60 Chevy Impala

[Oldmopars]

Some time back I got this kit from the Goodwill for $6. It looked OK at the store, but when I got it home I found that it was a partial glue bomb with a few parts missing. The person who had it had glued the engine together with too much glue and done a poor job and even glued the water pump on up side down. The truck insert was held in with a massive glue blob that left a huge chunk behind when I pulled it apart. The front suspension was partly missing and the rear diff was gone. Other than these things the kit was all there and unassembled.

I was able to get the front suspension parts I needed from another member here. (Thank you gardnerpag44) However I did not know I was missing the rear diff at the time. So, I dug through my parts box and the only diff I have is for a 80's Ford T-Bird. So, I cut out the center and put it in the Chevy axles. I know, I know, sacrilege. But, it fits and looks fine.

Due to the trunk plate being destroyed and the fact that the kit has a spare tire well, but the tire is sitting flat in the trunk, I cut out the floor and removed the spare, then will remount it over the spare tire well molded into the base.

I am dropping the ride height and putting on some Torq Thrust style wheels from another kit. I am going for a mild custom-daily driver type car. Paint as of right now will be a red lightly sprayed over a silver base to get the Candy look. I did it with blue on my 359 Pete and I loved the look. Interior will remain factory with the red check pattern.

Overall, I am very impressed with the quality and details in this kit. A very well done and fun kit to build. The details are really amazing even with the few flaws it has. 

Anyway, here is the start.

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by Oldmopars

[Rider]

Sounds like a dogs breakfast. Good luck with it, looks pretty good so far.

[Johnt671]

I gotta build one of these some day.

[Oldmopars]

Well I found more parts missing. No carburetors, no air cleaner and only left side exhaust. So, it is getting the carbs from a MPC corvette as well as the air cleaner and I think I will have to convert to single exhaust, or try to find a set of Lakes pipes.

Its too bad so many parts are missing or ruined, it is a really nice kit.