Not a whole lot new to report but thought I'd share an update. As is the case with these types of projects there are always ups and downs that are a part of the process. I took the car back to the upholstery shop to install the restored Impala only seat trim. Previously it was thought that the reproduction trim brackets I sourced were incorrect, so I tracked down some originals and restored them. Turns out the brackets don't appear to be the issue........I am starting to believe the Impala seat frame hinge bracket (that connects the back to the bottom) may have a different bend to it than the Biscayne seats. The trim bracket should be on the outside of the hinge bracket. The bench seat frame I used is from a Biscayne and not an Impala - as everyone said they are the same other than the trim brackets - and there aren't exactly a surplus of any of these in usable condition out there.
Doesn't make sense to me that GM would make two different seat frame hinge brackets, but maybe.....? Anyways, the trim is still not installed as I search for a solution. If anyone here knows please feel free to reach out and let me know.
While the car was there they were able to remove some wrinkles in the carpet around the trans tunnel that I did not notice until I got the car in better lighting - it looks perfect now.
Good news is that I am putting some miles on the car ............with the cool spring air the car runs significantly cooler than it does in the summer heat. I've got a 160 thermostat installed and with 40 degree outside air today it runs just about 170 in traffic.
I ran up to the local gas station tonight to top off the tank with some ethanol free fuel and while on the way back took advantage of some golden hour lighting to snap a few pictures at the local community airport. I still need to get the wiper motor back and installed, but for the most part the car is pretty close to where I hoped it would be when I started this journey 11 months ago. Still details to sort out, but it is to the point that I can drive it and work out the remaining bugs as we go.
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