🔧 BUILD Shawns 1971 Impala Donk

Thread
Interior/Top
LS Swap
Wheels
Sounds/Music
Suspension/Brakes
Paint
BOOST TIME!!!!

General Information

1688879068474.png


***Check out the tabs to save you the headache of reading this whole thread, also post 3 has a current mod list***

Well boys and girls my new project is finally home. Ive always had a hard on for the Donks (71-76 Caprice or Impala) and always told myself since 1994 that I was eventually going to build one. My buddy mike at the time had a 74 Caprice Vert with 30's and Vouges (google them if you dont know what they are) basically 30 spoke cragars and vouge tires. Its a classic old school gangster look. Over the years he built a few more and sold them and always offered them to me first and I declined because of my love of G Body's as well. When I bought the Regal a couple years ago, I really looked hard at the Donks and believe it or not they were going for half of what they are going for now. Even last summer they coulda been had for about a 1/3rd less maybe a little less for what they are going for now. I was set on a 71 or a 75 for 2 reasons. 71 is the most sought after and fetches the most money as its known as the ACE. 75 because it was the year I was born, and thought that would be pretty cool. Didnt care if it was a HT or Vert, kinda preferred that HT as I dont think Chgo weather is weather for Verts. Pay a extra $10k for a Vert, no thanks.

So when my buddy and I made a deal for the Regal months ago and I knew he was serious. I got serious in my search for a donk. As most of you know I went to Miami for 4 days last month. Had a shit load of them lined up to look at and found either garbage or guys that wouldnt move off what I thought was too high of a price. Few that I thought were too high, have actually sold since then, so I'm thinking price wasnt too high. While in Miami I met this dude Josh and him and I clicked and became friends. Super cool white boy who is in to donks as well, not generally something you see white boys building. He told me he would keep his eyes and ears open and if close enough would do the leg work for me. But told me if he found something I would have to hi-tail my ass down there asap as when they are priced right they sell in hours. Just so happened we decided to go down to Orlando this weekend because we found $61 RT airfare and the biggest donk/g body show just was going on. Figured I might be able to buy something there. Called Josh to tell him we were coming down and if he planned on taking his car to Orlando. He said he might know of a 71 going up for sale with a motivated buyer. I said well fuck let me know asap.

Touched down in Orlando Friday night and had to be up early Saturday to cruise to Ft Lauderdale to see this 71. Pull up to this gated community with $1m+ townhomes and get buzzed in by security. Pull up to the house and she was sitting in driveway and looked as clean as the pics I was sent. Took it for a ride, BSing with Josh, my buddy Ralphy and the owner of the car. Talking about everything from sports to woman to cars. Come to find out this rich fuck is a collector and has 2 other 71's besides the one I bought, and just purchased another on top of 6-7 other cars he has. I guess the Wife has a rule, every time he gets a new one something has to go lol. While BSing I kinda feel him out and get the idea he doesnt want this car going to a black guy who is going to ruin it with big wheels and a LS swap lol. So I played my white privilege card with him. He was asking $25k and very easily had him down to $20k. My final offer was $17.5k and he said he would sleep on it. Told him if he agreed in the morning then it was his job to get it to Orlando before Sunday night. He woke me up about 8am saying the car was mine and was on the way to Orlando. He showed up, we exchanged cash and paperwork, took it off the trailer and parked it at my Airbnb. We were going out for the day/night, so I pulled the coil so the fucker wouldnt start in case someone wanted to steal it lol. Also backed it in so a tow truck would have a hard time stealing it as well.

Talked to a few of the Chgo guys down there for the show and got lucky as one of the haulers had room for me to get her home. Car was dropped off in Midlothian today at $how and Go Customz and turns out Playboy a friend of mine just opened that shop up. Does nothing but suspension and motor work. Talked pricing about shortening my rear end, coilovers all the way around, new axels and adjustable control arms to squat this car. Basically a "California Lean". Front end will sit at stock height with a 26" rim and the rear end will squat 3-4" lower. I have some 26" Billets but probably going to put new barrels on the rear rims. Right now they are a 5.5" lip and I want that 7" lip on the rear, hence the reason for shortening the rear end. Most of you think of Donk and think of those 71-76 sitting on fucking 4x4 suspensions with 30" wheels. Yes those are donks as well, but not the look I'm shooting for.

