65 impala

[Deadwood]

Gday , new to this site . Heres a couple of pics of a build im doing .When I bought it, what it looks like now and what I hope it turns out like. Stripped it a year ago then it sat in the shed till couple a weeks ago .
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[USA-69Z]

G'day and welcome . I had a 65 impala a long while back. I love these things . I gotta good mate here who is in the middle of a build of a 65 ss 2 door. Gunmetal grey, 502 BB, 20 inch rims, air bagged , looks close to that pic you posted. Awsum choice of car. Keep the pics coming.

Cheers, Gav

[68cmaro]

Welcome !!

Now is the time to get motivated as the weather is cooling down if you have any questions or want to bounce some ideas around, there are plenty of helpful people on this site Good luck with the rebuild Cheers CHRIS

[WILD68]

gotta love 65's, mates got one, good luck.. looks sweet..:D

[67cammy]

Excellent. I love these. I had a 65 Belair a while back too. Love the front end on these. Good luck with it and keep us posted with plety of pics.

[TUFF68]

Welcome Deadwood, will look very cool in Mat black and big rims when finished. Good luck with the build.

Where abouts in WA are you mate ?

[Deadwood]

Welcome Deadwood, will look very cool in Mat black and big rims when finished. Good luck with the build.

Where abouts in WA are you mate ?

Im in the Midwest mate,
Car is totally bare metal now and I cant believe how good the body is coupla dents here and there rh 1/4 needs a bit of panel. The guy I bought it off told me it was rust free and he wasnt far from the truth. little patch in lower 1/4 panel and a small amount of pitting around the windows . Hard to believe a car that is 44 years old is in such good condition. After soda blasting Inside of the doors and boot/bonnet look like they would have back in 65 before painting .Its been converted to rh drive using factory rhd firewall (from aussie factory 4 door ) so just welding all seams and tidying up. Anyone know what an airide suspension system is roughly worth and where to get it?
Just put a coupla coats of 2pac sealer on before I start doing the body work.
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[Deadwood]

Those phone camera pics are ****e!

[AUSCAMARO]

A mate of mine had a bagged Impala in Perth. I'll ask him what system he was running in it if I speak to him.

Nice looking project you have yourself there...

Mitch

[Deadwood]

Its been a while but ive finally done a bit more on the impala. Wasnt going to pull the body off the chassis but you know the deal. trying to get a bit of a run on and get it painted!
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[18htan]

Hey Mate...

Looks like things are moving along now.

Keep it up!

[67cammy]

Excellent! What colour have you chose

[6t8]

A mate of mine had a bagged Impala in Perth. I'll ask him what system he was running in it if I speak to him.

Nice looking project you have yourself there...

Mitch

Gday Mitch , just wondering if you had a chance to catch up with your mate regarding that 69 impala in willeton ? Barry...

[Deadwood]

Prob paint it light gunmetal or silver ? still not sure ,Black is gonna be hot as its a big car. Gonna put a new boot floor in as the previous owner has fitted a feul tank about 180litres? half in the boot and half below could patch the hole but a complete floor was only $550. (hope it fits)
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[Deadwood]

New floor in , excellent fit for non Genuine, things must have changed in the last 10 yrs cause the non gen stuff used to be crap. Boot is huge could fit a few bodies in there , good mafia car.
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[18htan]

180litres

:eek:

That would keep her running for a at least a day I am guessing :D

Looking good.

[Deadwood]

Heres a picture of when I bought it. Shoulda just tidied it up and used it . There was nothing under the paint to worry about anyway just a bit of paint blistering in bonnet and boot.
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[69coupe]

2 door pillarless would be pretty rare would it not ?

[Deadwood]

2 door pillarless would be pretty rare would it not ?
They actually made more 65 impalas than any other year to date over a million including 4doors and wagons i think it still holds the record. bout 750,000 coupes hard to believe that in the US there becoming rarer but i would say theres plenty still around.

[Deadwood]

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2260Finally getting progress on the bodywork, hows this for 44 year old doors
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[cluxford]

They look almost brand new :eek:

[AUSCAMARO]

They look almost brand new :eek:


Hardly even a knick out of them... Lucky!!

