Start to finish. 2.5 year Resto-mod of 1963 Impala Wagon

[AZhitman]

WOOOOOO!!!

Good to see it coming along, Mark!

I told you it was worth restoring.

[G.O.B.]

WOOOOOO!!!

Good to see it coming along, Mark!

I told you it was worth restoring.

Greg, I am so happy that you took the time to go and look the car over for me that day. To think it started by talking to Neal about a car and where the car was at. And he said “I know someone that lives there, would you like me to ask him to please take a look for you". And now I have a large or I should say Rick has many large piles of parts in his shop, Crossed Flags Restoration, Macon, MO and that a dream that many a small child has had is trying to come true. Some day after the car is done and if I live long enough to meet you, I want to shake your hand and say “Thank You” face to face, God willing.

[AZhitman]

As long as I get to ride shotgun in it, my friend!

The day I picked it up:

[G.O.B.]

As long as I get to ride shotgun in it, my friend!

The day I picked it up:

Shotgun my a**, you drove it before me or Neal. So when we meet up, You my friend WILL be Captain of that boat ride around Surprise, AZ to show her off on that home coming. My wife and I will be honored. A trip I look forward to.

[G.O.B.]

Well, after having some down time while Rick was on vacation, and me taking my time getting pictures hosted...I figured it was time for an update.

The ole girl has made quite a bit of progress in the last several months, and I have to extend a large robust "Thank You!" to Rick. For a one man operation, he has been busting his backside to get this done for me. I am much obliged.


Well, anyway, on to some pictures.

A few posts ago, there were some parts that were shown. Some of them may not have been to obvious on what they were. Well, now you know what one of those sets of parts were for.



Yes, I know this picture is upside down, but now you see how it fits where it's supposed to go.








Front and back tires should hold the road, but will suck on snow and ice.






As you can see, she does not want to remove her clothes for just anyone.
She is making Rick work for it.






From Rick.
Mark,

Here are some more progress pics for you. As you can see, the paint strip process is a slow messy job. I was surprised that the base red oxide primer was so tough. I will have to sand off with 80 grit and a DA sander. You can see this in the last pic.

Talk to you soon,
Rick


















And...just some random parts.







All for now. Hope you all had a nice Labor Day holiday.

[Gold Digger]

Lookin good, Pop!

Keep the updates coming.

[GrilledCheese33]

Awesome update! I seriously cant wait until this thing is done.

[Gold Digger]

Awesome update! I seriously cant wait until this thing is done.

You and me both. I just hope I get to drive it before most other people do. I mean, you'd think this being my pop, I'd have a bit of favoritism thrown my way...hehehe.

[AZhitman]

Rick needs to get with the times and buy a soda blaster. All that old paint would be gone in a few hours.

80-grit DA is gonna make for a LOT more bodywork later.

[G.O.B.]

Hey, kids...and us oldies, as well...How's everyone doing today?

To start off, I would first like to say something.


Nine years ago today, terrorists attacked the United States in the single most deadly act in all of history. Thousands of men and women lost their lives on those planes, in the WTC, Pentagon and in the field near Shanksville, PA. Along with those that died in the initial attacks, many police and fire fighters, first responders and civilians lost their lives trying to battle the fires and ultimately the collapse of the Twin Towers.

Let it be known that your lives, memories and legacies will never be forgotten.


With that out of the way, I have another update with some more progress on the wagon.

First off, an e-mail from our good friend, Rockin Rick.

Mark,

Some more pics of the wagon in the paint removal mode. I sent some pics of actual removal procedure.

I did this as it is very Important to protect yourself while doing this process. ALL of the older cars from the 50's, 60's and 70's contained lead in both the primer and top-coat paint. The red oxide primer in this application was very high in lead content.

ALWAYS wear breathing protection while performing this procedure.

Speaking of the red oxide primer, this ole gal didn’t want to undress easily. The paint stripper would not even phase it...had to remove with a orbital sander and 80 grit sandpaper. This slowed me down some, but has to be done.

Also sent some pics of the right rear quarter panel, as it needs to be repaired...again. It would be interesting to know what caused the damage...

Will send more pics as I progress.


Rick

And with that...

[Solar_Runner]

The Draggin' waggon is going to be smoooooth as glass. Love the updates - carry on!!!

[G.O.B.]

WOW! I am at 5 pages. Who'duv thunk it?

Alright, my fellow Nico-nauts, the G.O.B. is back with some more pictures on the status of the S.S. Going broke. It's a slow going process, I know, but you're pretty much guaranteed to get weekly updates. Well, that may be a stretch, but it sure sounds good.

Anyway, Rockin Rick has continued to turn and burn on the ole girl, and she is coming right along. The more I see of her, the more excited I get anticipating the day when she'll be docked back at her berth.

Well, here's the e-mail from Rick.

Mark,

Here are the pics of bodywork progress.

Removed the paint on firewall, sandblasted and removed all seam sealer in drip rails and cleaned for new sealer. (Many guys overlook this very important step.) And rust is still left to continue rusting.

All bare steel will be metal treated before etch primer and resealed with new sealer.

The hole in the rear quarter panel came out very well and, as you can see in picture, it closed back together and welded up good. Hole in the tunnel of the floor is fixed also.

