'64 Elky kitbash

[Can-Con]

I had this '65 Elky body forever. Bought the kit new back in the very late '70s Probably '77 or '78. Rebuilt once a couple years later with the "never ending line" graphics obviously painted by a 14 year old hand. LOL

all that was left sitting in a box for decades was the parts in the pic. I had been thinking about rebuilding it using the excellent Revell '65 hardtop kit as a donor but didn't seem necessary with the kit being reissued a couple times since then. I also have a re-builder '64 wagon I had toyed with the idea of cutting up for the project but not fond of that idea.

So when the AMT '64 kit was announced, I knew what I was going to do. I think it's time has come.
 

[NOBLNG]

Cool! That looks like something I might have done back in the early 70’s.😎 I wish I had kept the models I built as a youth.

[John M.]

Go for it. 

[keviiin86]

just built the 65 el camino, but I combined the revell 65 chevelle chassis and swapped the whole front clip of the revell body to the amt el camino (looks better to me)

[Can-Con]

Got the old '65 Elky body stripped as well as I could and wet sanded some more off. 

Then I cut it apart down the back line of the door and strait across the roof at the vent windows. Added some strips to the front of the roof and back of the door openings for gluing surfaces.

Did the same cuts with the '64 hardtop body. They fit together pretty well. All the character lines and widths lined up. Only problem was the hardtop doors were a touch thicker but nothing a couple minutes of filing didn't fix.

Got everything lined up and clamped. 

Let it sit for a few hours and now I have a workable body. Needs some cleanup and a bit of un-needed trim removed but I think it looks pretty good.
 

Also modified the chassis plate to use with the Elky body. I could have used the old one but life's a bit simpler starting with fresh plastic, right?

Just needed to trim off the top of the rear wheel wells and some of the large locating posts at the back and it fir right in.

[Leica007]

I like your ideas (I kit bash also), thanks for sharing. I'll keep tabs on your progress. By the way I liked the original artwork you did.

[maxwell48098]

When I worked in a 1:1 body shop decades ago, when we'd splice two totaled Chevelles together to make one good one, we'd always did it at the base of the A-pillars where they'd meet the cowl/firewall.

 

A.J.

[Can-Con]

Well, I have lots of time on my hands for a few weeks so I think I'm gonna try to get this one done while I have time off.

Plan is for a red/orange metallic paint and interior in a similar colour but a bit darker.
Filled the seam in the roof with a strip of plastic melted in the grove with lacquer thinner. I also have been using that as a liquid cement for decades. Works well for me.
After a few days I shot a coat of primer on it and sanded the seam smooth. I think it'll be OK without any filler

Had an old small block from the old AMT '57 Chevy in the parts box for ages. I'll be a good one to put in here after filling the axel holes in the block and notch in the oil pan. Just had to cut the tail off the transmission and she dropped right in.
I'll dig up a nice 4bbl intake and valve covers. I'd like to put some short headers on it , not sure what I can find but I do have a couple sets of rams horns if I cant find anything suitable.

I have one good AMT Ansen Apollo mag that I cast some copies of and will use them on this build. Thought it'll be nice for something a little bit different.

[Can-Con]

Coming together nicely. 
No filler on it yet besides the cut in the rocker panel trim but I will need to fix up where I took the script off the rear 1/4s and tail gate decades ago.

Interior bucket is now cut and a simple bulkhead and package shelf made from sheet stock. I cut the back panel strait across the bottom of the floor instead of cutting the driveshaft hump in as that allows the bucket to sit at the correct height at the back without any extra work.

The underhood area is pretty good for what's basically a curbside but I did add the strips you see on the inside of the fenders under the hood for a bit more accuracy.

Here's a couple mockup shots in primer. A bit more bodywork to do but this is the planned stance with the resin Astro Apollos and BFG tires. I probably will swap those tires out later for white stripes for more of a mid-'60s look.

[dust collectors]

Looking good!

[falcon wagon]

very nice