Search the Community

Next month I will have had this model in my possession for 50 years. This model is not a contest winner. It's not even a rare kit, except it's the AMT 1964 Impala convertible version that has never been re-issued since 1964. However, it is the oldest kit that I have and built by me when I was 9 years old. I got it on a trip to the North Shore Mall in Peabody, MA from a store called Jordan Marsh. I remember having lunch with my mother and playing with the parts while waiting for the food to arrive. This was August of 1964. Originally, it was brush painted testors turquoise on the body and white top. The lights used to work, but no more. I glued the up top on and probably used too much glue around the windshield. I rebuilt it in the early '70s. It was kind of a mess. The glass didn't come out easily. I ruined the cowl and the windshield frame and visors. The 409 engine lost pieces. I went to the local 5 & 10 where they had the 1969 re-issue of the '64 Impala. It was gone. They tried to get another, but no dice. I repainted and glued the convertible back together as best as I could. I was stuck with the up top and I decided to tint the windshield to hide the glue marks. I don't know where I found a '65 Chevelle wagon, but I robbed the 327 V8 and stuck it in the engine compartment. I painted it a gold lacquer color like the Chevy Autumn Gold. AMT's T408-225 '64 Impala kit arrives after I fixed this old convertible in 1972. Before that, it was about impossible to find a '64 Impala kit. Speed up to 1990 and this old Impala convertible was rebuilt again. This time I decide to make it look like a brand new Chevy I saw at the dealership. It was yellow with a black roof. Had no wheel covers as they were stored in the trunk until the sale to the customer. I BMF this job unlike before. Third and last time working on this model. It has been stored in a box since 1990 along with original instructions and a childhood sketch from the '60s.

G' Day folks, Built this not long after the kit was released. One of my all time favourite kits, so I decided to give her a tidy up and blow the dust off ! My skills in my opinion were okay back then, no BMF, just a paint pen for the trim and no engine details ! Planning on building another one with updated engine etc. Of course, this one is a 'sleeper' Cheers Ray

So yesterday I bought a new camera and have been practicing taking photo's. This is one of my favourites and I thought it deserved new photo's. Nick