'65 Impala SS

[FordRodnKustom]

Now that's a nice build. I like the crisp, authentic details. I'll be a stunner when finished. Good work!

[Raul_Perez]

Now that's a nice build. I like the crisp, authentic details. I'll be a stunner when finished. Good work!

I'll second that!! Great job, Olle!!

[Olle F]

Thanks guys, I sure appreciate all the kind comments! Now if you could just keep your fingers crossed for me, I'm thinking about using those photoetched windshield wipers I bought many years ago and never was able to figure out how to assemble. It shouldn't take any longer than a few months though...

[Olle F]

Some more progress.... It would be nice to use PE windshield wipers, but the Detail Master set I have just doesn't look right. The arms have some kind of funky Z-shaped bend, so I'm still looking for alternatives. Any tips on where to find better stuff will be appreciated! There's a few more things left to do, like touching up the rear valance, clear coating the air filter to make the decal blend in a bit better, adding a licence plate etc, but I think that's it.

BTW, I'm not really happy with the way the rear view mirrors look, they're too big and clumsy. I have seen them turned the other way around (with the bowtie at the bottom) and they may look a bit better that way, but I'm not sure if that's correct or not. I'm just assuming that the bowtie goes on top but maybe it's me turning them upside down... Does anyone know how they are supposed to go?

[george 53]

YOWW, ollie that thing is Magificent!!!,It truly does look real! yeah the mirrors should have the bowtie on top, but it does look like the mirror stems themselves are a little to long.If you turn the mirror itself upside down the edge of the mirror would only be about an inch from the door. I learned how to drive in a 65 Impala an cuz I was so short thats how I had to adjust the mirror to use it. Some things you just dont forget. Great job!

[Olle F]

YOWW, ollie that thing is Magificent!!!,It truly does look real! yeah the mirrors should have the bowtie on top, but it does look like the mirror stems themselves are a little to long.If you turn the mirror itself upside down the edge of the mirror would only be about an inch from the door. I learned how to drive in a 65 Impala an cuz I was so short thats how I had to adjust the mirror to use it. Some things you just dont forget. Great job!

Thanks for the comments! Yeah, you're probably right about the stems. As a matter of fact, the whole assembly looks out of scale. I'll see what I can do about it, the mirrors are just pinned to the doors without glue, so it's an easy thing to take them off if I decide to modify them or change them for something else.

Another thing I noticed now is that the rear bumper sits too low, have to fix that. It's funny that pictures always are so revealing, I didn't even notice this looking at the actual model. I guess it's a good way to check your work though: Sit down at the computer with a beer, look at the pictures and make a list of all the flaws you have to fix...

[RodneyBad]

(jaw droppingly speechless)

Diffenetly better than any High dollar kit out there..

Super Sweet Attention to Detail Correctness.

Love the color choice and the detailed Interior.

Nice touches on the Engine and compartment.

Simply Fabulous

And to think it isn't even finished..

(okay, just a few words)

Edited April 10, 2008 by Zukiholic

[Raul_Perez]

A-f***ing-mazing!!

For the wipers, I used the ones from Model Car Garage on my '58 Impala. They're product code MCG-2013.

They may not be as "factory stock" as you're looking for, but I like them because the arms are 3 dimensional.

http://www.modelcargarage.com/store/pc/vie...p;idproduct=116

GREAT BUILD!!

Thanks for sharing,

[Olle F]

Thanks for the picture, Raul! As a matter of fact, I have already ordered that set from my LHS just to see what it looks like. It was good to see the picture of the assembled wipers though, they seem to be very close to the prototype. I might just use the arms from this and the blades from the DM multi piece set. Or I might just glue the kit wipers on there and call it a day. I'm kinda tired of detailing right now, so it's probably time for a box stock build again...

[TimKustom]

Ollie,

Very nice build you've got going on here!

Maybe I can shed some light on your "mystery can." I have a 1:1 '68 Impala (very similar to a 65 under the hood). I used a '65 to add power steering to my car.

My car doesn't have the "mystery can." It doesn't have A/C or cruise control either so I assume it belongs to one of those systems. I can check my service manual to be sure.

Great build!

[Dogfish_7]

WOW Ollie!!! All I can say is, you could teach the Danbury Mint a few things!!!

[Peter Lombardo]

Obviously, this is a superb build. You took the level of this kit’s potential to another place, much higher than previously seen. The one thing that does it for me is the “surface shine†of each component. The inner fenders look right, the dash looks right, the seats look right….each surface is a convincing representation of the actual car. All too often, modelers, me included, forget that there should be a different level of shine for different areas of the car, especially for a stock build. Nice job, and before I forget, the under hood plumbing is great too. Nicely done.

[Olle F]

Ollie,

Very nice build you've got going on here!

Maybe I can shed some light on your "mystery can." I have a 1:1 '68 Impala (very similar to a 65 under the hood). I used a '65 to add power steering to my car.

My car doesn't have the "mystery can." It doesn't have A/C or cruise control either so I assume it belongs to one of those systems. I can check my service manual to be sure.

Great build!

Thanks! Yeah, it would be interesting to have that mystery revealed. Even if it's too late to change anything on this one, it could definitely be helpful for the next Chevy build.

