By Brian Brennan – Photography By NotStock Photography
For the past several years, Eugene Bothello’s 1959 Chevy, built at BBT Fabrications, has appeared at Goodguys, the Grand National Roadster Show, the Triple Crown of Rodding, and twice at Barrett-Jackson Auction (Scottsdale, Arizona). That doesn’t include the roughly seven appearances in Modern Rodding magazine, including the Sept. ’24 cover, showcasing its metal finish. Much like family, we’ve watched this Impala Sport Coupe evolve into something Chevrolet Motor Division would have been proud to produce. Yet, it wasn’t GM but the talent and guidance of Troy Gudgel and the team at BBT Fabrications that allowed us to witness the entire process. It’s rare for cars of this caliber—creativity, imagination, skill, and budget—to be followed from their inception to their debut, but we were fortunate enough to see this process with the 1959 Chevy Impala. We’ve included several links in this story to the Modern Rodding website, allowing you to go back and see “up close” exactly what it took and what was changed from the original build over 65 years ago.
It should be noted that the Impala in 2024 achieved a Top 5 finish at the Barrett-Jackson Cup, and then in 2026 it took home the top prize of Ultimate Best in Show at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Cup. As Ultimate Best in Show, the winning Impala received a $20,000 cash prize, made possible by CRC Industries and BluePrint Engines, along with a custom one-of-a-kind set of REVO Forged Wheels, a Barrett-Jackson Cup logo neon sign created by Neon Road, and the event’s gold-plated trophy, designed by Barrett-Jackson’s Corbin Snyder.
Back in March of this year, the Impala became a finalist for the 2026 Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year award while attending the Goodguys Spring Nationals in Scottsdale. (The Impala is now among what will eventually be 12 regional finalists. The Top 12 winners will be chosen online in October, with a specialty display available in person in Scottsdale at Goodguys November 20-22, 2026.)
It’s been said many times, but it’s what’s underneath the hood that gives a hot rod its true “soul” or, in this case, motorvation? It should come as no surprise that the Impala runs pure Chevy power in the form of the Gen V LT1 (376 ci) with a BTR cam. The V-8 is assembled with ARP hardware and features Greening Auto Company valve covers to enhance its appearance. Underneath the BBT custom engine cover is a Frankenstein Engine Dynamics LT billet intake manifold (low profile). A GM CPU is paired with a Speartech wiring harness, delivering spark to the MSD plug wires, which are supplied by a Powermaster 170-amp alternator. Additional accessories that improve appearance, comfort, and performance include a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine belt system with a Sanden SD7 compressor, a Tuff Stuff power steering pump, and a Continental Poly-V serpentine belt. The fuel reservoir is held by a Rick’s custom stainless steel 20-gallon tank with a submersible GM ZL1 fuel pump. The exhaust system features Ultimate Headers with 1.875-inch tubing; the spent gases flow freely through the freshly fabricated 2-1/2-inch stainless steel pipes that run rearward and dump into the stainless Borla Pro XS mufflers. The LT1 packs a punch with a legitimate 500 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.
Getting this power rearward involves a GM 8L90E eight-speed automatic transmission, routed through its gears via a GM 8/10-speed shifter and an Intek/Otto shift adapter. (Adapter accepts any standard shift knob, allowing for a modern shifter in any early car while maintaining the classic look.) Next, the trans is paired with an Inland Empire aluminum driveshaft, ultimately delivering power to a Moser 9-inch rearend equipped with a Detroit Truetrac, a helical-gear limited-slip differential, spinning 4.11 gears, and 31-spline axles.
A Roadster Shop (RS) REVO chassis, built with 10-gauge, boxed, fabricated framerails, includes a four-link setup, Panhard bar, and Fox shocks, all to position the rearend. The RS chassis features factory mounting points for the body, bumper, and core support. The RS REVO IFS pairs with Wilwood ProSpindle kits, Fox shocks, an RS sway bar, and a front-mounted power rack-and-pinion. Corner components are equipped with brake kits from Little Shop Mfg., based on Wilwood 16-inch drilled-and-slotted rotors with six-piston calipers and a GEN-1 booster, using IntekOtto mounting adapters. Additionally, one-off Forgeline wheels fitted with Pirelli rubber are installed at the corners. The wheels measure 20×8.5 and 21×11, shod with P Zero asymmetric tread-pattern tires measuring 245/40ZR20 and 315/35ZR21.
The body is built from 1959 Chevy Impala sheetmetal with extended rocker panels. It features new floorplans, widened wheeltubs, extended lower quarter-panels, a rear valance, and custom-built, tucked front and rear bumpers. The factory hood keeps its original skin, but the underside highlights BBT custom metalwork. All the custom metalwork, along with body prep and paintwork, was done by BBT Fabrications. The paint and final bodywork were completed by Relic Restomods, using PPG paints in a custom Twilight Blue mix. (Did you know that “Twilight” is the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon? Photographers call this “sweet light,” which is perfect for shooting car features.) IntekOtto was also chosen for the side mirrors.
Moving inside, we notice that the dashboard retains its factory upper sheetmetal, but the lower section is entirely crafted by BBT Fabrications. Dakota Digital RTX-59C-IMP (direct-fit) gauges, which resemble factory units, are installed here, while the lower part of the dash houses the Vintage Air vents and switches for the headlights and windshield wipers. The center console contains a pair of pods that hold additional controls: the stereo controls closest to the firewall, and the Vintage Air A/C controls nearest the shifter. The steering column is an Ididit unit fitted with a 15-inch wheel (cut down from 18 inches). The IntekOtto shifter is topped with a custom-machined cap. The seats feature custom buckets in front and a split bench in the rear. Cato’s Custom Upholstery did an excellent job with the stitching, using Cognac-colored Moore and Giles leather, accented by Seat Belt Planet lap belts.
Stay tuned, as we are sure that Eugene’s 1959 Chevy Impala with lots of BBT Fabrications craftsmanship will be making the rounds again this summer. But this time it will be in “full force” with its subtle color and stunning interior. MR
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
The Journey: Eugene Bothello’s 1959 Chevy Impala
1959 Chevy Impala in Sheetmetal Clothing
2024 Barrett-Jackson Cup Top Five Finalist Revealed – 1959 Chevy Impala
BBT Fabrications Builds a Unique 1959 Chevy Impala
1959 Chevy Impala Front End Sheetmetal Restoration by BBT Fabrications
BBT Details Custom Underhood Modifications for a 1959 Chevy Impala
1959 Chevy Impala Receives Reimagined Rear Sheetmetal
1959 Chevy Impala Receives Fresh Stainless Steel Trim