[Deadwood]

Yeah got lucky with the doors , fenders are real good too except one requires a little patch . Roof is perfect lh 1/4 good but by the time you try to get 1/4 's dead straight theres a fair bit of body work . rh 1/4 has had an impact but was paneled previously and theyve done a good job getting it straight. Gotta weld up filler cap hole in 1/4 , need to find origional feul tank so it can be filled behind number plate.
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[67cammy]

Those doors look unreal. Cant wait to see it in paint. Check out this gorgeous piece of machinery. Considering asking to do a straight swap for the cammy
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160349383267 just needs a 496 to get all that metal moving and full tubs. YUMMY

[Deadwood]

Those doors look unreal. Cant wait to see it in paint. Check out this gorgeous piece of machinery. Considering asking to do a straight swap for the cammy
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160349383267 just needs a 496 to get all that metal moving and full tubs. YUMMY

Yeah I wish it was in paint now ! thats the hardest bit .Thats a Nice car is the only other rh drive 65 2dr iv seen . Theres quite a few 66 but never seen a 65 rh yet probably a few about though I wonder if its a convert or factory rh. Interesting to see what it goes for . These size cars you gotta have a bb i reckon got a big engine bay.

[67cammy]

Interesting to see what it goes for . These size cars you gotta have a bb i reckon got a big engine bay.
I doubt it would reach the reserve. Not many do on Ebay. Yep, definitely suits a big block.

[AUSCAMARO]

Those doors look unreal. Cant wait to see it in paint. Check out this gorgeous piece of machinery. Considering asking to do a straight swap for the cammy
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160349383267 just needs a 496 to get all that metal moving and full tubs. YUMMY

You only want it cause it got your wheels Dave!!! ;)

Buy the rims and you'll be stoked with your car!

Mitch

[Deadwood]

Those doors look unreal. Cant wait to see it in paint. Check out this gorgeous piece of machinery. Considering asking to do a straight swap for the cammy
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160349383267 just needs a 496 to get all that metal moving and full tubs. YUMMY
35grand with 2hrs to go

[anychevy]

Here's a scanned pic of my old 65 SS on the way to the summernats in 1985. I sold it not long after that and last I heard it was in Adelaide.
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Black and low with cragers :cool: 65 & 68 Impala coupes are the nicest looking full size chevy IMHO :D

[Deadwood]

Here's a scanned pic of my old 65 SS on the way to the summernats in 1985. I sold it not long after that and last I heard it was in Adelaide.
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Black and low with cragers :cool: 65 & 68 Impala coupes are the nicest looking full size chevy IMHO :D
That is a nice looking car!! 24 years ago that car just about wouldnt have been a vintage was only 20 years old. Ive only ever seen one other rh drive 2dr 65 thats 3 now.

[anychevy]

That is a nice looking car!! 24 years ago that car just about wouldnt have been a vintage was only 20 years old. Ive only ever seen one other rh drive 2dr 65 thats 3 now.
The body wasn't anywhere near as nice as yours. Even before a drunk driver did this to it parked in my drivway just after I washed it. The C@$%T !
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No repro pannels in those days, we fixed it with a door and half a quarter off another smashed and rusted one sitting in a paddock beleive it or not.
It was never the same :mad: but I made the guy pay in more ways than one though :D

[Deadwood]

The body wasn't anywhere near as nice as yours. Even before a drunk driver did this to it parked in my drivway just after I washed it. C@#$T !
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No repro pannels in those days, we fixed it with a door and half a quarter off another smashed and rusted one sitting in a paddock beleive it or not.
It was never the same :mad: but I made the guy pay in more ways than one though :D

Nasty, Of all the repairs a heavy side impact is always the worst to return to normal. Sometimes they dont look as bad as a front ender but as you said very hard to repair . Looks like a hard impact , id like to see how a new car would look after a hit like that!

[anychevy]

Nasty, Of all the repairs a heavy side impact is always the worst to return to normal. Sometimes they dont look as bad as a front ender but as you said very hard to repair . Looks like a hard impact , id like to see how a new car would look after a hit like that!
The fool fell alseep, drunk at the wheel and hit it bang on in a sigma, you should have seen the sigma, they had to cut him out.
Those big solid sills, chassis, quarters and doors made it repairable, (I drove to the body shop like that) they're bloody strong !
The pannels we had to work with weren't a whole lot better, but it came up o.k. in the end, a few ripples, but it lived :D

[Deadwood]

Those big solid sills, chassis, quarters and doors made it repairable, (I drove to the body shop like that) they're bloody strong !
The pannels we had to work with weren't a whole lot better, but it came up o.k. in the end, a few ripples, but it lived :D
Yeah cant beat old school panels at least you can work with them , those quarters are huge with a difficult swage line to get dead straight as ive found out .
I see your seats had head rests what where they out of? Mine is not a genuine super sport so doing the clone thing. looks like yours was the same pre smash repair,though it is only the badges bucket seats and a console that makes them an ss . The kids love the bench seat though so not sure yet. New Monaro seats would be good just have to make a 2ft wide console to fit between them.

