1961 Chev sedan conversion?

[greg87]

This might seem like an unlikely conversion, but I'm thinking of rebuilding one of my MiniMetals 1961 Chev Impala hardtops into a Bel Air four-door sedan. I don't forsee any problems with reworking the lower body, but I'm at a bit of a loss as how to go about doing the rear roof section with its pronounced overhang. If anybody has any suggestions on doing such a thing, I'd definitely appreciate their input.

[DavidJohnson]

Greg,
Maybe not so unlikely a conversion, as I find the 1961 Chevrolet post sedans to be very handsome.

I can offer the experience of having one time formed a roof for the 1960 Pontiac Matchbox convertible. I used thin brass sheet and cut out the roof and rear pillars as a single piece, then bent to shape. Wire was soldered inside the rear pillars (easier to do when before bending the roof) and inserted into holes drilled in the car body. For the CMW there may not be a place to drill holes, so longer wire can be bent under the rear deck lid to help hold everything secure. Maybe a wire bent to a U shape at the front joint to the CMW roof as well. Use epoxy or CAA to glue it to the model . Real auto body repair spot putty can be used to fill the crack and build up the top thickness and contour for the roof.
The 59 Ford model I just wrote about in the "Forming Clear Plastic Windows" thread also has a roof design overhanging the rear glass.

Listen to any ideas offered by others, choose your method, and go for it. If you have a digital camera we would like to see your in-progress photos.

my two cents,
Dave

[greg87]

Dave,

Many thanks for the advice. I'm now well along on this project (which is going easier than I'd anticipated) and hopefully I'll be sending in a photo soon.

[DavidJohnson]

Greg,
Glad to hear you are going ahead with the conversion. As said before, I like the 61 Chev sedans and look forward to seeing your model.

Dave