'60 Impala mild custom

[mopar68]

Hey folks, I've been doing alot of looking and learning here, so I suppose it's time to contribute to the forum in some way

Here's my Revell 1960 Impala so far. It was meant to be fairly box stock, but as usual the mods got out of hand and the project stalled. I have recently revived it though; here's hoping I can get the thing finished soon

Well to start with, she needed some tubbing to fit pegasus T's under there. Unfortunately Chevrolet didn't consider styrene maniacs like me when they designed the chassis- I had to cut the rails out

[mopar68]

I don't know why I bothered piecing the original rails back together, next time remind me to just start from scratch

Anyway, after some serious cutting, almost losing a thumb ( ) and hours of sanding, I got the wanted stance.

Well, at least I made it possible. The suspension still needs doing

Here's the rear-

It's a four link, with airbags. Resin ones are sitting there for the mockup, I'll use the O-ring ones I made in final assembley. Front suspension will be stock, just lowered over airbags.

[mopar68]

Engine's done. It's the kit's 348 Tri Power, dressed up a little with plug wires, a spares box air cleaner and scratched headers/pulley system.

From there I jumped into the interior (well, metaphorically speaking ). Heres where most of the mods are planned. So far, scratched back seat and centre console (and steering wheel, but I'm gonna redo that so it doesn't count), plus I converted the dash to RHD (don't worry, it's all engineered ). Currently working on the front seat, then I'll get some more resin and cast both seats, 'cos I'm too lazy to scratch duplicates lol.

The back seat is sitting up front for the mockup

Well that's it for now, more progress as time allows. Thanks for looking

Comments/criticizm welcome

[Johan020]

This is gonna be a killer impala

To bad the steeringwheel is at the wrong side

[mopar68]

Thanks Johan, but what do you mean 'wrong' side? It's a right hand drive now

Of course I would never do this to a 1:1 Impala

[cobraman]

Very nice start.

[W-409]

Unfortunately Chevrolet didn't consider styrene maniacs like me when they designed the chassis- I had to cut the rails out

Chevrolet Didn't think of putting too big wheels on their cars!

Interesting project. Overall I don't like those wheels and tires, and not that modern interior, but you do GREAT job, so I'll be following this one for sure.

[b_lever1]

i like the right hand drive dash never considered anything like that very cool

[espo]

Good idea on the right hand steering, sinse thats the way it is down under. Great job on the center consol design.

[Helix]

Ah yes, progressing well Zac, loving the interior work

[Miatatom]

More, more, more!!!!!!

[bryan_m]

wow! i missed this too.......that interior is gonna look killer, love the console! nice work on the frame, the stance looks just right.

cheers

bryan

[Dr. Cranky]

Great work on that chassis. Sometimes the stance you want is not easy to get, but you got it here. Keep it going.

[slusher]

Excellent start, love the wheels, going to be a killer build...

[JasonFL]

Zac, this thing is killer. Nice touch with that right hand drive conversion and that suspension looks great. How did you do those link bars and tabs? I tried making tabs that small and man what a pain in the balls. Can't wait to see more, keep it up.

[mopar68]

Wow, thank you so much for the comments people, I really appreciate it. It really means alot coming from such a talented buch of builders!

Jason, the the suspension tabs were cut from 0.5mm (0.020 in inches I think) styrene sheet, and filed to shape. They were pretty fiddly, especially the ones that are on an angle

The bars and ends were made from K&S tube. I can post up a little tutorial if you like?

Thanks for following along fellas, more soon fingers crossed

[JasonFL]

Jason, the the suspension tabs were cut from 0.5mm (0.020 in inches I think) styrene sheet, and filed to shape. They were pretty fiddly, especially the ones that are on an angle

The bars and ends were made from K&S tube. I can post up a little tutorial if you like?

Yea man, that would be great! I don't have much supplies so i just use what I have. I've been trying to make tabs out of the little number tabs off the parts trees. Worked great for the front suspension but not so much for the linkage.

[Albie D]

Love that rearend set up.

[mopar68]

Thanks Albie

Here you go Jason, a tutorial for the rod ends- http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63682

I can do one for the styrene tabs too, over the weekend if you like

[JasonFL]

Great tutorial, very detailed and helpful. I would love to see a tutorial on the tabs or even how you go about building any of your air ride setup. Do you scratch build everything, like the air tank, compressor, etc.?

You do some really clean work and I appreciate you taking the time to make tutorials. Thanks again buddy

[gilsdropshop1]

very clean 60 well done on chasis, im liking the stance and wheels keep pics coming.

[bryan_m]

any new progress?

bryan

[mopar68]

Thanks heaps fellas, I really appreciate all the positive feedback

Thanks Jason, very much appreciated This is my first time trying an air ride setup, but yep, I do plan on scratch building the rest of the components

Here is a pic of one of the airbags I will use in final assembly.

The method I used to make them is all thanks to member here Cool Hand, in fact alot of my scratch building has been inspired by his work. Basically it’s just K&S tube rod ends stuck in a modified pop rivet, with O-rings slid over the top.

I'll do up some more tutorials, or just take lots of pics as I build them and post them here

More progress over the weekend hopefully. ATM I’m studying for my final exams next month, so that’s kinda holding up updates

Edited September 12, 2012 by mopar68

[JasonFL]

So what's going down with this thing? Any more progress on it? Those bags your gonna use look great, your one creative focker...haha.

[H.A.K]

Nice air bags.