The 'Stuff I Build' thread. Or...the 'Why I don't have a build thread', thread.

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sewlow

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Test fit of the covers to start the modifications.

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Foam modding. The original flip-down armrest will be permanently mounted to the trans tunnel & the hole left in the backrest will get filled.
Test fit. ...a-n-d the seating position is also too high.

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sewlow

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Solution...

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Foam work just about done.
Just have to fill the hole in the backrest left-over from the armrest.
There is no carpet on the tunnel in front of the seat as that part is covered up by a full length console.

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Test fit.
Backrest hole filled.
The seat cushions are sitting a bit tall just because they're not clicked in.
This test was to check the bottom length of the backrest where it meets the cushions.

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GarrettGmc

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Damn man you've got some skill there. A lot of custom work going on. Only upholstery I've done is wrapping the seat on my daughters rocking horses I made them.
 

sewlow

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I have more pix of the Camaro on another computer, which is being problematic. I've cuffed it upside the head a few times but that didn't work.
I'll get the rest of the pix up when I can.

In the mean time...

An original 409/360hp. '61 Impala SS. The first year of the SS option with a mid-year release. Either a 348 (8 H.P. versions) or the 409 were mandatory for the SS package.
The SS option was available across the Impala series and all body styles including 4doors. (excluding the Nomad wagon)
However, only coupes & convertibles were ever known to be equipped as such.
Of the 453 factory-built '61 SS's, only 142 had the 409.
There was an SS TRIM option that dealers used to dress up the 'normal' B-body cars, but they are not true SS's.
Sadly, the 409 in this car has long disappeared.
Now, it has a 400 c.i., dressed up with a period correct tri-power set-up & the accompanying finned trim pieces. Backed up with a 700R4 & a set of 3.73's.
The owner bought the car as a driver. He did for a while before the resto was begun.
The car has had some floor work done but other than that, it was pretty solid over-all. Minimal body work. New stainless side trims.
The car had been taken care of over it's life.
Taken care of so well, I didn't have to touch the seats. Yea! 57 years old & other than the typical fading, (which isn't really all that bad) they look & feel (!) as new! Amazing.
Original headliner, too.
I installed a new set of carpets (kit) along with new windlace, door panels & parcel shelf.

The pix.

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Look close. That little bow-tie just above the license plate under the bumper over-rider is non-original, but somehow, looks right.
It has a purpose, though. That's the hood release that the owner fabbed up!

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One rare emblem! '61 only.

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sewlow

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Seats & headliner. New carpets, parcel shelf & kick panels installed.
Camera batteries died before I could get pix of the door panels installed! Aarrgghhh!

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The tilt steering is non-original. It looks it, though.

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Factory flaws & all. Check the top corner of the front seat backrest. But in way too nice of shape to mess with them. I actually like the fact that they are untouched!

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sewlow

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Some pix of the other vehicles in the fella's shop.
His '40. This is s-o-o-o nice! Great stance with just the right tires & wheels.
Weird choice for an engine, though. One of those reverse-flow LT-1's. But considering when the the car was built, that was pretty high-tech for the day.

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Ever see a '40 Ford's front end sheet metal aligned as well as this?
There are 2 specially fabbed 2"x 2" vertical brackets that are built straight up off the frame, designed so that all the steel is hung from them instead of the original design of mounting it all off of the radiator.
'40 Fords are one of my most favorite vehicles, ever. Some of the best, if not THE best lines ole Henry ever put to paper.
I've looked at a LOT of them, & even the ones that rolled off of the showroom floor, new, never had sheet metal alignments that looked this good!
Check out the ultra-rare pebble guard behind the bumper, too.

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sewlow

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The '57 has a 6.2 LS! 4L80e/3.73's in a 9".
I've worked on this one too. 10 years ago? Back when it had a 383 stroker. Complete original style kit interior.

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Under the cover is another '40. A pick-up. SBC/T350/10b/3.55's.
It's been lowered some, but the real drop in height comes from the fact that it's been body-dropped!
I just grabbed a pick of the front-end. Owner wasn't around & I didn't want to mess with the truck while he was gone.
Behind that, under the cover is a '69 GTO. R/A III, 4 gear, 3.9's. Black interior. It's that orange color that Pontiac called red.

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The truck over top of the GTO is a 40,000 mile original early 60's Chevy. Straight 6, 3 on-the-tree. Lowered & new paint. Original interior.
I have no idea what the other one on the hoist behind the truck is.
He told me, but I forgot! (Damn Old-Timer's Disease!)
Not the same owner as the others. Winter storage for a friend.

One last pic for now. I forgot! (Again! Yeesh!)
The engine of the '61.

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grampadirt

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Man,I hate you lol,those are some beautiful cars....(drooling :)).Wifey had a '61 Impala when I met here in '69..had a 348 in it.Sadly neither one of us remember what ever happened to it.Only thing that could be better on the '61 pictured above would be to have a 4sp.
 

sewlow

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Wrapping stuff, today. Sneak peak of a project in the works...

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'scuse the mess in the shop.

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sewlow

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Same car. Last week. Think this is the longest suspended-style headliner I've ever done.

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