[anychevy]

I see your seats had head rests what where they out of? Mine is not a genuine super sport so doing the clone thing. looks like yours was the same pre smash repair.
Well spotted :D seats were VC commodore (it was the 80s :o ) back seat trimmed to match, badges, door pannels, console and gages came from the wreck in the paddock.
It's hard to believe someone would just let a genuine "evening orchid" 65 SS impala just rot away in a feild here in OZ :confused: But lucky for me I guess.

[Deadwood]

Well spotted :D seats were VC commodore (it was the 80s :o ) back seat trimmed to match, badges, door pannels, console and gages came from the wreck in the paddock.
It's hard to believe someone would just let a genuine "evening orchid" 65 SS impala just rot away in a feild here in OZ :confused: But lucky for me I guess.

Is it still there! ?

[anychevy]

Is it still there! ? No, this was 20 odd years ago, we cut off and removed what was usefull and left the rest.
It had probably been sitting there almost from new (unbelievable) If it was restorable, I would have dragged it home, but there wasn't alot of it left.
Others had stripped it before me, but I got the door trims, console, RIGHT door and quarter, a few of trim bits, but the rest was missing or FUBAR

[Deadwood]

No, this was 20 odd years ago, we cut off and removed what was usefull and left the rest.
It had probably sitting there from almost new (unbelievable) If it was restorable, I would have dragged it home, but there wasn't alot of it left.
Others had stripped it before me, but I got the door trims, console, RIGHT door and quarter, a few of trim bits, but the rest was missing or FUBAR

Cool , did you convert yours or was it done by someone else. Wonder if that white super sport on ebay was your old one. Was in adelaide as well and rh drive.

[anychevy]

Cool , did you convert yours or was it done by someone else. Wonder if that white super sport on ebay was your old one. Was in adelaide as well and rh drive.
I doubt it's the same car, unless someone redid the whole dash with an American bottom half and replaced the B&M shifter, but you never know ?
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Mine was Converted when I got it, they used a RHD 65 or 66 chassis and firewall but had the steel dash converted over ($hit job) they left the radio on the right :rolleyes:
So I changed it to a 68 Aussie fibreglass dash and added the gages and put the radio down the bottom and left the heater levers up top.

It was featured in "Street machine" sometime in 86 I think "midnight howler" stupid name.

Had a great body before it got smashed, no rust or bog anywhere, typical 327 glide & 10 bolt. I paid 3 Grand for it in 82 and drove it to work everyday.
I would hate to have to repaint that car, I know how much bog went into it :eek:

[Deadwood]

3 grand .. wish id paid that .This one has been done the same with a 4door firewall only way to do it and lucky that you can get a rh drive firewall at all., even though now ive welded up most of the holes . They did an excellent job on the dash as well. I just need the ss door trims . Surprising that they made so many 2doors but theres hardly any in Oz .
I see youve got a chevelle , they are just the right size i reckon. Camaros are a tuff looking car but there is nearly as many in australia now as monaros:eek: Im gonna cop **** for saying that!

[TUFF68]

Camaros are a tuff looking car but there is nearly as many in australia now as monaros:eek: Im gonna cop **** for saying that!
I would'nt be surprised if there was actually more 1st gen Camaros here than there are HK/G/T Monaros....

[anychevy]

Camaros are a tuff looking car but there is nearly as many in australia now as monaros:eek: Im gonna cop **** for saying that!

You should have said "mustangs" :D They're like a$$holes (everyone's got one) that'll upset em :rolleyes:

[Deadwood]

Nearly a total Camaros forum. Except for people like myself who cant afford one:D
Goes to show that the Camaro is the most popular american muscle car by far
and i can see why . and the 57 chev of course. Some people on here have the best of both worlds!

[TUFF68]

Goes to show that the Camaro is the most popular american muscle car by far
and i can see why . and the 57 chev of course. Some people on here have the best of both worlds!
You referring to me James :D :D :D :D

[AUSCAMARO]

I would'nt be surprised if there was actually more 1st gen Camaros here than there are HK/G/T Monaros....


And that's just the ones in Perth!!

[anychevy]

Goes to show that the Camaro is the most popular american muscle car by far

Now you're just pissing in there pockets :D

[Deadwood]

Now you're just pissing in there pockets :D
i said most popular not the best:eek:

[AUSCAMARO]

Goes to show that the Camaro is the most popular american muscle car by far
and i can see why . all the kool kids have got one!

