Shaquille O’Neal’s famed car collection just got even more extravagant.
According to reports, earlier this month the NBA legend added two custom 1964 Chevrolet Impalas to his garage. And one was built for the water.
On The Water
Shaq commissioned Effortless Motors, his longtime custom shop, to create both vehicles, including an Impala-inspired jet boat.
The traditional lowrider also required extensive modifications to accommodate the 7-foot-1 former NBA star. According to The Autopian, the seats had to be moved eight inches farther back than standard, forcing the shop to create custom interior panels for additional legroom. Effortless Motors has previously modified vehicles specifically to accommodate Shaq’s massive frame.
Shaq often has his vehicles adjusted to accommodate for his height.
Effortless Motors builders had to move the seats about eight inches farther back, requiring custom interior panels because the stock panels no longer fit, according to The Autopian.
The road-going Impala features an air suspension system, a fabric convertible-style roof, a custom sound system, interior and exterior lighting upgrades, and an engraved plaque bearing Effortless Motors’ name and Shaq’s “Diesel Dog Mafia” branding.
The Impala boat is not amphibious. Instead, it is a jet boat with a fiberglass body designed to resemble a 1964 Chevrolet Impala mounted on a marine hull, according to GM Authority.
The boat’s styling was inspired by the Impala driven by Ice Cube in the 1991 film “Boyz n the Hood.”
The Autopian, however, reported that the movie car was actually a 1963 Impala, not a 1964 model.
Before launching the boat, the builders confirmed Shaq fit comfortably in the cockpit, provided him with a 4XL life jacket, and explained that the throttle moves the boat forward while reverse thrust functions as the brakes, according to GM Authority.
The jet boat uses jet propulsion instead of a traditional propeller, allowing it to operate in shallow water, accelerate quickly, maneuver easily, and use car-like controls, according to The Autopian.
The boat recreates many signature 1964 Impala design elements, including quad round LED headlights, a wide rectangular grille, a sculpted hood, a chrome front bumper, full-length chrome trim, large multi-spoke wheels with orange-gold center caps, a convertible-style open cockpit, and a custom trailer that enhances the illusion of a lowrider floating on the water.
Shaq tested the custom Impala boat on Lake Ray Hubbard near his Texas home, where the unusual lowrider-inspired vessel drew attention from onlookers as he piloted it across the water.
Shaq, who has an estimated net worth of $500 million, owns more than 70 vehicles.
Effortless Motors is currently building him another custom Cadillac DeVille.
