The car was featured in the 1996 music video, “To Live & Die in LA.”
A 1961 Chevrolet Impala that featured prominently in Tupac’s ” to Live & Die in LA” album has been given a new lease of life by a new owner, who transformed the yellow convertible into an authentic lowrider. The restored car is shown in a new YouTube video by Barcroft Cars that highlights all the modifications made by the owner.
Lloyd bought the car two years ago and had to own it. However, he encountered problems shortly after dropping it off. The transmission failed and the engine of the Impala seized during its first cruise. It was a horrible one-two punch. Lloyd would eventually replace that powertrain and upgrade it from a 238-cubic inch V8 to a 350 CI unit. He paired it up with a 350 Turbo transmission. But that was only the beginning of his modifications.
Tupac’s music video features an Impala, but it’s not a true lowrider. Movie Magic and sandbags were used to achieve this feat. Lloyd made it even lower by adding a hydraulic suspension. The whole setup can be stored in the trunk. This allows the two-door beast to bounce around in the air easily.
The car’s most striking feature is its presence. The car has a bright yellow exterior and a yellow convertible roof. The purple lighting and gold accents on the exterior are a nod to the LA Lakers, the local basketball team. Even the car has custom Dayton 13-inch wheels in gold that are made of gold. The logo is printed in yellow letters instead of traditional red.
The Chevy interior features a custom console, a gold dip steering wheel, purple cabin lighting and trunk lighting, as well as other gold accents to keep the LA Lakers theme alive. Lloyd wanted a rad Impala and that it was not an ordinary car. Lloyd’s story should serve as a reminder that you shouldn’t buy a car unless it is something you truly, deeply desire.