im building an older amt kit of a 58 impalla and am wondering what color the stock valve covers should be, i found pics of them being orage and some that are grey, whats the correct color? also, is the stock intake the same color as the orange block or a different color?
How do you access the alt.binaries.models.scale. photos? I put that in my browser but it was unable to find it. I also added the http:// but no luck. Thanks, Dave
also, look for alt.binaries.models.scale without (.photos) on the end, binaries simply means that you can post things becides just words like in a plain text group such as this
The 409 was offered in 1961...I copied this information from there;
1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala
Comments: The Impala began as the top option level on Chevrolet's Bel Air line. Chevrolet's 1958 lineup featured one year only styling that sported "curves where before there were lines." The Impala option added special trim, deluxe interiors, and resulted in the steepest price in the Chevrolet lineup. Performance was important from the begining as the first Impala could be optioned with up to a 348 V8 putting out 315 bhp. The public's positive response lead to Chevrolet making the Impala a separate option for the next year.
Comments: The Impala became its own model in 1959. As with all 1959 Chevy's, the new Impalas were longer, lower, wider, and more curvy. They also had the wildest tailfins besides Cadillac. The rear end sported "bat wing" rear fenders, "cat's eye" taillamps, and a huge decklid. The drivetrain stayed the same, with some increases in horsepower and sales remained good. Of particular interest to enthusiasts were the availability of fuel injected
Comments: 1961 would be the year that the first true muscle car was introduced, the Chevrolet Impala SS. This would also be the year that Chevrolet introduced its 409 cubic inch V8, the engine that would launch the Big Three auto manufacturers into the horsepower race that would last well into the 1970s. The 409 was actually a response to Ford's new 390 cid engine, which was outperforming Chevy's on the dragstrip. Although it put out "only" 360 bhp compared to Ford's top 375 bhp, those extra 19 cid gave it respect on the street and immortalized in song ("She's really fine, my
409"). Chevrolet introduced the Super Sport (SS) option package, which was optional on the 348 and standard with the 409, which would define Chevrolet performance for many years to come. The Super Sport package, a bargin at just $53.80, consisted of special body and interior trim, power steering, power brakes with sintered metallic linings, full wheel covers with a three blade spinner, a passenger grab bar, a console for the floor shift, and a tachometer on the steering column. The 409 engine came only with the four-speed manual transmission and only one factory axle ratio. Lower axle ratios were available from the dealer and owners could see 1/4 mile times in the high 15s, which was pretty impressive in 1961. Unfortunately, the 409 already came with 11.25 compression and a four barrel carburetor, and due to its wedge shaped combustion chambers was not very easy to improve performance further. But no matter. Although only 142 Impala SS 409s were built in 1961 (and most went to good customers that would run them at the local dragstrips), the legend was born and the horsepower race was on.
409 V8 360 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 409 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. Performance: 409/360: 0-60 in 7.8 sec. 1/4 mile in 15.8 sec. @ 94.1 mph.
1962 Chevrolet Impala SS
Comments: Chevrolet increased production of the 409 and made it available in all full size Chevy's - Biscaynes, Bel Airs, and Impalas. The Impala's were a bit less aerodynamic this year, which made some racers turn to the lighter and slicker Bel Air coupe. The 409 was improved by adding new cylinder heads and a revised camshaft. With the standard 4 bbl carb, the 409 produced 380 bhp. But the real news was the improved top of the line 409 which added a pair of Carter AFB four barrel carbs and a lightweight valve train, and produced an astonishing 409 bhp, or a magical 1 bhp per cid. The 409 legend grew.
I thought so too but the box and instructions refer to it as a 409. The kit can be built as stock, custom or streetrod. I assume the 409 is meant for the streetrod or custom. I wish the kit came with at least a 283 to be poperly stock. I dont think it looks like a 409 anyway.
Shawn, I've had both real, the 348 and a 409. Outwardly you can not tell the engines apart. The physical dimensions are the same. However the 409 will kick butt and take names! I had a 1960 Chevrolet Impala with the 348 and after it started chewing up flywheels I dropped in a 409 with a turbo 350, Boy would that go then!
Yeah, I'll agree with you though, the kit needs a 283 as there were far more with that engine than the 348 or later 409. I have two of those kits and that is what I plan to do. IIRC AMT did that also with the 63 and 64 Impala kits.
Or you could make it look quite real by using liberal amounts of greasy black on the valve covers, manifold and top of the block. I knew a couple of guys that had them and that's what their engines looked like!
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