Spottedlaurel Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 (edited) Latest completion: AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr WIP thread here: I started with this circa 2015 issue picked up off eBay: AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr It jumped the queue somewhat after I got a can of Rover Sandalwood Beige paintwork and I had an image in my mind after seeing a 1:1 '68 Impala at a show in 2019. Straight bodywork, period colour, stock interior and older-style wheels to keep it subtle(ish), but lowered and fitted with an LT5 from an AMT Corvette ZR-1. Thus turned out to be a much easier swap than when I dropped an LT5 into a '65 Corvette. Wheels are MRC Keystone Klassics with Revell #9 detail painting, fitted with big-and-little tyres from an unknown Japanese kit (probably Fujimi) as I preferred them to the MRC Firestone Wide Ovals. AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I filled the hood vent and shaved the badges to give it a slightly smoother look, otherwise the body is stock. Panel lines were scribed and given a wash of thinned brown enamel paint. AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr This shot makes it look like the rear wheel is a little too far back. I didn't think that was an issue, but after the hassle I had getting it to sit right if that's the worst fault that's apparent then I can live with that. I had a chassis fitment issue which I never fully corrected even after much shaving and trimming of the interior and glass. I lowered it by chopping a scale 2-3" out of the rear coils and swapping the front uprights from side-to-side, which was easy and worked well, accepting that I've lost the connection to the steering arms (but it gives posable steering). AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I went for a tidy, restored look underneath rather than factory primer and overspray. Yes, some of the exhaust system is missing. Getting some material in and learning how to make up/modify a system is something I need to do...... 1:25 AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:25 AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Interior was painted with an automotive can of metallic bronze. AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr The LT5 swap was so easy and there was plenty of room for it, if anything it looks a bit lost in there so I made more effort to use the Corvette's air-con etc. I've fitted the latter's radiator and twin electric fan set-up. If I was doing it again I'd shave all of the moulded-in wires, hoses etc off the inner wings. AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Comparison with the Monogram/Monogram LT5 conversion I did last year. AMT 1967 Chevrolet Impala kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr And a shot with the now-curbside AMT donor kit. It's a real shame I struggled with the fitment issue - I trial-fitted lots of times, but I just couldn't work out where I was getting the problem. Main source of it seemed to be the front glass, as it was fine up to that point, but it's possible I got the interior side panels in the wrong place before then. Thanks for looking. Edited March 28, 2021 by Spottedlaurel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Driver Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Awesome! Those Keystones are spot on! Nice job integrating the LT5. I like the stock appearance combined with the surprise under the hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleyoung2003 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 nice looking!!😍 the color is so right!👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Very nice Impala! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classicgas Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rbray47 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Awesome build. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plowboy Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Nice looking Impala Nigel! I really like how the color looks on that body! I wasn't sure how the Keystones would go with the LT-5. But, they really suit the look it has. Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonhawk1066 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Great job on the Impala! Nice mix of old school (wheels), and new school (LT-5 engine) gives it a perfect look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brutalform Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 One sweet looking Impala! The attention to details really paid off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e30lover Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 One clean looking Impala! The wheels and stance just works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 nice work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iSewen Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 Thanks everyone for the kind words! The colour I chose was fairly close to Capri Cream, I saw a really nice example of the Impala in that shade online and I liked the subtle appearance, even if it might have looked sharper in a metallic. I thought it gave more of a sleeper look. 10 hours ago, Dragonhawk1066 said: Great job on the Impala! Nice mix of old school (wheels), and new school (LT-5 engine) gives it a perfect look. 10 hours ago, Plowboy said: Nice looking Impala Nigel! I really like how the color looks on that body! I wasn't sure how the Keystones would go with the LT-5. But, they really suit the look it has. Nice work! On 3/28/2021 at 9:03 AM, Dodge Driver said: Awesome! Those Keystones are spot on! Nice job integrating the LT5. I like the stock appearance combined with the surprise under the hood. I wanted something that was a step back from Pro Touring, keeping the period look but giving it modern(ish) performance and reliability. I wonder how it would go with an LT5? Swapped into something as big and heavy as an Impala might take the edge off its outright performance, and doubtless a period big block could be tuned to give the same power but it might not be as driveable? The LT5 and long gearing would make it into a rather nice long distance cruiser perhaps? I can daydream about using it to cruise around on the USA/Canada road trip I'll probably never take, visiting a few shows, swapmeets etc....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 I admit to wondering about your color choice when you started on this build but looking at it finished I like it better than most I've seen. The stance really looks good with the style of wheels you used. The interior looks great and after overcoming the fitment problems it looks clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMT68 Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Turned out great Nigel as all of your exterior foiling and detail work is very cleanly done. I especially like the detailing of the interior components. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeakDoc Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 That’s special. Gorgeous work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Beautiful and cleanly built Chevy! Nice touch on the keystones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Looks great Nigel, well built Impala.👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doorsovdoon Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Beautiful looking Impala, I really like that plain beige stock look. Loving those wheels, very nice job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 Thanks everyone! 11 hours ago, doorsovdoon said: Beautiful looking Impala, I really like that plain beige stock look. Loving those wheels, very nice job. On 3/29/2021 at 3:35 PM, espo said: I admit to wondering about your color choice when you started on this build but looking at it finished I like it better than most I've seen. The stance really looks good with the style of wheels you used. The interior looks great and after overcoming the fitment problems it looks clean. I'm not entirely sure where the beige paint idea came from - although it's close to Capri Cream that's not a colour I knew about beforehand, and the 1:1 Impala I saw was white. I think it was just the ability for the beige to give it the sleeper look. I'm really pleased I found these Keystones, just wish I had another set or two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATHU Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Looks absolutely amazing Nigel, great job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Very nice Impala Nigel! The first photo could easily fool you that it’s a real car. I must admit, “old man tan” wouldn’t have been my first choice, BUT, it looks awesome on there. Beautiful clean build all round, and excellent photos too. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete75 Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Wow, those are some real American beauties there! Just went through your WIP thread to find out how you did all your excellent bright work. Love the trick of flat clear coating the kit chrome - definitely going to use that one; as for the BMF, I'm going to have to take classes as I can't even peel it off the backing right!! 100% agree with the horizontal-only-lines on the grill. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrucha Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Very sharp. Nice work on the engine swap. The Keystone mags look nice on this car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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