1960 Chevrolet Impala hardtop custom, "Exotica," Jimmie Vaughan - Mike Young

This head-turning custom began as a stock 60 Chevy owned by Austin restauranteur Mike Young. His friend Jimmie Vaughan had gradually been talking him into doing a few things to the Impala, and after unsuccessfully trying to sell the car at one point, Mike decided to let Jimmie and Gary run with their ideas on transforming the car into a 60s era custom whose extensive body modifications and full on custom metalflake paintjob in the end resulted in a car Jimmie describes as “subtly outrageous”

Work began by Gary stripping the original paint and filling and molding the body seams, removing all the chrome trim. The fins were completely reshaped and rounded. The trunk was pancaked and taillight section was reshaped. The style line and indentation for the chrome trim scoop were removed, and lower front doors were rounded. On the front end, the hood and grill opening was extended and reshaped. The lower grille panel was molded to the radiator core support and front fender.  1963 Oldsmobile headlight housings were fitted up front as well as the hand formed aluminum grille. After the bodywork was considered done, and while the interior was begun – it was decided that the top really needed to be chopped, still keeping the 60 Chevy hardtop proportions, and then cutting and fitting all the glass, window and vent frames to work as stock.

After completing the bodywork and lowering the car, the final touch would be paint. Originally it was planned to be candy gold, and after being painted this color the team agreed it just wasn’t right.  The gold color was sanded off and a new direction was pursued that used lots of abalone flake and multiple colors of pearl over white. Rod Powell came in at the end to lay out scallops and flames which were painted on top in a violet pearl color.
https://www.garyhowardcustoms.com/#/1960-chevy-exotica/