1960 IMPALA CONVERTIBLE BIG PROJECT

Nice job with the props for some of those small parts, I hate painting them hanging from a hook, even with another hook on the bottom.
Yeah it sucks. It was long sleeve and rubber glove hosing it on...and the edges are the most important. U don't want to put them on the car and see a missed area. So I tried to take extra care of the edges
 
Early Christmas. Dakota digital RTX mocked up
 

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Put some work this weekend on this jalopy. Firewall job its roughed in at this point but progress is progress. Molded the body mounts with cage nuts. Going to relocate the fuse block. and ac stuff. Under the fenders. When time comes.. thats my buddy welding. Weld up whole thing for a few beers. I'll take it
 

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Put some good work in yesterday on this heap. 4 major things accomplished. 1. Located and mounted the computer. 2. Cut out the dash for the ac vents. 3. Located and mounted the fuse box and 4. Finally made a decision I've been thinking about for months. Let's start off with #1.

1. I bought this computer bracket from a guy calla himself "swap time ". And let me tell you, there isn't alot of guys like this left. I bought them bracket on his website for like 72 dollars shipped. He texts me and tells me he cancelled the order because then price was incorrect and too high. Please re order. So I went back online and the price was then 42 dollars. He saved me money!. I plan to send him my harness to re work it to fit my needs. The bracket is just a generic bracket that you would use to fit as needed. I decided to ditch the dash center speaker. And mount it in its place. We welded some bolts in then capped the speaker hole off for a cleaner look...
 

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#2 was we cut out the dash for the ac vents. I bought these vents about 6 months ago or so. It's pretty hard to find 59/60 ac vents. Let alone vents that don't need rechroming. Now I see they repop them in plastic for about 800. Unfortunately I had to pay for a template on ebay because the hole is pretty unique. Tear drop shaped. The template worked great. I dont think I am going to use the center vent as it mounts under the dash, and looks kind of out of place IMO. I'm thining on just running all 4 ducts to the 2 outside vents.
 

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#3 was locate and mount the American auto wire fuse box assembly. I knew from day 1 I wanted to relocate it off of the firewall. Just didn't know where. We ended up gutting the driver side fresh air vent and putting it in there. Actually fit really good but took some thought to get it to mount in there because the vent has a unique angle to it. So the firewall side bulk head mounts to it. And the 12 or so wires run thru the side cowl and thru a hole in the top of the firewall, under the fender. The American auto wire kit front end wires are extra long for this reason. Inside. I may have to extende the ignition switch wiring but I think that should be it.
 

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And the last event for the day..was this aluminum dash fascia. So on impalas, the 59 and 60 have this dimpled aluminum trim on the bottom half of the dash. Most of the time it is dented and scratched pretty good, especially around the ignition key. Me personally one of the most important areas of a car are the dash and steering wheel. Because you sit in the car and it's right in front of you the entire time. It's nearly impossible to find moldings that aren't beat up, I'm sure a metal finishing shop could work them and reanodize, maybe. Sets of trim are on ebay for 400-700 dollars and still need repair.
The 59 60 belairs didn't use this trim. The dash was painted. I found my strategy. Let's ditch the molding and paint the dash. Here are some examples for those who care...
 

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So we went ahead just deleted the heater controls, and the ash tray all together. The vintage air kit offers basic controls that can mount in the glove box. And I dont smoke so I don't need an ash tray. I'm really happy with this so far. I'm going to grind it all smooth today. We are almost ready to get this thing in bare metal and in epoxy. I'm excited
 

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2023 is here. Doesn't it sound crazy. Sounds so futuristic and unimaginable. ..the car is now 63 yrs old....I pulled the trigger on what I thought was a pretty good deal on some parts for the car. I bought alot of OEM aluminum for the car that has been chrome plated. When I created a budget for this car. I factored in $5000 to chrome plate any exterior aluminum pieces. I got most of all the aluminum for a little more than half of the budget, so I did it. I wanted to emphasize on the exterior of the car instead of the suspension on the car. I still have all the original trim that came with the car to use during mock up then eventually sell to recoupe some money. The grill, bezels and tail panels are not reproduced. I'm exited.
 

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Looks great!!
Was eye balling your rotisserie, that and the one MP&C built. Getting ideas to build one for my next project and want to add hyd cylinders to aid in lifting. I'm getting too old to be laying under them to prep & paint. Yours looks to be a pretty good setup.

John
 
Thanks for posting that. I was going to go with 1/4" wall tubing and take the width out to at least 60". I like the center cross support idea, looks like it would help to stabilise it alot. Thanks again

John
 
Thanks for posting that. I was going to go with 1/4" wall tubing and take the width out to at least 60". I like the center cross support idea, looks like it would help to stabilise it alot. Thanks again

John
If you have a two post lift the hydraulic cylinders are not needed. I use my lift to install and balance bodies on my rotisserie.

If you don’t have a two post lift I highly recommend that you get one. You will never regret that purchase. :)

Don
 
Presently I don't have a lift, wish I did. Been jacking them up and running 4x4 crossways to get the frames out. Do have a couple engine hoists and a skid loader but that's a bit scary. Worked under 4 post lifts in a trans shop back in 78-85 that had 8' lights fixtures running next to the rails which were nice. Been keeping an eye out for used 2 post for about 2 years now....Might just end up buying a new one. :rolleyes: Prices are nuts now on everything but probably won't go back down either...

John
 
Presently I don't have a lift, wish I did. Been jacking them up and running 4x4 crossways to get the frames out. Do have a couple engine hoists and a skid loader but that's a bit scary. Worked under 4 post lifts in a trans shop back in 78-85 that had 8' lights fixtures running next to the rails which were nice. Been keeping an eye out for used 2 post for about 2 years now....Might just end up buying a new one. :rolleyes: Prices are nuts now on everything but probably won't go back down either...

John
My lift "atlas" brand, sold by Greg Smith equipment. They have a few locations. At the time it was the cheapest on the market. Hasn't let me down at all yet.
 
just wanted to share my new project. This is going to be a long project , but with the help of my club , we can get it done. I've taken inventory, first order of business is sheet metal. All it needs is reproduced, the stuff that isn't will sand blast and clean up good. This will be a full frame off, LS , digital dash. Ididit tilt, power seat Car. Of course all spi epoxy, primers reducers and clears. Im sure will have plenty of questions along the way (Texas king be ready =] ) Really excited to get started with my son while he is still at home. (He's a senior). Enjoy and thanks for watching!

You scored a great car. Don't see to many with solid rockers, doors, quarters, and looks like 80-90% solid pan in today's market. Maybe 1 or 2 of those metal parts, but not all in that shape. Look forward to your progress videos. I'm just getting started on an 83 944 Porsche, customer car. It to is in great shape, but it's also 23 yrs younger then the chev... have fun!
 
Presently I don't have a lift, wish I did. Been jacking them up and running 4x4 crossways to get the frames out. Do have a couple engine hoists and a skid loader but that's a bit scary. Worked under 4 post lifts in a trans shop back in 78-85 that had 8' lights fixtures running next to the rails which were nice. Been keeping an eye out for used 2 post for about 2 years now....Might just end up buying a new one. :rolleyes: Prices are nuts now on everything but probably won't go back down either...

John
You'll never regret it. I purchased a Worth 12 ton 2 post 4 years ago and love it. I have had everything from my 2019 Ram 3500 to lawn tractors.
 
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