"IMPALA 5000"

1959 IMPALA CAR OF THE FUTURE

REVELL/MONOGRAM IMPALA / CORVETTE INDY CUSTOM

BUILT BY IRA DAHM (2/06)

 

 

 

 

 

2ND PLACE WINNER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE CUSTOM CLASS AT THE HOBBYTOWN PETALUMA CONTEST (3/06)

MORE COLOR PHOTOS BELOW!

The "IMPALA 5000" was designed like the factory concept cars of the 1950's, Long and Low with a Bubbletop and Lots of Chrome and Fins. The "IMPALA 5000" was built using parts from the Revell/Monogram 1959 Chevrolet Impala, Corvette Indy and the AMT 1963 Corvette kits.

Construction of the "Concept" started by adding the rear of the Impala to the center section of the Corvette Indy (See Construction Photos). After a lot of cutting and fitting, I was able to fit the body parts together. Fitting the rear trunk area involved adding some triangular sheet plastic shapes to the trunk area and the sides needed some filing and shaping to get the different body styles to blend. A 1963 Corvette front end and the front of the Corvette Indy were cut off. The 1963 Corvette signal light housings were removed. Then the 1963 Corvette front was trimmed to fit the Corvette Indy and it was then attached.

Next, the Impala tail light housings were cut out, to "French" the tail lights. The Corvette Indy Rear Ground Effects were cut off and fit to the Impala rear bumper area. Two triangular shapes of sheet plastic were attached to the rear bottom side edges, to mirror the famous Impala Fins. Sixteen "U" shaped plastic strips were cut to 5/8" long and attached to the lower wing of the Corvette Indy Ground Effects. The Corvette Indy roll bar was then removed. The chrome trim on the trunk was made from strip plastic, covered with Bare Metal Foil.

The Corvette Indy Interior was modified by removing the Indy dashboard and replacing it with the 1959 Impala dashboard. The Impala dashboard was also modified to blend into the Corvette Indy center console. The Corvette Indy steering wheel was used with the Impala steering column and the Impala rear speaker grill was placed between the seats. Impala mini hubcaps were attached the the centers of the Corvette Indy wheels and Cherry Red accents were added.

The body and interior imperfections were filled with Evercoat Putty, sanded smooth and primed. The interior is done in Krylon Cherry Red, Flat White and Flat Black. Red reflective film was used for the tail lights and the tail lights and license plate housings were painted Chrome Silver. The "IMPALA 5000" was painted with Tamiya Metallic Red, fogged over Tamiya Pearl White, and was then waxed with Novus Wax.

 

 

 

 

 

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dahms@sonic.net