Sensual Attraction by Rob Fortier
Mike Young's Chic Chevy Impala-Exotica

This may be a debatable subject, but in the eyes of many, Fifties cars were in a way styled with a sensual overtone, a way to attract some of the younger market. To begin with, the automobile is a symbol of stature, or even better, with customs it's a signification of individuality. What better way to attract sex-driven males into buying cars than style them after the human gender they're chasing-women?! Okay, on the other hand, maybe some of you won't really agree, but you have to admit that no other decade of American car production has turned out such lasciviously-shaped pieces of art.

It's pretty obvious where this story's going, as you've no doubt glanced over the photos of Mike Young's beautiful 1960 Chevy Impala - "Exotica." Both Mike (a Texas restauranteur_ and close friend Jimmie Vaughan are visionaries; they see more into the classic American automobile than the average Joe. Vaughan is a tad bit more apt at "visualizing" custom potential in both Fifties and Sixties cats, thus the major influence in the result of the Impala on his behalf. You see, Mike had owned the Chevy for roughly six years, and even once attempted to sell it, before Jimmie successfully convinced him to subject the car to Gary Howard's skillful custom bodywork (Howard is the individual responsible for creating both Vaughan's Riviera and Chevy fastback, and is in the process of yet another period piece in the form of an early Sixties Caddy).