Re: My 1965 build thread
 

sorry to hear about your father in law
be safe, see ya when you return

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

sorry to hear that alan, If you need any help at this end, let us know.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

First, I'm sorry for you & your wifes loss.

2nd, why not use a 'not so good' dash. A POS dash should still make a good core for the areas needed. Then you can swap your good dash to a fellow enthusiast that really needs an unmolested dash. Win, win.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Sorry to hear about the loss in the family. Ya'll be careful in your travels and best wishes to you and the family

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Alan,
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Your family is in our prayers.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

:thumbs:Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers. The service will be held around Christmas break while everyone is in town anyway. The airline ticket is close to $1200 for one round trip. :crazy: So noone is going up there right now.


That's a good idea. Another reason I'd like to keep this dash is just in case something goes wrong with the Impala dash. Yes, I worry to much. :lol:. I might post on the forum that I'm looking for a POS dash locally and see what comes up then sell mine after it is done.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

or if you don't find one, we can cut one out of my parts truck while you are up here, you can just put it with your carry-on for the plane.:lol:

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

I'd love to see the look on their faces as the longer than ususal length bag rolls thru the x-ray :lol: . . ...

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

:haha::haha:

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

I've gotten started on the dash transformation. :metal:

First cut

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07787.jpg

There is no turning back now

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07788.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07794.jpg

It is centered on the column, it's just the angle the pic was taken at.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07795.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07796.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07798.jpg

I've still got alot of work to do just to this side. finishing the pinch weld area, around the column and the mounts to the column and firewall.

I had to start somewhere so I just jumped in. Due to my inexperience with custom work I think I've done pretty good so far. If you have any pointers feel free to share. I don't need an old dash. I will make this one work.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

That Impala dash is going to look great. :metal: Wish I could do it to mine..

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Lookin great!What did you end up doing for the pinch weld flange on the imp dash?

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

that is looking nice, I want to put one of those dashes in every car I own.
It is already cut now, so I guess that you are deleting the radio, and ash tray?

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

very nice work!

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Since the Impala dash is pretty much flat across the top, I cut it about 1" long and cut reliefs along the edge and folded up the edge to make a flange. So far so good. Next I'm going to get the passenger side roughed out then tie everything together.

I'm going to block both of them off for now and redesign the openings for a pop out DVD player and aftermarket AC control where the ashtray is now.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

The point of no return..........


Looking good Alan.:metal:

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

That dash is gonna look SICK !!!

Great job so far.

Also, sorry to here about your pops...your family is our prayers as well.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

I went all the way through your build thread....Man you do some great work......:metal:

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Thanks for all of the comments.

I got the other side fitted and the 2 center mounts roughed out and ready to weld.

Here is my cut line on the right. The left line is my bend. If I did it again I would have cut up my old dash and used a 2" wide strip all of the way across the pinch weld. Then I could have laid the Impala dash right on top of it and welded it. It would have been alot easier to line up.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07805.jpg

Notches to make it easier to bend up to make the pinch weld.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07807.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07809.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07810.jpg

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

wow! that is a lot wider than I thought it would be.
Now I feel bad, I had the entire center of one of those dashes that I cut up, and I just sent it to the junkyard with a 60 elco 2 days ago, I thought about your build, and was thinking that you might need a patch, but I figured that it was only going to be an inch and a half, so I didn't grab it.
I guess it won't be that hard to bend up some sheet..

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Pic showing right center brace. Going to weld to the back of the cowl panel and tie the 2 together.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07818.jpg

Starting to make the end cap that will tie the dash to the A pillar. Made a template out of cardboard.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07816.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07819.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07822.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07823.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07825.jpg

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Alan, wish I had million dollars Id hire you to do all the metal work on my 63 & 66 you are doing a superburb job:metal:

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

The more I see those dashes the more I want one!

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

Great work Alan. Seems like alot of hard work that is paying off.

Re: My 1965 build thread
 

I wouldn't charge a million just 900K :lol:. Thanks for the compliment.

I think it is the best styled dash of all time.

Thanks man.



I didn't like the way the pinch weld was turning out so I sacrificed my old dash that came out of the truck. I cut the pinch weld off the 65 dash to make a shelf for the Impala dash to rest on. I'm glad I did because it is alot cleaner job.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07826.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07827.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07832.jpg

For those that don't know, these are kleeco's (sp). They are excellent in fitting up panels. They are like temporary rivets.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07831.jpg

This is what it use to look like. I just didn't feel good about it.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07834.jpg

This looks alot better.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/DSC07835.jpg

I'm going tommorrow to look at a new Vintage Air kit that someone is selling for half price. It's new in the box. I need it to make sure it will fit behind the dash before I weld everything solid.