Don Nicholson's '61 Chevrolet Impala OS/S

[W-409]

This is a project I started originally in 2009 and finally finished it yesterday.

For 1961 Nationals at Indy, NHRA announced a new class that was called Optional Super Stock. Optional Super Stock allowed normal Stock class entries to use recently introduced parts and equipment for 1962 model year, or one could run with body / engine combination that wasn't available straight from the factory showroom, if the vehicle was otherwise Stock legal. Also, a hood scoop was allowed.
Don Nicholson modified his '61 Impala to run in the new OS/S class, so the 1961 409 engine with a single four barrel carburetor was rebuilt with a 1962 setup with dual Carter carburetors, cylinder heads and a camshaft. Nicholson won the class final against The Ramchargers, but was unfortunately disqualified because of prohibited valve springs...
The Optional Super Stock class was short-lived, it was replaced in 1962 by the newly introduced Factory Experimental category, which became really popular.


I wanted to build this model to match the car Nicholson drove at Indy in 1961. It is based on a Lindberg kit, which represents the version of the car that Nicholson drove at the early 1961 season, so I had to do some modifications. The kit is not the most detailed one, but it's actually not bad either, here I tried to fix some of its' biggest problems.

Engine was replaced by one that I took out of an AMT '62 Bel Air built-up. It is a better detailed version of the 409 than what you get in the Lindberg box, but it also has the correct 1962 model year parts. Most notable modifications are headers that I scratchbuilt from plastic rod.They are built using a picture of the 1:1 car engine bay as a reference. Carburetors are 3D printed Carters by an unknown supplier, ignition coil and valve cover breathers were scratchbuilt and the incorrect placement of the generator was fixed by modifying the belt drive. Other than that it's mostly out of box, with just some added details like plug wires, throttle linkage, fuel lines, generator wiring etc.

On chassis I replaced wheels and tires. Front tires are from, I believe, Revell '58 Impala, rear tires are from AMT Parts Pack and wheels are resin cast by a friend of mine. I had to modify the way the wheels mount on both, front and back, to make them sit properly, and also I lifted the front suspension a little to achieve the stance of the 1:1 car. Other than that the chassis is mostly box stock with added fuel lines, brake lines and scratchbuilt clutch and parking brake linkages.

Interior is mostly box stock. I used flocking for carpet, everything is painted with Revell Enamels, for dashboard I used an airbrush, but everything else is brush painted. Added details are seat belts and tachometer cable.

The body of this kit was pretty good. I had to make lower window trim for rear window from plastic rod, but otherwise no major modifications had to be done. Paint is Tamiya LP-39 Racing White shot with an airbrush, followed by Mipa clear coat and polishing. Chrome trim is BMF, side windows with hand painted class markings are made out of sheet acetate, some body emblems are taken from a MCG photo-etch set. Hood scoop is scratchbuilt from sheet styrene.

It was a fun build and overall the kit went together better than I expected. Like always, I made mistakes on the way, but I can be pretty happy how it looks on the shelf anyway. All kinds of comments are welcome, so I can build the next one better.

If you want to see the WIP-thread, it's here: https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/88260-don-nicholson-61-impala-oss/

 

 

[Hi-Po]

Nicely done!

[Belugawrx]

Enjoyed your build Niko...came out great !

Cheers

[gtx6970]

Like this a bunch

 

I've got the lindberg kit to do this car. Might have drag it out here soon

[6bblbird]

I REALLY appreciate accurate builds of historic drag race cars. You did a terrific job on this one! Thanks for sharing 

[PappyD340]

Super nice!

[JFK]

OUTSTANDING!

[Brutalform]

Nice to see this car under glass. All the tedious work you put into this really paid off. It took a while, but was totally worth it. 

[noname]

Love this.  Well done.

[Maurice Henderson]

Really like this build..It plain,  but has a lot of detail..The engine compartment is really nicely detail..The whole build was brought together to be one cohesive unit..Job well done my friend!!!

[Flatout]

Nice work Nico…all the details work together in making this an outstanding model.

[dragcarz]

Great build Niko, just beautiful! Great detail.

[ChrisR]

Very nice!!

[Mike 1017]

Outstanding. Where did you get the battery post clamps from?

[M W Elky]

You made that lindburg kit look so fine . Well done 

[Rattlecan Dan]

Super-cool! Beautifully done. Amazingly clean.

[Tony Coomer]

Very nice. The detail looks great…

[W-409]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I appreciate it.

On 4/17/2025 at 4:25 PM, Mike 1017 said:

Outstanding. Where did you get the battery post clamps from?

They are from Detail Master's Battery Hardware Kit:

[Old Buckaroo]

Niko - What an Impressive model, Ive really enjoyed following along on this project. I doubted your sanity a few times especially when you did the clutch linkage, and for such a detail you made it look not intimidating.  Top Notch work all the way !!

[catpack68]

Awesome work Niko! Love the detailing and scratch built parts you added.

[bogger44]

An absolute homerun, wonderful build Niko!  Even though it was a long time in the works, it was totally worth it.

[larman]

Excellent work! 

[W-409]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the kind comments!

It was a long time in the making, but honestly most of the time it was just being boxed away for some reason.

I'm happy to have it finished and it looks pretty good on the shelf. Last weekend we had our annual FHRA Model Car Contest which is a show I've been participating every year since 2008. The judges decided this thing was worth a Top Ten finish, which was unexpected, but nice.