n past articles, we have examined several aspects of the BBT Fabrications 1959 Impala. This time, we will focus on the extensive work done underhood. Virtually every piece of metal around the engine has been custom fabricated, with great attention paid to fitting the complex panels together in the cleanest manner possible.

A new toeboard was fabricated to connect the front floor to the new firewall, and tasteful steps and recesses were added to these panels to give them more strength and a touch of style. These panels also support the new body mounts.

A completely new firewall was made from 18-gauge steel. The center of the firewall is smooth and flat, but a tremendous amount of work was put into making the stepped detail on the top edge, which continues down the firewall sides where the inner wheel panels attach. The inner wheel panels themselves were made from many pieces but were carefully designed to have smooth, flowing curves while providing sufficient clearance for the wheels as the suspension and steering work to their limits.

A new core support was made, which also serves as a brace for the front fenders. The inner edges of the front fenders were reinforced where they join to the core support, and all the joints were solidly welded and then smoothed to perfection.

One of the last steps was making panels to cover the radiator. There is also a transition panel that connects to the billet aluminum intake plenum on the engine. Each element in this complex construction was made with carefully radiused edges, incorporating tasteful steps and recesses, and when they are all fitted together, the visual impact is truly striking. Great care was taken to conceal the fasteners that join the components together, resulting in an extremely clean-looking installation.

As you look through the photos, you will see how each component was carefully designed, fabricated, and brought to an extremely high level of finish.