62 Impala rustoration: We're going to try and save another one

[Jim Sullivan]

First test fit of the pass. quarter panel. Needs some trimming around the sail panel since I’m not fitting it behind the roof skin as original. All of the lines look good so far.

 

[327]

 

[Jim Sullivan]

After some test fitting, verified how different a 62 rear tail pan area is from a 63. The “cheap” lower trunk floors are 63, but they are advertised for 61-64. So a bunch of cutting and welding later, I now have a lower trunk floor. I’ll have to wait for Mike to stop over and help with another test fitting to see how everything fits now.

 

[59K9]

I always lurk here jim, I enjoy your work and am humbled by your skill and perserverance...

 

[327]

For Sure.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

I always lurk here jim, I enjoy your work and am humbled by your skill and perserverance...

Thanks Rob. I always say, it's a labor of love but this one might be pushing it a little. LOL

 

[heddrik]

Makes you wonder what else isn t a perfect fit from 61-64.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Another update from today. Both quarters are getting very close to fitting. We need to work on the trunk lid gaps. May have to pull the quarters in at the rear. Next step will be take all apart and weld the brace and trunk drop offs to the floor pan. Body work and prime. Then install and work on the final quarter panel alignment.

 

[327]

 

[heddrik]

So what s the plan for this car, red interior, white exterior?? Is it an SS? Just looking at your work is amazing Jim.

 

[JED]

Damn....you have brought that car a long way from where it was. Very impressive. I don't have anywhere near the talent or patience to do what you have done. Looking really good!

 

[skipxt4]

Jim, is "THE MAN"

 

[Jim Sullivan]

So what s the plan for this car, red interior, white exterior?? Is it an SS? Just looking at your work is amazing Jim.

Original colors, black exterior with a red interior. It’s just a plain Impala. It will have a four speed, just not sure what engine yet.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Welded the rear brace and trunk drops on the trunk pan. Harbor Freight spot welder works very nice, but it is heavy. Got it pretty warm.



Hope to shoot some epoxy primer on it and get it screwed into the car next weekend.

 

[R63ss]

Nice work Jim

 

[327]

Yes looks good.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

Truly amazing and not for the faint of heart .

Cheers! TomK

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Thanks guys.
I just have to add one more thing, the braces and trunk drops are supposed to be coated in weld through primer. The stuff sticks to the metal really well, but it doesn't work like any weld thru primer I've ever used. You definitely can't spot weld anything that's coated with it.

 

[La Hot Rods]

I have had that problem, once you get an ark started you have to burn it out without burning through the base metal.

 

[63 dream'n]

Thanks guys.
I just have to add one more thing, the braces and trunk drops are supposed to be coated in weld through primer. The stuff sticks to the metal really well, but it doesn't work like any weld thru primer I've ever used. You definitely can't spot weld anything that's coated with it.

Hey Jim ……have a look at this video at about the 4:38 mark he’s got a little spot blaster that he uses on his pre-punched holes to get rid of the weld through primer so he has metal the metal contact…….Pretty slick