Matchbox No 20 Chevrolet Impala Taxi - Restoration Video

[@RichardRenes]

If this car were a DnD character, you'd have to pull off some serious high level magic to do what you just did. You brought it back to life and restored it to near perfect condition. Hats off sir.

[@burnoutteam6449]

Check out my New video buliding a golf Mk1 GTI

[@duaneayers6117]

Did you ever think to turning it in to a convertible or could you of. Love watching your videos it takes me back to that time playing with my Hotwheels under the tree going over the roots 👍🇺🇸

[@christophercaetano6305]

I HAVE a bunch of Match Box car from when I was a youngster in the 1970s ,and FOUND YOUR U TUBE VIDEO EXTREMELY HELPFUL YOU HELD MY INTEREST AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS, NEW YORK STATE GIVES YOU 5 STARS GREAT SHOW

[@gunlokman]

I've got two left hands and zero patience. However, in some strange way, I find your videos fascinating. I much admire your tenacity, skill and patience AND I love the finished article. You are a KZbin star!

[@bigmikefrompa.3063]

You sure have a lot of patience! You do awesome work! You have a new subscriber! Thank you for a great video. The things you find at 2:30 in the morning to watch! Matchbox restoration. Went from demolition derbies to Matchbox restoration!

[@williammackenzie3668]

You are a genius restoring the English made Matchbox collection fleet from the 60's and 70's...we had lots of fun pushing these vehicles around when we were lads....you've got such an amazing skill...Congratulations for that! Made in England was a sign of authentic hand -made quality products ...I really enjoy watching you how you bring these one of a kind treasures back to life again! Cheers!

[@WPQ190D]

As an art history teacher, I can only tell you that a work of this excellent standard - at a time when people take for granted a cultural legacy that everyone seems not so keen to preserve - this work renews my faith in artists and artists. technicians willing to preserve things simple, beautiful and historic. Thank you very much.

[@authenticmind]

What amazing patience and precision you use to astound us with your work. IF ONLY you could do the same with people; the world would be an amazing place. As it is, your little world with these cars is a powerfully relaxing and satisfying place to hang out! Cheers!

[@manofthehour6856]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT SALVAGE!!!! I appreciate the sped up repair video as I found the methods used to repair the roof (superglue and baking powder) extremely useful. The results are nearly perfect! Thanks, Rob!!!! It gives hope for all those well-loved toys out there that they may be beautiful once again!

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

Your level of skill, creativity and passion about what you do is awesome... I grew up with these and had a friend with the same taxi. Thank you for sharing your artistry!!

[@jesterger]

A blind man would be happy to see that! You did a smashing job on it.

[@Laura_6262]

Wow! I enjoyed watching you work. I thought that taxi was beyond repair, and you brought her back. I’ll enjoy watching more of your channel.

[@manofthehour6856]

Oh boy!!! One of the holy grail cars when I grew up in the 1970s as it was out of production, but older kids had some in their collection....actually my cousin's model was a write-off as the top was missing and gone (it must have gone under a truck....). THIS garage repair is classic. I love your techniques in rebuilding the roof, and the masking tape to hold the roof in place is something I never thought of and will be EXTREMELY useful for me moving forward. THANKS!!!!!!

[@stimpy_thecat]

Amazing restoration! I have neither the skill nor the patience to tackle something like this and am amazed at people who can actually pull it off.

[@PaperandMoose]

Stumbled across your channel... what great work in giving these little vehicles a second chance! Such impressive work. Wish I could do something like this, as I frequent flea markets and often see old toys/Matchbox cars that could find new life with some paint and work. Thanks for sharing your work!

[@JoeyP322]

I don’t know why, but I truly enjoy watching these posts. It is relaxing and above all, I respect and admire your gift of fixing these. You’re preserving history. A history that I enjoyed as a kid. Thank you sir

[@k.n.o.3558]

Amazing work with one of the most damaged vehicles possible! Repairs to the roof are amazing. I had serious concerns over how this would turn out, but my worries were unnecessary. Great work!🤹‍♂️

[@johndous1970]

That is a beautiful restoration. Absolutely stunning. I had this particular Matchbox Chevy Impala is a child in the early "70's, and I'm very happy to see it again. Well done!

