1958 Impala glue bomb rebuild, rat rod style

[fun9c1]

I hadn't planned on getting involved in this enough to do a WIP, but it started to consume me. I need some paint for the interior and a teeny drill for the plug wiring before I can go much further, so all I can do now is type about it!

I got this on ebay for $8, shipping included. It was a textbook gluebomb. Tons of glue and no paint except for the engine which was red (that went into the purple pond after dissassembly and is now the correct orange). A complete car except for the front bumper, steering wheel, and radiator hoses. The first 3 pics shows how it was when I got it.

I decided on a rat rod look since it was missing these parts and had so much glue (and racing seats and faux air scoops on the side... with tons of glue holding them on...). I saw a pic online of a '53 Ford Victoria, lowered with nice paint all around except for the hood and the tops of the front fenders which were rusty due to sanding down with a Makita grinder. It had steelies and wide whites. I loved the look and that's what I headed for with this (also going for the "roof and wheels are the only decent paint" look).

I won't narrate every step of the way, but right now what's left off the top of my head is some engine detailing, addition of some scratchbuilt fenderskirts that are in the works (one done, one to go), and the interior. I had to scratchbuild the kingpins since the originals broke, and were the wrong ride height anyway. It now has poseable steering, which I discovered makes a huge difference in realism. It also has aftermarket resin Dodge steelies on front that I bought for my "SuperBee ElCamino", but the originals broke around the rim, so I stole 'em for this.

Oh yeah, I decided that the "original color" is Anniversary Gold Metallic, which is now evident in the engine bay and door jambs which is the first time I've tried that particular detail. I've done my share of painting my 1:1 cars quick and dirty back in the day without regard to painting anything that required opening any hinged stuff. That's what the 1:24 owner of this one did.

Planning on some "nose art" on the doors and maybe the trunk.

Hope you enjoy the look. Comments and criticism are welcome.

Edited April 30, 2015 by fun9c1

[fun9c1]

[fun9c1]

[Outlaw_Pitbull_0411]

Looks aawesome hope you don't mind me saying I think the front steelies should be black too jus my opinion, the car is definitely ol'skool I dig it

[fun9c1]

Alot of time has been spent with not alot of visual progress... but I've sanded off the door trim and drilled out for the fastener holes, used some grey, black, and red primer, and a combination thereof with some thinner, now drying in preparation for some "nose art". The hood is in the ol' purple pond and I'm thinking some flat black to match the rear, and some type of rat-rod-in-your-face type of CI or HP callout.

[David G.]

Looks Cool!

David G.