65 Vette

[59 Impala]

A friend of mine gave this build to me last night. I thought at first that it was the MPC 67 Vette, but when I got home, I took a closer look at it and it's the 65 Vette from AMT. There are some pieces missing from it. The rear bumpers, the chrome surrounds for the tail lights, the top of the fuel injection and the air duck from that to the front end. The wheels are trashed from the vinyl tires and they will have to be replaced. Here are some pics of how it looks now.

I had to cut the glass out.

Thanks fer lookin. Dan

[jeffs396]

That's a rarely seen Vette Dan, glad you're saving it!

Keep 'er going

[59 Impala]

Thanks Jeff. I'm hoping to build it somewhere between stock and hot rod. I don't have all the parts to make it stock. Dan

[hjracing]

it's seemes like you have a hard job to recue this model, i'll keep an eye on this one!

[Dan Helferich]

If you pick up one of the plentiful AMT '63 Coupe kits you can use the chassis, engine, tail lights, glass and flat hood for your project. If you get the anniversary issue you'll find both up tops for the '63 roadster in the box as a bonus. I'm glad it's being preserved!

Edited April 8, 2013 by Dan Helferich

[Deathgoblin]

Looking good so far. getting them apart without major damage is the hard part.

[59 Impala]

Thanks for the kind words guys. And Dan, I never thought of that. Thanks fer the information. I think that I'm gonna paint it Black as that is the color that came to me this morning. There is a lot of work to this build, but that's what I like about GLUE BOMBS. Dan

[Ron Hamilton]

Thank you for saving this valuable piece of plastic!!!!!

[Deathgoblin]

Hey, sometimes a gluebomb is the only way to get a rare kit without paying an arm and a leg.

[59 Impala]

That's true Brian. The only thing is, I didn't know what I got at first. I'm sure we (Hank and I) both didn't know what this was. Lucky, I guess. Anyway, I hope that I can do this up right. Dan

[Modlbldr]

Dan

I can't wait to see what you do with this. Like most people the 63-67 Vette are my favorite. I have a few of them to build so I'll keep an eye on your progress.

Later-

[Duntov]

Well worth saving for sure......

But then again I am seriously prejudiced on this one!!!!!!!

[nhra1625]

I have 2 hoods for this. I'm not sure if they are AMT or not but they should fit. PM me if you are interested. I could send you a couple pics.

[Sport Suburban]

I'll be watching this one. I recently bought a 64 Corvette to restore. It was only missing a few parts but I bought a common 63 kit for parts. What do you need for yours?

Here is what I got. It's real nice and I got the chrome redone. I don't know what green this is but it will not come off.

[59 Impala]

Thanks guys for the kind words. I have the hood that came with the car, so I don't need that. Thanks for the offer though. I found a set of tail lights with the chrome surrounds in my parts box. I also found a pair of rear bumpers that I can use. I don't know what kit they came with but I do have them. The front bumper and grill is somewhat messed up, but I think I can use it. The bottom sections of the bumper is missing so I rounded off the ends and it looks like an altered bumper. This was glued in almost solid when I got it and I worked at it until it came loose and I was able to remove it. I'll get some pic up tomorrow. My battery for the camera took a dive tonight and I have to charge it. I also worked on the rear glass to clean up the glue on it and I will post pics of that also. The engine was horrible also. I did manage to get it apart tonight. I need to find an alternator for it. Who ever built this glued a tank on where the alternator should be. DUH. I also have to find either a manifold with carbs or try and find the top of the fuel injection and the air duck for it. The wheels are trashed. The vinyl tires made mush out of them from all the years I guess. So I have to use some different ones from the parts box. Well, I think I've yaked enough for now. So I'll post some pics tomorrow. Until then, stay tuned. Dan

P.S. Buy the way Raoul, nice 64. The color looks good.

Edited April 10, 2013 by 59 Impala

[59 Impala]

Well, here are some pics of the glass that I worked on last night.

This first one shows what it looked like after using a fingernail sanding pad.

This next one shows after using sanding pads from 1200-4000 grit.

This last one shows after polishing it with Novus #3 and #2 polishing compounds.

The bottom part of the glass will not be seen cause it is under the body, so I'm not going to worry about that section.

Thanks fer lookin. Dan

[Custom Hearse]

Awesome Dan! I like seeing an old kit get saved!

[59 Impala]

Thanks Marshall. I have more fun rebuilding these old glue bombs that I do building a new kit. They are more of a challenge for me. Like trying to get them apart without braking anything. Dan

[robertw]

I'm with the other posters, it's great to see old kits being restored rather then just being tossed or broken up for parts. It's also unlikely that we'll ever see a new 1/25 scale 1965 Vette so doing a restoration like this may be the only way many of us can add one to our collection.

[59 Impala]

Will, I've got the body, chassis, firewall, radiator, bottom of the interior and the bumper/grill painted flat black. Here are some pics of what I did tonight.

I had to repair the grill cause I had to cut it out of the opening.

I didn't get pics of the grill and chassis cause I fergot. DUH. I'll get some pics tomorrow and post them.

Thanks fer lookin. Dan

[Wonderbread Kustomz]

Nice work! Can't wait to see more!

[59 Impala]

Thanks James. For some reason I can't upload my pictures to Photobucket. Must be some kind of problem that they're having. Got me. So, until this problem gets fixed, I can't update with pics. Sorry fellas. Dan

[whale392]

Dan,

When I was stationed in Norfolk, we used to go down to the Genroes Shopping Center (when I wasn't floating and it wasn't snowing) for their Friday night car cruise. One evening, a gentleman came rolling in with a Midnight-Blue Pearl 65. It was clad in 17" Torques and was motivated by a then-new 572 wearing EFI. to say that car was sweet is an understatement (and I am not a Vette person).

[Custom Hearse]

Still watching Dan. Just been occupied lately... I bought the complete box set of Married... With Children!

[59 Impala]

WOW Brad, I would of liked to have seen that 'Vette, and heard it rumble.. And sorry Marshall for your "box set". :lol: Just kiddin, congratulations my friend. Dan