64 impala front clip on 58 apache

[Scottish58chev]

Anyone on here got a truck with an impala clip? Mine has one and i'm just wondering how it looks on a finished truck.

[mr48chev]

I'd say it depends on how they installed it as far as it's ride height in relation to the stock frame.

That sounds like late 70's early 80's tech when they often used what was cheap or free for subframe swaps. Nothing wrong with it as they used the same pieces up though 64 so chassis parts for it should be fairly easy to get.

[Scottish58chev]

Yeah definitely early tech for sure, the welds are pretty rough and obviously never heard of a drill for holes, either gas axe or gouging rods by the looks of it, that with a bit of oxy acetylene thrown in for good measure.

[47 Fasttoys]

I don't know, I always liked the look of the old Impalas but man is that gonna take a lot of body work to look right. LOL
Rob

[Scottish58chev]

Thanks for the words of encouragement lol. Thankfully the body is pretty solid other than the 2 rear cab corners and the only part that's Impala is the front clip. This is my first American build and is going to be a steep learning curve but having said that, metals metal regardless where it was built

[chevyguyase]

I think 47 fasttoys is joking. A front "clip" in America is the front body panels, fenders, hood, bumper etc. You are talking about the sub frame. Body shops here buy " the whole front clip'. That's why I clicked on this thread, I wanted to see what that would look like. LOL. In all seriousness though if the workmanship was good I would have no problem with an Impala sub frame.

[Scottish58chev]

Ahhh lol Every day's a school day, this is my first American project and although the sub frame is good the same can't be said for the workmanship but it's been sorted already, no big issue other than time.

[_Ogre]

and everyone knew what you were talking about...

post up some pics of the welding and measure the width of the front end

[mr48chev]

Width wise I think he is in good shape depending on wheel and tire selection. Parts such as ball joints, bushings and tie rod ends and what not shouldn't be a problem as the 58/64 Chev full size cars have a lot of support in the aftermarket.

It looks like you are well on the way to getting the scabs or shaky work cleaned up.

[Scottish58chev]

Not long started but getting there slowly, i work at sea for 6-7 weeks at a time so progress is slow and a steep learning curve in relation to what the truck needs.

Enjoying it though and a far cry from my last build which was a vw based sand rail. The pictures are of some of the welds.
Main bonus is how solid the rest actually is, very little rot at all, in fact only the cab corners needing done along with the usual dents and scrapes, well that and the fact the roof needs done as at some point in its life it's had some sort of sunroof??? and not a small one either. The 70's have a lot to answer for lol

[_Ogre]

i've seen worse welding, if your concerned it can always be grind out the welds and rewelded
you can always extend the boxing plates to add more strength to the connection

by definition a sunroof is a designed leak in any roof

[Scottish58chev]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i've seen worse welding, if your concerned it can always be grind out the welds and rewelded
you can always extend the boxing plates to add more strength to the connection

by definition a sunroof is a designed leak in any roof

I've boxed out the chassis on top of what you see in the pictures so it's all good now. One things for sure the roof will either be getting a repair panel fitted or a new skin but definitely not a sun roof lol.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevyguyase]

Scottish58chev, I'll try not to pirate your thread. If I can ask, are there many people doing this in Scotland? Is it more expensive? Emission laws ? Locating parts? Is it a rare thing to see an old American truck? I'm glad to see other countries doing this.

[Scottish58chev]

Not hijacking the thread at all chevyguyase. There is a reasonable custom scene in Scotland given the small population. It is more expensive than for you guys without a doubt, i see what you guys pay for parts and vehicles and am so jealous lol. Getting parts is ok but you need to pay more than in the states with shipping and customs charges and there are quite a few guys dealing in classic parts. Regards emissions, we have it pretty good as anything over a certain age doesn't come under too much scrutiny at the moment but like everywhere they are trying to change things and not for the better.

[_Ogre]

the internet is world wide web aka www. there are quite a few members here from all over the world
there was a build thread from whiskeymaker on a 55 scottish build
and another scottish build on a custom AD coe/camper, haven't seen anything from him i a while

i can't imagine the dedication and patience it takes to build any classic american vehicle overseas
most of the parts are here in the states and we are accustom to amazon's 2 day delivery
i get ansy waiting 10 days for any item to come to my door, i can't imagine waiting months

[Scottish58chev]

Hey Ogre,
Lol you need patience that's for sure. Some parts you can get reasonably quickly but you end up having to pay for the privilege. I ordered Ride tech stuff for the truck in Sept/oct time it arrived in the uk around Christmas but i was at sea so didn't get the stuff till feb then only to find out a box had gone missing, it eventually turned up but just a day before i was due back at sea, so yes patience and frustration lol
But it's a mindset so when you know it's not happening overnight you adjust to suit. Once i have a bit more progress I may do a build thread but we'll see, nothing worse than following something and it either taking forever or there being no conclusion at all lol