1959 Impala kustom

[KanelKustoms]

This is the project I chose to dig out of the pile of unfinished projects. It’s been sectioned and other mods. I had the convertible kit also, it’s donating parts lost through the years 

[Misha]

The sunken antenna passing thru the horizontal fin is very kool, great ? look. Be following your build Gary.

Cheers Misha

[NOBLNG]

2 minutes ago, Misha said:

The sunken antenna passing thru the horizontal fin is very kool, great ? look. Be following your build Gary.

Cheers Misha

Yeah, I like it too! And you probably don’t see many of these getting sectioned.

[Sam I Am]

1 hour ago, KanelKustoms said:

This is the project I chose to dig out of the pile of unfinished projects. It’s been sectioned and other mods. I had the convertible kit also, it’s donating parts lost through the years 

A good friend sent me a text of this car awhile ago.  I think he sent you a pic of my Elcamino. Love what you're doing with it. 

[Modlbldr]

Gary, 

Good to see you and your work on here. It looks great and I can't wait to see what you do with it.

16 minutes ago, Sam I Am said:

A good friend sent me a text of this car awhile ago.  I think he sent you a pic of my Elcamino. Love what you're doing with it. 

Yeah Sam. This is the Impala that I sent you photos of and I sent Gary pics of your El Camino.

Later-

[espo]

This is a great kit and I enjoyed building a couple also so I'll be watching . I have a question about the changes to the front frame clip. The blue plastic looks like it is narrower than the kits white plastic ? With the section work done on the body, and this basic car was pretty low anyway, are you going to have any conflict between the hood and the engine ?  

[NOBLNG]

Is this the Monogram kit? I have one that I have not opened, but heard there were some issues with it?

[Modlbldr]

Gary,

Not sure how  you're sitting for parts for this but I have some spares. Let me know if there is anything you need for your build.

Later-

[KanelKustoms]

22 hours ago, espo said:

This is a great kit and I enjoyed building a couple also so I'll be watching . I have a question about the changes to the front frame clip. The blue plastic looks like it is narrower than the kits white plastic ? With the section work done on the body, and this basic car was pretty low anyway, are you going to have any conflict between the hood and the engine ?  

Hey Espo, so yeah great point! I rarely get it right the first time... originally I just lopped off the tops of the fender wells. After getting back into it I discovered this actually caused more trouble with fitting everything else. Now the firewall didn’t fit, radiator assembly wouldn’t work without mods, etc etc. I decided ultimately to cut it loose and use the spare front assembly and sink it down over the frame 

The engine fit is a HUGE deciding factor on the rest of the build. Personally, I would rather the engine remain hidden in the bay. I think...

Hidden, the car can keep a heavy look. If it needs to protrude through hood so be it. BUT, it’ll be a more hot rod lighter feel to it. I have a feeling it will be a blurred line between kustom and hot rod. Which is fine, as long as blurry and confusing don’t clash. 
 

Working on that step now to determine what happens next 

[OldNYJim]

Great start!  I too love the antennas coming through the fin!  Way cool!

[Modlbldr]

Gary,

Not sure it would fit with your style of build but what about a 90's Chevy TPI setup. May be lower in height to give you clearance.

Later-

Edited December 22, 2020 by Modlbldr

[misterNNL]

On 12/22/2020 at 9:16 AM, CabDriver said:

Great start!  I too love the antennas coming through the fin!  Way cool!

That's a real period correct modification as many real '59 and '60 Chevs had their tail fins pierced like that in the '70's.

Edited December 23, 2020 by misterNNL
My kindle thinks it knows what I'm trying to say.

[OldNYJim]

1 hour ago, misterNNL said:

That's a real period correct modification as many real '59 and '60 Checks had their tail fins pierced like that in the '70's.

Huh!  Didn’t know that!  Every day’s a school day!

[KanelKustoms]

 Strictly mock up. I have decided it will definitely be a blend of styles (period correct) between low rider, kustom, and hot rod. 
 

Super fun using parts pack pieces from the 60s for the wire wheels and some old tires I have had for who knows how long. Firestone Super Sports F70-15 near as I can tell 

Thanks to Dennis McPhail for the background artwork and inspiration 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2020 by KanelKustoms

[gotnitro?]

Looking good   ! I'm starting my 59 next week really like the direction you went 

[Bernard Kron]

Serious kustomizing going on here! I dig the deeply sculpted fins!

[KanelKustoms]

It takes me a long time to make a little progress. Originally debated trying to keep the engine under the hood but decided to let it be part of the overall design feel. Moved the engine forward and down a little so the air cleaners just peek out. 
 

Big steps in fitting the rest of the puzzle together 

[slusher]

Good looking project so far.  

[speedy5963]

Liking the looks of this, looking forward to following

[KanelKustoms]

Moving forward at a glacial pace, wanted to share a little progress. Albeit still very rough around the edges some visions in the head are coming to reality. 58 Edsel grill surrounds fitted with lenses from the 65 Riviera kit. 57 Desoto grill with extended ends.

The grill section is a separate piece and will be chromed. Nothing in stone yet but I kinda like it 

Cut, fit, sand, fit, do it over, I don’t get a lot of time to play but I enjoy it 

Edited February 11, 2021 by KanelKustoms

[Spex84]

Well, well, well! Now that's a fresh front-end treatment, but using entirely traditional and period-appropriate parts! Well done ?

[bisc63]

This is coming together nicely; digging the period-correct approach. Going to pancake that hood?

[espo]

So the Edsel Grills are the hideaway headlights ?? That looks very good. With this and the hood changes the front end looks almost like a '60 year model. Is the front Bumper slotted in the middle ??      

[bisc63]

5 hours ago, espo said:

So the Edsel Grills are the hideaway headlights ?? That looks very good. With this and the hood changes the front end looks almost like a '60 year model. Is the front Bumper slotted in the middle ??      

Check again; the Edsel part is just the headlight surround. The headlights are Riviera units laid horizontally, which I find too cool!

[KanelKustoms]

Some progress, getting ideas from the brain to the plastic. Seems like I always take the hardest road to get there...  Several mistakes made and I’m sure more to come but the vision of the back of this thing is coming about. Tail lights from stir stick, shaped to mimic the fins. Made a base traced from the master light then wrapped in.010 for the housing. There is an easier way, just don’t know what it is yet. Lots of delicate shapes and curves going on