1964 Chevrolet Impala - Desert Sand - Feature

Devoted readers of Lowrider Magazine might think that the name Byron Kingsberry has a familiar ring to it, especially in connection with a classic Chevy Impala. But there's actually two Byron Kingsberrys and two different Impalas. "My dad [Byron Kingsberry, Sr.] was the owner of 'Black Widow,' a '63 Impala featured in Lowrider's September 2003 issue," explains 23-year-old Byron Kingsberry, Jr. "My dad was going to retire from lowriding, but I wanted to ride, so he got with Tomas Vazquez and acquired this '64 Impala. Tomas put in a lot of work on it before releasing it to my dad for me."

The '64 called "Desert Sand" benefitted immensely from the attention given to it by Tomas and the other professional customizers identified in the Tech Specs. Now the younger Byron Kingsberry, a customer service rep for Blue Cross of California, has a ride comparable to dear old dad's, and like his father, he cruises the San Fernando Valley with Original Valley Riders.

Now that's what we call keeping tradition alive. Maybe when Byron, Jr.'s young son grows up, his dad will likewise hook him up with a lowered ride of his own. But for now, the best part of the story is that if the elder Mr. Kingsberry ever misses his "lethally loaded" Black Widow and cruising down the boulevard in a clean custom Impala all he has to do is call up Byron, Jr. and say, "C'mon, son, let's roll."

TechspecsDesert SandOwner: Byron Kingsberry, Jr.

Vehicle: '64 Chevrolet Impala

City/State: Pacoima, California

Club: Original Valley Riders

Engine/Drivetrain: Ruben Fajardo at Ruben's Mobile Service in San Fernando, California, chromed out the new 350-c.i.d. engine, equipping it with Corvette valve covers and mating it to a Powerglide transmission.

Body/Paint: Frank Melendez of Pomona, California, reworked the '64 Chevy sheet metal before Eddie Garcia at Auto Monte's in Las Vegas, Nevada, laid out two-stage Desert Gold and beige PPG paint. In case you're wondering, Chevy didn't offer moonroofs as options back in '64.

Interior: All original-original air conditioning, original power seats, original tilt steering wheel, original automatic shifter, original dash gauges-all done at Joe's Upholstery in Rosemead, California.

Sound System: Stock

Setup: Hoppo's Hydraulics in Ontario, California, installed a two-pump setup featuring four Adex dumps, 8-inch (front) and 10-inch (rear) cylinders, six batteries, eight solenoids and five switches. The Canadian frame was powdercoated and the suspension was treated to chrome plating courtesy of A&B Chrome Shop in Ontario.

Tires: P155/80-R13 Super Ride

Wheels: 13x7 Dayton