No... You were right the first time!! :D :D :D

[Deadwood]

No... You were right the first time!! :D :D :D
Cmon mate ,we all know that the only reason you went for the camaro is cause you couldnt fit the good ol full size chev in the garage:p
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[tonner]

Cmon mate ,we all know that the only reason you went for the camaro is cause you couldnt fit the good ol full size chev in the garage:p
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Yummy

[Nev68]

Cmon mate ,we all know that the only reason you went for the camaro is cause you couldnt fit the good ol full size chev in the garage:p
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Always wanted a 1st gen Camaro and still had to get the measuring tape out to make sure it would fit in the shed before I bought it.
Didn't allow for the exponential growth when you pull one apart though.
My big shed isn't big enough.
If I had the room I'd have an Impala (oh, and a 69 Corvette, and a 68 Mustang, 67 Corvette, 70 Challenger, 70 442 Olds, 70 Barracuda, 69 Chevelle etc etc)

Nev

[Deadwood]

Always wanted a 1st gen Camaro and still had to get the measuring tape out to make sure it would fit in the shed before I bought it.
Didn't allow for the exponential growth when you pull one apart though.
My big shed isn't big enough.
If I had the room I'd have an Impala (oh, and a 69 Corvette, and a 68 Mustang, 67 Corvette, 70 Challenger, 70 442 Olds, 70 Barracuda, 69 Chevelle etc etc)

Nev
Yeah other couple cars i would like to have at some stage 68 charger or 72 cuda .

[AUSCAMARO]

Cmon mate ,we all know that the only reason you went for the camaro is cause you couldnt fit the good ol full size chev in the garage:p
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Ummmm, yep... your actually right!!!

Got the tape measure out early on in the search and measured up a few different muscle cars before settling on the Camaro... :D

That attchment is one sweet looking chevy!!

[BMF1968]

65 impala i come across at SEMA a couple of years back. Thought it might provide some insparation. Used to have a 4 dr pillarless with a 427. Always a soft spot for the 65.
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[Deadwood]

65 impala i come across at SEMA a couple of years back. Thought it might provide some insparation. Used to have a 4 dr pillarless with a 427. Always a soft spot for the 65.
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That would be this one not your average streetable car. Bit over the top for the road!. I like a flat bonnet or maybe a slight reverse scoop like the black one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hGekPiqheE&feature=related

[Deadwood]

Havn't touched the car for 3 months ! but after going to power cruise on the weekend and seeing that black camaro with the white stripes driving around sideways im gonna pull my finger out!

[Deadwood]

Havn't touched the car for 3 months ! but after going to power cruise on the weekend and seeing that black camaro with the white stripes driving around sideways im gonna pull my finger out!

Its been 6 months since ive looked at the chev , cleared out the shed today hopefully start making some progress.

[AUSCAMARO]

12 months for me JB... Your doing well ;)

[exXU1]

Gday , new to this site . Heres a couple of pics of a build im doing .When I bought it, what it looks like now and what I hope it turns out like. Stripped it a year ago then it sat in the shed till couple a weeks ago .
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What and where does one get those rims from as i am having trouble finding what i want with correct off set , i find the guys over here a just about useless when comes to wheels,

[Deadwood]

What and where does one get those rims from as i am having trouble finding what i want with correct off set , i find the guys over here a just about useless when comes to wheels,

Hi mate, If you talking about the black impala i think theyd be chip foose nitros. The old ones on mine are Centrelines believe it or not .As with a few of the things that other people have F#$*ed with on this car there useless as I have 3 X 9" wide and 1 that is 9-1/2 inches wide!. its a shame as i like em but would never be able to get a rim to match . still havnt touched car:(

[AlexK]

Prior to buying my 73 camaro, which i have a few pictures posted in readers rides, i was looking for a 65 impala. Love them!!!! I should have bought one as i have a 1 year old and there is limited space in my camaro for day trips. Look forward too seeing your progress. Street machine featured a black 65 impala last year.... with foose wheels and it looked mean. Ill look through them if you would like too know magazine month or issue number. Great car

[Deadwood]

Thanks mate,
yeah plenty of room in these old cars. Got that issue of street machine nearly wore out the pages! Black would be the ultimate colour choice.

[MrBlonde]

Love to see the fullsize .. I miss my 1965 Impala SS Ermine white with light blue interior

[ari666]

hi mate. was wondering if you could do me a favour when you get the chance, i need to know where the two drain lines are on under the rear window.

my 'mate' bogged the panel up and didnt bother to mark where they need to be.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u217/ari666os/backpanel.jpg

i know i know, its really dodgie doing it this way, but i dont really want to redo the whole panel, this way i can just mark it and carefully scribe it out.

thanks in advance :)

[Deadwood]

Hey ari,
Not sure if the 2 door is same as 4door but will chek tommorrow and give you the measurement. If ya gonna scribe out the filler id probobly sika it up prior to top coat. So it looks like its there but is well sealed.

