Fixing the tail lights on AMT 63 Impala

[59 Impala]

I hate that AMT molded the tail lights in the back of this car along with some other stupid stuff (in my opinion).  I've made some resin tail lights and back up lights for my builds.  I've drilled out the lights on the Ronny Sox's car and will be installing the red and white ones.  I will also use these in Malcolm Durham's car.  Here are some pics of Sox's 63 Impala.

Dan

Edited April 29, 2018 by 59 Impala

[espo]

Great looking tail lights. The thing to remember about the AMT Impala is that it was designed and produced a LOOOONG time ago and that was the way they were modeled at that time. What you have created is much more the current way that the model companies are doing it. Yours are well done.

[59 Impala]

Thanks David.  The original kits had the tail lights molded in Red and the re-issues had the molded in lights and they also left out the fire wall.  Also, the re-issues had a lump of an engine, not like the original which had a pretty good one for that time period.

Dan

[Bob Ellis]

The last AMT '63 Impala with  clear red taillights was the $3 drag kit with the '65 Chevelle. The Craftsman kit had clear red too. I believe AMT remove tail light inserts about 1975 when they made a special veterans kit with promo/open hood and poor engine. I have only seen a photo of it. So it was all done for ERTL in 1987 to reissue.

[Ron Hamilton]

This one is near and dear to my heart, as I have an original annual 63 Impala hardtop that I am restoring. The previous builder glued in a set of bubble tail lamps into the body, which I cannot remove cleanly. I will probably keep them as they are so cool. Because of this I have to change the direction of the build to a mild custom/street machine, instead of the replica stock/super stock I originally wanted to build. Also, I have in the basement, a 20 year re-build of a 63 annual that I turned into a convertible from a hardtop. I have to find the car, as I didn't toss it. I slipped the chassis and drive train from the current tool 62 Bel Air under it. It should strip clean, as I painted with enamel paint. I remember buying a set of tail lamps and the convertible boot from The Modelhaus and putting them in. From what I remember, the windshield header is broken, so I can turn it back into a hardtop, and build it as a Replica Stock. I want to build the Malcolm Durham and Dave Strickler Super Stock Z11's with the Revell 63's I have.

[59 Impala]

I made another set and installed them in Malcolm Durham's 63 build.  I used a little less red die and I think that they turned out a little better.  I don't have any pictures of them yet, but I'll take some and post them.

 

Dan

[Tom Geiger]

Very nice work.  I agree with you that there's nothing like the original issue!

Here's an old built up from the original issue..

[59 Impala]

 Thanks and nice convertible Tom. 

Dan