And today...the spadework for the '65 Impala starts. Khuda ki qasam, yeh na khatam hone waaley silsilay hain 
I'm very fond of the '65's performance. The engine, the transmission, the suspension, the brakes, the exhaust, the interior, the sound system are absolutely wonderful, Allah be praised. The car has a great deal of presence, and brings a smile to the face of everyone who sees it. Or hears it, for that matter
But cosmetically, it has problems. When the car was originally being rebuilt, the body work was not sufficiently focused upon. As a result, paint blisters from underlying rust, have cropped up in some spots. In certain other areas, the paint has started to chip off, from an excess of underlying steel putty.
This brings me to what I intend doing to this car, to put it right cosmetically.
- Denting. A full body makeover to smooth out and and all underlying rust spots.
- Re-chroming, of all minor parts.
- Buffing and polishing of all aluminium parts of the trim, garnish, grilles, etc.
- Refinishing the lights, lenses, and dials, etc.
- Paint job in gunmetal grey (matte).
- Custom flames paint job (AGAIN!).
As always, my son Shayaan is my most ardent fan, and most harsh critic. Originally, when the subject of its impending cosmetic rebuild came up, I was planning to wrap this ride in matte black or matte grey vinyl, and leave it that way, with its stock chrome embellishments. His words were: "Dad, this is the only flame-painted Impala you see on the roads, and it's become a bit of a signature car, that way. Please don't finish off the flames and tattoos on the car". Right. This, coming from the young man, who a few months ago, said he'd never sit in the Impala if I went about painting flames on it!
So...a dull finish it is. As for the flames, we'll just have to see how the car turns out in charcoal / gunmetal grey, and proceed thereafter. I'm really fond of the effect of wrapping, too. If it's economical, we'll look into the possibility of wrapping this ride. Grey, black...or who knows, even a chrome vinyl wrap may be on the cards!
Once again, as the euphoria of getting the '67 Impala ready, works its way to a peak, the thrill of fiddling around with the '65 makes itself manifest.
Kya karein...control nahin hota!
