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The only thing that would really be needed to be changed to go with an automatic setup would be the transmission. The kits engine can represent any 396/427/454 engine desired since externally they're all the same save a carburetor setup.

This crew isn't just moving a house, they're moving the whole block.

This is now popping up every time I go on YouTube. I watched the Trucks race and then the finals in the Rally Cars and that jump on the end is beyond funny to watch.

Never thought of that one, but it maybe closer than anything else out there. Might have to lower the profile just a bit but still closer than anything else.

Thanks for the suspension info. That is the same way I'm doing mine, it just looks much lower is why I asked. With the lowering blocks in the back I had to remove the bumper stops on the frame to get the differential to clear. I also cut a little of the front coil springs and bent the lower control arms up a bit. This is a learning curve for me since this isn't the normal style of build for myself. I'm wanting to try something different and I'm basing mine on a car I saw in "Car Kulture De Luxe" magazine. They featured a '48 Convertible in their latest issue. Not to rattle on about my build. Again I really like how yours turned out and I'm going to try that paint treatment on a future build.

Doesn't mater, I'm getting one maybe two if I like the first one.

Beautiful looking finish and I like the lace roof treatment. You mentioned that you went with the lowered suspension. I ask since I have this same model on my work bench now. I followed the kits instructions and a little more for the front for their lowered suspension and it seems to sit a little lower. The upper body chrome trim looks like the kits provided trim. Did you consider the rest of the trim or didn't care for it ? I'm very sorry to hear of your Lanas passing. They can really leave a big hole in your heart when they are gone.

In time this may get reissued but done in a different style. We could always start a rumor but there are enough of those going around anyway.

Thanx, I was thinking that might be the case.

Some of the Chevrolet / GMC pickup kits had camper shells in them. Maybe someone could cast one of those. The shell on the CHP truck looks like it may be metal rather than fiberglass like most shells. I have seen some guys build their own shells using plastic strips and blocks glued together and then sanded to the desired shape.

I like that, especially the paint treatment. Since this could be built as a stock truck also, how did they handle the side window going from the camper shell down into the side of the bed ?

Sounds like you're trying to talk your self into a rebuild. Since you're going to the effort to try and replicate a specific car I would do as much research as you can into the true color of that car. What ever you do please share it with us.

This car had plenty of patina inside and out. You should try and see if they have a rerun so you can get a better idea of what it looks like. I thought it was kinda cool as it sat so low that the bell housing was actually dragging at times. Lots of sparks and dust. I just can't believe these guys are getting paid for this stuff. Where did I go wrong in life ?

I was watching a program last night on the Motor Trend or Hot Rod channel depending on what they're calling them selves this week. This was an adventure with Finnigan and they were doing hot laps on a dirt clay track with the old Road KIll Monte Carlo on a NASCAR chassis and a Dodge Charger, a '68 I think, that was built as a race car but never got to the track. They had some how gotten the Charger licensed and they were running against each other. The Charger didn't have the wing and the front end didn't have the nose cone but was sort of a home grown wire mesh tube bumper affair. The interior was gutted with two serviceable seats but everything else was race car all the way. Just an idea or maybe use parts of it.

Sorry to hear that. I'm guessing you have an inside track on such things, but I think you can see why I would think that. I hope this kit does well for them so they may consider similar offerings in the future. I think a wagon, almost any wagon would be a financial success for them in the future based on what I perceive is a pent up demand.

looks great.

That looks great from that angle, and it is obviously well put together, but it's still what it is.

Since they have already done so much basic ground work with this Impala my thoughts are that a '67 Impala would be the next logical offering for a wagon. I admit this is with much hope on my part but at this point it wouldn't take as much work as starting with some other two door hardtop to base a wagon off of. They have reissued the '65 Chevelle to the point it may not be selling as many as they like. A couple of options to think about would be : '62 Bel Air, '62 Pontiac Catalina, '69 Chevelle, '60 Ford, '66 Fairlane just to name a few. Round 2 has the rights to the AMT Library and hopefully the molds to go along with it. I would also like to see a '58 Impala Wagon. I had a neighbor who had one when I was growing up and I just always like the looks of that car.

I appreciate everyone sharing their pictures of the new "Baby". Since I haven't gotten one yet it is hard to give a true impression of any part of this new kit. A couple of observations based only on what I can see in the pictures. A little flash on the first run of kits I think has already been explained well. The colored plastic issue has always been that, an issue when they use colored plastic. I think most builders here would be painting their builds anyway. The seat design, looks mostly like the car used in the series based again on the photo. This is not a stock Impala seat material pattern but it does match the car in the series. Spruslayer's photo shows the section of the roof that many have pointed out as being different from the 1:1 car. Also mentioned with pointers in his photo toward the wheel openings and mentioning the presents of flash. This may well be, but it looks as if they have included the wheel opening moldings in that area. I guess I'm sort of a glass half full type in that I'm glade it is finally here and it doesn't look like it would take much to make a showroom type build out of it. Beyond that a builder would have to be changing things around anyway to make it into what ever they are wanting to build. My first one will be a showroom type build and the next one will depend on the mood at the time. I think we all owe Round 2 a big think you for doing this in the first place.

Great looking pickup.

This has held up well for all those years and obviously was well built back then. Like you I built and still have the little Fairlane I built when they first came out. The only real problem I recall was the Wheel Backs set the tires to far out and didn't clear the inner fenders well. Maybe it was just the builder at the time. I like the color combination you used on yours.

The clean finishes thru out this build really make it stand out. Way back when many Oldsmobile dealers ordered their stock inventory with Luxury type 442. I think to many of them didn't know from a 98 from a Cutless let alone a 442.

I like the style of the way you built this. Great looking paint work.

Beautiful looking Impala. Perfect back ground story as to it's life. You could of always built another, but it just wouldn't have the same significance as this.

See if you have or can get Revell's '66 El Camino or '67 Chevelle kits. Both would have an OEM set of bucket seats and the consol. The '67 Chevelle SS396 kit also has the optional instrument panel with the factory optional gauge package.