1964 Impala

Slacked off on the work for a while but am back on the Impala now. Got the interior modified and completed. Also decided to use some left over old headliner material in my car on the headliner in the model. Completely disproportionate but I thought it was a neat touch. More updates to come. Thanks, TR

Got the car clear coated and am pretty happy with the results. Not perfect but good enough for me. I’ll also have to get some styrene for the side trim as well. Got all the trim on the car painted as well. Now for interior work… Thanks, TR

Thanks for all the kind comments and support. Glad to see I’m not the only one who regularly drives a 64 Chevy. Carrucha, very happy to see I’m not the only one who enjoys this engine and transmission setup in their 64, I thought I might be the last one. More progress has been made on the model, paint stripped SS chrome sanded off, primed and base coat painted. Clear coat comes next and I’ll have to order a 250 straight 6 from mcw. Oddly enough without realizing it I painted the model of my car exactly one year to the day to when I painted my real 64. Any suggestion on what styrene to use for side trim? Thanks, TR

Starting the rebuild of a 1964 Impala. I originally built the model when I was about 9, so it’s glue city. But with revell 64 Impalas being as expensive as they are it’s not too bad. I am hoping to replicate my real first car, a 1964 Impala Sport Coupe. The car has been in my family since new and I restored it with the help of my family over the last 4 years. I now drive the car to high school everyday and it has never let me down. It is a 6 cylinder, “3 on the tree”, with a radio delete. Great grandpa was not a big spender. I now have the model stripped and going into primer. Below are pictures of my real car before and after restoration and with a photo we tried to recreate of the car in 1971 and today. Thanks, TR

Just finished the build to replicate my grandfathers coupe. It’s a 1933 Dodge coupe in real life but since they don’t make a model of that, I went with the next best thing, a 34 Ford. It’s pretty close so I’m happy. Chevy 283 with dual 4 barrels and of course the all important corvette valve covers. I made the nerf bars out of paper clips and the front bumper has an R for Rogers on it just like the real thing.As with all of my models they eventually become slot cars but retain full engine and interior detail. Thanks for looking, TR

Thanks all for the high praise, it is much appreciated. I thought I’d post a video of the Impala on my track for the full effect. Hopefully this works. Thanks, TR IMG_0015.MOV

My most resent completion is a tribute to the 1961 Impala Dan Gurney raced in Britain. I left the numbers off of this car but did go for the white steel wheels. As with all of my completed models I convert them to slot cars but with full interior and engine left in place. This allows me to see the cars in action! Here are some shots of the car as well as a photo of the real car for reference. Thanks, TR

Thanks for responding, which size of styrene do you recommend? Did you also scratch build the gas cap as well? Thanks for the help. TR

Mr. Ellifritt, I was curious how you made the silverado side trim on your model? My brother has a 1977 GMC Sierra Classic which has the same trim, and I was hoping to replicate his truck. Did you lengthen a short bed as well? Thanks, TR

Thanks! I'll have to post updated pictures soon. Stay Tuned. Thanks, TR

I appreciate the replies. I did some research and discovered the the Coca-Cola 1957 Chevy does include fender skirts. Looks like I'll have to pick one up. Thanks, TR

I am hoping to build a replica of my dad's 1957 Chevy which he restored and was wondering which releases of the kit in 1/25 scale include fender skirts? Here is a picture of the of the car I'm planning on modeling. Thanks In Advance, TR

P.S. Just click on the link below the pictures to see the video.

Thanks for all the enthusiasm. This build is nearing the end as I have have mounted the hood, doors and glass. To add another twist to this build I mounted it to a slot car chassis which I do with all my models. Although it differs from regular slot cars because it still includes a full detailed engine and interior. I have included a video of it running around my track and I must say I'm pretty pleased with it. Hopefully the video works. Thanks, TR IMG_4142.MOV

Thanks for all the support and interest! I got the body painted and it turns out paint really never goes bad as long as it doesn't dry out. The paint is far from perfect but I thought it wasn't bad for a first attempt and for the paint being 55 years old. I also pinstriped the body as best as I could. Work Continues... Thanks, TR

Quick update, the engine has been mounted to the frame and the floor has also been painted. The fenders have also been painted and turned out pretty well considering this is my first time painting lacquer. The rims and tires turned out great as well, thanks again to JollySipper who sent them to me. Now to paint the body and I have a special plan for that. First a little background, my grandpa who restored and painted this sedan has been painting cars since about 1965. He even painted my Impala last year at age 80! Anyways when he painted cars he would keep the extra paint. We went out to his house and sure enough on a shelf since 1967 sat the exact paint he used to paint his real sedan. So I will be using lacquer paint that is around 55 years old but the paint shakes fine, so I'm fairly certain the paint will turn out fine. I have included some pictures of my progress and of the paint. Thanks, TR

Thanks for the advice and support so far in the build. School has kept me pretty busy lately but I did manage to get the engine assembled and painted. I also painted the frame and suspension components. The build continues...

Today I finally received my 1931 Model A Sedan in the mail. This will be my first build on the forum and just to warn you, I'm not a perfectionist. I will be modeling my sedan build after my Grandfather's 1929 Tudor which he restored around 1965. He painted the car himself with black fenders, and a two tone body with vagabond green and rock moss green. I do have a surprise for the paint though. So far the engine and transmission are complete and mated. Now ready for painting and back to work...

Thanks for the help, and very nice coupe. Bet that is a quick one with that engine! Thanks Again, TR

Quick update, I have purchased a set of 1971 Impala hubcaps as suggested by Mark, which were pretty close to the base model hubcaps in 64. Now I just need the 1964 Impala model to go along with the hubcaps. The seats shouldn't be a huge problem because my seats are slightly different than the ones posted and should be fairly easy to replicate. I have included a picture of my 1964 Impala which I restored with the help of my father and my grandfather. This car has been in my family since day one and I got it for free from my grandfather who drove it everyday from 1972 until 1991. Needless to say it was pretty worn out. Anyways this is the look I'm shooting for. Thanks For The Help, TR

I hope to eventually replicate my Grandfather's first car, a 1933 Dodge coupe. He hot rodded the car in the 60s by putting a 283 in it, with the all important Corvette valve covers and a 4 speed transmission. He still owns the car to this day. I have searched for a 1/24 or 1/25 model but have come up with nothing. Am I missing something? I thought a 1934 Ford Coupe would be pretty close. Here is a reference photo which is not of his car. Thanks In Advance, TR

Thank you all, looks like I'll have to get to work. Thanks Again, TR

I am hoping to build a base model 1964 Impala to replicate my own car. However they make no kit is not an SS model. I have figured out how to scratch build the side trim but am still at a loss for hubcaps. Has anyone ever made resin or 3d printed hubcaps that would work? The hubcaps should look like this one in the photo for reference. Thanks, TR

Thanks for the trim dimensions, once I get them scaled down and start building I'll make sure to post progress. Thanks Again, TR

This is my other detailed model/slot car mix. This is a 1951 Chevy Bel Air which I modeled after my grandfather's car which he drove to high school. The car runs quite nicely and although it is not fast it sure does look the part. Thanks, TR