'69 Impala SS 427 Convertible

[Plowboy]

I bought this a few years ago on ebay. I got a good deal on it for an obvious reason. Besides the broken windshield frame, it was in good shape and all there. My first idea for it was to use the top from a '70 Impala and turn it into a hardtop. That idea faded over time. The new plan is to bash it with a Revell-Monogram '65 Impala. It'll provide most (if not all) of the parts needed. Lots of work ahead!

 

The first task will be to repair the windshield frame using the one from the '65. Then get the uptop fitted. 

[kelson]

This should be interesting!,haven't seen one of these being built in a long time.

[Bob Ellis]

I love broken promos. A great starting point. I cut open the hoods.

[Plowboy]

3 hours ago, Bob Ellis said:

I love broken promos. A great starting point. I cut open the hoods.

Me too. There's something about bringing them back to life. I'll be opening the hood and trunk.

Doing some test fitting. Looks like the '65 windshield frame and top are going to work.

 

[Tom Geiger]

I’m watching! The 69 was my favorite because it was current the one year I was in the states. The Chevy dealer was a block from our house and 11 year old me would hang out there. The salesmen kinda adopted me so I’d get the used showroom banners and such. Sometimes even a ride in a new Chevy!  

[bisc63]

Should look great as a convertible with up-top! Big fan of the '69s myself, and have a conversion (slowly) in the works, making a Sport Coupe. Is your promo by AMT or MPC? One of them molded the "CHEVROLET" letters on the front of the hood (like yours) and one didn't (mine). Are you planning on polishing the plastic to keep the promo vibe, or do we have a tasty paint job to look forward to?

[slusher]

A new project, I will be watching…

[Plowboy]

6 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Should look great as a convertible with up-top! Big fan of the '69s myself, and have a conversion (slowly) in the works, making a Sport Coupe. Is your promo by AMT or MPC? One of them molded the "CHEVROLET" letters on the front of the hood (like yours) and one didn't (mine). Are you planning on polishing the plastic to keep the promo vibe, or do we have a tasty paint job to look forward to?

I figured it was an MPC since they had the promo contract with Chevy. I always paint. Polished plastic looks like polished plastic. Plus, I've had to do a little surgery on the body.

I have the windshield frame glued permanent and the top fitted. 

The windshield frame fit quite well with a little trimming.

On the rear deck, I cut the tulip panel from the '65 and grafted it in. I'll also be adding the top pocket behind the rear seat. I'm debating on whether to glue it to the body or the rear seat. I think it will look/work best glued to the body. It would give me a true separation between the seat and the pocket.

   

 

Edited May 17, 2021 by Plowboy

[Bob Ellis]

On 5/16/2021 at 8:03 PM, Plowboy said:

Me too. There's something about bringing them back to life. I'll be opening the hood and trunk.

Doing some test fitting. Looks like the '65 windshield frame and top are going to work.

 

The Revell Monogram 1965 Impala convertible windshield works for all the 1965-1970 big GM cars.

[Plowboy]

I had a change of plan. Instead of using the '65 Impala chassis, floorpan etc., I've decided to go with those parts from an AMT '67 Impala for a few reasons. 

1 separate frame.

2 better looking floor pan. 

3 better fit width wise

4 the '67 has the engine I need. 

5 underhood detail has better structure for the body. 

I got the hood opened. The styrene on it was thick! It took a minute to get it cut loose! I then cut the underhood detail from the '67, cleaned it up and installed it. It really helped strengthen the body once again. But, it wasn't as flimsy as I thought it would be when I cut the hood loose. I also use the cowl to fill the gap between the firewall and windshield frame. I glued the top pocket to the body. Next, I'll be cutting open the trunk.

 

[Bills72sj]

The rare 68 and 69 Impala kits are on my wishlist. I shall follow your build.

[Beamerman]

This looks very interesting...i love these Fullsize Chevys...i will follow too...great work so far

[Plowboy]

6 hours ago, Bills72sj said:

The rare 68 and 69 Impala kits are on my wishlist. I shall follow your build.

I did a '68 a few years ago. But, I kept it promo style. If I ever get another one, I'll go full detail on it.

 

[Tom Geiger]

MCW has a bunch of bodies.. the different roof lines etc. Recently saw they were showing 71s on Facebook 

[bisc63]

Love the color on that '68, have you decided on a color for the '69?

[slusher]

13 hours ago, Plowboy said:

I did a '68 a few years ago. But, I kept it promo style. If I ever get another one, I'll go full detail on it.

 

I would love to see the 68 Chevy reissued….

[Plowboy]

2 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Love the color on that '68, have you decided on a color for the '69?

Thanx Rusty! I don't have a color picked yet. It'll have to be a dark color to go over the red. I'm not even decided on the style of it yet. I kinda thought stock for a minute. Also thinking low rider.

[Plowboy]

7 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

MCW has a bunch of bodies.. the different roof lines etc. Recently saw they were showing 71s on Facebook 

I have a mint '71 to build someday. 

[Plowboy]

19 minutes ago, slusher said:

I would love to see the 68 Chevy reissued….

Me too. Seems like a natural since Round2 has the '67. All it would take is a new body, interior panels and seats.

[Plowboy]

I got the trunk opened, rain gutters and trunk detail installed. I also got the trunk pan filled. It was a good thing I glued the top pocket to the body. There was a fit issue with it and the wheel wells. I had to section the wheel wells a couple of mms to get the floorpan fitting like it needed to. 

Next will be trunk hinges and getting the interior cut apart/fitted once again. 

[Sam I Am]

That is a beauty.  We had two 69's growing up. Two door hardtop with fastback roof, white with navy blue vinyl top and interior.  Also a Kingswood wagon. Navy blue ext/int. The blue on that wagon was gorgeous. 

I will be following for sure.

[StevenGuthmiller]

The '69 Impala is probably my least favorite style wise of all of the pre-1970 Impalas, but this promises to be a real barn burner!

There's nothing I love more than seeing an old obsolete kit such as this get the full "modernization" treatment.

 

I'm following along intently.

 

 

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

[TooOld]

Really like what you've done so far , you sure make it look easy !  The new engine compartment looks great and I like that you glued the top well to the body .

[NOBLNG]

Excellent Progress! I wish I was that efficient. I like these big old Chevys too. I had a ‘68 Biscayne 4 door, a ‘69 Impala 2 door ht, a ‘70 BelAir, and a ‘71 Caprice.

[Plowboy]

Thanx for the feedback guys! I got the interior cut apart, repaired and fitted to the new floorpan. Everything is now a separate piece. No more seats molded to the console! I also cut the rear seat away from the interior panels. It still needs a tweak here and there. But, it's looking like something now at least.

I still don't know what style I'm going to go with on this build! Nothing I've thought of yet has clicked. I think I need to start cramming some wheels and tires under it. Maybe something will come to me then.