1963 Impala Convertible LQ4/80E Swap
12-28-2011, 08:14 AM
#261
Hey Norm, is that a 61 or 62? The dash looks nice. I agree with you on the digital stuff for 61 and 62 cars anyway. My gripe is the machined replacement bezel is all wrong and my eyes get fixed on that. I may do something similar to your setup in my 61. I would like to see more pics if you have a link...
I love the revised body mounts. Quality work as always Doc.
12-28-2011, 10:19 PM
#262
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I was rolling when I read this! I see where I went wrong, I should have been buying basketball jerseys and shoes instead of tools and cars all these years! Oh bugger! Thanks for the morning laugh.
Hey Norm, is that a 61 or 62? The dash looks nice. I agree with you on the digital stuff for 61 and 62 cars anyway. My gripe is the machined replacement bezel is all wrong and my eyes get fixed on that. I may do something similar to your setup in my 61. I would like to see more pics if you have a link...
I love the revised body mounts. Quality work as always Doc.
Hey Norm, is that a 61 or 62? The dash looks nice. I agree with you on the digital stuff for 61 and 62 cars anyway. My gripe is the machined replacement bezel is all wrong and my eyes get fixed on that. I may do something similar to your setup in my 61. I would like to see more pics if you have a link...
I love the revised body mounts. Quality work as always Doc.
I appreciate the compliments.
12-28-2011, 10:28 PM
#263
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Other than working on the other wheel house and grinding. I decided to shave the cowl too.
Quick buff so I can see where to cut.
There it is all tacked up. It required some contouring to get the piece to fit just right. There was no stress fitting the gap just right. I didn't want any tension causing a wonky fit.
Since this car is going to be driven in the rain at some point, it needs wipers.
Quick buff so I can see where to cut.
There it is all tacked up. It required some contouring to get the piece to fit just right. There was no stress fitting the gap just right. I didn't want any tension causing a wonky fit.
Since this car is going to be driven in the rain at some point, it needs wipers.
12-29-2011, 11:34 AM
#265
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I was just thinking about this the other day. Was thinking how I could graft the cross member in. I'd have a sweeter control arm setup as well as rack and pinion.
12-29-2011, 11:58 AM
#266
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Hey!! I've got two on the go lol
I'm liking you're use of word graft!
02-03-2012, 09:22 PM
#267
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Motivation has been really lacking since the New Year started.
Well here is the big hold up. I don't hide information, just once it's in my hands I'll say what I'm doing!!
55-56' Chev dash. I don't think this has ever been done in a 63 or 64 Impala. So unless some says otherwise......It's a first.
The VHX gauges from Dakota Digital were ordered on Jan 2 but still haven't arrived.
Dry test fit.
Well here is the big hold up. I don't hide information, just once it's in my hands I'll say what I'm doing!!
55-56' Chev dash. I don't think this has ever been done in a 63 or 64 Impala. So unless some says otherwise......It's a first.
The VHX gauges from Dakota Digital were ordered on Jan 2 but still haven't arrived.
Dry test fit.
02-03-2012, 09:25 PM
#268
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Let the fun begin.......
I don't have a slip roll so I improvised.
Add a little bend to match the factory conture.
Cut out the headlight and ignition switch so it all flows.
I don't have a slip roll so I improvised.
Add a little bend to match the factory conture.
Cut out the headlight and ignition switch so it all flows.
02-04-2012, 09:26 AM
#272
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I've seen a tri five dash in a 59 Impala done before. Not in a 63, so you can still claim to be the first ;-). How many tanks of welding gas you use already?I think you should have cut the middle of the dash and made a filler peice to make the dask abit wider. You going to be running a/c?, fill the factory heater control hole and put in a nice vintage air controller.
@ gofast. My Biscayne is a 62. I have no link to e build. I think I have a couple hundred pics on a external hard drive (digital camera), I should get off my @ss and load them into the computer .
@ gofast. My Biscayne is a 62. I have no link to e build. I think I have a couple hundred pics on a external hard drive (digital camera), I should get off my @ss and load them into the computer .
02-04-2012, 11:43 AM
#274
At least they aren't on film (been there). 
I have a 61 two door hard top, but I don't do build topics unless I'm able to work on it a lot or until I'm finished or almost finished so it will be a while.
Hey Doc, I knew you were nuts and this once again proves it! Excellent work on the 55 - 56 dash. I saw a couple 59 dashes at a swap meet last year and I considered buying one but didn't know where I would use it so I passed.
02-07-2012, 09:19 PM
#276
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Not trying to hijack this great thread, but after keeping up with it for months this seems like a good place to ask:
Do any of you know of a tailgate in decent shape for a 1961 wagon? I've been looking for several years now off/on with no luck. I missed one on Ebay last month by just a few minutes.
Do any of you know of a tailgate in decent shape for a 1961 wagon? I've been looking for several years now off/on with no luck. I missed one on Ebay last month by just a few minutes.
02-11-2012, 04:56 PM
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I was just browsing an old Japan lowrider mag, they grafted a vette/f body cross member onto an x frame. The pic is small but visible. Ima discuss this with Byron (OUTHOPU) I may wanna do this!!!! Weeeeeeee
02-12-2012, 11:42 AM
#278
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I like your idea with the dash.that will look sweet when its done.keep forging ahead it will be on the road soon.next week perhaps
.lol. keep up the good work.
.lol. keep up the good work.
02-12-2012, 02:54 PM
#279
great build. I am 8 years into a 65 Impala LS swap. Did plenty of frame repairs, floor and trunk replacement (one piece'ers), and plenty of fabrication.
I was watching BJ auction at my parents the other day and my mom says 'man look at that car selling for 100k, that guy made a fortune'. I crack up laughing and tell her that the guy probably lost 50k. I ask my mother how much she thinks I have in my car? she says 10k. I am still laughing at that.
Nice to see someone who has more money in their ride than I do. I did add about $1500 in parts I'll never use last weekend.
Good luck with the car. I plan on driving mine to AL, maybe Ill look you up when I go to an oilers game.
I was watching BJ auction at my parents the other day and my mom says 'man look at that car selling for 100k, that guy made a fortune'. I crack up laughing and tell her that the guy probably lost 50k. I ask my mother how much she thinks I have in my car? she says 10k. I am still laughing at that.
Nice to see someone who has more money in their ride than I do. I did add about $1500 in parts I'll never use last weekend.
Good luck with the car. I plan on driving mine to AL, maybe Ill look you up when I go to an oilers game.
