1966 Valiant Signet Convertible Resto

Here is a short history of the car. It was bought by the original owner from Mancini Motors in Mountainview, CA for a whopping $3100. It has been in California it's whole life and is in great shape. I bought the car in June of 2005 from a guy in Fresno that consigns/auctions old cars. It came with the original bill of sale from the dealer and the original certificate of ownership. He went through the car and got it running since it had been sitting in a garage for some time. Everything on the car was practically original except for the top which had been replaced at one time. No rust or body work that I have been able to uncover besides some surface rust.

I thought I would keep it all original as a survivor but those plans went out the window pretty quickly. The plans now are a new 340, 5-speed keisler tranny swap, 8 3/4 rear, subframe connectors, new wheels, disc brakes, new interior and B7 color and a black top.

The car came with new seat covers from Legendary and so that was my first order of business along with new carpet since I would be driving the car around until I got all the parts I needed for the swaps.

Then came new wheels. Unfortunately I did not get any good pictures of the car with the new wheels. I think they look great on this car. They are from Stockton Wheel Company and they are te 5 X 4 pattern. They were a lucky find on ebay $300.

Currently I have the entire body stripped and getting it ready for the paint and body shop. I yanked the engine out yesterday. It came out very nicely. Sorry to see that trusty little 273 go. I will be hanging onto it though. I am reusing the pulleys, brackets and possibly the exhaust manifolds. I'm still waiting for tti to get the kinks worked out on their headers.

I will updated this resto page when more work is done.
daves66valiant
Dave, Saw your work on the Valiant progressing nice project car. I live in Columbus, OH & drive a '63 Dodge Dart GT convertible (somewhat of a twin to your basic chassis & model on the Valiant). I'm wondering if, in your travels, you might keep me in mind if you should run across or hear about a '63-'66 Dart Convertible parts car ? My e-mail is: [email protected], if you do. keep my an e-mail in your "saved" file marking it as a FABO member with an interest in the early "A" body cars..especially converts. What I need, which is specific only to the Dart cars, is the L&R rear outer corners of the convertible topwell (snap strip around the outer edge where top stores). These potmetal chromed pieces (Mopar calls 'Cover') connect the 'top of rear fender stainless trim' to the 'topwell surround stainless trim' (snap strip for boot) found only on Dart cars for '63-'66. Mopar p/n 2424116 & 2424117. Most needed would be the Driver's side rear outer corner from the topwell surround, Passenger side not as important, but would like to locate both, if possible. I'm sending this note to all threads connected to viewing your recent FABO posting with your pictures on the Valiant, for a possible 'Shot' of locating these pieces. Keep up the great work on bringing back a real beauty...can't wait until it's a finished product and ready for "Show". Thanks, BILL-Cols,OH ('63 Dart GT convert owner)