BROOKLIN AND THE 1960 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONVERTIBLE

The standard 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible (BRK61) was released in December 1996 and deleted in January 2001. It is finished in suntan copper metallic with copper/white interior, white tonneau, green license plate, whitewall tyres. “Made in England” is missing from baseplate. A light copper metallic color variation exists.

FACTORY SPECIAL

200 pieces of the 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertibles in candy apple red were ordered by the S.F.B.B.C. in 1997 to use for their annual Club special model. When the models arrived in San Francisco, they were rejected and returned to the factory because the color was not as requested. These Impalas, in metallic rose, were later released as a factory special color, differing from the Club model not only in body color but in having the seats in rose and having white wall tyres instead of blackwall tyres.

SAN FRANCISCO BY BROOKLIN CLUB

The 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible was chosen as the 9th anniversary Brooklin special for the S.F.B.B.C.. The factory modified the Impala with a candy apple red paint job, interior and tonneau cover in off-white, blackwall tyres on mag-type wheels and a chromed tachometer on the dashboard, representing the beautiful customized cars and hot rods that cruised the boulevards of San Francisco in the 50's and 60's, stopping at that American icon, the drive-in restaurant. Maintaining a San Francisco theme, the spotlight was put on Mel’s Drive-In restaurants, San Francisco landmarks back then and continuing even today, celebrating their 50th year in 1997. The Mel’s on South Van Ness was immortalized by appearing in the film “American Graffiti” and five restaurants remain in the chain. To add a few touches of realism to the drive-in scene, the Club asked the resident artist, Roger Cairns, to create the appropriate sketches for Mel’s carhop and customer figures. Bill Truscott negotiated with Arttista Models in Pennsylvania for the creation of the masters and 200 castings of each of the figures. The carhop and the seated customer in the car are figures unique to the Club. The carhop wears a white blouse, black pants, red Mel’s cap and white roller skates and carries a tray with hamburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. The customer is dressed in white T-shirt and blue jeans, sports a duck-tail haircut and a cigarette pack tucked in his shirt sleeve. Seated in the driver’s seat, he’s looking for a refill for his glass of Coke. A small cast-metal Mel’s sign and a card insert outlining the history of the American drive-in and Mel’s completes the set. A certificate was made to go with this model with the addresses of Mels Drive-in’s, of the S.F.B.B.C. club and of Brooklin Models, showing also a sample menu of the restaurant. A total of 200 customized Impalas were produced, each with the designation “SFBBC 1997 1 of 200” on the baseplate.

D.M.P. STUDIOS

In 2017 Dean Paolucci converted the 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible, beautifully modified with a lot of chrome details and using authentic Chevrolet colors. Two versions were made. The first one is done in jade green metallic, with green/white interior, white tonneau cover and whitewall tyres. The second is done in royal blue metallic, with blue/white interior, white tonneau cover and whitewall tyres. Only 25 of each version were produced, each signed and numbered by Dean.

Author: Gianluigi Cappi

You may find more pictures and information on this model plus many other Brooklin stories in the Brooklin Models Collectors Guide.