1962 Chevrolet Impala SS

[bisc63]

2 hours ago, Bob Ellis said:

It was better than the 283, except on gasoline. 

Sounds about right. My dad once had a 4-door hardtop 62 with a 327, and years later I got a 63 Biscayne with a 283-2 barrel-Powerglide combo, and he was surprised at how economical it was for me compared to his old car, but it wasn't a powerhouse by any means. I miss that car (my first that actually ran).

[Mike F.]

Thank you all for the 1962 Impala history.

I could talk at length about my previous cars. However, back to the build......

Been working on the interior color scheme and went with two-tone, as will be the body. I may do a flat clear over the dark blue to tone down the shine a bit. Still needs some touch up (I shake a bit).

Foil has some issues, but it's on. I'm done messing with it. I unfortunately have a batch of the "non-stick" variety. Was a pain, but finally developed a method of using an Elmer's glue stick to apply very light glue coat to the plastic where I wanted the foil to stick, let it dry for a bit and then applied the foil. After some time more for glue drying, I cut the foil and removed excess. Seemed to work well. Probably even better for someone who does not shake.

Comments, advice and criticisms welcome.

Mike

 

[bisc63]

Hey, that interior is looking nice, and your patience with the foil is really paying off. My only critique would be the shine of the "carpet", do you plan on flattening that?

[Mike F.]

3 minutes ago, bisc63 said:

Hey, that interior is looking nice, and your patience with the foil is really paying off. My only critique would be the shine of the "carpet", do you plan on flattening that?

Thanks. Yes, agree. Planning to cover with clear flat. Might play with adding slight amount of green food coloring to it.

[bisc63]

6 minutes ago, Mike F. said:

Thanks. Yes, agree. Planning to cover with clear flat. Might play with adding slight amount of green food coloring to it.

Good idea with the added coloring, carpet is never perfectly color matched to upholstery, and looks toy-ish when it is. Loving this '62 build!

[slusher]

very sharp interior colors..

[Mike F.]

Finished up the dashboard. Turned out ok. Had a bit of trouble with circular gauge decals sticking to chromed plastic, but they are there.

[slusher]

nice dash detail..

[Mike F.]

Had some time over the weekend.

Interior is complete.

Edited August 3, 2021 by Mike F.

[Mike F.]

Decided to add a bit of color to the rims, to ge with my color scheme. Used some blue food coloring with some clear coat.

[AMT68]

8 minutes ago, Mike F. said:

Used some blue food coloring with some clear coat.

Thanks for sharing the tip. I'll have to experiment for myself. 

Great  detail work on the interior. 

[bisc63]

1 hour ago, Mike F. said:

Used some blue food coloring with some clear coat.

Well that just worked beautifully; looks exactly like anodized metal! Now I wish you would have brought some of that accenting into the interior with all that chrome! Oh well, next time maybe...

[Mike F.]

9 hours ago, AMT68 said:

Thanks for sharing the tip. I'll have to experiment for myself. 

Great  detail work on the interior. 

Thanks

[Mike F.]

7 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Well that just worked beautifully; looks exactly like anodized metal! Now I wish you would have brought some of that accenting into the interior with all that chrome! Oh well, next time maybe...

Thanks , actually toyed with doing some of the dash chrome, but decided no.

[Mike F.]

After much consternation, a bit of swearing and some perserverance, I got the interior tub onto the chassis, along with some firewall items and the cross member with radiator, hoses, etc.

One of my plug wire brackets took a beating though. I'll try to fix it.

[Mike F.]

Got the lower half of the body painted over the weekend. I'm going to try and do BMF for the chrome trim that separates the lower and upper halves, then use clear with blue tint for the stripe, as I did with the wheel hubs.

[TooOld]

Beautiful work Michael !  Love that 409 and your interior looks great , this is going to be one fine looking '62 !

[Mike F.]

7 hours ago, TooOld said:

Beautiful work Michael !  Love that 409 and your interior looks great , this is going to be one fine looking '62 !

Thanks Bob, hopefully I can master the foiling and finish this up.

[Mike F.]

Was able to put together the front and rear bumper assemblies this morning.

Anyone have any suggestion for removing excess glue from the chrome without destroying the finish?

Unfortunately, I misplaced the license plate initially on the front bumper and left a stain.

[Mike F.]

A little progress.

I got the foiling done on the stripe that separates the upper and lower half.

Not sure if I'll leave it like that or try to paint between the chrome with white.

Also, could not resist a test fit.

[slusher]

Going to be a real beauty when finished..

[FLHCAHZ]

Really coming along nicely. The detail work is most excellent

[David G.]

Wow! I'm glad I found this WIP. 

The detail work on your engine is excellent.

The interior is a knock-out with the color combination and detailing.

Great work so far.

David G.

[Mike F.]

Thanks for the kind words all.

I finished the window trim foiling. Turned out OK, considering my propensity towards shakiness ?

I'm glad the 1:1 cars have no fender well edge chrome. Think I'd have had a nervous breakdown.

[oldscool]

Looking good! Not downing your work at all but the side trim on this kit has always bugged me because it sags in the middle. When I build mine I'm sanding the side trim off.