Projects ***DONE*** 1964 Comet Cyclone. "Just a quick project...."

I totally agree with this, there also may have been some 271hp cars in the group that did the African Safari in ‘64, ( not sure) also I have never seen a real hipo ‘64, although there are guys out there that swear they exist. A “K” in the serial number does not mean HiPo when it is a Comet.
One of the Daytona durability cars sold yesterday by Gooding & Company for 50k: https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1964-mercury-comet-caliente/

 

I'd have to wonder a bit about this one. Most info I've seen on these made out there were 12 built (although that number varied +/- 1 or 2 depending on the source) and a black one that had decent documentation detail on it was a 4-speed. Interesting that the data plate they're showing decodes as a six cylinder car, which would have had 4-lug wheels. It is a very early production model (31st built at that plant) but I find it hard to believe that they would do a wholesale running gear change rather than starting with a V8 car. Price seems low also for a 'real' car...

 

My good friend took 10 years of tinkering to complete this '65. It is beautiful from any angle, and should prove to be a healthy contender at the drags. He bought this car when he was in high school, many years ago... By the way, that front bumper is fiberglass....

 

A friend of mine raced a gold 64 Cyclone, 210 hp 3 speed, in stock class in 66-69 here in Oregon. Ran a best of 13.90, did real well against the Chevys. Always liked the Comets, but got a good deal on a 65 Falcon Futura, 289-4 speed. That was 52 years ago, still driving it today.

 

That is a very good looking ‘65, wouldn’t mind seeing more pictures of it. The front bumper must be vacuum metalized, or done with that spray on chrome process, looks great!
As for long time Comet ownership, I bought my ‘64 Cyclone on July 2, 1968, coming up on 55 years of it in my possession.

 

those steelies look bitchin though.

 

LOVE IT!!!!!

 

The flywheel issue was hardly the end of Ford's "fiasco" concerning parts changing in midyear which continues today. It just cost too much for a rodder to go Ford in his Ford. Those sbf's were great powerplants but money always became the deciding factor, for me at least, when building my '34 or Deuce rides.

 

I think the cost difference has shrunk significantly over the years. The popularity of the Windsor platform was boosted by the 5.0 movement back in the day and now the costs are pretty close.
The Kabinroller build is tip top, the sectioning of the shock towers is something I've been pondering. Gonna steal that idea...

 

This doesn’t really even count as an update. Just a quick mock up of the gauges.



-Abone.

 

Yes, I like that, and I think I will do the same on my dash also, and save the original gauges in the leftover pile. They fit the housing almost perfectly.

 

the sectioning of the shock towers is something I've been pondering. Gonna steal that idea...[/QUOTE]
Keep in mind that I am using a strut style front suspension and do not have an upper control arm.
Sectioning the tower and keeping the upper arm will result in having the upper arm pushed outward the amount of the section.

 

Neat car, my neighbor's dad bought this one brand new, got the fancy paint and vinyl roof in 1971 original 289 and 4 spd

View attachment 5704324 View attachment 5704325

Seen this one at the Niagara reunion back in 96



I picked up a pair of flags at a swap meet many years ago, figured I'd use them on something one day.

 

Excellent point Kabinenroller, thanks for that. A key plus of going with the strut is opening up that entire (quite large) shock tower area clogging up the engine bay. If I were to retain an upper control arm, I'd lower it an inch and leave the pivot point where it was laterally and work the area just above it. Both options will open up the engine bay significantly.

 

This is the thing I have been dreading since I drug this pile home. The stock headliner looks pretty decent in the picture.



But it is made out of some nasty moldy cardboard crap.



Nobody makes the cardboard headliner, so you buy a conversion headliner "kit"



The headliner is great, the conversion kit, not as great. Next time I will build my own bows and tack strip thingys. Either way, that sucker is in there and it is goodefuckingnuff. Now on to sticking the rest of the interior together which is downhill from here.



See ya, -Abone.

 

Maybe a little hair dryer heat (on low) would help with w wrinkles a bit, but it looks fine as is. Headliners are something I think most people dread installing/dealing with, so, you are not alone.

Love the '64 & '65s, so looking forward to seeing how this one progresses.

 

Like said above I’d use a heat gun on it.

 

Headliners are a pain in the ass! Takes patience for sure. But sometimes you just gotta say good enough and move on!

 

I have one to put in a ‘64 Barracuda, I’d be happy as shit if it looks like that.

 

I know you dreaded that but it turned out nice.

 

There's guys that would kill for those plastic trim strips in good shape. My '64 had that headliner, I looked for several years for a good set, finally found one while visiting some relatives, then my X broke them when she went to put something in the car....

 

The OG dash was yucky.



The pad was super wavy.



Thankfully, some dudes make a new one.



Gauges fit right in there.



Done deal.




Next is rear seat, carpet and door panels.

-Abone.

 

Quite an improvement. Did you paint the faux wood steering wheel?

 

I stuck a reproduction wheel on it. I have so many boxes on interior crap from so many sources, I don't remember where I got it, but it is pretty decent.

I still have the old one, I'd make you a sweet deal on it...

-Abone.

 

You are making good progress on the little car. Are you leaving the column shift? If so that will be refreshing.

 

So, this sucker is DONE. As with all "quick projects" it took about twice as long as it should have.

Console tune up.



A bit of marine grade vinyl for the door panels.





Finally, the interior is completely done.





Daylight.







Next up is a '34 5 window that I am jonesing to get started on, so this little car will likely go on down the road, but it is fun as hell so far.

-Abone.

 

I know what you mean on the time it takes to finish one out. Car looks good and it will make a nice little hot rod for someone.

 

Nice

 

Jeff, any additional thoughts on those Procar seats? Comfort? Adjustability?
Thanks!

 

I am pretty pleased with the seats. They are comfortable, plenty of adjustability and are way better than my originals. They might not pass a hardcore traditional sniff test, but they are great for this little car.

-Abone.