Just the beginning

11/5/17
Yesterday I loaded Dan's 1995 Impala SS on my trailer and towed it home. This is the beginning of a project that we've been discussing for 4 or more years. I've always enjoyed working on automobiles and was looking for a project. I know these cars inside and out because of a frame off restoration I did several years ago so I am not too concerned of what I've gotten myself into. Upon initial investigation the scope is quite a bit larger than anticipated but I'm up for the challenge.

Dan just wants me to put it back together and get it running.... but the task list is daunting!! It includes dropping the transmission, replacing wiring harnesses, installing a stereo, replacing the interior and tons of other thing necessary to get a vehicle back on the road after having been in storage for over 15 years. The trunk and cabin are literally full of parts and there are no instructions :-).

The plan is to get my son involved so we can work on it together. He is really excited because he knows the next project will be his first car. I will try and keep this updated as I progress through the project. Feel free to comment both positive or negative.

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Overhead Console Install

One of the "asks" was to install and wire in an overhead console. I believe it was from an Astro Van and nothing about it fit the Impala. I was quite surprised how long the install took but the finished product is really all that matters in the end. I first disassembled the console so I could paint it as well as figure out how to best install the darn thing. With the headliner out, I can form the base to conform to the Impala headliner. I decided to use thin aluminum sheets and rivet them to the sides to fill the gaps. I then covered the base with material that matched the headliner. Painting everything the same matte black color as the rest of the car so it matches. Lastly the final assembly. I as really happy with how it turned out thus far. I really hate cutting up a perfectly good headliner but this mod requires it. Most people cut huge holes and also drill into the cross brace and use screws/hardware that can damage the roof if not careful. I

Center Console

The center console needed to get modified so it would work with the new B&M shifter. If we had a '96 console, things would have been much easier. Unfortunately they are very expensive so the '95 console was used. The two cup holders were situated exactly where the shifter needed to be so out comes the power tools. After the console area was cut, I purchased a piece of ABS plastic and formed it using a heat gun to match the contours. It then got cut to make room for the modified shifter bezel. The panel was then glued to the console using ABS adhesive. Because the colors didn't quite match, the console was washed and prepared for some SEM plastic paint. I am really happy with the end result. Not sure if I'd want to do it again because as simple as it seems, I had 12+ hours into the console.

Speaker Box Build

When we initially went over the terms of the project, I stated that I did not want to do a full custom stereo installation. As time progressed, I had spent so much time working on it, I didn't want to do a half-ass job finishing the trunk. We went back and forth on ideas but in the end, I decided to just finish the car so Dan could enjoy it rather than get it back and continue to work on it. The first task was to build the speaker boxes that would house two Infinity Perfect 12 inch subs. He wanted a good punch but not a booming sound. After looking over the specs, that meant a sealed box of 1 cubic foot for each sub. The trunk floor is not flat in a B-body so templates had to be built to accommodate the odd shape. I decided to built 2 separate boxes - one for each side of the trunk. Here is the outline of the speaker box faces. I had just barely enough room to mount a 12 inch subwoofer into the panel. My goal was to be able to mount the amps and crossovers between the b

CIA Impala Rebuild Project

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