Obviously, this is a superb build. You took the level of this kit’s potential to another place, much higher than previously seen. The one thing that does it for me is the “surface shine†of each component. The inner fenders look right, the dash looks right, the seats look right….each surface is a convincing representation of the actual car. All too often, modelers, me included, forget that there should be a different level of shine for different areas of the car, especially for a stock build. Nice job, and before I forget, the under hood plumbing is great too. Nicely done.

Thanks, Peter! Even if I'm not very good at thanking people for all the kind words I have received, I sure appreciate yours and all other's comments and input! I try to get the right sheen wherever I can, as I believe this adds more realism and life to the model than even using the right color sometimes. Another thing I try to do is to vary the colors a bit, even if it's "supposed" to be the same. For example, you will usually find slight variations in color between seats, panels, carpet, headliner etc. in a supposedly color coordinated 1:1 interior, and I think experimenting with this adds a lot of subtle detail. It's fairly easy to do, but a real PITA when you need to touch it up... "Where the @#$%& is that red paint I mixed for the floor mats?"

Unfortunately, it's often a trial and error thing and sometimes I fail miserably. For example, I'm still not sure if the dullcoat on the engine was the right thing to do. Well, I'm definitely not an expert, but at least I'm trying. Anyone wonder why my builds take so long?

[fender6575]

This is first quality build. I really like engine compartment details. Your Impala build must be reason I registered in this forum. I have never seen so well build 65 Impala model. Hope we will see side view pictures. Is there any other modifications needed in body than rear window trim?

When I compare original amt 65 Impala to revell-mono Impala there is couple of differences. Hard to tell if newer

monogram kit body is better straight from box?

The "mystery can" is vacuum reservoir for ac system. Vacuum line from intake manifold goes to can and from can there is line through firewall grommet. Via AC control panel vacuum actuates suction throttle valve diaphgram and passenger side vacuum actuator inside kickpanel. Yeah yeah I have actual 65 ss coupe and I am Gm tech by trade.

Sorry my lanquage, I write from Finland

[Olle F]

This is first quality build. I really like engine compartment details. Your Impala build must be reason I registered in this forum. I have never seen so well build 65 Impala model. Hope we will see side view pictures. Is there any other modifications needed in body than rear window trim?

When I compare original amt 65 Impala to revell-mono Impala there is couple of differences. Hard to tell if newer

monogram kit body is better straight from box?

The "mystery can" is vacuum reservoir for ac system. Vacuum line from intake manifold goes to can and from can there is line through firewall grommet. Via AC control panel vacuum actuates suction throttle valve diaphgram and passenger side vacuum actuator inside kickpanel. Yeah yeah I have actual 65 ss coupe and I am Gm tech by trade.

Sorry my lanquage, I write from Finland

Thanks! The only modification to the body was the rear window, the rest looked good right out of the box. I haven't compared with AMT's version, but after looking at numerous pictures of the real thing, I'm pretty sure that the R/M version is as good as it gets. If you want to be picky, the rear window should probably be a tad smaller and I was thinking about fixing that, but I decided that it's just one of those things no one will really notice. All in all, this is a great kit and it would be very good box stock material as well.

And the mystery can again... Do you have any pictures of how the hoses are run? I have a '67 Impala waiting to be built, and I suspect that I can use the same installation on that. And I have always wanted a 1:1 '65 Impala so I'm definitely jealous!

BTW: I'm originally from Sweden, so my English is not perfect either. But as foreigners, we can get away with that.

[TimKustom]

Looks like fender beat me to it. But yes it's a vacuum can for the A/C system.

Here are some shots out of my 68 service manual. Looks like the design changed slightly though. Hope this helps.

The intro...

diagrams...

Keep up the great work! Let's see it in the "under glass" section!

[Olle F]

Many thanks, Tim! I will save the pictures in my reference file! And there will be pictures in "Under glass" later. Just have to wait to get the wipers from my LHS, assemble them and get them on there. Shouldn't take more than a couple of months... :D

[TimKustom]

Your absolutely welcome!

Love to help anyone building something as nice as this Impala. If you need any reference for your 67 project. Let me know. It's even more similar to my car.

[Modellpularn]

Olle, the Impala looks great!!!! My favorite is the interior, maybe I've said that before, but I guess it won't hurt to mention it again.... It looks like some english armchairs.

So that's what you were looking for, that vacuum tank... Yes, I had it in my old 70 454 Elky, since it had A/C and it looked like a small coffee can, since it was a tin can. At least that's what "friends" used to call it..... I have a similar thing in my current Elky, but it looks like a round ball thingie..... no A/C.

[rollinoldskoo]

BTW, I'm not really happy with the way the rear view mirrors look, they're too big and clumsy. I have seen them turned the other way around (with the bowtie at the bottom) and they may look a bit better that way, but I'm not sure if that's correct or not. I'm just assuming that the bowtie goes on top but maybe it's me turning them upside down... Does anyone know how they are supposed to go?

my 1:1 67 Buick has its emblem on top...

[Guest roadkill2525]

Just put some other mirrors on, say they're out of a old JC Whitney catalog.

[lizardlust]

SPECTACULAR build - your finishes, craftsmanship and attention to detail are phenomenal!!!

[Olle F]

Alrrrrrright... Finally done! Pictures of the finished model: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16106

And a big thanks to y'all for all the tips and encouraging words, I sure appreciate it!

[gilsdropshop1]

clean build love that you kept it original great job!