This January’s Super Bowl will forever be remembered for its Half Time Pepsi ad. Dubbed “The Call”, the three-minute video, which had F. Gary Gray in charge brought together names like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, and Kendrick Lamar. It mixed the performers’ legendary tracks (Rap God”, “The Next Episode”, “Still D.R.E.”, “Family Affair”, “HUMBLE”, and “California Love”) while featuring some stellar rides. And one of those machines is the 1959 Chevrolet Impala lowrider that Snoop drove, which actually belongs to former NBA star Chris Mills, who’s always happy to showcase his ride.
On his full name Christopher Lemonte Mills, the player enjoyed ten NBA seasons starting 1993, with this part of his career allowing the then-in-his-20s athlete to fulfill the lowrider dreams he had throughout his teenage years in Los Angeles.
Now 52, Chris hasn’t stopped enjoying the lowrider life, as he’s a member of the Self Made LAX Car Club. This keeps him hopping on hydraulics when he’s not cruising in LA behind the wheel of high-tier machines ranging from Bentleys to Lamborghinis.
He’s had this ’59 Impala for many years and has been savoring the Convertible in its current The Mothership custom form for no less than eight years.
The highly desirable Gen II Impala
More than six decades ago, the car industry was completely different to today’s streamlined, platform-sharing scene. So, while the Impala debuted as Chevrolet’s flagship sedan for 1958, the 1959 model year brought a second generation featuring a new X-frame chassis, with this only being produced through 1960.
However, with a lower, wider stance, a more generous wheelbase and an extra dose of extroversion as far as the design is concerned, it’s not difficult to understand why the second-gen Impala Chris driver is so popular.
Lowriders and luxury/exotics aside, the ex-NBA player is also a muscle car enthusiast. Thus, the tech side of his Impala far exceeds the capabilities of the 13-inch tires wrapped around those eye-catching Zenith wire wheels.
North of the firewall, we find a 383 ci (6.3L) stroker V8, which sends its power to the rear wheels via a 700R four-speed auto and a built Ford 9-inch rear end.
To answer the obvious question: yes, it can get some respectable air time and we’re not talking TV appearances
As Chris explains in the AutotopiaLA video below, The Mothership has grabbed the laurels at multiple car shows. However, the main purpose of this Chevrolet is to be driven, albeit on three axes.
“It’s not a big hopper, but it definitely works. And when they say it works, that means it’s pretty hot. So, The Mothership is pretty damn hot!” the enthusiast explains with a huge smile on his face.
While telling us all about The Mothership, Chris also shows some photos he took back in the day and we couldn’t help but notice a seventh-generation Impala SS 91994-1996) in the background, with such a machine having recently lapped the Nurburgring.
PS: We couldn’t publish this story without adding the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show ad, so you’ll find this in the second video below.