Shawn1112

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 4, 2010
34,906
104,527
Streamwood
Havent posted an update in over a month. My car is still at the painter and I'm totally fine with that. Should be home in the next week or 2.
The 2 areas of the most concern below both rear windows, he wound up cutting the metal out and replacing with new metal for free lol
I told him last year when he originally painted the car, if we need to cut it out lets do it now, he felt after sanding it down and inspecting it that we would be okay. Well it wasnt and something I was willing to pay for, bit him in the ass and he had to repair on his dime.

Had him order new weatherstripping for the doors, the shit I bought brand new last year sucked. So he said he has a place that he has never had an issue.
Also had him paint my inner wheel well liners. I had him paint them satin black last year, but I felt with the blower lid and valve covers painted to match the car, the wheel well liners would tie in very nicely. He also has to make me a new AC line as one of them wouldnt line up with the new accessory drive kit, it was a few inches short. Hoping this AC compressor doesnt leak as I've had 2 or 3 of them leak already and they were brand new.

Dropped my grill off at PC Customs in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. Going to add a little bit of Rose Gold to the grill, not much but enough to tie in with the rest of the car. They are very well known to be slow and they have been. But, they are the only ones locally that have been able to shoot Rose Gold. I'm hoping they are done within the next 3-4 weeks.

When the car comes home, I'm going back to my guys shop where we did the work. Car has close to 200 miles on it since the build. I wanna change the oil, go over everything again and make sure nothing has come loose. I think I have an air pocket in the radiator somewhere or its a bad T Stat. When I was driving it and got caught in bumper to bumper traffic the temp was climbing to 225ish. Then when traffic opened up it went back down to 200ish. Also, we have to drop the fuel tank, I think the bass in the trunk is shaking a ground loose or something. Gas gauge will be fine, then it goes to empty and stays there. Turn the music down and after a bit it will go back to where its supposed to be. Its gotta be a wiring issue imo.

Tune is scheduled for May 6th
 

GTPpower

TCG Elite Member
Jun 5, 2012
6,295
9,611
Nebraska
Our school had a 75 caprice 2 door convertible donated for a fund raiser. It was auctioned off, and I think it brought somewhere between $20k-$25k. It was very clean, white with white leather, 400 engine with 70,000 miles. I wanted to buy it, but my wife wasn't a fan of that idea.

It was so cool looking at it though, especially after I found some pics of mine from high school.

20230202_152817.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shawn1112

Shawn1112

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 4, 2010
34,906
104,527
Streamwood
Our school had a 75 caprice 2 door convertible donated for a fund raiser. It was auctioned off, and I think it brought somewhere between $20k-$25k. It was very clean, white with white leather, 400 engine with 70,000 miles. I wanted to buy it, but my wife wasn't a fan of that idea.

It was so cool looking at it though, especially after I found some pics of mine from high school.

View attachment 159040
No shit, how long ago? 71's and 75's are the most sought after and I see them optioned out like that going for $30k if they are clean. Shit, even ones that are semi clapped out are going for $15k-$18k if they are all there. My guy had a 75 just like the one you had, same color and everything with like baby blue interior when we were in our teens. We used to gangbang like a MFer out of that tank lol.

OEM parts especially trim on the 71 and 75 are thru the fucking roof and have been the last few years. I want this aluminum/polished tail light bezel sooooo fucking bad for my 71. But people want $2500 and up for something in good shape and not beat the fuck out of.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GTPpower

LikeABauce302

TCG Elite Member
Aug 27, 2013
5,874
16,317
South suburbs
Real Name
Matt
I think I have an air pocket in the radiator somewhere or its a bad T Stat. When I was driving it and got caught in bumper to bumper traffic the temp was climbing to 225ish. Then when traffic opened up it went back down to 200ish.

