The Beast in video

To get a real feel of both the size and where the problem areas of the Impala are here are two videos that will show this and also help within the restoration process as there will not only be images and written journals of what has been restored but also video documentary.

(These can also be found on Youtube under these names)

Engine Bay of a 1968 Chevy Impala:

Exterior and Interior of a 1968 Chevy Impala REAL:

The BEAST!!!

29/03/2013
This blog is an online chronicle of the restoration of a black 1968 Chevrolet Impala four-door hardtop. It has a 327ci Chevy V8 engine that was reconditioned by the previous owner and has a 2 speed Powerglide column shift automatic. It is also an original right-hand drive which will make it easier to drive on Australian roads when the restoration is completed.

During the restoration I would like to keep as many original parts as possible to keep it authentic, as many extra and spare parts were included with the car, along with re-manufactured badges.

And where to from now?

05/04/2013
Now that we have an idea on what needs to be done to both get a road worthy for the car and then fully restore it we can tackle jobs little and small over the course of 2013 and possibly longer depending on money and time and eventually not only make my dream of not only owning an Impala but restoring a 45 year old car to the beauty in which it was made, with a few modern day comforts.

 I would still like to keep it as 'old school' as possible keeping all the windows manual, not electric and so fore and only updating electrics such as necessary for the engine wiring and of course the stereo. With a clean paint job, a nice sounding small block V8 engine and some updated electronics to some outdated styling, a reliable, functional and classic muscle car will be ours to enjoy for sunny weekends for hopefully many decades to come.

 The dream is to drive my dream!!

Interior View

Wiring behind the dash being disconnected

05/04/2013
The interior of the Impala is probably the most well kept part of this 45 year old car. The upholstery on the seats has only minor damage, with only one scratch. The parcel shelf is the only upholstery actually lifting off the interior and the door upholstery will only need to be fixed or replaced on the driver's side door.


The wiring within the interior will need to be fixed or replaced, therefore requiring the dash to be removed and the loom inside replaced. No electrics within the interior are functioning at the present as the ones that were functioning when the car was purchased have been disconnected to prevent any further damage.

The trims will need attention, screws are missing and the rear parcel shelf and pillar trims will be replaced by cutting new under-boards and and being re-trimmed ourselves.

The Impala itself was never made with seat belts, but there are holes for seat belts to be installed that the previous owners had made. Sets can be bought online and can be installed by us.

All the interior can be fixed by us and if upholstery does need major fixing you can buy upholstery machines at second hand and collectible stores, but I am currently unaware of pricing.

Latching the Boot

Interior view of boot

29/03/2013
The issues with the boot were both among the most obvious problems with the Impala when we first went to look at the car. The boot at present has no lock on it and is opened with a screwdriver. When we first opened the boot we found the broken lock so we know what it looks like, but it may be hard to find one exactly the same.

Boot hinges twisted

Also the torsion bar boot opening system will have to be replaced with struts for present day functionality and also due to it being twisted slightly so the boot does not open properly.
Lastly, the boot needs a rubber seal, as it leaks. Fortunately though, the previous owners had replaced the rusted floor of the boot so now it only needs to be cleaned and then possibly carpeted.

Inside the Engine Bay - starting simple

03/04/2013
The wiring throughout the car is most likely that original stuff or at least quite old. It is insulated cotton technology which is not suitable for modern day operations and in trying to rewire this it has already cost us many hours of work and will all have to be replaced. I will need to look into how much this is going to cost to replace as with all the wiring not connected the car is not running at the moment.

Apart from the wiring and after looking further at the engine the distributor will need to be serviced with replacement of at least points, rotor and cap, new 'correct' ignition leads as the ones in the car are not correct and the carburetor will need to be tuned. Along with these the vacuum and water hoses will be replaced as well to prevent cracking.

This should be completed over the next few weekends, as there is no reason the car has to be running soon and this allows time to get all the parts and allows plenty of time in case there are any hidden surprises that also need to be fixed.

Starting with the liitle things - the steering wheel

01/04/2013
After looking over the car there was some things that could be done within the first few weeks of the restoration that would not be too time consuming and that would not be expensive to complete; as the parts that were required either we had them or people we knew had them.
Fixing the steering wheel was one of them little or simpler things that could begin the Impala's restoration.

Fixed steering wheel

The thread that the nut goes on to hold the steering wheel in place was damaged, but be using dye we were able to re-cut the existing thread and re-use the original nut.

The first of many jobs on the repairing and fixing list has been completed now and it feels fantastic to be making those first steps but I feel more research will have to be done as things will become more expensive and time consuming as restoration goes.

Painting the BEAST!

Rust lifting paint on bonnet

31/03/2013
Fortunately, the condition of the panels on this 45 year old vehicle is very good. Almost all the panels are straight, with only minor dents and scratches. As for the rust it is mostly surface rust with only one or two small holes throughout the entire car. All rust will need to be repaired regardless, and this will be a big job.

Rust on front bumper

To do this the panels without rust will be sanded or stripped of all existing paint, then hammered and formed as close to straight as possible, followed with a very thin layer of body filler to smooth over and minor imperfections in the metal. Primer will be sprayed over the top of that to seal it, and give the colour something to stick to. Any rust will be cut out of the panels and a replacement piece of steel welded in before the body filler is used. This is important as I do not want a quick fix to the rust problem, such as bogging it up as the problem will not be fixed, only temporarily covered.

Flaking paint on the roof

The good thing about the Impala as well is that it has not been resprayed in recent years so there is no hidden     rust. We would like to be able to repaint the car ourselves as we know people who are spray painters who can help us, which will also keep costs down. Within the next few weeks I will be going down to the wreckers and buying a few panels to practice spray painter as my father owns spray guns.

What will the restoration require?

29/03/2013

Rust on the roof.

After cleaning and reviewing the surface damage of the car itself, I more in depth look at the Impala was required to see what needs to be done to firstly get it road worthy and then extra things for the full restoration that will be undertaken within the next year or possibly longer.

After looking over, within and then under the car, it was determined that these are the areas that need to either be fixed or completely replaced:
Dashboard Problems:
- dashboard lights
- indicators
- speedometer
- glove box (latches)
- hole for stereo (to replace previous tape and radio player)
- choke cable
- ignition wiring
- heater and demister
- horn

Upholstery and Door Seals.

Mechanically:
- distributor
- carburetor
- air filter
- automatic transmission
- front end suspension
- headlights
- taillights
Interior:
- rear-view mirror
- seat belts
- trims
- interior light
- rear bench seat
- parcel shelf upholstery

Right hand side headlights.

Exterior:
- boot lock and seal
- door seals
- left-hand mirror
- boot hinge
-bonnet hinge
- wheels
- door handles
- spare wheel
-boot lining



While these are probably not the only things that need to be done it is good to see were the work needs to begin.