When our '59 Chevy first rolled through the door at Hot Rods by Dean (HRBD) to begin the transformation from raggedy to Road Tour ready it was missing the engine, trans, glass, some trim parts, and virtually everything inside the passenger compartment.
While the Impala now rests on a fully independent Roadster Shop chassis and has a full-on Ron Shaver engine backed by a Hughes overdrive automatic transmission, the exterior could best be described as being done in resto-rod style. The body remains true to its precedent setting '59 form, although HRBD ironed out all the factory wrinkles and those it accumulated in life. The acres of now laser-straight sheetmetal were subsequently covered in PPG Ferrari Red, a red that makes other reds look pale by comparison.
Designing the interior of the AMSOIL/STREET RODDER Road Tour Chevy was a unique challenge. Like the rest of the car it had to incorporate contemporary elements with the classic feel of 1959, an assignment that was given to Glenn Kramer at Hot Rod Interiors by Glenn Kramer. Working at his craft since 1980, Kramer opened the shop that bears his name in 1983.
Building the interior for our Chevy was an international effort of sorts. Maelle Riou is a talented young lady from France who has been working with Kramer in what could best be described as an apprenticeship program. The pair of stitchers didn't have much to work with as the interior of the Impala was gutted.
Glenn Kramer at Hot Rod Interiors by Glenn Kramer nailed the Road Tour interior with a combination of vintage and contemporary elements. Topping the Flaming River tilt column is a 15-inch Impala steering wheel from Speedway Motors; instruments are Dakota Digital.
1. Procar supplied the cool wrap-around bucket seats. The modified floor and the Chevy's low roofline created some challenges for Kramer.
2. To lower the seats HRBD made custom mounting brackets. The Procar seat adjuster framework attaches to the tabs.
3. In order to get the Lokar shifter low enough to fit under the console that was planned, HRBD built a recess into the transmission tunnel.
4. Between the seats is a reproduction '63 Impala console from Classic Industries. Careful trimming was required to join it to our modified floor.
5. One of the original styling elements Kramer wanted to retain was the relationship between the top of the seats and the doors. Consequently the decision was made to shorten the backrests.
6. After removing the upholstery and foam, Kramer took a section our of the backrests' frames to shorten them.
7. The same 4-inch section was removed from the foam.
8. Once the modifications were complete the seats were covered in a red vinyl and gray cloth. Gray was chosen to match the center of the wheels as well as the side trim.
9. The rear seat springs were from two-door post Chevrolet, which meant the bottom springs would have to be widened to fit the hardtop. They would also be notched to accommodate the modified floor.
10. Kramer had to shorten the seat back and widen it. After cutting the springs as needed they were spliced together with metal clips that were crimped in place.
11. Before the package tray was covered, a pair of 6x9-inch Custom Autosound speakers were put in place.
Up front a pair of Procar by Scat bucket seats were modified to fit while the center console and the trans tunnel were both modified in order to fit together. Modifications to the trans tunnel also included a recess to house the Lokar shifter. In the rear the seat springs were cut to fit the altered floorpan made necessary by the new perimeter frame.
To keep the passenger compartment comfortable and quiet, all the surfaces were covered with Dynamat and Dynaliner. In an effort to maintain the vintage look the floor was covered in red factory-style loop pile carpeting while the seats and side panels were done in a combination of fire red vinyl gray chevron pattern inserts. The headliner was made from red perforated vinyl.
Adding to the comfort level of the Impala is a tilt steering column from Flaming River and a complete stereo system from Custom Autosound. Classic Industries supplied all the interior trim, mirrors, and a long list of replacement parts. Thanks to Kramer and Riou's efforts the interior of the AMSOIL/STREET RODDER Road Tour Chevy was exactly what we were after. When sewing machines came to a halt and the last panel was put in place, 231 hours had been invested in rejuvenating the Impala's innards; we'd say it was time well spent.
12. Before the headliner was installed the roof was treated to a layer of Dynaliner.
13. The new headliner was made from scratch out of flame red perforated vinyl. The sunvisors were covered to match but had not yet been installed.
14. The new dome light, like all the other replacement interior trim pieces, came from Classic Industries.
15. Kramer spent many, many hours seated at his sewing machine to meet the completion deadline for the Road Tour debut. Despite the tight schedule the interior is flawless.
16. Original-style loop pile carpet covers the floor, the Lokar shifter and modified center console are in place (note the Super Sport emblem). The pedal pads are from Lokar and Sherm's Custom Plating polished the aluminum trim.
17. Intern Maelle Riou gained valuable experience working on the Road Tour interior. Here she fits the custom foam cushions to the modified springs.
18. The Procar seat adjuster assemblies bolt to the tabs on the brackets that were attached to the floor.
19. Bolted in place the modified seats are not only good looking but comfortable. Good thing as they will be occupied for 20,000-plus miles during the Road Tour.
20. Chrome trim adds some style to the door panels, the vinyl and cloth combination complements the seats.
21. Kramer and Riou did a masterful job of creating a stylish and comfortable rear bench with a semi–bucket seat look.
22. Those cool armrests and door handles are late-'60s Chevelle items from Classic Industries.
23. In the rear, the two-tone and trim theme continues. Note the custom-built armrest.
24. Included in the rear seat is the signature Impala speaker grille. Note the consistency of the surrounding stitching—that's quality workmanship.
25. Classic Industries supplied the reproduction Impala dashboard trim and the rear view mirror.
