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Gorgeous Bubble Top Chevy Impala Packs A 2,000-HP Punch: Video

Making a showstopper is never easy. It takes a mix of ingenuity, style, class, and sometimes, raw numbers. This 1961 Bubble Top Chevy Impala has all of the above, and now, we’re taking a closer look thanks to the following feature video.

Custom 1961 Chevy Impala with 2,000 horsepower.

This Chevy Impala show car was designed and commissioned by Gil Losi, founder of the Variflex skateboard company and Team Losi RC racing team. Losi wanted his Impala to win the Ridler award at the Detroit Autorama, and although it fell just short of taking that honor (Great 8 finalist), there’s no denying this thing is an absolute stunner.

Under the immaculate body, this Chevy Impala sits on a fully custom one-off Art Morrison chassis, which looks as gorgeous as the panels on top. There’s also a full suite of Art Morrison suspension upgrades, with a four-link suspension in the rear and a Ford 9-inch rear end. Ridetech Shockwave air bits keep it low to the ground, while Baer brakes and drilled and slotted rotors throw the anchor.

Lift the hood, and you’ll find a jaw-dropping 540 cubic-inch Moran Racing V8 inhaling through two 80mm turbochargers. This monster motor was built by Steve Cook from Steve Cook Creations, and can spin the rollers to “well over” 2,000 horsepower. In its current form, the car was “detuned” to 1,800 horsepower to make it slightly more “streetable.” Fuel used is a 50/50 mix of C16 and 91 octane.

Outside, it looks fantastic, with a nice mix of production bits and custom massaging, with plenty of cutting and tucking throughout. The trim is also fully custom, with all the bits handmade from brass. The corners house one-off three-piece wheels made by Billet Specialties, including custom center caps. Sizing is set at 18 inches by 9 inches in front and 20 inches by 12.5 inches in the rear. Tire sizing in back is set at 315/45.

Check out the full build, plus how it drives on the street, right here:

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Very way cool. Yeah that Riddler award is a tough one but can be done. Most cars that are finalists and win have upwards of $300k in paint and bodywork which is a deal killer for most car owners. Some of my car clients hope to even make the great 8 and I tell them to focus on building the best vehicle and at least hope to get invited. Otherwise, just get it done and have fun. Because cars are meant to be enjoyed not collect trophies.

    Reply
  2. @16:00, sounded like it fell flat on it’s face.

    Reply

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