[@aaronUK2006]

I'm doing some work on a mates old racing bike and watched your video on restoring rusty old bolts. Then saw this , had to watch it, remember bashing these cars up as a kid in the 80s. Fascinating skill you've got. Thanks for the rusty bolts tip.

[@enocreyes7025]

I caught myself smiling throughout the transformation. I remember taking permanent markers and giving my Matchbox and Hot Wheels touch ups wherever they got scratched. I would even wash the cars and Armor-All the tires.

[@carlkwasnjuk4596]

Amazing that you even tackled it. Most would have trashed it. Awesome job!

[@kennybacchus3378]

Carl Kwasnjuk Hello rod

[@kennybacchus3378]

Hello. Rod. Hello like video

[@kennybacchus3378]

Hello Kenny Like video

[@carlkwasnjuk4596]

@@kennybacchus3378 Rod?

[@davidwelch6796]

Fantastic piece of work and very informative commentary, thank you. As an aside possibly the most difficult charades task is the Chevrolet Impala Drivers Handbook.

[@ronaldhermans8949]

Wow, from a wreck to a very beautiful model. My respect. Greetings from Flanders, Belgium

[@thedieiscast9729]

Thanks Rob, this is a great restoration. An absolute wreck before you started, a beaut when you had finished. Thanks for sharing.

[@wrbergner]

Rob, a lot of sweat equity you put into the restoration, which ended up outstanding, considering it's initial broken appearance. My compliments to you from your American, So. Cal follower.

[@keithperry8098]

Just watched this video again for. the fifth time. Great save. One of your best videos this one. I always enjoy revisiting here.

[@MatchboxGarage]

Thanks Keith

[@cuse445]

I was born in 1965, so I was stuck with the 70's Hot Wheels, we loved Matchbox cars but they were always beat up bad, one of the most infamous was the Greyhound Bus, when you found one it either had a bent-in frame, missing tires, and of course the green glass was always broken or missing. I am 54 now and I finally got to see one restored and in mint condition, kool!

[@califdad4]

Matchbox were my favorites as a kid, but I am now 64, but still have my old matchbox cars. My son was hard on my old toys but was into hot wheels and these were boxed away, this was in the early 2000s. Loved the outcome, you did a great job on it

[@daviddonaghy7568]

I'm the same age as you and my son was the same way except he got into computers. I still have my Matchbox cars in the case and I also still have my Matchbox Build A Road kit.

[@califdad4]

@@daviddonaghy7568 imagine my surprise when unboxed these last month. The Lincoln Continental a as missing in Rd trunk lid had since the 60s, ( and the part is long gone) but I thought to myself, I thought I had bought a 2nd one because of that, and sure enough, I found it. I have a bunch of them.

[@burnoutteam6449]

Check out my New video buliding a golf Mk1 GTI

[@chrismayer3919]

You British restoration artists have the patience of a SAINT! Even in the middle of the vid, I was astonished with the repair job!

[@pedrodelacabra1855]

Amazing resurrection. Big balls pillar work. Now they look OEM. Lovely paint and decal. Epic restoration.

[@misterscaz6011]

Wow! Your restoration skill is LEVEL INCREDIBLE! That car was a throw away and you saved it. One of my favorite castings btw. Love the old Chevys.

[@ArthurBrinkman-c5z]

I had a large Matchbox car collection as a kid. I don't remember ever seeing one with a trailer hitch before. Excellent work!

[@villsonthong1654]

For me , you more like an artist who is sculpting a new masterpiece.

[@logotrikes]

I like what you do. A different approach to Marty, but you're both eminently watchable. Very relaxing...

