Well, I am going to beat Neal to the punch and post up what I think he was going to do.
Little bit of background story first.
I mentioned the shop that let me put the GFB (Go For Broke) up on the lift, so thought I would elaborate more on it.
Erv Beckner is a guy that Neal met long ago when he worked at the McDonald's our local shopping mall used to have several years ago. There is a Sears store there as well, and Erv used to work in the auto department and would use McD's regularly on his breaks.
He and Neal both had an interest in cars and became friends. Erv also put a set of air shocks on Neal's first car...1985 Caprice Classic 4 door.
Anyway, Erv left Sears and proceeded to a tire shop that has since gone out of business. It was there that I got to know him as one of the shop managers was a guy I had done business with for many years.
After leaving that shop before it went under, Erv opened his own shop, "Big E's Auto". It started in a small corner building, then he eventually was able to re-locate to a larger area.
And, when I went to visit Neal and his family in Japan, Erv asked me to get some pictures for his shop. He gave me two t-shirts for Neal and his wife, and asked for picture with the t-shirts to be taken at various locations in Japan. Well, we got one location. Would have had two, but the live show Neal played at, to many people kept getting in the way and I couldn't get a good photo.
Here are Neal and his wife at a temple in Asakusa.
I apologize for my beautiful daughter-in-law's hair for cover up the emblem on the shirt.
I think Erv liked his photos.
So, if you are ever in Galesburg, Illinois and need some work done to a car, he's the guy to go to.
Now, on to some other bits and pieces.
Some basic facts about the 1963 Chevrolet Impala:
Length: 209.3 inches
Wheelbase: 119.0 inches
Width: 76.0 inches
Height: 56.0 inches (Station Wagons and Convertibles); 55.5 inches (All other models)
Weight: From 3,390 pounds (2-dr Sport Coupe) to 3,835 pounds (station wagon)
Engine sizes: From a 230 cu. in. inline 6 cylinder to a 409 cu. in. V8
Horsepower range: 140@4400 RPM (230 cu. in.) to 425@6000 RPM (409 cu. in.)
Carburetion: single, 2- or 4-barrel Rochester, 4-barrel Carter AFB, dual 4-barrel Rochester or Carter AFB
Transmissions available: 3- and 4-speed manual and a Powerglide automatic (2-speed automatic).
Rear gear ratios: 3.08:1 to 3.70:1
Price (1963): From $2,615 to $3,186
Models: Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, Impala SS
Styles: 2- and 4-door sedan, 2-door sport sedan, 6- and 9-passenger station wagon, 2-door convertible.
Now, as mentioned before, I am looking to get a full set of Chevy Ralley wheels for the GFB, and here is a photo of what it could look like.
The car in the photo is a 1964, but it won't be too different.
That's all I got for now. The wagon goes in this week for some work on the transmission and fuel leak. More to follow once that's done.
And as I have mentioned, I plan on a set of Chevrolet Rally wheels for it. This is what it could look like. (The photo is actually a 1964, but it's close enough.)