1962 “Bubble Top” Impala at the Pigeon Forge rod run.

Video blogger ScottieD ran across a 1962 Impala Bel Air Bubble Top street rod at the Pigeon Forge Rod Run this year. Given the name “Street Thunder” by ScottieD, this beauty makes over a 1,000 horsepower, and according to ScottieD, “This is just where the car starts to get good.”

Originally introduced in 1958, the full-sized Impala was totally reworked by the third generation to a more “boxy” style. The sport coupe models featured a “bubble back” roof line that has become known as “bubble top” roofs. In 1962 the Beach Boys produced a hit single, “409,” referring to the Chevrolet, which became an iconic song for the classic Chevy. The 1962 Bel Air 409 “bubble top” was produced in numbers under 650 that year, making it a very collectable car.

632ci custom built engine that produces over 1,000 horsepower on pump gas.

Sadly, the “bubble top” shown in this video is not an original 409 car. Many car owners with the smaller “Turbo Fire” engines replaced their 327ci and 283ci engines with the more desirable 409ci engine when they rebuilt the cars. Happily, this car owner did not. He went full custom and transplanted a 632ci BBC under the hood. When asked how much power it makes, “1,015 horsepower on pump gas,” was his reply. Needless to say, it’s a custom built engine with a Dart block as the foundation.

Claiming to have done all the work himself, Billy – the car’s owner – proudly showed off the work behind the build. He explained that the blue exterior color was an original 2010 Toyota Tundra Truck paint.

Classic interior that is complete with a “cue-ball” shift knob.

The chassis features a NASCAR suspension in the front and rear. The body’s floor has been channeled and sits on top of a homebuilt 2″X4″ custom chassis. Definitely not a first car build for this car owner because this “bubble top” was done right from top to bottom.