[@CUSTOMGUATEMALA]

Nice piece friend, i love the chevy impala, i love the driver you left like the factory, i loved the final result, excellent work rob as always, grettings

[@waltconti4807]

Hello, nicely done, for your adhesive on Matchbox projects, I've used JB Weld for years, this is a 2K Epoxy which when blended creates a grey colored, fast cure however, not as fast as Super Glue (cyanoacrylate). It may not be available in the UK but guessing it actually is. Super Glue somewhat thick both before and after blending equal portions but has a more intense strength and for broken, cracked, and thin metal pieces and parts, it enables one to sand with special Dremel diamond bits. It takes paints beautifully, currently, I only solvent based Krylon paints, which, I spray into containers and add various other colors, as needed, to get both unique and colors dead on. In my previous job, I formulated aftermarket automotive colors for Sherwin Williams. Regardless, when my son's were younger, 10-12 years ago, a gentleman came over to our home with a box of VERY old Matchbox cars, a couple Dump Trucks, Bulldozers, etc., 34 in total. I remembered my uncles playing with these cars when I was young, they came in paper boxes and they were very particular with them and would occasionally let me hold one, kind of funny. Some of the cars he gave my sons were decent, others were trash can ready but surprisingly my sons wanted the worse cars. Over the next 2 years and as time allowed, I restored all of the cars that needed work, others, I took them apart, stripped down to the metal, fabricated plastic, when CNC came about and available, that made replicating parts miraculous, then, repainting using an airbrush. All the best,

[@ericpolo4614]

I'm such a fan of you. I mean, most people would have trashed that vimpala or used it for parts, but you made it from zero. I really wanna learn to repair cars because I also have some diecast disasters in my house

[@WhidbeyIsguy]

I think you just got me interested in a new hobby. Not so much to sell, but to bring back to their last glory. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@tonyhughes1958able]

Wow Rob, hadn't seen this it popped up after watching your latest video. All I can say is you are a wizard, if I hadn't seen the before picture I wouldn't have believed it. My hat is off to you Sir.

[@solcutta3661]

You say not perfect but this cars life has just been extended another 50 to 100 yrs. Long after ur own lifetime will someone maybe many owners will appreciate this little car and that's surely a good feeling to know u enabled that.

[@solcutta3661]

Not to mention the enjoyment u get urself from it.. Strangely after 6 months, a year, looking at the work on it becomes a less painful experience and it can duly be appreciated then wheras right now every imperfection stands out like someone shouting that could be better. After a time as passed it becomes wow did I Really do that, bloody good job I did almost like someone else had done it... Did I Really do lt.. Haha. Is that not the truth!???

[@draculasgrl]

That s kickass man! You did an exilient job with that 64 Chevy die cast impala taxi! Nothing's ever ready for the bone yard,anything can be fixed! 😎hope to see more soon!

[@draculasgrl]

Myself I do a few restorations! I'm working on a few projects myself! A 62 bubble top Chevy impala conversion! That s coming along great,and I was just given a 1973 revel model of a 1955 Chevy Belair Unopened! Also working on that now! So fare so good! Projects round the clock

[@scottgm321]

Amazing job again. No one would ever know what it looked like before. I think that B pillar is the frame for the vent window. Can’t believe you got them back in.

[@jeff1176]

Considering the sad state it was in, you did a great restoration. Looks a treat.

[@johnathoncarroll9305]

I admire your patience mate...I had a great collection of cars as a kid...passed them down to my first born son...and he trashed the lot...I have a VW Beetle left...I could cry...

[@GilmoreLion]

Nicely done! That was one of my favorite castings when I was small. (still have it too!) Keep up the good work!

Incredibly relaxing to watch and listen to. Great Job!

[@martyngregory1282]

Rob from Where you started with the Wreck of a car to where the finish up truly B Amazing Thank You

[@Hoonozit]

That job would have used up all my patience. Turned out very nice, considering what you were working with. Thanks for showing.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

OUTSTANDING job on those drivers side vent windows!!

[@patrickseals5746]

Wow nice job. That was one of if not the hardest restoration I have seen. Came out great.

[@alemannischsuebisch5154]

You did a real awesome Work on this Impala 👍👍👍 the Car looks like brand new and no one can see the Damaged it had before Lots of respect from me ,because i do a few Models At the Moment they have a lots of damages and i know how difficult it is to bring those pillars at a almost good look again

[@DrewsCustomDiecastDrewMSmith]

I'm blown away by how good it turned out. Makes me want to get my scrap yard ones out of storage. My ex never understood why I wouldn't throw them or any of our boys cars no matter how badly they were trashed. As someone who is a third generation taxi driver, I have a great love for this casting. Keep up the stellar work and as always looking forward to the next.

