American Graffiti '58 Impala build

So I wanted to build a 58 Impala with some "bitchin Tuck n Roll"...maybe with six strombergs...
This is AMTs kit #6548
I think I bought every piece of strip evergreen plastic of the size required in two of my local hobby shops in town...took many packs to pull off the pleats.



And the inspiration :


-Is that tuck and roll? That's bitchin' tuck and roll! You know, I really love the feel of tuck and roll upholstery.
-You do?
-Yeah.
-Yeah? Well, get in and I'll let you feel it... I mean, you know, you can touch it... uh... I'll let you feel the upholstery.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/field-car-no-more-ray-evernham-restored-the-58-chevy-impala-from-american-graffiti/
http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/field-car-no-more-ray-evernham-restored-the-58-chevy-impala-from-american-graffiti#3

The emblem thingie between the rear seats that I'm working on  - the kit interior has it molded in and I'm trying to preserve it - is apparently a rear speaker for the radio.
There is a chrome trim strip along the top that runs the length of the rear seat tops. Hopefully some bare metal foil will help pull that off realistically.

interior detailing will follow...I've sourced a photo etched bare foot accelerator pedal...Detail Master #DM2200 Custom Foot Pedal
Search is on for a steering wheel that looks like this one.........and that pair of fuzzy dice.......



Detail Master #DM2200

First chore was to get good reference pictures of the pleat pattern in the interior.
Then scale the pleats and source the plastic strip.
......and figure out the pattern.



This is where the work started, stripping all the detail off the seats, leveling the surface flat,  and then the placement of plastic strip.
After applying the plastic strip, they get sanded down to knock down the height.


Comparison of the two before and after interiors:
The rear package tray and dash board and door panels get the treatment as well.


Moving on to the interior roof headliner and the backs of the seats next.....

Nice work.

That is some serious patience, and exceptional detailing, very nicely done !!

Great reference photos...great handiwork.Monogram 57 Corvette had a steering wheel like that...I drilled out the holes in the chrome spokes with a pin vise and it looked pretty good. I'll send you one.

Looks great, Love this car. just something about that '58.

Man Down !
That's some clean T&R.
I'm sure the fuzzy dice isn't going to be a hassle to make.

Joker wrote:Man Down !
That's some clean T&R.
I'm sure the fuzzy dice isn't going to be a hassle to make.

I needed to get a few things form Detail Master for other projects - saw they had fuzzy dice...maybe 1/24 will be too large but thought I'd try it.....
http://www.detailmaster.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=detailmaster&Category_Code=KEN

great job,like to see this one when you've finished

That's bitchin. For your steering wheel, do as I have done for my Mad Max MaxRob steering wheel, make it out of aluminium can.

looks like photobucket dropped all my photos of my build. Nice. They want more money.

Curious how this turned out, would love to see pics of the finished model.

I set it aside, looking for the additional bullet tail lights and six Stromberg carbs.
In the box....waiting while considering how to tackle the red fogging on the trim.

Love that tuck'n'roll. great work

Thanks. I needed a rest and a break after all that.

Man that's some really nice work.

Great work on this one.

That is bitching!

Btw, the steering wheel is in the '51 Chevy kits.