1967 Impala SS body restoration

Once upon a time, Junkman had a 1967 Impala four door hardtop...



But now, I work in this bitchun hot rod shop, and my first project is a 1967 Impala SS body restoration. I just did a '64 SS Impala for another guy, as some of you know. This thread won't be a blow-by-blow like that one. I just thought I would show what I'm up to, and let you guys peek in one part of the shop because I know you all love hot rod project pics and I like to share. Oh, and because this is a Chevy!

As with any old car, this one has problem areas. I hired on about the time it had been disassembled and stripped of paint, and have since stripped the bondo to reveal a horror show on the quarter panels. Last couple weeks I've spent straightening and priming the removable body panels. Finally sprayed polyester primer for the first time today, and it is cool, I like it.

More pics can be seen here:

http://thehackshack.net/67%20impala%20restoration.htm

Most of those are before I got there, but theres more that aren't posted yet. That page is so the owner can track progress.

I'll stop yacking and start showing -

Yep full set of five SS hubcaps- better stash those!



Heres some patch panels- one is on backorder:



Oh boyoboyoboy- somebody really did a number on these quarters, just look at it. Awful! Unfortunately, the panels were fiberglassed to the rusty wheelhouse, rather than welded. This is gonna be a circus. No quarters available, just those two-piece patches. Ugh.





Then theres a couple holes in the roof:



Heres the fenders I patched and mudded, and the patched fenderwells:






Took all these pics a week ago, so now the one with plywood wheels is on the rotisserie, but heres a glance around. The Apache is almost ready to fit to the frame. I am in awe at what goes on around me and proud to be a part of the team.






Now if you want me to fix your car, you'll have to talk to my boss. He is the Ford guy, ha ha.



As it stands today, the bolt-on body parts are primed with Sherwin-Williams polyester primer, after thorough patching and straightening, and extensive filler work. Check back on the above link for the progress shots. I'll probably post more pics of the problem areas if theres any educational value to it.
 

SWEET!    I'm diggin' the wood wheel  
Most call me Lx, but I was born Dakota

looks like a nice shop, & the work is right up your alley.    i'm sure they are gonna be surprised by your work.     keep the pics coming idj.  
JOE,   pro, shade tree, redneck, get her done!...welder

Now that is a serious shop!!!!!  Looks like they have plenty of work going on in there.  

years ago, My dad had a 1972 caprice classic, it was all original with BBC 400ci and thm400 tranny, it was black with black guts.  

he said he liked the car but hated the fact that it only got 12 MPG, he didnt keep it long and sold it and bought a stinkin mercury topaz!!!  

 About how much does it cost to hire your shop to do a "restoration" like that?  

The previous body man needs to be treated to some mafioso ball peen hammer action! JMHO
I could do better than that without trying.

Lx...if you'd like, I can whip you up a set of those plywood wheels.  Just need to know what bolt pattern you want.  

Howdy gents-

Yeah smoky burnouts with the wood wheels smell totally different! Imagine the gas mileage you could get outta those.

I'll try to hustle up some more pics soon, been working on other projects this week.

They charge by the hour. Don't know what the rate is but its reasonable, judging by the amount of work going on.

I'm not sure what that previous bodyman was thinking, probably dollar signs and fiberglass filler, the welds are pretty hokey.

Thanks for stoppin' in!  

WHACK!

Chopped off that worst quarter patch yesterday and "Suprise, suprise!" the wheelhouse is rotten too. Previous bodyman didn't weld there, laid fiberglass instead. Looking for a replacement piece now. I'll have to patch the drop-down panel in one small place, but I don't know what we'll end up doing with this wheelhouse, theres nothing to weld to. You can see that the rearmost part of it is completely gone. Welded up three or four holes in the roof, too. Anyhoo, pics of the truck in the next stall are for my multitalented bud Pman.

 




 

see now that stuff looks like a nightmare to me!    Junkman,,, I just have to ask whats up with the plywood wheels?  


 I think it is a good idea though, easy to store and rolls around easier, but will they hold up a full completed truck without of fear of breaking?  

Scott, while I appreciate the offer I don't have anything to bolt 'em to! Besides, I believe the truck would sink in the dirt if I put a set of those on it!

Matt, I think that's an Apache  
Most call me Lx, but I was born Dakota

Yep thats an Apache truck.

The wood wheels- I wouldn't leave the concrete slab with them or use them on anything that runs. But yeah, they are 3/4" or 1" and seem sturdy for holder-uppers.

I was kidding about the woody burnout, lol.

Don't y'all worry none, I got those two patch panels fitted and merged into one. Then I took that back off and began to address the wheelhouse. No replacement panel available, so guess what? Patchy the clown rears his ugly head. Ugh. They tossed me a scrap of a Cutlass wheelhouse and I'm cutting patches off of that and welding a flange onto the rotten stuff.



 

Gotta do whatcha gotta do bud!  
Most call me Lx, but I was born Dakota

Whewwww.,. major surgery going on, so I won't interrupt much, but the plan is coming together, I can see that.
Keep pluggin away bud

 
When The Flag Drops,,,



The Bull Chit Stops,,,

P. Engineer.,. Engine Builder

Don't get me wrong, guys. I am smiling the whole time, I love this stuff. Old Chevys rock!
 

I suppose this means you can't claim "starving artist" on your 1040 anymore?  

Yep, gotta love it or shove it

 
When The Flag Drops,,,



The Bull Chit Stops,,,

P. Engineer.,. Engine Builder