Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

'64 Impala


Slotto

Recommended Posts

20170626_180312.thumb.jpg.e0fe7fe59f8e5f

Just for kicks, last night I was looking for something to do while the paint dried so I pulled out an old body I haven't messed with in like 20 years. I wanted to hone my door opening skills. My first door turned out ok, but I know I can do better. So I did my research and went at it.

20170626_165413.thumb.jpg.6358354a6ea5c0

20170626_165358.thumb.jpg.d85f47f5084d95

20170626_165208.thumb.jpg.a104dcdfc100b3

Whatcha think?

Edited by Slotto
fixed images
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20170627_055851.thumb.jpg.1dd1a081f50753

20170627_055858.thumb.jpg.46e6d3a4ba2ba4

20170627_055907.thumb.jpg.b82d294507f565

20170627_055919.thumb.jpg.98db8931790e0f

Got the other side done. I picked up one of those 1mm molotow chrome pens from Amazon and it showed up today. I must say, this is a great little invention. The paint comes out a little fast at times and not at all others. It's a little unpredictable but the finish is great. As you can see it will puddle...

20170628_210446.thumb.jpg.798c14f5a47c2b

Not that big of a deal, just wish that the flow was a little easier to control.

Here's a few instances on the Dodge 330...

20170628_210558.thumb.jpg.0640be9f9f5f0c

Front left fender above the trim.

20170628_210515.thumb.jpg.8b49428a0aac65

On the A pillar by the vent window. Above and below the rain gutter.

Stay tuned...

Edited by Slotto
fixed images
Link to comment
Share on other sites

PB took a dump on me. I'll have to find another photo host and fix the mess left in their wake. I got a lot done on the Impala today. Let's have a look...

20170701_141739.thumb.jpg.81f279971717c8

Loving the chrome pen. Shined up all the dash below the gauges, the bits on the console, rear speaker, the steering wheel and the door cards. Also went at the firewall and hit the wiper motor and cover plate. This pen is amazing! Everything is so shiny! Only got to one side of the exhaust -this was done with silver testors and a brush.

20170701_142715.thumb.jpg.0dfdfec22067a0

Also gave the body a once over with Future over the bright work and they still maintained their shine.

Stay Tuned...

Edited by Slotto
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20170626_180312.thumb.jpg.e0fe7fe59f8e5f

Just for kicks, last night I was looking for something to do while the paint dried so I pulled out an old body I haven't messed with in like 20 years. I wanted to hone my door opening skills. My first door turned out ok, but I know I can do better. So I did my research and went at it.

20170626_165413.thumb.jpg.6358354a6ea5c0

20170626_165358.thumb.jpg.d85f47f5084d95

20170626_165208.thumb.jpg.a104dcdfc100b3

Whatcha think?

do you scribe them through to cut the doors ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

do you scribe them through to cut the doors ?

Yeah, I score the line with the back side of a new #11 blade. You have more control that way. Once you cut it off, clean up the edges of the door/trunk as well as the body then tape it back in place. Then bend yourself up some paperclips and use some small tubing to mount them. Some dudes use brass, I use plastic. Make sure to mount the hoop at the centerline of the new crack you created. Don't mount the hindges backwards or you will do what I did on the '56 Bel Air above.

This may not be the correct way to do things but it worked for me. I guess since its not a scrap body anymore I guess I should clean up the right front quarter...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20170702_123123.thumb.jpg.127713947e4ada

Gettin' some details done. The problem with cameras it that they pick up all the flaws! In real life from 1 foot away it doesn't look this bad.

20170701_193349.thumb.jpg.90d032b3788785

Detailed up the firewall and added the heater hoses.

20170702_123240.thumb.jpg.63f50120b84da7

Tried to make the grille more presentable.

Stay Tuned...

Edited by Slotto
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20170703_090919.thumb.jpg.902eb300eeb46f

Got the dash all buttoned up

20170703_085612.thumb.jpg.33c8b7c79fcddb

I'm planning to make the front wheels poseable. I'm going with these old school wires instead of the white walls above. They were from a '63 I believe.

20170703_090802.thumb.jpg.e78cbce9aec4dc

Engine compartment ready for it's power plant. I added the heater hoses made from ear bud leads.

20170703_090201.thumb.jpg.8424a99cc0ffdf

20170703_090221.thumb.jpg.c41e528cd8ccb5

20170703_090230.thumb.jpg.3ad6f89b9aa0c9

Motor just about ready. I probably should have filled in the hole for the front axle pass thru. I added a 4 barrel from the '66 Chevelle kit and drilled holes for the heater hoses.  Scratch built the distributor from pieces I found at the craft store and added a fuel line and scratched out a filter from some spare chrome tree. Just need to add on the alternator and fan. I want to straighten out those plug wires too.

Still so much to do. I never planned to build this one up. All I wanted to do was hone my door opening skills. The body was already painted gold from 20 or so years ago and for some reason I sprayed flat white on the right front. This car isn't intended to be a show piece and will never be entered into any contest I'm just trying out new things as I go. Getting used to the chrome pen and where to use it and where to foil instead. This is a fun little build.

Stay Tuned...

