My Own Glue Bomb '58 Impala

[jsc]

Back in 1975 I originally built this 1958 Chevy Impala. Back then I thought it would be cool to have opening doors, steerable wheels, etc. Of course, it didn't really happen. The doors were awful and the paint was worse. I got glue on the windshield and on the body and pretty much gave up. Anybody else know that feeling?

So last month I ran across it again and had 2 choices - (1) Keep it as is as a memory of my impatient youth or (2) rebuild it. I chose #2 and stripped it down. Originally it was blue, but I went with the red and white color scheme.

I found pictures of interior colors. A bit strange to today's standards, but it worked for '58!

I've still got some issues (like the carpet monster eating the rear taillight bezels) but it's moving along!

Comments welcome!

[am73grand]

Looks good so far!!! Nice job on that interior!

[slusher]

Good choice. The red looks great...

[Modlbldr]

That looks great so far. Keep it up. I hope you find your lost parts.

Later-

[jsc]

That looks great so far. Keep it up. I hope you find your lost parts.

Later-

Thanks! I've got one eye on the carpet, and another on some styrene rod trying to duplicate them.

[Danno]

No such thing as a bad '58 Chevy!

[jsc]

NOW I remember why I didn't like this kit. The doors are killer! They are in, but they are tight. I don't like the gap in the panels, but unless I come up with something quick, i'm keeping it this way

I ended wet sanding the glue off of the windshield, then polishing, buffing, polishing, haze removal. Much better than before!

[jsc]

Here's a shot with body and interior. I'm having a little trouble with the engine placement. Made the ride height a bit high. Back to the drawing board.

REMEMBER WHEN Testors put fragrance in their glue? I guess they did that back in the day so kids would enjoy modeling. But of course, folks started sniffing it for a different experience. Anyway, when I pulled this old glue bomb apart I could still smell the "lemon".

[1 bad55 stan]

looks great,nice rebuild..

[ImpalaBoy]

Looks good so far, but you made the classic mistake of foiling the two middle "tines" on the "forks" in front of the rear wheels.

[jsc]

Looks good so far, but you made the classic mistake of foiling the two middle "tines" on the "forks" in front of the rear wheels.

I never noticed that!! Lol! Now I need to decide to leave it, or trim them up!

[ChrisBcritter]

REMEMBER WHEN Testors put fragrance in their glue? I guess they did that back in the day so kids would enjoy modeling. But of course, folks started sniffing it for a different experience. Anyway, when I pulled this old glue bomb apart I could still smell the "lemon".

I remember - it was called No-Tox. They did it because it was a non-toxic citrus formula that wouldn't get you high like regular cement. The slogan was "Smells like lemon - sticks like crazy." I don't recall it sticking all that well.