islamabad, we chose to use Murree Road, being the shortest route from the climes of City Sadar Road. The amount of incredulous (and admiring) looks that the beast got...from children to senior citizens...from ladies to gents...from biker boys to men in shiny SUVs...was absolutely priceless! The biggest laugh I got, was when one VERY pretty young lady, seated in a Suzuki Mehran with about half a dozen other VERY pretty young ladies, did the "balaaein lena" thing, at catching sight of the Impala!
Needless to say...at EVERY traffic light stop, there was someone or the other who'd dash out of his/her car...lean into the window and say something absolutely heartwarming for the car! In fact...at one traffic light, a beggar who was no older than ten years, marched up to me and said: "paise waisey nahin lene saab...mujhe iss mein Chandni Chowk tak saer kara do"! Something which I duly obliged him with...and the look of absolute rapture on his face, whilst seated in a beat-up 45 year old jalopy...was utterly priceless!
But back to more serious stuff. Enroute, the Chevy 350 behaved like a complete darling. The powerplant is truly exemplary (another reason to re-thank Faraz and Irshad for their timely advice on buying it). We cruised along effortlessly at 100 kmph...and despite the dilapidated state of throttle connections, carb adjustments, and rusty accelerator pedal friction...I suspect that this legendary engine is capable of delivering a huge amount more.
The plan for the '67 is something like this...
A frame-off rebuild, starting with the frame first. We'll sand it down to bare metal, fix any imperfections, and give it a good couple of coats of matte black paint. Bushes, body mounts, engine foundations, etc, will all come under minute scrutiny. BEFORE the frame and the body part ways, though, I'd like the proposed 20 inch (possibly 18 inch ones...I'm still undecided. Not any longer! 20 inch wheels, it is!) wheels and tyres to be mounted on the car, just to give us an idea of what it'll eventually look like...and to cater for any modifications that the wheel-arches / mud-guards might require.
Simultaneously, the axles and the engine will get the treatment. The axles are going to be completely rebuilt, as will be the engine. For the engine, we're going to stick to a basic theme of matte black and chrome/silver for the engine adornments. The valve covers, the air flow, the pulleys, the various mounts affixed on the engine, the fuel line...all will get a coat of gleaming, lustrous chrome plating. Nuts and bolts, too. The idea is for a high contrast theme to prevail. Black on chrome on black on chrome, and so forth. Hopefully...the engine should turn out looking absolutely beautiful...and since it's going to get an overhaul too (rings, heads, valves, gaskets, plugs, cables, distributor), I dare say that it's going to behave even better, as well.
Simultaneously, work will start on the interior and exterior. For the paint job...I'm inclined towards either "taxi black" (glossy, shiny, deep black)...or flame red. For some reason, the idea of upholstering the outside of the roof in vinyl/leather also appeals to me. If we go black, then the interior is going to be done up in black and tan. If we opt for red...then we'll do something in red and black. In either case, we're going to swaddle this baby in yards and yards of leather and suede. No leatherite! No Sir!
Shocks and golay and decals and performance parts will follow. An original Chevy radio is very much on the cards (even though the "actual" music system will be something modern...hidden in the glove compartment, with speakers hidden under the doors, and the bass units located in the trunk). The terrible-looking, craptastically modified floor shift, will be returned to steering column shift. The genuine A/C will be returned to complete functionality. The insides of the vehicle will receive a layer of insulation (Dynamat)...before we swath them with leather/suede/velour. Some decent shocks will be catered for, AFTER dropping the Impala a couple of inches to sit snug near the floor.
4a (Edit). The Impala's engine was originally modified to accept two CNG tanks. I'm going to install these in the Impala, as well. Not JUST for reasons of economy, per se, but because it's the environmentally-friendly thing to do. Having a huge, gas-guzzling vehicle with a high carbon footprint, SHOULD be compensated for by making allowances towards the environment, via using alternate energy sources. Perhaps this sounds paradoxical to some people. They're welcome to feel cynical about the idea.
5. 10th August is the proposed delivery date. That should give us enough time for the Impala to make its "debut" on Independence Day, Insha Allah.
In a nutshell...that's the plan of action. Let's see how well things actually go.
