1960 IMPALA CONVERTIBLE BIG PROJECT

RosharonRooster

Promoted Users
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!

 

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I love the rear end of those cars, but the concave areas of the quarters make me shiver:eek:
Yeah buddy 59s are worse. I dont know how I'm going to attack it. Maybe flip the car upside down when it comes time. And how does one go about getting even coverage with a metallic in this area. That's my first question lol
 
Years ago I painted one of these for the original owner. Red and white. I ended up making a couple of blocks for the rear fins. Now you can buy some pretty nice blocks.
 
Some progress. Me and my son hit all these patch panels with 80 grit. Inside and out. Water based wax and grease remover, And got them in 2 coats of black epoxy over labor day weekend. Now they can sit until used. Me and my buddies set a goal of new years to have these panels welded in. I've been collecting parts. I got some nos moldings, some nos fox craft cruiser skirts 12x60. And a set of 4 valances so far. I also got the car stripped of bumpers and moldings and interior It's in the ugly stage right now...
 

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Took me about 7 hours to gut the interior. Doesn't look like much. But when its 105 degrees in the shop, u gotta take some breaks. Was able to take the new front windshield out without damage. And all the stainless also. Alot of this stuff is convertible only and only 2 years (59/60) and no reproduced. So I just took my time with disassembly. Had a rats nest under the back seat. But the floor pans under the seat might sand blast and clean up pretty good.
 

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Finally have an update in this. Been collecting parts since I bought the car. I have a continental kit,, and tilt steering column and an American autowire wiring kit for the car. Also picked up some original paint fenders out of Arizona. Some nos stainless moldings. Just chipping away We began work on it yesterday. Starting with the floors. This is the first time I've attempted this type of repair. There is no way I could do this alone, and would like to say thanks to my club buddies for their help. 3 guys, 1 teenager. 8 hours. We got the floor cut out. And the front clip removed. Took care around the good braces to preserve and have the replacements on order. Stay tuned!
 

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Oh I forgot. I also bought this. A 2019 LT motor with a 6 speed transmission. Was a complete pullout...
 

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I would have guessed that was an 8 or 10 speed automatic. Did you get a transmission control module with it?

Don
 
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