Modern Rodding Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Deservedly So title
In 1974, the Al Slonaker Award Was Created and We Think This 1959 Chevy Impala is a Praiseworthy Winner
By Brian BrennanPhotography by NotStock PhotographyIllustration by Alan Childers
T

he 1959 Chevy Impala, owned by David and Robin Rush from Oklahoma, was teamed up with Steve Cook Creations (SCC) and inspirational art by Alan Childers (also part of SCC). The result is a work of art that captures the essence of what the Al Slonaker Award, presented by ARP, intended. This vehicle characterizes a perfect blend of vintage styling with modern performance and luxury.

Rear view of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala, emphasizing its distinctive batwing tailfins and taillights
The distinctive body of the 1959 Impala was the perfect canvas for the Cook crew to work their magic. The raised and lengthened front wheel openings, extended fender body line, smoothed and tucked bumpers (by Childers), and recessed hood inserts all contribute to the sleek and refined look of the vehicle. The hood was modified, and the cowl and rockers were smoothed. Full belly pans with tucked LED taillights and Holley RetroBright headlights (a classic sealed beam look but with LED performance) contribute to the overall appearance.

From the BASF pallet, a Porsche Aventurine Green (paint code M6T) shade was chosen for the exterior, with a custom mix used within the rear stainless trim. It should be noted that all the exquisite bodywork and subsequent paint were processed in-house at SCC. Besides being an artist, Childers also has the chops to handle bodywork. He contributed when it came time to paint along with Steve and JR Swafford. Regarding trim, what you see on the side, decklid, and taillights were handled by Greening Auto Company. The custom tailfin trim was handmade by Childers. Ogden Chrome aptly dealt with the chrome.

Design sketch of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala with notes on custom modifications
1959 chevy impala slonaker winner steve cook creations rush
The Roadster Shop (RS) Fast Track chassis eliminates the use of and need for the 1959 Chevy Impala cruciform (X-design) frame. In its place, the Fast Track chassis is fabricated from 10-gauge steel framerails. It is fully boxed, maintains the 119-inch factory wheelbase, and requires minimal floorpan mods to combine the factory body and the custom chassis. Moreover, adding a center crossmember with 3-inch exhaust ports and a dropout trans mount are more pluses. The Fast Track chassis continues to use all the original factory body, bumper, and core support mounts. However, the ride height has been lowered, suiting the desires of Dave and Steve Cook to achieve a specific appearance. The Fast Track front suspension is now a 58-3/4-inch track width and utilizes a Corvette (C7) spindle and hub assembly, Woodward rack-and-pinion steering, Baer Pro+ 14-inch drilled-and-slotted rotors and six-piston calipers, Ridetech coilovers, 1-1/4-inch-splined front sway bar with C6 Corvette endlinks. This replaces the factory front coil spring IFS, Saginaw steering box, and four-wheel power hydraulic drum brakes. In the back, RS four-link located the Strange 9-inch Ford narrowed by SCC coupled with stainless steel 31-inch splined axles, 3.70 gears, and more Ridetech coilover shocks, and once again Baer Pro+ 14-inch drilled-and-slotted rotors and six-piston calipers. This replaces the traditional early Chevy rearend with coil-spring trailing arm suspension.

The next stop was Curtis Speed Equipment for the Losi wheels, measuring 19×8 in front and 20×12 in the rear. Sam Foose designed the wheel as initially intended for his friend, Gil Losi, to use on his 1956 Plymouth, which was also built at SCC. Curtis received permission to make another set with modifications, which is now on our Slonaker-winning 1959 Chevy Impala. SCC did add the brushed spokes and custom center caps. The rolling stock is based on Pirelli P Zero with smoothed sidewalls, 235/35ZR19 and 325/35ZR20.

Front view of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala, highlighting its bold grille and classic headlight design
Close-up of a supercharged engine in a 1959 Chevrolet Impala with polished components
Supercharger and engine detail in a 1959 Chevrolet Impala custom build
The heart of this Bowtie lies underhood where a Don Hardy Racing Chevrolet LS3 (now 416 inches) received the treatment and then smoothed and painted at SCC. It is now outfitted with a Magnuson supercharger that pumps 800 hp. ARP hardware and Earl’s AN fittings were used throughout and polished by Randy Thomas and Mike Cook. The V-8 also runs a Wegner serpentine belt system. The classic W-engine valve covers pay homage to the famous 409 while serving as the coil pack jackets overriding the stock LS covers beneath. The cover’s custom badging was generated by CHRA and then polished by SCC with the “V” gold plated by Diversified Plating. The supercharged LS3 is now paired with a TREMEC Magnum T56 six-speed transmission built by Modern Driveline. It was then smoothed and painted at SCC; it is now equipped with a Lokar shifter, McLeod clutch, and pressure plate.
1959 Chevrolet Impala with a sleek custom paint job and polished chrome wheels
Close-up of center console with buttons and storage in a 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Interior view of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala with custom brown leather upholstery
Open trunk showing custom leather work and design in a 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Pedal area with custom brown carpeting in a 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Rear seat view of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala with custom brown leather and diamond stitching
The interior appears to be that of a “family friend,” but upon closer consideration, you realize that while looking familiar, it is one-of-a-kind. While stock in appearance, the dashboard has been covered in Moore and Giles leather from the Carlyle line; its color is Terra Cotta. All this beautiful stitchwork comes from Gabe’s Street Rods Custom Interiors. The front buckets are 1966 Chevelle while the rear is a factory 1959 Impala modified by Gabe’s, covered in the same Terra Cotta leather but with Espresso accents. (The Carlyle leather is semi-aniline leather that is exceptionally soft and is made from premium raw materials from South German sources.) The carpeting is a Daytona weave in bronze. Gabe’s also added a “comfortable” feel with LED backlighting. Dakota Digital RTX provides modern instrumentation with a specialized touch by EVOD Industries; custom lenses, bezels, and trim are included. Bringing all the car’s electrics together is an American Autowire Highway 22 kit put into action by Charles Collier. The dash and gauges retain the classic 1959 look with a more contemporary feel. More interior appointments: Vintage Air A/C, Steele Rubber weatherstripping, Kicker Audio, and JR International Clear Glass. The steering column came from Flaming River and had a Childers-designed wheel that was then manufactured by EVOD Industries. The center console is an interesting piece as it is a modified 2011 Cadillac CTS console that now houses the Lokar shifter and the Watson’s StreetWorks switches.

David Rush’s vision and passion for the 1959 Impala, coupled with the expertise of SCC, have resulted in a truly exceptional vehicle that will go down in history as one of the most iconic and sought-after custom rods of its time. It was also awarded the Sam Foose Memorial Award by Sam’s son, Chip, and a Darryl Starbird’s Pick, then from there, the Goodguys finalist for Builder of the Year and a Top 10 Builder’s Choice. It has since been named a finalist for the Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year at Goodguys Del Mar, further solidifying this Impala’s status as a top-tier custom.

Modern Rodding
VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 49 • 2024
Back to issue