In the world of hot rods and classic cars, few stories are as heartwarming as Clyde Schuster’s journey to fulfill a childhood dream. Growing up, Clyde would walk past a garage where a gleaming Chevrolet Impala sat in the showroom, igniting a passion that would stay with him for years to come. Fast forward to adulthood, and Clyde finally had the opportunity to make that dream a reality when he stumbled upon a 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible in a store on a farm in Nelspruit.
The car, advertised on social media, was a diamond in the rough, a shadow of its former glory. But Clyde saw beyond the rust and patches, envisioning a pristine restoration that would bring the Impala back to its former glory. With determination in his heart, Clyde arranged a car trailer, enlisted the help of his son, and embarked on a journey to Nelspruit to claim his dream car.
The restoration process was not for the faint of heart. The car’s rear quarter panels and rocker panels were rusted and patched beyond repair, necessitating their replacement. Imported floor panels and lower rear quarter panels were sourced to ensure the car’s structural integrity. Working tirelessly in a carport next to his house, Clyde, along with his friend Johan and his son Francois, spent 20 months painstakingly restoring the Impala to its former glory.
One of the most challenging aspects of the restoration was ensuring that the car remained as close to its original specifications as possible. The car retains its original unmodified X-frame chassis from 1960, with both the front and rear suspensions remaining 100% original. The standard drum brakes on all four wheels were refurbished, and the 283 small block V8 Chevy engine was rebuilt to stock specifications.
But perhaps the most striking feature of Clyde’s Impala is its stunning Cascade Green paint job. Researching the car at length, Clyde discovered a color chart for General Motors from 1960, which revealed that Cascade Green was the color used for that particular year. Opting to keep the car’s original color, Clyde and Francois applied the paint themselves, creating a finish that shined like a mirror.
The interior of the Impala was also meticulously restored. The original seats, while in good condition, were recovered with original parts sourced from the USA. The steering wheel, a standard manual with a large-diameter steering wheel, was refurbished to its former glory. The gauges were all removed, cleaned, and serviced, with some of the lenses being replaced.
After 20 months of hard work and dedication, Clyde’s Impala finally hit the streets, turning heads wherever it goes. From its gleaming paint job to its immaculate interior, Clyde’s childhood dream has been revived in the form of a stunning 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. It serves as a testament to Clyde’s passion for classic cars and his unwavering dedication to preserving automotive history.
As Clyde takes to the open road in his beloved Impala, he reflects on the journey that brought him here. It’s not just a car; it’s a symbol of his childhood dreams, a reminder that with hard work and determination, anything is possible in the world of hot rods and classic cars.