[@shreethesmart2942]

You may not read this but man your content is Absolute, no pep talk, keep it up. Your work and skills are at extreme level. You deserve more than a million subscribers.....

[@EddieJazzFan]

Super job! I have a box of matchbox cars somewhere that hasn't been opened in 45 years.

[@keithperry8098]

WOW! Awesome restore. That car was absolutely dead. But you resurrected it. Absolute greatness. Thanks for posting.

[@glynstimpson]

That’s what I call a great restoration. Keep well regards Glyn

[@youtruckrek5121]

me and my brother destroyed so many of these things in a no grow grass zone in our back yard. good job!

[@wibo3218]

Lol i probably got trough like 50 diecast cars, i used to place them on some concrete and dropped some rocks on em or smash it with hammers.. pretty sad, but hey, ot was fun lol

[@Adriansmith805]

Amazing restoration turned out well considering the damage nice work well done 👍.

[@dragon320194]

Good job Rob looks way better than when you started

[@bobbrienza1760]

Remarkable restoration! Lots of work and patience to get this car to look as good as it does now.

[@alanmurphy8137]

Excellent, really enjoyed watching this restore, well done rob. 😮

[@lesbird2074]

That's an impressive result. You're a brave man!

[@revolution1one]

Given the state of damage, I am quite surprised that the tow hitch was completely intact! Well done on that adventurous restoration. Cheers.

[@Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum]

Awesome job! This was a complete trainwreck and you brought it back from the dead. Nicely done.

[@RockinL7BuckingBulls]

I really appreciate your dedication to your craft. I have cases and cases and cases of hotwheels all mint in there original blister. The one car that means the most to me is a Corgi Jr. Batmobile I have since I was a kid. I hope to restore it with the help of your videos.

[@mikaelabowen5781]

Very nicely done indeed! Making replacement roof pillars is difficult even in 1/43 (the quarter-lights must have been especially so!), this is impressive. There is something especially satisfying about bringing the seemingly impossible-to-restore back to proper life like this - a Mad Max or custom would be a lot easier, but the results would similarly be less rewarding. This is a top job!

[@georgethe100]

Compared to what it was +hours skill and patience I award you 100% sir

[@lupitaarteaga5618]

Rare car 1964 chevrolet impala taxi 4 doors and model unique and view final work with new paint buttocks good work rob my greetings from mexico city👋👍👍

[@PhantomDragonEternal]

Great job on this one, man. I enjoy seeing cars some would deem "beyond repair" get brought back to life!

[@Tiger351]

Brilliant job on this one Rob, it would've been a custom convertible the second the roof came off if it was me!

[@mrmanning3807]

A truly excellent job were others would have bind it you saved it

[@hodgeshotwheelsanddiecast5192]

Beautiful job bringing that one back to life. That was definitely a tough one. I knew you could do it

[@ervinthompson6598]

Never seen a taxi with a hitch.....Amazing work !!

[@solcutta3661]

I don't collect toy cars.. Have very little Interest but iam a avid restorer even tho lately I don't restore anything.. But I watched this beg to end. Enjoyed watching this guy's technique. Nice end finish. Time well spent. Experience is everything. Lovely little bit of work there.

[@blenderbachcgi]

The result looks near mint condition! It was restored from Trash to Treasure. Definitely a KZbin channel worth subscribing to and I did!

[@split_pin]

Fantastic work! I have an identical model which I bought a few months ago from a friend. It too has been restored back to original colour and with a new taxi decal. It also looks to have had new pillars like yours too.

[@alfiejohnchester8108]

I found your site almost by accident and I'm so glad i did. I'm a model railroader and i found a couple of trucks when i was away visiting my son in Huddersfield. They were just what i wanted, slightly overscale perhaps, but they were in a right mess. Could they be repaired? Finding your site told me, 'Yes they can.' Thanks for the inspiration. Your videos are great. Thanks a lot.

[@joakimhjelm-svennesen8984]

Given the car's original state. The restoration is amazing. Like always fantastic job!

[@patrickodonovan5066]

You are a miracle worker. Fabulous job.

