Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

I have learned so much about my car through this entire thing! I tore down my entire front end yesterday (by myself) and it is much more simple than I thought. The hard part was pulling the hood off without messing things up (again by myself). Gonna clean things up a bit and get it ready for the new clip!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

You're half way there!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

when pulling off panels and hoods (especially by myself) I like to put painters tape on the edges to prevent scratches.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Nice car. Hope to see it back in shape

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Little by little. A good time to replace the heater blower motor I guess :-)

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

I got all the trim pulled and will get it welded up this weekend. Have to drill new holes for the Super Sport emblems, as these fenders didnt have them. Probably gonna use por 15 or some other type of rust preventative in the underside of the fenders and core support area up front... Anyone done this before?

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Started the sanding and metal work. I am going to eliminate the emblem on the front header panel, but keep the rest. A few more hours and it should be ready to put back on!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

its getting there!!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

To shave door handles, or not to shave door handles. That is my question. Did a few quick renderings of what it would look like. What do you think? Love it, hate it, or not too much difference?

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

If it's what you want, go for it. I know it's a lot of work and makes more hassles if the battery dies and s on on, so really it's up to what you want. I like it either way personally.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Shaved pic looks great! I love the handles more. I'd leave em.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Hey Nicke, what a great thread!

I like the shaved handle look, but it makes your emblems stick out more. I'd get rid of those too, or keep the handles and all.

Looks great either way.
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Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

First off nice car, I hated to see it get wrecked. The shaved handles look cool, but the painted bumper that you had photoshop not so much. I like all the chrome I can get.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Thanks guys... And I agree big mike. I'm keeping the chrome bumpers, and only painting the lower valance. I should have her bolted back together in the next week or so. Stay tuned... I guess they are right, a car/truck project is never 'finished"...

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

I like the shine on my cars.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Don't shave 'em. It's kind of a theme, all or nothing. I know of a 66 nova, beautiful car but he shaved the handles, all the other chrome remains and it just doesn't look right to me.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

agreed... I will be keeping the SS script and emblems on the front fenders, though I will be smoothing the header panel and trunk emblem. If it wasn't an SS, I would have no qualms about deleting all emblems, but after sourcing and paying for nice ones, I feel like I need to keep them ;-)

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Slowly but surely she's coming back together...

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

That looks great! What primer did you use?

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Not sure of the brand... it is a sealer, as I will use this opportunity to get the entire car straight. I will be sanding everything, and painting the entire car...

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Cool deal and good luck! Keep progress pics coming!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

more pics!!!!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

OK... So right now I am getting the front clip aligned with the doors and living happy on the car. I am picking up a pack of shims on the way home from work today, then I am gonna have at it. Also, I decided on shaving the emblem from the front header panel and the rear emblem on the trunk (but keeping the lock cylinder). Attached pics showing what I mean. In the last pic you see that I already have the holes welded up on the new clip. I did like the emblems, but think this will be a smooth little custom touch.... Also, put in a new high-torque mini starter did the dn to si style alternator conversion to keep my electronics happy...

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

I think it'll make it subtle with those emblem removals. And it's easy enough to undo as well.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Looks really clean without the emblems. The fender looks like it lines up pretty good too.
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Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Threw in the mini starter, new alternator, radiator and electric fans this weekend. Fired her up for the first time since the accident too! Spent a bit of time aligning the front and I am getting pretty close. The wiring you see is sloppy, as I haven't cleaned up the routing yet and made it look nice. Its tough doing all this in a tiny 1 car garage, but sure beats being out in the rain!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Looking good!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Still getting things lined up. Pulled the rear trim to get the corners square, and will be filling the holes above the lock cylinder. Also, cleaned up the electric fan wiring. Its nice to be able to start her up... fan works like a charm too. Comes on at 180, off at 170. So far so good! Also pulled all the window chrome. Will be pulling the glass to paint.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Very nice work and good job on the fans install.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Still aligning the body panels. I have spent more time than I care to admit on this, but I am taking my time and trying to get it right. Now that its winter time here, I am in no rush to get her back on the road. The hood and cowl are starting to line up nicely!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Very nice! Anymore when I'm building a project, I do the same. Try and get the body panels to fit the best I can and then disassemble to paint. Good work and keep at it.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Time well spent. It's really tempting to start rushing things to get things done. That's a big reason I like doing things myself. There's countless little things that only you will know were done.
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Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

I started working on getting the grill cleaned up. It wont ever be perfect, but then again, this car is a driver. I am removing the black paint in on the sides of the grill as I like the polished look there better. This will be the second grill I have done this too, and my last one turned out pretty well (see wreck photos). This grill is in pretty good shape, but certainly needs a cleaning! I hit it with steel wool and take my time with it. Took me about 10 hours to do the last one, and all by hand. Here are before pics. I'll post the after shots when I am done.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

I can't wait to see it polished.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

x2!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Got one side done... hoping to get the other side this weekend. This side took about 6 hours. All done by hand because every attachment seems to take too much off. Have to have that perfect touch and I couldn't get it with the drill. Tough to see the finish in the pics, but I really think it looks nice!

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

it looks great. Have you tried stripping this with chemicals? It might save some elbow grease.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

Yea, on my last grill I tried in a small spot. It lifted the enamel and caused it to be a bit discolored later, so I finished without it. I am sure there is a better way, but this way at least I know it will turn out correctly.

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

what did you use to polish?

Re: My other passion...65' Impala SS
 

So far, just really fine steel wool and a bunch of elbow grease;-)
Once I get it cleaned up how I like it, I will give it a nice once over with some aluminum/mag polish.