mrmike Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) In my quest to do something different, I was inspired by another builder's excellent '67 Impala SS and having this kit in my stash, I decided that I am going to build a...CHEVY!!!!!AUGGGGHHHH!!!!! The world is coming to an end! The sky is falling in! The Earth has stopped spinning on it's axis! The sky is getting black! Wait a minute...I'm still here...the clock is still ticking...I'm breathing and my dog is staring at me wagging his tail! I'm alive! I'M ALIVE!!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!! Yes folks, mrmike is building for the first time ever...a Chevrolet Impala SS 427. The kit I am using was a gift from my brother-in-law who found the kit at the swap shop at the local landfill. In order to build this kit kinda stock requires replacing the wheels, tires (maybe), steering wheel, and induction system with a set of mag wheels, a steering wheel from a Dodge Charger, an intake manifold, carburator, and air cleaner from my parts box. The intake system is most likely a Mopar setup. Unless someone has these parts to offer, I will procede with the mags and Mopar parts. This is the AMT kit and it came from WalMart. Note the checkerboard graphics on the box. The paint is Model Master Nassau Blue Metallic. I know it's not the right year, but it should look great. Since I know more about Fords and Mopars, Chevrolets are foreign territory to me and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am aware that I might irk the Ford and Mopar Faithful by doing this build and I make no apologies for it. My next build after this will be a '64 Dodge 330 with either a 426 Hemi or a 426 Wedge engine. More to come..... Edited July 2, 2015 by mrmike
Dr. Cranky Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Can't wait to see more. For some reason I have had bad luck with that kit. I tried to build it twice and both times I gave up. I don't think it's the kit's fault. I can't wait to see yours painted.
Custom Mike Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Mike, I'd gladly swap you the HEMI from AMT's 70 Super Bee Pro Street for the engine in this kit, it's probably the best 427 I've ever built. Let me know if you're interested and I'll dig one out! Can't wait to see more. For some reason I have had bad luck with that kit. I tried to build it twice and both times I gave up. I don't think it's the kit's fault. I can't wait to see yours painted. Doc, how could you have problems with this gem? I've built 5 of 'em, and never had a problem, you must be like me with any NASCAR kit, I just can't build 'em!
mrmike Posted February 19, 2011 Author Posted February 19, 2011 Thank you Dr. Cranky! I am hoping to get the Impala body and hood into paint today. It is unfortunate that you had problems with your Impala, this one looks to be a good kit. I wonder, were you trying for a glossy paint job or not? Mike, I appreciate the offer of the Hemi, but I have two complete unbuilt Hemis in my parts box and destined for future projects somewhere down the road and I need the 427 from this build. What would really make my day is to get a complete set of Chevy Impala Rally wheels, intake manifold, carb, and air cleaner for this build.
Custom Mike Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) What would really make my day is to get a complete set of Chevy Impala Rally wheels, intake manifold, carb, and air cleaner for this build. Mike, let me look through my parts, I know I've got the rims here somewhere, and probably the rest too. I'll get back to you later and let you know. Edited February 19, 2011 by Custom Mike
93Z34 Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Mike, are you looking for rims and pieces that are new or are you looking for used parts for the build? I may be able to scrounge up some parts for this project for you if I scrounge through my parts boxes... Wonder how well the 427 engine from the Revell '69 Camaro would work for this kit? Just a thought...
mrmike Posted February 19, 2011 Author Posted February 19, 2011 Thank you Mike and Brian! I am looking for new or used as it doesn't really matter to me. I also have someone else looking for parts for me so I will let you guys know what I can come up with.
Greg Pugh Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 A street rod and a Chevy...? Mike, are you feeling okay?
mrmike Posted February 19, 2011 Author Posted February 19, 2011 No, I haven't felt OK ever since the Doctor dropped me on my head when I was born! I got the body painted this afternoon with the goal of clearcoating it tomorrow. Hey! They both match! More to come.....
Custom Mike Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) Mike, I've got an intake off of a 396 or 427, and two sets of rally rims, pick the ones you want. I don't have the air cleaner or carb, but I'm sure someone else does. Edited February 20, 2011 by Custom Mike
W-409 Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 Nice color, I'm painting my own with the same color, but now I must remove the primer, because I failed it... Nice paintjob and very interesting project, I can't wait to see more. 427 is the only right engine for '67-'68 Impala.
mrmike Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 I have clearcoated the body. 2 mist coats, 2 wet coats and 1 WET coat. I painted the interior with the same color. No gloss here! More to come.....
Guest Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) I built one of those in Testors Pearl Blue which looks almost identical to that color. I'm building a '66 right now in Nassau Blue (non stock of course). One word of warning on this kit: the right front wheel needs a little modifying to properly center in the fenderwell. I don't remember exactly what I did to mine because it was so long ago. It's obviously a problem with all of them,because I have seen a few built where the tire was almost touching the rear of the fenderwell. Other than that snafu,these are excellent kits. edit: did you get the parts you were looking for? If not,let me know and I can hook you up. Edited February 22, 2011 by plowboy
mrmike Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 Thanks for the heads-up on the front suspension, Roger! I will watch for it when I get to that point. I have started foiling the body. The interior is done. More to come.....
mrmike Posted February 25, 2011 Author Posted February 25, 2011 I have painted the inner fenders and radiator core support. I masked the rocker panels to paint them black before finishing my foiling. More to come.....
spkgibson Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 That is a very close match to the "Marina Blue " They used back then, That color was just a little darker, More around the lines of Lemans Blue, Or the Chrysler B-5 Blue. The paint looks great. Steve K
LAone Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 im digging the paint. the interior looks fantastic. i have the same kit, except mine is not from walmart. so no fancy checkerboard box...
charlie8575 Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 I was thinking that's pretty close to Marina Blue, too. That's going to look nice, Mike. Tag it along to Taunton, too, finished or not. Charlie Larkin
mrmike Posted February 26, 2011 Author Posted February 26, 2011 Thanks guys! Charlie, I should have the Impala done before the MASSCAR show. You might see it there. Roger, that is the same blue paint on the interior. What a difference adding a gloss clearcoat does to the exterior color! Mark, if the suspension is too low, I can raise it to my liking. One thing I have been trying to do lately is leave the suspension work for last so I can determine the ride height that I want.
mrmike Posted March 1, 2011 Author Posted March 1, 2011 I have finished foiling. The wheels and intake manifold that CustomMike graciously sent me for this build. Thanks Mike! More to come.....
juergen Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!! i love your builts !!! greets juergen
walt francis Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 The body looks great and your foiling is top notch.
mrmike Posted March 2, 2011 Author Posted March 2, 2011 This SS 427 wouldn't look right unless it had a set of redline tires. I have no Chevy air cleaners on hand, but I do have this Mopar air cleaner that I have started modifying. I just need to add a couple of snorkles and it's done. I had to remove the heads from the block since I mounted them too far apart for the intake manifold. Fortunately, I didn't use too much glue and they just popped right off. The distributor has been drilled out for plugs wires. The carb and the valve covers are in the purple pond. More to come.....
montelsc Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 I have painted the inner fenders and radiator core support. I masked the rocker panels to paint them black before finishing my foiling. More to come..... looks great mike i enjoyed building the one i had i used the caprice body that kit has alot of detail have fun!!!
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