59 Impala correction

[59 Impala]

I am converting this car into a three speed on the tree and no power steering like the one I owned before I was drafted back in 67.  This kit has an automatic and power steering which is wrong for my car, so, it has to be done.  I also need a 4 barrel and manifold for this, but for now I'll keep the three deuces.  I removed the automatic piece from the steering column.  I made the transmission and bell housing with resin, added the clutch and removed the power steering.  Now to finish it and put it back together.

Dan

[espo]

For a single four barrel manifold you might look for an old AMT '58 Impala kit as it offered several carb. setups. The '61 Impala from round 2 would be another source. The Revell '62 Impala kit would offer the best 348 engine with a single 4 barrel and a manual transmission.  The Impala SS has the duel Quads so look for the Impala kit. Your engine and transmission combination reminds me of a friend from long ago who had a very similar car. His was a '60 Impala with the 348 four barrel and a column shift 3 speed. Most of the 348 cars I remember from that time were 4 speed cars. Hope this info can help you with your build.  

[59 Impala]

Thanks for the info David.  I'll keep my eye out for one of those kits.

Dan

[Ron Hamilton]

I love 59 Chevies. I had a red 59 Kiddybird pedal car back in the day. I only wish that I could recover it. I got it Xmas 1959. a friend of mine had a green 58. Dad had just gotten his new red 60 Bonneville a couple of weeks before, after the Turbo glide in his 58 Impala took a powder. He traded the Impala when it was fixed under warranty. I remember the stories he and my uncles told about the Impala.

[59 Impala]

I found a 4 barrel for the 59.  I robbed it from a 57 and the 57 gets the 3 deuces. 

Dan

[BigTallDad]

On 4/30/2018 at 9:43 AM, espo said:

The Revell '62 Impala kit would offer the best 348 engine with a single 4 barrel and a manual transmission.  

Not trying to be contrary....if that particular Revell kit had a 348, the kit is incorrect; in '62 the 348 was replaced by the newly introduced 327...the 348 and 327 had totally different valve covers, an obvious giveaway, so keep that in mind.

Also, the '61 Impala was the only year where the term "Supersport" was a performance option (with a 409); for the next few years, Supersport was a trim option, meaning one could actually purchase a Supersport Impala with a 6-cylinder engine, so don't rely on that term when looking at potential model/donor engine kits.

Edited May 3, 2018 by BigTallDad

[espo]

11 hours ago, BigTallDad said:

Not trying to be contrary....if that particular Revell kit had a 348, the kit is incorrect; in '62 the 348 was replaced by the newly introduced 327...the 348 and 327 had totally different valve covers, an obvious giveaway, so keep that in mind.

Also, the '61 Impala was the only year where the term "Supersport" was a performance option (with a 409); for the next few years, Supersport was a trim option, meaning one could actually purchase a Supersport Impala with a 6-cylinder engine, so don't rely on that term when looking at potential model/donor engine kits.

Thank you for noticing the engine displacement difference. I didn't mention that the kit's I suggested were representing the 409 engine rather than the 348. What Dan was after was a single 4 barrel carb. and intake setup. That was the reason behind my suggesting these particular kits as the parts he would need were in them. I'm aware of the difference in engine displacement, as I have owned a '62 Chevrolet 409, but in the kits the engine appears the same since externally the only difference is the location of the Oil Dip Stick which isn't even in any of the kits. The 1962 Super Sport was a basic emblem option that even dealers could apply to any Impala that they had in stock and often did. The original idea was to highlight the new 409 engine that could he had in any body style you wanted. I had a friend with a Biscayne two door with a 409 4 speed that he raced at the old Lyon's Drag Strip. You mentioned it was possible to get a 6 cylinder Super Sport. I think this would of been from 1962 on, I have never seen one but I have read that a few were in fact were built, although I can't figure out why. This was also true in the Chevelle Super Sport when it was offered in 1964. I have seen one of those with a 6 cylinder, but again why ?

[BigTallDad]

1 hour ago, espo said:

Thank you for noticing the engine displacement difference. 

I'm glad you took the post the way I had hoped.