[@derekwhidden9730]

Wow! Awesome amout of work dedicated to one piece. A little rough around the edges but I would show it on my wall, along with a picture of "before". A little clarification on the whole A-B pillar thing. First, its only a pillar if its a permanent part of the car, meaning, non removable part. If its part of the door then its not considered the pillar. So the other little part next to the pillar was part of the door, those cars had as an option vent windows. Finally I appreciate that you did not add B-pillars. In a casting like that with the roof half pulled off the "post" or B-pillar breaks off easily. But Impalas and several other cars of the area are "postless" or "non-post" models, and for younger folks that were not around back then have never seen this since pretty much all cars made since the 80s have a B-pillar. You have done your homework sir! Hats off!

[@rockettcustoms6266]

Vent windows weren't an option, they were standard.

[@derekwhidden9730]

@@rockettcustoms6266 I have seen Impalas without them. Custom delete?

[@DBs58]

You did an amazing restoration on the car!!!

[@chopper1168]

Nice job. Looks awesome. I’m a model builder from the states and just stumbled on your channel and love it. Keep it up

[@jonrmartin]

It took exactly 45 seconds of watching your video for me subscribe. I've never heard a more dead pan delivery of dirty jokes in my whole life. 10/10

[@MatchboxGarage]

😂👍🏼

[@simonschuh5283]

Brave project to take on Kudos to you Rob really well done

[@thedieiscast9729]

Another great restoration. This car was a disaster on wheels , I think that it looked to be just fit for parts but you pulled it around. Well done Rob.

[@Ibaneddie76]

Nice job man, love seeing things being restored instead of going to waste.

[@Adeporter73]

Wow , great job with that roof 👍🏼

[@solitairesmith3553]

This was BEAUTIFUL I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE GREAT JOB:)

[@xelzaar]

Don't you start crying, you'll get me crying.

[@martindaredare]

Outstanding work rob, not many people would take this job on . You knocked it out of the park. All the best..

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

AWESOME job on this one!! You can't even tell the roof was damaged on this!!

[@mssawask8862]

You and I were born in the same year, 1983, and played with a lot if the same toy cars, the camper truck u restored s a good example, i had one as a child, I think my mom still has it, but it probably needs a restoration.

[@terribelbliss9646]

Hi Rob, wow what a result given the basic pos you had to work with. You gave yourself quite a challenge with this project and your skill set has once again proved your strength. Kudos for undertaking this challenge.. 👍🏽👍🏻👍😉

[@Robs-me6mb]

Bloody hell mate that’s awesome! More patience than me, that would’ve been scrapped from my box of projects a long time ago. It just goes to show what a little time and effort can bring

[@dragonmaid1360]

Those pillars came out awesome. Love the restoration! Damn but I thought you were going to restore it to supernatural's "baby".

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Rob, awesome job on Chevy Impala taxi,it was a sorry state,and the window frames looked awkward to do,but what a transformation,I'm very impressed to see how this was done.great video as always.

[@davidparker4028]

Just found your channel. Brilliant work mate from what you started with and the end product.👍

[@patrickfle4485]

Very nice work and a lot of patience. I still have the impala Chevrolet taxi with which we played in the 60s but with its lamp taxi broken on the roof and the tariff painted on the front doors (rates 25 cents first 1/5 mile, 5 cents each additionnal).

[@bobastu]

Looks really good. Happy I watched it. Thank you!!

[@seorwulf1049]

That car was lucky to find you! Good job

[@jo7192]

what you had to work with myself I think it turned out beautiful you should be proud of it it is beautiful awesome job

[@oldskoolfool141]

"Remember when removing the flange to lubricate your piece when you tap those holes, you definitely don't want it snapping off in the hole" Anyone else have to fight off those schoolboy thoughts or is it just me? XD

[@manthony1956]

What an unbelievable job you have done with restoration of an obvious "basket case." I always wondered why Matchbox used the 1964 Impala hardtop for the taxi, as most Chevrolet taxis were four door sedans. The hardtop has no "B" pillar, the small pillar directly behind the windshield pillar was only there for the wing window, and only attached to the door. The red interior was always a mystery. It would have been quite common with a white, black, or red exterior. The dealership and area service managers would have done everything within their power to discourage this combination, as it would greatly limit the resale value of the vehicle. Again, great job!