Edited by Slotto
spelling error
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Build is moving wright along and the engine looks great. Not to be a rivet counter but you might want to rethink the exhaust manifolds. They appear to be small block manifolds on the 348/409 engine. Are these the manifolds from this kit ? The body looks like the Revell issue of the '64 which had a small block engine. If you used a "W" engine from another kit just go back and get those exhaust manifolds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

this is the AMT/ERTL release from 1989. Everything I've built so far has been bone stock except for the wheels and the few engine addons. these are the manifolds which came with this kit. The box says it's a 425hp 409 cubic inch v8

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve, your '64 is looking good. It may be a bit late to mention this..........on GM 1961-64 B bodies, the doors should swing outwards as they were still using a gooseneck hinge for those. I don't think GM switched to inward turning doors till '67-------but those years I mentioned they were still using the platform from '59, and their doors swung outwards (outside the fenders).

Here's a pic of a couple of '61's I have on hand showing how they open................

39.jpg
100_9550_zps6bafe901.jpg

I can certainly understand if you don't want to change up at this point-----It's coming along nicely and the paint is very nice! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Bill. It looks like I did get it right on my '56 Bel Air then afterall. Google image research confirmed it. Huh, sometimes flying by the seat of my pants does work out sometimes...As for the '64, I'm going to leave these doors alone. I was just messing around with my knife to see if I could do it. I do appreciate the positive comments!
If I get to hung up on the details, it would take the fun out of it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

this is the AMT/ERTL release from 1989. Everything I've built so far has been bone stock except for the wheels and the few engine addons. these are the manifolds which came with this kit. The box says it's a 425hp 409 cubic inch v8

Your replay peaked my interest and I had to go dig out an old AMT '64 Impala SS from the stash.  You are correct about the exhaust manifolds being in the kit. There is also some nice headers in the chrome tree. I now think this detail has to do with AMT providing the wrong exhaust manifolds. Mine is an older issue #2203 on the box, the instruction sheet is starting to yellow. The instruction sheet depicts the kits manifolds, although they are incorrect for the engine in the kit. The W engine exhaust ports are at a different angle on the engine than the small block and a somewhat different shape on the 1:1. Also if you look at the engine emblem on the front fenders this is for a 327 cu.in. engine. The cars with the 409 engines would have had the numbers 409 above this emblem on the 1:1  Since they didn't offer any decal to depict this makes me wonder if during the design of this kit years ago AMT was thinking of offering it with the 327 engine instead of the 409. Revell's '64 Impala SS has a 327 engine when it was issued several years later.  All that aside you still have a great looking build going and I only meant well in mentioning something that I noticed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's all good David. Thanks for the complements!

20170704_122059.thumb.jpg.3e2d4850bfd12e

Got the interior installed and included some speakers in the kick panel. They were donated from a diecast.

20170704_122931.thumb.jpg.e0f902903233ce

Got the door closed in and made another wheel change. These are a 2 piece wheel and I don't remember where they came from. I've had them for more than 15 years. They were from my lowrider days. Sorry for the bad pictures.

Home stretch, stay tuned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking good Steve !

I've got those chrome pens, pretty amazing ain't they !  I use BMF for side trim still, you can get a straighter line, and the pens for everything else !  On my Revell lowrider 64 I opened the door similar to you and couldn't fit the dash in, glad you didn't have a problem !  

Its a good idea, a build like this, get some practice opening doors etc and its not the end of the world if you go wrong ! Yours is coming along well, great job on the hinges !

Edited by Lowlife ! !
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's all good David. Thanks for the complements!

20170704_122059.thumb.jpg.3e2d4850bfd12e

Got the interior installed and included some speakers in the kick panel. They were donated from a diecast.

20170704_122931.thumb.jpg.e0f902903233ce

Got the door closed in and made another wheel change. These are a 2 piece wheel and I don't remember where they came from. I've had them for more than 15 years. They were from my lowrider days. Sorry for the bad pictures.

Home stretch, stay tuned.

its looking GOOD. I like the first rims though.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<snip>  On my Revell lowrider 64 I opened the door similar to you and couldn't fit the dash in, glad you didn't have a problem !  

Funny you mention it, I glued the dash down and then test fit the interior and had a problem closing the doors. The door cards were hitting the dash. So I removed a little from both sides of the dash and a little from the kick panels. Then covered all the exposed with red interior paint. You can't tell.

Edited by Slotto
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20170705_201933.thumb.jpg.24f2713b475152

20170705_202038.thumb.jpg.8bfcf75ab035ed

20170705_202050.thumb.jpg.f9b23098abe066

20170705_202104.thumb.jpg.79535593ffe4a6

20170705_202116.thumb.jpg.5970545a7da241

20170705_202131.thumb.jpg.0b6b8c9b454f4e

20170705_202747.thumb.jpg.cc54ddde41c10a

20170705_202250.thumb.jpg.18881971dcf0c4

Almost there...

I found that my hood is warped so I'll have to heat it up to see what I can do with it. I'm not entirely happy with the grille. I want to scrape off the phony molded in headlights and add some clear lenses. And I also want to fill in the area between the seats and the doors and add a sill plate. Maybe bring down the tail pipes (they are molded in)

Stay Tuned...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...