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Editor's note: This is part of a series at KSL.com featuring some of Utah's coolest cars. If you own a customized vehicle — from sports cars to semitrucks — email jormond@deseretdigital.com with a photo of the vehicle and a brief description for consideration.LOGAN — Rudy Garcia and Richard Navarro were high school “homies” in Ogden. They lived a rough life on the streets and bought old Chevrolets for cruising. Rudy bought a 1965 Chevrolet Impala convertible, and Richard had his own Chevy.
The street life eventually caught up with them. Navarro ended up in prison and Garcia overdosed. Navarro lost his car when he was locked up, and Garcia’s car ended up with his uncle. Navarro not only lost his best friend, but other friends and family due to natural and other causes.
After so many losses, Navarro decided to try what he called “the straight way.” He earned his high school diploma while in prison and found a job when he got out.
Navarro also found his friend’s 1965 Impala, an unfinished project that Garcia’s uncle wanted $20,000 for. He convinced “Uncle Ray” to take less than that, and the disassembled project got a new lease on life — like its new owner.
Navarro said the car was already painted but “nature was taking hold of it.” He said he put at least $10,000 into the car at the outset. His uncle did the interior. He found an older Corvette 350 engine and swapped out the original 396 big block — knowing LS engine swaps were popular but wanting to keep things “old school.” He added bigger heads and a bigger cam and a MagnaFlow exhaust (more on that later).
Chrome work was done by Ogden Chrome and Salt Lake Chrome, including the rear end and a lot of the undersides. Navarro said he won first place in his “low-rider custom” class at Autorama, but this is no trailer queen; it is a driver.
The Impala has the chain steering wheel and expensive rims you’d expect on a low-rider, but it also has the original springs and shocks. There are no airbags and no hydraulics. Navarro doesn’t want to beat it up, saying cars are made to be driven and he just wants to enjoy the ride. He loves the sound of his mufflers.
Navarro remembers his friend Rudy with a plaque that says “Rude Awakening” on the car. He remembers but tries to improve on life on the rougher side of Ogden by organizing a cruise every Saturday. He invites people to come to Lorin Farr Park for a barbecue he and his wife supply from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as long as the weather permits. The theme is “respect and unity” as they try to create an environment where people can hang out, interact and enjoy themselves.
Just look for the brown ’65 or listen for the Magnaflow exhaust.
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