1962 Chevrolet Impala SS - Heaven's '62 - Lowrod Riders Representin' 20s and Up - Feature

It all started for Robert Sarzo when he began searching for his dream car, a '62 Chevy Super Sport Impala. He found it in Hemet, California, two and half hours outside of Los Angeles. The car was scratched, dented, broken and hardly breathin', but Robert recognized that it was a beautiful mess with a lot of potential. After getting it home, all of the fun and hard work began, but soon afterwards, Robert's mom fell ill with cancer and Robert put the build on hold.

After her passing, Robert needed something to take his mind off of the pain and decided to finish the car in her memory. Robert tells the story this way, "The same night, I started removing the bumpers, emblems, moldings and, you get the point. I handed it over to Richard at Advanced Paint and Body in Reseda, where he removed the body from the frame. He got the body nice and straight and sprayed it the original color turquoise. We decided to add some flavor to the roof with turquoise pearl white. Once that was complete, the Milian brothers and myself started to put all of the new body parts and moldings back on the car."

Chris at OHC Motoring in Reseda hooked up a new set of 20-inch wire wheels. When that was done, it was off to Grounded Fabrications in Chatsworth, California, where James installed a full air-ride suspension, so that it would tuck 20s. Robert continues, "From there, we decided that the car needed some beat to go with the new look, so it was taken over to the pros at Sound Waves in Canoga Park, California, where Steve and 'Flaco' installed the crazy but original system. When that was done, the interior was in need of a little TLC. Galaxy Auto Sound and Interiors in Reseda stepped in and took her from an 'F' to an 'A,' making the '62 interior look as good as new."

Now it was time to replace the engine. They shot over to Mikey's Automotive and Mufflers in Reseda to give the motor a 360-degree makeover. Frank and the crew dropped in a monster 350, making her roar like a lion. They also added a completely new exhaust system and cleaned up the automatic Powerglide transmission. With that, the '62 was ready to roll with Heaven Car Club.

"Heaven's '62" is sure to have Robert's mom smiling down on him and Robert would like to thank Rafael Milian, Johnny Milian and Steve Naltsas for all of their patience and hard work. And to his immediate family and his extended family, Heaven C.C., he'd like to send special thanks for their support during this time. "This vehicle is dedicated to my mother, Suzie Sarzo," Robert sums up. "I love you and miss you."

Tech SpecsHeaven's '62Owner: Robert Sarzo

Vehicle: '62 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport

City/State: Los Angeles, California

Club: Heaven Car Club

Engine/Drivetrain: The Chevy motor was swiped from a Corvette and received a Powerglide tranny to put things in gear. The work was performed by Mikey's Automotive and Mufflers in Reseda, California.

Body/Paint: Heaven's '62 was repainted to its original color with a turquoise pearl roof. The body was ground down to metal for a fresh start. Richard Nuno at Advanced Paint and Body in Reseda was the man. Front and rear bumpers, emblems, moldings, seals, mirrors and accessories were purchased from Impala Bob's in Mesa, Arizona.

Interior: The interior is a combination of something old and something new, some of the old interior being recovered and new parts being added. The carpet kit was custom made and Galaxy Auto Sound and Interiors in Reseda did the honors of bringing it all together.

Sound System: Four 10-inch Rockford Fosgate P3 subwoofers are enclosed in a color-matched custom fiberglass box, while Pioneer 6x9 mids in the back and 5 1/2 -inch speakers in the front take care of the mids and highs. Two HiFonics amplifiers power the system and a Pioneer head unit finishes it off. The work was performed by Sound Waves in Canoga Park, California.

Suspension: James at Grounded Fabrications in Chatsworth, California, installed a full air-ride suspension with Four Firestone airbags, Toxic shocks, two Firestone 100-percent Duty Cycle compressors, and 1/2-inch lines and valves to control the front and back hidden controls. The frame was completely reinforced and wrapped by Big John at How High Hydros in Lancaster, California.

Tires: P235/35-ZR20 Nitto Xtreme

Wheels: 20-inch 150-spoke L.A. Wire from Chris at OHC Motoring in Reseda

Model: Nancy Arevalo