The Chip Foose-built 1965 Chevrolet Impala that took home the Ridler Award at last weekend’s 63rd annual Detroit Autorama in Detroit, Michigan, has been making headlines the world over for its gorgeous exterior and dressed up powertrain. But it’s interior is also a sight to behold.
Appropriately dubbed “Impostor,” the custom Impala is essentially a chopped, sectioned and heavily modified ‘65 Impala body on a 2008 C6 Corvette chassis. Keeping with the dual theme, the vehicle’s cockpit – now a two-seater – has been retrofitted with a C6 interior customized to fit flawlessly in the Impala.
The amount of fabrication it takes to pull off a cabin like this is astounding and can only be truly appreciated by auto upholstery professionals like us.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot written about the vehicle’s interior. And photos of the completed cabin aren’t the highest quality. However, I did manage to find some rare pictures of the interior build. Combined with photos from the show, you can see how far the cabin came and the massive amount of work that went into it. Check them out!
What do you think? Share with us your thoughts on this one-off Impala masterpiece in the comments section below.
This shows what imagination, experience and skill can do. All of these can only be acquired through time and trial.
This is why it is so important that proper training in our trade needs to be addressed. There just isn’t enough programs available for up and comers to learn these techniques.
I am grateful for the opportunities that I received and would love to pass them on only to find a lack of commitment by a student.
It seems that turning a quick buck is more important today than learning a sustainable trade, and for this I am greatly saddened.
Anyone can learn these skills if they only have the desire to invest in themselves. After 43 years I still learn a lot of what to do just by seeing what not to do.
You’re singing a sad but familiar tune my friend.
you are right on both comments. there is no real programs that turns out craftsman like that anymore. especially in the car upholstery trade. except for the family owned businesses. i have to drivve 4 hours every teusday to get my education and i am Lucky to have found it because its the only one around providing a education for this trade. and the second comment. finding people with commitment. the younger the worse it gets. its a crazy world out there.
Hey Hogring, you should interview the master trimmer that upholstered this car–Little John. It’s his second Riddler Award vehicle. I’d love the hear his words of wisdom.
If you could provide us with his contact information, that would be great. We were unable to track down the trimmer.
Little John’s Interior Concepts Fountain Valley, CA, 92708 …
Thanks Ron! We’ll reach out!
Mel Morimoto? Is that the Kona Coffee Mel Morimoto? I can’t imagine there are many Mel Morimotos out there, just surprised to see you commenting on The Hog Ring. Just as you might be surprised to see an auto upholstery guy from Iowa who knows you are an important part of the Kona coffee scene. I’ve spent a lot of time in your neighborhood . . . It’s nice to see you in my cyber-neighborhood.
–Jim Nishida-Adams
fabricating is the part of the trade I like the most….to make something from nothing, make a car fit the driver and to have modern styling in a classic car….here in Australia this is all teach yourself, no courses at all….problem being once you have the skills finding customers who will pay even part of what that level of work is worth is dificult….the number of times I’ve talked to potential customers when they have seen my work only to find they thought a trim like above would cost aroung $5-6,000…..really!!! Now I just do high custom work for myself and don’t chase it as a job, that said I still look to learn more from any where I can, never want to stop learning and trying new styles!!
Dear Fooose my name 8s julio, we are truly amaze on your 1965 chevy project is a owsome car and the details that you customise is amazing great work.
I am currently working on a new project I have a 1965 chevy and I would be more than happy to built it the way you guys did like a foose team.
I would like to put the same effort that you did the dashboard well the entire upholstery work is perfect.
Would you please well if I can ask would you please give me suggestions on how to built the upholstery please , I would really be thank full and appreciated to fallow your dire too s.
Thank you for taking your time .
Sincerely
julio