1966 L72 Impala In UK

[mssl72]

Well, it's time to bring up an old thread and post an update on this car. The extremely detailed restoration was finished the end of October just in time for it's 50th birthday (it was built the last week of October). It was returned to stock form since it wasn't very far from stock at the time it was acquired. It was found in LaGrande, Oregon in 2007 and the restoration started about 6 years ago. The former UK owner Andy C. may still be out there somewhere. The current owner is interested in more history on the car for obvious reasons. Here's some pictures so that nobody says "without pics it didn't happen"!
We'll start with a few old pics first:







As found in Oregon:




At it's new home:










The process begins:









with temporary 390hp air cleaner:

[mssl72]

Done:

[MosportGreen66]

Mark, amazing restoration. Can you explain the chemical dipping/stripping process?

Did you have to remove the trim tag? Did you need to strip the paint first?

Thanks,
Dan

[454_Malibu]

Wow,, very nice....

[ZAPPER68]

Spectacular...well done!

[CC Rider]

Very nice!

[SS427]

Beautiful!

[mssl72]

Dan,
I contacted the current owner (who did the restoration) with your questions. Here's his reply:

"No need to strip the paint. The process does that for you. The body needs to have everything removed so that it's just the shell. I did remove the trim tag otherwise it would have been destroyed."

I don't know if that answers the first part of your questions completely, "Can you explain the chemical dipping/stripping process?". I know that the methods of stripping a car has been discussed on this board a few times and it seems there is a side that doesn't like chemical stripping. I've heard stories of the stripper leaching out years later. I haven't personally done chemical stripping, but I've heard if done properly (using a neutralizer) that aren't any issues.

[66 Biscayne]

I know the owner/restorer....NO shortcuts anywhere....period.....and a great guy too !

[mssl72]

An interesting thing about the engine being dyno'ed:

"... it cranked 438 HP (with headers and no air cleaner), With a dual snorkel air cleaner, it cranked 429 HP, so pretty close to 425. That’s with all NOS internals (cam, rods, crank, lifters, etc.) except pistons, which are .010 over."