Projects '65 T-Bird Rebuild Updates.

Hi kids! Yep, thought it was about time for a new thread, since it's been about a year since my last one.
Got the 65 T-Bird back, been sitting in a buddy's garage for a year.
Between lack of time and/or money (for both of us) it was a slow process getting the car back on the road. Not everything I wanted done got done but the car is once again drivable.

I know that some of you will understand this. Every couple of months or so I'd go check on the progress. I'd see the 'Bird, and even after 8 years, it still makes me smile. Even with the faded paint, the dull chrome and tired interior .....well, it still looks sexy to me, sleek and low.
I just hope that someday I can afford to make it as cool as I envision it can be.
My "Crazy Ole Bird"

 

No pics? What color is it?

 

Sometimes the anticipation is just as good as having it completed and it doesn't cost any were near as much.

 

It's black inside and out.
Here's a pic from the Frankenmuth show from last year.

 

Looks pretty good, I was expecting this the way you were talking

 

Great to see you back Donzie!

 

Holy crap! 8 yrs? Doesn't seem possible.

 

Actually it does look like this, before photoshop. Lol

 

Pete, I KNOW!!!
I've never kept a car that long!

 

I like rods AND customs, so I've decided to give my 'Bird a little of both.

Overall it's a solid car, runs good, drives nice. Interior (black) is still nice.
The paint has seen much better days and the body could use a little massaging, but I've never had the funds to redo the body and paint.
Today I made a deal with a buddy of mine. He wants a '93 Buick Roadmaster wagon that I've been trying to sell. He has no money but offered to do all the body work and paint (I supply the paint and clearcoat) in trade for the wagon. It's a win-win deal the way I see it.

I want to do the paint in a satin finish, maybe with some scallops or stripes.
Painted wheels (gloss) with trim rings and spider caps. I'm already running narrow WWs.
It'll have dump tubes behind the front wheels.

I'm really having a hard time deciding on a color.
I don't really want black (again), I am considering white with black wheels.
Another thing I'm seriously considering is opening up the rear wheel wells.
The top edge would be about an inch lower than the fronts.
I think this would give it a real "hot rod" feel.

Hey, I'm open to ideas and suggestions.

 

Changing colors would really be a pain...to make it look right...door jams..underhood, trunk..etc...black birds sure are nice. Satin finishes are a 'fading' fad. I would go shiny.
If you open the rear wheels...that's something you can't easily undo..and could effect the value..in a negative way. Since you are budget conscious I would do black and maybe a different color roof with some metal flake. Maybe a deep red metallic roof...with the same color wheels.

But it's your ride do what you wanna do...

 

Thanks 'Dart, I appreciate your input.
I think I've talked myself out of changing the wheel well, still not sure about the paint.
I understand what you're saying.

 

texas dart---fact or opinion on shiny paint?...

 

Sooo....no more wagon?

 

The wagon has replaced with a '92 Suburban, needed more room.

 

Ok, it's in the shop and tear down has begun.
I finally committed to a color.
Matte Black (yes I know what I said earlier).
But we're adding charcoal grey to the hood scoop and the recessed area in the middle of the deck lid.
The plan calls for 14" Fenton mags up front and 15" steel wheels in the back.
The chrome "feathers" have been removed from the front fenders, just the recessed "scoop" will remain.
A few other details are in the works.
I'll post more when I have something to show and tell

 

Please please please tat car deserves better than matte black! Think mild custom! Gloss black, maybe some silver scallops fading with some blue fogging, maybe do something cool with the roof. Nic mild Kustom....kustomized with paint

 

Sounds great!
10K should cover it.
I'll send you my Paypal info.

Seriously, that's the direction I WAS gonna go.
But another custom T Bird is just that, another custom T Bird.
I wanted something unique, something badass. .
It ain't gonna be no "Rat Rod", it will have some custom touches. but with attitude.

But thanks for your input.

 

Ummmm paint is paint! Flat paint costs as much as shiny paint. I'm assuming its got steel wheels on it now? How about some cool hubcaps, cut the coils, blocks out back, 180 dollar pinner whites at walmart , ta da.....nice little boulevard cruiser...just saying

 

Black 62...it's a fact...in my opinion.

 

You're getting warmer!
We've been talking it over and have decided (for now) we're going with a satin finish instead of flat. Still doing the black and charcoal 2 tone.
I've also realized that I can't use my 14" Mags cause they won't clear the calipers.
May go with gloss black wheels with Spider caps.
Did I mention the dump tubes behind the front wheels?

 

I stopped by the shop tonight. Jeff has been busy working on the Bird, removing trim, filling holes and grinding rust (which there isn't much of considering the car is almost 50 yrs old).
Besides removing the front fender "feathers", we're also removing the side trim that separates the roof from the body.
At this rate it might be done before Christmas.

Still need to decide on a steering wheel.
Something 60s style. Perhaps a Mooneyes white or silver 'flake vinyl wheel.

 

The body work is progressing, slow but sure.
A couple of new metal patches have been welded in and more trim holes have been filled.
It looks like the front floor pans will also have to be replaced.
The front seats are going in for new foam, the old seat foam has dried out and crumbling.
We picked the color for the hood scoop and truck recess. 2013 Camero Charcoal Grey.
That's all for now.