Has anyone built R/M's '65 Impala coupe?

[Olle F]

I'm trying to mount the radiator core support, but I just can't figure out how it goes. There are two small tabs on the inner fenders (circled in the 1:st picture), and I assume that the support goes on top of the horizontal "shelf", and back against these tabs. The problem here is that the tabs are different lengths, so the support will end up sitting a bit cocked (as in the 2:nd picture).

Am I missing something here, or did R/M simply make a mistake? It wouldn't be a very big problem in a stock build-up, but I'm planning to add some details to the inner lip of the fenders, so the location of this part will be critical.

Any help will be appreciated!

[Guest roadkill2525]

THanks for bringing this up, Im working on a 63 and 65 Impala. I think the tabs is to allow room for the battery, haven't gotten that far on the 65.

[Olle F]

Hey, I didn't think about that! The notch in the inner fender is for the battery, so dry fitting it might be a way to figure out the correct location. At least it will make sure that it doesn't end up too far back. Anyone else got any ideas?

[ramonesblues]

glue a piece of plastic to the short side and get on with life.

[bobss396]

Sometimes you have to make up a more positive locating feature than what the kit gives you. Especially if an item is painted, you don't want to be fiddling with it in final assembly with a smear of CA glue on it.

Bob

[Olle F]

Yeah, I will definitely do it better than R/M intended. The problem is not really how to mount it, it's where to mount it. First of all, I want a positive location to make sure that everything fits right (radiator hoses, hood latch etc), but I'm also going to add some detail to the inner fender lips. This will be glued to the body, and it needs to fit nicely to the radiator support.

I dry fitted the battery last night, and decided that the support needs to go flush with the front edge of the wheel well extensions. I'll just glue it on there now, that will be easier than fiddling with it after paint. I'll just do it as usual, and handle possible problems during final assembly. :wink:

[jbwelda]

>glue a piece of plastic to the short side and get on with life.

oh if only things were so simple. what about if thats like that for a reason? a reason thats not obvious now but will become obvious along about the time you, oh, try mounting the body with all the stuff on it to the chassis with all the stuff on it?

see, i have to believe that occasionally even model manufacturers get it right. and if you second guess them you end up on the receiving end of a "gotcha".

maybe its just me, but i think the original poster has a valid question