Although Galpin Auto Sports has a built a reputation with the more eccentric vehicles they created on TV’s Pimp My Ride, they also produced some surprises. With interior and ICE upgrades that reflect the style of this classic automobile rather than gimmicks that overpower it, this ’65 Chevy Impala fits the tastes of grown-ups as well as teenagers. It also sits the modern trend for environmentally friendly cars due to its new biodiesel engine. We’d pick this ICEd-out 800hp Impala over a wimpy Prius any day!




Dash
Chopping into the dash as little as possible, Adolph Kruger and Mad Mike installed a Jensen double-DIN player to replace the stock radio. Above it, a fabricated panel of mirrored acrylic cut with a laser CNC machine frames controls for extras such as lighting and a portable navigation unit, which pops up from the top of the dash. Also at center, a GAS logo makes use of a factory opening to let you know who built this car.




Kick panel
Image Dynamics 6.5” coaxials nestle unobtrusively in the kick panel fiberglass enclosures created by Kruger with wiring run by Jason Ewing. Other than the subwoofers in the rear deck, these are the only speakers in this old-school ride.




Trunk
To create the structure in the trunk Zahid “Zee” Siddiqi routed ?” MDF into curving ribs. MDF supports blocks in between each rib maintain the shape, which was finished off with 3/8” bendable plywood glued to the frame. Monitors and a Genesis amplifier (another one is hidden behind the paneling in the trunk) are framed by routed inserts. Made of three layers, the rear piece of acrylic is painted with the same basecoat on the car’s exterior. Meanwhile, a second layer of black acrylic stacks beneath the final later of reclaimed wood stained with an amazing finish by William Rowel. A pair of 10-inch Exonic monitors flanks the trunk (and hides the additional batteries beneath the panels), while a trio of 7-inchers is front and center.




Rear Deck
The crew cut into the rear deck lid of the Impala to make way for three 10" Image Dynamics IDMAX subwoofers. Because the rear deck creates structural support, Siddiqi had to reinforce the area with a 1.5" steel box. Inside the steel box, a 1" metal flange was welded to install a 1" thick sheet of MDF that the subwoofers would mount to. A cosmetic panel trims in the free-air mounted speakers and hides the mounting bolt for the subwoofers. The 11/42" acrylic trim was back painted the same color as the car.




Upholstery
No matter how well done an A/V setup may be, a vehicle won't be impressive when the other interior finishes aren't up to par. Fortunately, upholsterer Castor Mena knows his way around a pair of scissors and a sewing machine. He worked magic with the color-matched seats and interior panels. Orange piping adds an extra detail to the creamy headliner.




Engine
Kevin and Chris Whitney performed the engine transplant, turning this gas guzzler into a green vehicle with a 6.5L Chevy Duramax biodiesel engine. It puts out 800 hp at 1,500 lb-ft of torque and is teamed up with a 4" custom exhaust. Jim Coutchure continued with the fabrication and did some work on the body, which included a 1" body lift and custom hood. Eddie Aguilar assisted with parts.

An upgraded charging system starts with a Duramax alternator. The charge runs on Street Wires cables to the pair of Optima YellowTop batteries in the trunk.

Transmission
With the transmission’s being three times the size of the original, the factory interior required a massive alteration. Kruger redesigned the console to accommodate it.




Wheels/Tires
Twenty-inch Fesler wheels wrapped in Nitto Extreme ZR tires (275/35/20 in the rear and 245/35/20 in the front) make use of new Baer brakes.

Thanks Go To: PPE Performance, Jonathan Goodwin @ SAE Energy, General Motors, GM Restoration Parts, Allison Transmission, Enduratex Upholstery, Image Dynamics and Mitek Corp.




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