1959 Imperial drag car. COMPLETED 5-26-13

[am73grand]

Now that I am back from NNL East I can get back to this project. I started it while I was wrapping up my '58 Plymouth.

The Imperial body is HUGE, as a result the first thing I had to do was stretch the frame and floor pan from the pro-sportsman kits.

The fit between my floor and body is pretty sloppy so I decided I would use the dash as a locator. The cage may not be 100% accurate but doing it this way made a positive mount for the dash

Here is the frame. I really wanted a top fuel style wing on this big car so I added the back of a T/F dragster chassis. You can see the Imperial body on the left. Behind it is the next drag car in waiting.

Here's the frame with the body work in place.

Started on the wheelie bars

Hopefully this week I can start painting components. This will be a full on race car so no door panels or carpet. Just go fast goodies.

Thanks for looking!!!

Edited May 26, 2013 by am73grand

[jeffs396]

VERY cool Ron!

[vintagercr]

Ron, I'm looking forward to seeing more progress shots.

[PARTSMARTY]

ORIGINALITY PLUS !!!

[DrKerry]

Saw this on Spotlight. Man this is a killer drag car. You're pulling this off quite well. Can't wait to see more of it!!!!

[vintagedragfan]

very nice progress, this will be killer

[tyrone]

Great start Ron.... keep it going...

[cobraman]

Cool project.

[crazyjim]

An Imperial drag car? I gotta watch this one.

[tubbs]

love unique cars. great idea. now you have to paint it some classic 2 tone (body and roof) colors!! gonna be a killer build!

[george 53]

Well it fer sure ain't yer run a the mill kinda racecar! Cool concept, Pro Lux! Looks great so far, can't wait ta see whats next!

[am73grand]

Thanks everyone. I have always loved full sized cars. I love seeing them go down the 1320 even better.

Here are some updates:

I got the basic engine assembled and painted. Now it's time to start throwing detail parts at it:

Here is the bug catcher. I added some height to it so that it would be taller than the roof of the car. I'm going more for WOW factor than accuracy:

Here is the chassis and floor pan all painted. You can see I REALLY had to stretch this thing:

Here is the completed dash that's a piece of aluminum with some Slixx gage decals:

Here are my completed wheelie bars:

Here it is mocked up. I'm thinking ALL black, including the wheels:

Thanks for looking guys!!!

[GoatGuy]

I like the idea of a black paint job especially since it's an Imperial and the gold engine throws in good contrast. How about some light gunmetal wheels?

[tyrone]

cool build Ron.....

[brett]

very different and different is cool, great job on the cage too

[hardhitter]

i would rethink the black if was mine. She need more of that WOW. But anyways I dig the over all look of it really cool.

[DrKerry]

Holy WOW, looks awesome, maybe go gloss black with some satin or flat black stripes of some sort???? Just an idea.

[W-409]

Nice build! I've never seen '59 or actually any other year Imperial built as a Drag Car, so this one is very interesting. It does have that Wow Factor for sure, excellent work with the engine. I'd go without that rear spoiler, but on the other hand, that makes it look even wilder, so it might be good idea to use it.

The All Black-Theme works very well, as I did on my '69 Camaro I finished maybe a Month ago. Even though it's not done in this picture, Mirrors and small details are missing, but you'll get the idea.

[am73grand]

After going back and forth between maroon, black and yellow, I have decided on the color. It will be black, I will add aluminum BMF to the front of the roof. All the chrome trim will be foiled. I think I'll do black wheels from the "Carpenter '55". White letter tires.

Not sure if I'm going to have the body lift off or not. The cutout in the hood is going to be huge. Even the distributors are gonna poke out of the hood.

Got a little more done today but not much to show for it. Bodywork is all done. Distributors are made. bug catcher is painted, pedals and shifters are painted, I've started on the fire bottles and batteries.

I need to pick up some detail parts so I can start wiring this thing. Should have an update by the weekend.

[Harry P.]

Now that's a car I've never seen anywhere close to a drag strip!

[gasser59]

Uniqueness plus ingenuity!! Love this crazy thing. Looking forward to more updates this weekend.

[cobraman]

That is going to be one tough barge ! : )

[Chuck Most]

Love it- the idea and the quality of work being done.

[Nxr]

badass man.

[MoparMark]

Really cool , Great idea!