Batch build: "Big Girls Need Love Too"

[Bills72sj]

Worked on the bumpers that needed it.

Grand Prix bumpers black washed and red washed.

65 Bonneville front bumper had bad chrome, too much flash and ugly parting lines on the sides. Did some sanding and dechroming is in process.

2+2 Merged tail panel and bumper dechromed. Tail light lenses shortened and modified.

Debating if I want to remove parting line on front bumper which has decent chrome.

66 Bumpers seem to acceptable for now.

[espo]

With the attention to details that you are doing on these builds you might as well correct the bumpers as well. 

[Can-Con]

On 11/28/2022 at 6:43 AM, Roggan said:

Now I'm dying to build a replica of my Parisienne. I have the 2+2 model and need a 65 Impala for engine and chassis.

Unfortunately, you're also going to need a Grand Prix body and do a roof transplant. 

When AMT did the 2+2, they didn't do a correct body. They just changed the trim on the Bonneville body, which is too long for a 2+2 or a Parisienne. 

[Bills72sj]

13 hours ago, espo said:

With the attention to details that you are doing on these builds you might as well correct the bumpers as well. 

I am doing just that with what my progressing skillset allows.

[Bills72sj]

11 hours ago, Can-Con said:

Unfortunately, you're also going to need a Grand Prix body and do a roof transplant. 

When AMT did the 2+2, they didn't do a correct body. They just changed the trim on the Bonneville body, which is too long for a 2+2 or a Parisienne. 

I understand. It is not worth the effort for me at this time. I will just live with the excess wheelbase.

[Bills72sj]

Inspired by Steve G., I am going to attempt to modify the bucket seats like he did. They will never be seen in the finished models but at least I can get the practice in on these. The 1st two pics are what Steve has done with his. The last 3 are the start of my attempt(s).

[Bills72sj]

Continuing with all 4 interior bits. Erased (sanded and scraped) window cranks from interior tubs. Going to create window cranks from craft store bits. Modified all the seat bases to properly tuck in. Fabricated shifters with boots for three of the 4-speed shifters.

[Bills72sj]

I did some research online to find that all three of the 65 consoles are a poor excuse of an automatic transmission console. They sit too low, do not have the proper amount of forward drop and do not have enough material to reach/attach to the bottom of the dash.

Besides I am going all 4-speeds which means they are all wrong to begin with. I have started to fabricate new consoles from some styrene I-beam. I am going to create the shifter porch/surround from unused Bonneville custom grille(s).

Below is a rough mock up of where I am headed. I just need two more custom grilles to cut up.

[Bills72sj]

Cut the last of the I-beam pieces to make the 3rd console. (My prototype was too short). The depth and width of the top looked like a popsicle stick would fit. Turns out with a little sanding it does. Now I can actually have genuine wood veneer to replicate the real wood veneer Pontiac used on the GP and Bonneville. The 2+2 will be matt black. I am still praying someone (or two) have unused custom grilles to help me create the other two shifter surrounds.

 

[StevenGuthmiller]

Looks like you're coming along pretty quickly.

A lot faster than I usually can muster.

 

Here's what I did to transform my '67 Bonneville console from an automatic to a four speed.

 

The '67 console was molded to the tub floor, so in short, I ground a notch in the side, sanded and filled the automatic detail, redid  the wood grain, and added a shift gate cut from a Revell '66 GTO console.

It came out pretty nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

Edited December 15, 2022 by StevenGuthmiller

[Bills72sj]

On 12/14/2022 at 10:07 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

Looks like you're coming along pretty quickly.

A lot faster than I usually can muster.

 

Here's what I did to transform my '67 Bonneville console from an automatic to a four speed.

 

The '67 console was molded to the tub floor, so in short, I ground a notch in the side, sanded and filled the automatic detail, redid  the wood grain, and added a shift gate cut from a Revell '66 GTO console.

It came out pretty nicely.

 

Steve

Steve, Thank you for sharing this example. I am hoping to get my interiors to look half as good as yours.

[Slotto]

Looking good Bill. Great idea using the popsicle sticks

[Bills72sj]

10 hours ago, Slotto said:

Looking good Bill. Great idea using the popsicle sticks

Steve, Thanks. Hopefully I can get the coloring correct.

[StevenGuthmiller]

4 hours ago, Bills72sj said:

Steve, Thanks. Hopefully I can get the coloring correct.

 

Looks pretty close to the same color wood used in the '64 Bonneville that I'm working on.

I just used Testors "Wood" with a little brown dry brushed on, and a coat of clear gloss.

 

 

 

Steve

 

 

[Bills72sj]

22 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

 

Looks pretty close to the same color wood used in the '64 Bonneville that I'm working on.

I just used Testors "Wood" with a little brown dry brushed on, and a coat of clear gloss.

Steve

Thanks Steve. I actually have some of the Testors "wood" paint. Since I actually have real wood, I am going to experiment with a bit of brown wash and clear coat to see if I can make my real wood LOOK like real wood.

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, Bills72sj said:

Thanks Steve. I actually have some of the Testors "wood" paint. Since I actually have real wood, I am going to experiment with a bit of brown wash and clear coat to see if I can make my real wood LOOK like real wood.

Instead of a brown wash. I'd go with wood stain.

 

 

 

Steve

[Bills72sj]

On 12/17/2022 at 11:03 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

Instead of a brown wash. I'd go with wood stain.

Steve

Hmmm... I will have to look around to see if I have any.

[Bills72sj]

Made some progress finally. Fabricated 3 consoles which took about 3 weeks of free time. I got them in chrome paint today. Also fabricated the two 356hp Tri Power air cleaners with parts box pieces and some aluminum tubing.

[doorsovdoon]

Nice work. I love these mid 60's Bonnies, beautiful styling!

[Bills72sj]

Finished up the consoles for the 65s. They turned out better than could have hoped. The spray on chrome is nice (and durable), the real wood inserts came out ok and the shifters look natural. Too bad they will be hard to see in the finished product.

[Bills72sj]

I have been plugging away at these. I finished them all yesterday. Under glass hopefully soon.

[Kah puts]

Thanks for giving joy to all Pontiac enthusiasts ??