My 65 Valiant Vert Resto

[Garethw]

Current state of my Valiant. Trying not to burn out doing rusty sheet metal repair. It’s gotta end eventually. Right???

 

[65 Dartman]

You’re correct - rusty sheetmetal repair will end sometime!

 

[Garethw]

More sheet metal progress. Made a new torque box plate for the right side from scratch. Not too bad for my first sorta complex panel. No zooming in on my welds now!

 

[Dave Lucas]

That car is sweet! A nice relaxing ride.

 

[Garethw]

Got the front left torque box remade today. Made it in 3 pieces. Also got the bottom of the floor pans cleaned up. Going to put a coat of Rust Bullet on before I install them. Will also coat the inside rocker panels, connectors, and frame rails first to make that easier.

 

[Garethw]

Got all the center frame rails covered with two coats of rust bullet automotive. Also did the bottom of the floor rails. This stuff has to cure for about two days. Then I’ll weld the floors in.

 

[Dave Lucas]

Keep going, it's looking good!

 

[Garethw]

Keep going, it's looking good!

Appreciate the words!

 

[Garethw]

Got some rust bullet on the inner cowl.

 

[Garethw]

Finally getting some progress again. Lost a few weeks, had to give the house some love. I’ve got one section of the new floor in.

 

[Garethw]

Got another section in. These are definitely NOT drop in panels.

 

[65 Dartman]

Looking good!

 

[Garethw]

Got all four sections in. Also made the center section on the right side from 18ga. I’ll say it’s not a drop in job but it is damn solid.

 

[Garethw]

Finally got the left center piece started. Ran out of wire. Why do welding supplies always run out on the weekend???

 

[Garethw]

Got the center section all done. Decided to stitch it all in, instead of just the spot welds. Just need to run the flap disc over it now.

 

[Garethw]

Finally time to fab the new tunnel.

 

[65 Dartman]

Got the center section all done. Decided to stitch it all in, instead of just the spot welds. Just need to run the flap disc over it now.

View attachment 1715627856

Ah, don’t you just just love doing floors! Looking good!

 

[Garethw]

Got the first part of the tunnel done. I’m doing it in three pieces. Next piece will go from end of this one to the hoop. Then from the hoop to the firewall. Cut it out of 18ga and bent it up in my homemade brake.

 

[crvtec90]

Following along. I need to rebuild the cowl and floors on mine as well. Are you going to weld the cowl top back on or use that body panel adhesive?

 

[Garethw]

Following along. I need to rebuild the cowl and floors on mine as well. Are you going to weld the cowl top back on or use that body panel adhesive?

Thanks for following! I’ll be welding it in. I’ll be sure to show that when I get to it.

 

[Garethw]

Tunnel phase two complete. Still need to clean up the welds a bit.

 

[ChrisRomello]

Really nice work! I did a lot of the things that you’re doing on my car. It was a lot of work but i sure learned a lot!

 

[Wiggilez]

Nice work on the floors and frame, it like I'm looking at my future.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Great work. A big job, but you're getting it done. My 68 Dart convertible will take a similar effort to restore.

 

[Garethw]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the words! Hoping I can get to the last tunnel piece this week. It’ll be the trickiest one since it has to interface with the firewall.