Story: Evan “Evo” Yates

Photography: Andrew Link

Check out more of this car here.

The totality of a situation isn’t always blatantly apparent, but as you read this story, understand that this is it, this is the pinnacle. Never again in the Donk game will anyone be able to claim exclusivity, at least in any legit categories. As you flip the pages, ask yourself what else could be done to supersede this Donk in all of its flamboyance. Small things could be changed, yes, but it’d take an Overhaulin’ cast worth of people and a couple hundred stacks. The limits have been reached and the race has finally slowed down, which ultimately motivates customizers to pay attention to details and build complete cars. This is a good thing.

Duval entrepreneur Diggy is cognizant of the ongoing pursuit to be first, and he also recognizes the ramifications. Arguably the first Donk to squat on 28s (Forgiatos) more than two years ago, he decided to throw all his chips in the middle of the table and shut down the Donk game for good. He trusted Glenn Strickland of G&G Auto Salon in Jacksonville, Florida, for the brunt of the overhaul. “He didn’t want to have all that money in the rest of the car and not do it the right way,” explains Glenn. “So we took off the body and powder-coated the frame and all the suspension components, and pretty much rebuilt everything underneath the car.” To satisfy Diggy’s demands of “squatting 30s,” Glenn worked his magic, especially in the rear of the impressive Impala. “We cut out and reshaped the quarter panels, and we stretched the skirts to make it look factory,” says Glenn. “If you look underneath, it all looks stock.” After the bodywork was complete, Glenn coated it with a sweet glaze of House of Kolor Kandy Apple Red to finish the makeover.

An integral piece of the candy conundrum was the powertrain, which Diggy insisted on being head of its class. He combed the Internet for the most elite engine builder, stumbled upon Big Al’s Toybox in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, and chose their 912hp supercharged 572-cubic-inch Pro/Street big block with all the fixin’s.

After seeing Coast 2 Coast Customs of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, advertised on the East Coast Ryders DVD series, Diggy contacted the owner, Jeremy, to see if the impossible could be achieved. “We contacted Asanti at first, and they didn’t want to do it,” explains Diggy. “But we persuaded them to build the first set of staggered 30s, and Jeremy gave me a really good price.” Holding true to his “squattin’ low” mantra, Diggy chose a set of Toyo 265/25/30 tires to keep the height to a minimum. “I had to do the skinnies,” proclaims Diggy. “That ridin’-high stuff is done!” As to why he chose multipiece wheels over others, Diggy says with a smirk, “If you’re floatin’, you’re jokin’, and don’t brag if you ain’t ridin’ stags!”

Spec The Technique:

Performance: 572 BBC; 871 supercharger; Pro 1 polished aluminum heads; ceramic-coated Hooker headers; Twin Holley 1050 Dominator carburetors; built Turbo 400 transmission

Interior: Chrome convertible rack; fiberglass door panels; suede seats; custom billet steering wheel

Exterior: House of Kolor Kandy Apple Red paint; chrome header panel; custom grille; suede convertible top

Ice: 14 JL Audio midrange speakers; six Power Acoustik bullet tweeters; Pioneer double-DIN head unit; two JL Audio 1000/1 amplifiers; eight Pioneer 12-inch subwoofers

Wheels/Tires: 30-inch color-matched, staggered Asanti AF163 wheels; Toyo 265/25/30 tires

Shout-Outs: Big Glenn the candy paint guru; the crew at Decibels; C2C Customs; my music label, Blood Money Ent.