[Deadwood]

Hey mate size is as follows using a straight ruler not bending to follow the panel
cheers

[ari666]

ledgend! thank-you :)

[ari666]

hey, sorry to be a pain again. but is there any chance you could take another pic for me of your rear 1/4?

namely the bottom rear corner of the wheel arch. i am trying to get the original line back (that has been completely corroded away) and cant figure out what happens to it approx 7 inches away from the wheel arch. not the line that the mould sits on, there is a more subtle line towards the bottom.

both sides of my 1/4's are pretty much history and douchebag b4 me who repaired it just slapped it up so i have no comparison.

my instinct say that it blends down and becomes smooth, but not 100% and dont wanna take the time getting it flat if its wrong.

thanks in advance :)

[Deadwood]

Hi Ari
thats the one spot where i waas in the same boat cause its a suttle line and the previous owner had welded up the moulding holes and done a small rust repair so was filled over . Ive just tried to recreate a suttle line which disapears into the wheel arch . i gotta say once you start f^&kin with these 1/4s you end up working the whole area! heres a pic post body work
cheers6526

6527

[ari666]

:) thanks man! look exactly the same as mine (minus the HUGE rust hole and tonne of bog) but i must admit that i have the pleasure of ending the 1/4 at the rear door. i reckon that patch of flat 1/4 behind your front door is gonna be tough to get flat :) you will need a 3 meter arm span :p

i ended up 'winging' it and i think i have got it pretty ok. it actually quite difficult to keep that line straight and still make it disappear.

once again, thanks very much for the pics.

[Deadwood]

Havnt touched the car for well over a year , or more?
just cleared out one of the sheds with the intention of getting stuck into it again.!

[Deadwood]

Bit of an update, got motivated
-Got chassis / suspension sanblasted and painted em in 2 pac black, started installing bushes etc, boxed rear control arms to stiffen up similiar to Hodgkis look.
-Sprayed under floor in Wurth SKS ,good **** was gonna leave the black colour
but weakened and sprayed all under floor in 2 pac gunmetal which is the decided colour.
-Got 496 coming, bout 600hp which is more than enough for a cruiser
Just gotta do bodywork on the rest of the panels and then start blocking8982

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[Deadwood]

Still havnt sorted out diff , this is how far out from centre the tail shaft wouldve run rh side was 690mm to yoke centre lh side was 805mm no point having a transmission tunnel when it that far out:mad: . You can now get housing and axles to suit 65 2dr complete from states for bout $900.00 which is the way to go just got to get it here.

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[18htan]

Good to see you are getting fired up again mate.

Its looking good.

[Anchor]

Keep it up man! Even if it takes ages!

Bit more inspiration, my first car. Bought it when i was 16 and built it up with dad. 350 crate, powerglide and 4x4 springs and shocks chopped so it was low and stiff. Haha. Cheap....

Wish i never sold it... As always..

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5333/chevveeee.jpg
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4812/chevqq.jpg

[Deadwood]

nice and clean looking car there mate, good road tripper

[Deadwood]

Oh well how easy was that, Got a Moser housing & axles 31 spline, 3.55 Yukon positrac ali centre section and thought stuff it might as well get rear disk brake kit as well ,all delivered to my door for $3100.00 . The Moser housing looks like a good heavy duty unit.

[480OBZ]

Noting this thread for some inspiration. Just picked up a 65 4dr not sure if I will do off the chassis resto like yourself though.

Notice you've done you bushes etc did you use pedders or imported the gear?..

[Anchor]

Boobz, I ran Pedders. Found it to be good quality.

[480OBZ]

Well I guess I might look into prices for them. Just looking at stuff on overseas website and its starting to add up aswell as the postage.

Be good to save a few pennies if i can source gear local.

[Deadwood]

Well I guess I might look into prices for them. Just looking at stuff on overseas website and its starting to add up aswell as the postage.

Be good to save a few pennies if i can source gear local.

Hi 480, I was a bit reluctant to buy from states direct but have now bought 496BB chev , Billet trutrac etc, new Moser rear end complete (Through EBAY), polished brake booster etc and everything has turned up perfect. My diff took about 14 days to my door. The worlds a small place now. Companies in the US are keen to please and want more overseas business cant do enough to help. Or I may have been lucky.
I bought energy suspension full kit through pontiworld in NSW? and they were good to deal with.