Will finish body work this week and will etch prime body (hopefully) by first of week.

I will be in touch when I have more updates. Hope you have a Good Day!

Rick

And, now for the money shots!



























Here is the hole Rick mentioned in the right rear quarter.



And here is the repair job.



Hope ya all are doing good!

[Gold Digger]

Lookin good, Pop. Keep em' comin.

[BallzDeep1.9L]

i hadent looked at this in forever, lookin good old man, keep up the updates, glad to see a fellow wagon owner modding it up

[G.O.B.]

Thanks for keepin an eye open Tristan. Was good seeing you when Neal was home, but it was too bad you couldn't make the BBQ. You're more than welcome to come down and visit any time. Just be sure to give us a heads up so we can be sure to lock the doors...

Just kidding.


Anyway, my followers, got some pictures last week but was a bit under the weather, so I didn't have time to get to the thread. Well, have no fear, because Rockin Rick has been making steady progress and the car is still moving along nicely.



Mark,

Here are some pics of the final steps of the bodywork and primer application on the wagon. All bodywork on the car body is complete, except for a small dent on lower left quarter. I noticed it while priming the car. I will fix it when I block sand the body.

The rest of the car is smooooooth! This is the result of many prep hours, sanding and blocking. I applied 3 coats of PPG self-etching primer for this base primer. Will block down and re-prime as necessary.

The front fenders, doors, tailgate, radiator support, windshield grille, and upper bumper valance will go to the media blast Monday or Tuesday of next week. Sure was glad to find a media blaster, since the red-oxide primer on this car is so hard to remove.

Talk to you soon,
Rick

P.S. For those who aren't familiar what etch primer is, I'll explain.

Etch primer is simply, a very corrosion resistant primer. It contains an acid that kills any surface rust by neutralizing it and then seals it. This prevents rust from working under the new paint!!!!!


And now on to the pictures.
























Till next time,
The Grouchy Old One.

[Gold Digger]

Damn, Pop! At the rate Rick's going, it could be done before you know it. He's making some killer progress on the ole girl.

Lookin good!!!

[float_6969]

Wow, this thing goes a way back! I'm just seeing this for the first time. Great read, thank you!

[G.O.B.]

Alright, got some more info for all of you.

The car has had the engine and transmission placed back in the frame!!!


Mark,

I'll keep this short as we just spoke on the phone.

Here are some pics of reinstalled motor and trans. Everything went back in and reconnected just fine. The rolling chassis is now COMPLETE!!! The light now appears at the end of the tunnel, so to speak!

Later,
Rick

P.S. the motor and trans cleaned up pretty good for not using any water.


Not as many pictures as usual, but here ya go!












More when I get some!

[BallzDeep1.9L]

WOW, the body on that thing was in excellent condition before he even started. didn't see any patch panels of any kind from the pics that you posted up. the project is moving along pretty good now. cant wait to see the finished product.

P.S. you got the invite in the mail and RSVP'd right? i can't remember whether you told me or not.. lol, to much going on around here lately

[G.O.B.]

WOW, the body on that thing was in excellent condition before he even started. didn't see any patch panels of any kind from the pics that you posted up. the project is moving along pretty good now. cant wait to see the finished product.

P.S. you got the invite in the mail and RSVP'd right? i can't remember whether you told me or not.. lol, to much going on around here lately

Sorry my young one, but time will not allow mom and I to make it.
Best wishes and blessings to you both, and may God guide your foot steps in life.

[G.O.B.]

Well, kids, the Grouchy Old one is back with some new photos for ya. Unfortunately, there isn't much as far as written updates, but you can see the progress so far.

Hope this will keep ya happy till the next installment.

[GrilledCheese33]

Rick does Quality Work

[S13_love]

Can't wait to see how this turns out!

You're definitely doing a damn good job on it...

[G.O.B.]

Can't wait to see how this turns out!

You're definitely doing a damn good job on it...

Thank You for the comments, but Rick is the guy working his heart out. This guy puts his heart and soul in to his work and it shows. And it is not because he knows me; this is the way he works on all of the jobs he does. Even when I first got to know him back in the days at the Lakis Ford Dealer, he always gave 100% and that was back in the 70’s. And thank you to all who keep reading on.

[float_6969]

Thank YOU for the updates and reading material!

[BallzDeep1.9L]

*needs more updates*

[G.O.B.]

*needs more updates*

NEED MUCH MO' MONEY!

[Gold Digger]

*needs more updates*

NEED MUCH MO' MONEY!

Preachin to the choir, Pop.

[G.O.B.]

Greetings, NICO!

Well, I have an update and some more pictures for you.


Mark,

Here are some more pics of the body work that needs to be done (I’m working on). As you can see, there are some rust issues. These will be repaired by cutting out the bad areas and welding in new steel. The fender brace looks worse than it actually is. It's solid with no pinholes. I will kill the rust and treat the area before covering it with new steel. This area will be treated with POR-15 after completion to stop continuing rust.

I will send more pics as progress happens.

Rick

[Solar_Runner]

You are going to have such a wonderful ride when done. After seeing and reading about so many horror stories where folks get ripped off by rotten shops, it is refreshing to see that your Impala is in such good hands. I enjoy these updates and look forward to the finished product!

Look what showed up in Albuquerque for sale:
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2024826609.html