What are you running for a fan and does it have a shroud that fits tightly to the radiator? This sounds more like a fan issue. Creeping temp in low speed or stand still traffic, but temp dropping as soon as you get moving and have air flow through the radiator sounds like your fan isn't strong enough or not working efficiently.
 

Shawn1112

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 4, 2010
34,906
104,527
Streamwood
What are you running for a fan and does it have a shroud that fits tightly to the radiator? This sounds more like a fan issue. Creeping temp in low speed or stand still traffic, but temp dropping as soon as you get moving and have air flow through the radiator sounds like your fan isn't strong enough or not working efficiently.
Im not sure what brand but I can check, its a dual fan set up. One fan kicks on at 180ish and the secondary at 202. No shroud, and I never had the issue prior to the blower install. I've sat in worse traffic for longer in 90 degree weather last year and it never climbed like that
 

LikeABauce302

TCG Elite Member
Aug 27, 2013
5,874
16,317
South suburbs
Real Name
Matt
Im not sure what brand but I can check, its a dual fan set up. One fan kicks on at 180ish and the secondary at 202. No shroud, and I never had the issue prior to the blower install. I've sat in worse traffic for longer in 90 degree weather last year and it never climbed like that
Try programming both of them to run at the same time.

A lot of aftermarket fans are junk with the exception of Spal and Derale. Finding an OEM electric fan to fit your radiator will generally flow a lot more air than most aftermarket options. The Ford guys swear by the Lincoln Mark VIII fan for maximum air flow. 4th gen Camaro and Dodge Intrepid fans are popular too for general hot rodding applications.
 

Bob Kazamakis

I’m the f-ing lizard king
TCG Premium
Oct 24, 2007
85,196
44,848
Denver
Real Name
JK
Try programming both of them to run at the same time.

A lot of aftermarket fans are junk with the exception of Spal and Derale. Finding an OEM electric fan to fit your radiator will generally flow a lot more air than most aftermarket options. The Ford guys swear by the Lincoln Mark VIII fan for maximum air flow. 4th gen Camaro and Dodge Intrepid fans are popular too for general hot rodding applications.
I have an oem wind star fan in my a-body and it looks like it was made for my radiator.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LikeABauce302

GTPpower

TCG Elite Member
Jun 5, 2012
6,295
9,611
Nebraska
No shit, how long ago? 71's and 75's are the most sought after and I see them optioned out like that going for $30k if they are clean. Shit, even ones that are semi clapped out are going for $15k-$18k if they are all there. My guy had a 75 just like the one you had, same color and everything with like baby blue interior when we were in our teens. We used to gangbang like a MFer out of that tank lol.

OEM parts especially trim on the 71 and 75 are thru the fucking roof and have been the last few years. I want this aluminum/polished tail light bezel sooooo fucking bad for my 71. But people want $2500 and up for something in good shape and not beat the fuck out of.
It was like 2 weeks ago. Damn, should have bought it. I could have made $5k pretty easy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shawn1112

Shawn1112

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 4, 2010
34,906
104,527
Streamwood
Try programming both of them to run at the same time.

A lot of aftermarket fans are junk with the exception of Spal and Derale. Finding an OEM electric fan to fit your radiator will generally flow a lot more air than most aftermarket options. The Ford guys swear by the Lincoln Mark VIII fan for maximum air flow. 4th gen Camaro and Dodge Intrepid fans are popular too for general hot rodding applications.
This is the radiator and fans I have

 
  • Like
Reactions: LikeABauce302

LikeABauce302

TCG Elite Member
Aug 27, 2013
5,874
16,317
South suburbs
Real Name
Matt
This is the radiator and fans I have

Run both of those fans at the same time. When only one fan is pulling, it's going to be pulling air through the space where the non-running fan is and it kills efficiency. That type of fan assembly is designed to have both fans running at the same time.
 

Shawn1112

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 4, 2010
34,906
104,527
Streamwood
Run both of those fans at the same time. When only one fan is pulling, it's going to be pulling air through the space where the non-running fan is and it kills efficiency. That type of fan assembly is designed to have both fans running at the same time.
Cool, I'll give that a shot. Thank you
 
  • Like
Reactions: LikeABauce302

Thread Info