🔧 BUILD Shawns 1971 Impala Donk

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

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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.

Jon01

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That came out real nice. Have you sent pictures to the guy you originally bought it from yet?

WA
Done about 2 months ago. Wilwood rear disc conversion, 12" slotted rotors, Wilwood master, new booster and all new lines from front to back

Heads up, the Wilwood master and prop valve combo on my truck blew the guts out of the brake light switch, bathing my engine bay in brake fluid.
I caught it before any damages occurred but you may want to keep an eye on yours.
I just replaced mine with a plug as I wasn't using it. Just 1/8 npt.
 
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Shawn1112

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WA


Heads up, the Wilwood master and prop valve combo on my truck blew the guts out of the brake light switch, bathing my engine bay in brake fluid.
I caught it before any damages occurred but you may want to keep an eye on yours.
I just replaced mine with a plug as I wasn't using it. Just 1/8 npt.
No shit, I actually have that exact same combo. Will definitely keep my eyes open.
Have you seen or heard of anyone else having that same issue?
 

Shawn1112

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My Tiara grill finally damage free and installed. What a fucking pain in the dick. Something that should have took a hour, took me 3.5 hours. Wound up having to modify the supplied mounting brackets. Grill was sitting about 1/4”-3/8” too low. Not only did it look horrible, the bumper wouldn’t go back on. You can see the gap in pic without the bumper on. Center emblem lights up white so it will match the headlights. I’ll run that wiring tomorrow.

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Shawn1112

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That is the fanciest steering wheel I’ve ever seen
When doing big wheels you have to do the matching steering wheel on old schools. If not its like having aftermarket rims on a Wrangler and cheaping out on the 5th wheel.
Looks great, car must get a lot of attention when you are driving around.
It actually does. It amazes me how many old timers actually give me a thumbs up considering the big wheels.
 

LikeABauce302

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When doing big wheels you have to do the matching steering wheel on old schools. If not its like having aftermarket rims on a Wrangler and cheaping out on the 5th wheel.

It actually does. It amazes me how many old timers actually give me a thumbs up considering the big wheels.

Most true gearheads get it. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but most can appreciate a clean car that's well done.
 

Shawn1112

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Tilt column, digi dash, LED tails, Billet steering column dress up kit and Billet window cranks all done. Column must have sat outside as it was caked with dirt, sand and other shit. The guts are kinda fucked. Very hard to turn the ignition with the key. I bought that back in Feb. I’m going to contact the dude as he has more steering columns. See if he will swap this out. Doubtful being 7 months ago but worth a shot. Gonna go have 3-4 keys made in the morning in case I crack one lol.

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Shawn1112

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Damn, everything is coming together quite nicely (y) That digital dash is slick
I really like the dash and I'm so happy I went with this one and waited the 12-14 weeks or whatever it was.
I originally bought the one pictured below, then a few weeks later they were advertising the one that I now have.
Supposedly I rcvd the first one from Dakota. I know nobody in Chgo has it in their Donk yet.
The one I have keeps it more of an OG look

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