“See the USA in your Chevrolet” is not exactly what was going through Mario Martinez’s head when he realized that a recent purchase of a ’62 Chevy Super Sport convertible was not going to be the quick fixer-upper he had planned. Instead he knew it was going to turn into a full frame-off restoration. “When I first bought the car, it was like a dream come true,” Mario says. Little by little, his dream would be crushed until the start of this restoration journey for what was once a king of the road.
First on the list, as is with most projects, was the paint. For this step, the car was placed in the hands of Juan Martinez. After completing the bodywork and laying down the custom blend of turquoise, House of Color Kandy ‘flake was sprayed throughout the car. From there, it was off to Turtle Graphics where Turtle layered contrasting patterns and fan shades. Leo, of Simi Valley, would bring it all together with various teal combinations of fine-line pinstriping and silver leafing.
With a fully reinforced frame and Ford 9-inch rearend in place, Homies Hydraulics installed the chrome three-pump Pro Hopper setup built especially for this project. Once the original ’62 Chevy small-block 327 was updated with a chrome dress-up kit 350, turbo transmission, custom MagnaFlow exhaust, and OE Continental Kit were fitted by David Holt, it was off to Joe Camacho, of California Upholstery, who created one of his signature custom interiors. Joe would wrap the four-bucket power seats, custom center console with a variety of teal and turquoise leathers, as well as adding accenting stainless steel trim. Longtime friend, Marco of Montebello, California, would install a complete new audio system that included a Pioneer head unit controlling the Infinity speakers, Kicker subwoofers, and two Sony 7-inch LCD TVs. Finally, with the 13-inch LA wire wheels bolted in place, this historic piece of Americana was finally ready to see the USA in Stylistics Car Club style. But first, a pit stop at the nearest boulevard!
Mario would like to thank everyone who was involved in this project, “especially my son, Michael, and all my Stylistics Car Club family … but most importantly, thank you to my wife, Terri … may you rest in peace. I know she is cruising alongside me,” Mario says.
1962 Chevy Impala SS Convertible
Vehicle Nickname
Topless Deuce
Owner
Mario Martinez
Car Club
Stylistics
City
Granada Hills, CA
Interior
California Upholstery created the unique interior complete with four-bucket powerseats, custom center console, and accenting stainless steel trim
Engine
Original ’62 Chevy 327 with chrome dress-up kit, 350 turbo transmission and custom MagnaFlow exhaust installed by David Holt
Suspension
Fully reinforced frame and Ford 9-inch rearend installed by Homies Hydraulics, along with a chrome three-pump Pro Hopper setup built especially for this project
Body/Paint
With bodywork completed by Juan Martinez and House of Kolor candy sprayed throughout the car, Turtle Graphics layered contrasting patterns and fan shades throughout the body.
Wheels/Tires
13×7 reverse LA wire wheel mounted onto 155-80/13 radial Uniroyal Tiger Paw
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