Story: Evan “Evo” Yates

Photography: Jordan Donnelly

Timing is everything: It’s a cliché but fitting phrase that holds especially true in the whip game. Jose Perdomo, the owner of this black beast and of Infamous Customs (a custom-car outfit in Davie, Florida), acquired the sexy ’74 roughly 10 years ago, meticulously tinkering with it year by year in the hopes that, in time, it would garner its due shine. RIDES first peeped the black bullet years ago, and the clean Caprice was even in the RIDES booth at a Miami car show back in 2010. Having Jose’s ’vert in such close proximity gave us a first-hand glimpse of the time, money and expertise bestowed upon the noir automobile. Even in 2010, Jose’s ‘vert was far above the competition, proudly reppin’ its factory swagger. “I always wanted to keep it looking original but not make it look like every other ’vert,” he explains.

Jose took his onyx gem to the next level with his keen attention to detail, evident in the vast amount of chroming, with everything getting blessed down to the wheel wells. “Everything has been chromed,” proclaims Jose, “from the suspension to the chrome rack—everything.” Under the hood, where the chrome and detail is most evident, rests a 468 big block dressed up with Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner, a March Serpentine setup and even a chrome alternator. To ensure it’s got the muscle behind the shine, the big block is outfitted with a Holley 750 double-pumper carburetor and an Edelbrock Performer intake, and keeping it chill is a Griffin aluminum radiator.

Resting beneath the chrome wheel wells up front are 26-by-9-inch Forgiato Quintos, and behind the skirts out back are its 26-by-11-inch siblings boasting a true six-inch lip. The black-and-chrome Forgiatos are wrapped in Toyo tires, and peeking out from behind are six-piston-front and four-piston-rear Wilwood disc brakes that not only produce a superb aesthetic but also aid in halting the heavy Chevy on demand. Below the trunk lid lies a visually pleasing and equally powerful system compiled of Kicker, MMATS and Soundstream products.

The most recent and eye-catching additions to Jose’s ’vert are the blood-red guts that fill the cabin, as well as the trunk. As to why Jose scrapped the black on black, he explains, “I like how it looks in the Maserati and also in the ’61 OG Impala.” He continues, “It’s one of the best color combos ever used.” Jose is proud of his accomplishment, as he admits the ’74 doesn’t always get the most love. “I did this ’74 Caprice because I wanted to show people that ’74s are not ugly like some people say they are. You can turn them into some nice-looking rides.”

Spec The Technique:

Year/Make/Model: 1974 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible

Performance: 468 Big Block with a 750cfm double-pump Holley carburetor modified by “ED MAC”; chrome Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner; March serpentine systems modified with
a 300-amp/14.8-volt chrome alternator; one 1,000 cold-cranking amp red-top Optima battery; MSD Ignition; Edelbrock Performer intake; Griffin aluminum radiator with high-flow fan; ceramic-coated Hooker Headers with 3.5-inch Flowmaster exhausts; 400T transmission with shift kit and stall converter; aluminum 3.5-inch shortened drive shaft; shortened and powder-coated rear end modified with Moser Engineering axles with 4.88 posi gears; aluminum sump gas tank with chrome straps; chrome master cylinder with hydro booster; Wilwood disc brake system; Dakota Digital dash; work done by infamous​custom​rides​.com

Exterior: PBG deep black paint; black canvas top; polished OG side moldings; rechromed plastic grille and light bezels; chromed front noise, rear lights, bumpers, wheel wells, full suspension

Interior: Full blood-red leather with black double stitch done by Joey at Classic Upholstery of Medley, FL; chromed convertible rack, glove box, OG steering column, OG A/C vents; Billet Specialties steering wheel, window cranks, rearview mirror, shifter

Ice: Kenwood head unit; AudioControl THREE.1 eq; fiberglass center console, kicks; 10-inch screen; Soundstream DVD player; three sets of Image Dynamic 6.5-inch components, one set of compression horns; custom-built Plexiglas and fiberglass mono box with four Kicker Solo-Baric L7 15-inch subs, two MMATS Audio 2000.1D sub amps, two Soundstream 4.500s; two 1,400-watt Kinetik batteries

Wheels/Tires: 26-inch Forgiato Quinto wheels with a 6-inch rear lip; Clear HP166 tires, 275/25/26