My 65 Valiant Vert Resto

Garethw · Nov 18, 2020

Got the final piece formed and roughed in. I need to coax the floor up now to match the new panel. But I need to drop the transmission first.

65 Dartman · Jan 23, 2021

Any updates?

Garethw · Jan 23, 2021

65 Dartman said:
Any updates?

Thanks for checking in! It’s been super slow through the holiday. Now I’m getting ready to get back at it! I’ve been working on the upper cowl section. Hopefully I can finish up the welding repairs on that tomorrow. Hope to post some fresh pics soon.

Garethw · Feb 7, 2021

Finally getting ready to make some progress. But first. After trying a couple times to fix my old compressor, I gave up and bought this new one. Got it wired up and running.

Garethw · Feb 22, 2021

A little progress on the upper cowl repairs. Got most of it done now. One little section left then I’ll sand blast the whole thing.

Rockerdude · Mar 11, 2021

Awesome progress on your 65! I'm doing the same deal with 65 Dart convertible currently, lots of rust repair. I'm using an ax15 5 speed though, had to do the same to the torsion bar cross member. Keep it up!

Keith Mopar · Mar 11, 2021

Wow you have made some awesome progress since you brought your 65 home! I love how you built the tunnel around the new trans and didn't modify the existing tunnel!
Keep the pics coming!

Coolvibes · Mar 13, 2021

Keith Mopar said:
Wow you have made some awesome progress since you brought your 65 home! I love how you built the tunnel around the new trans and didn't modify the existing tunnel!
Keep the pics coming!

Amazing talent and great work, especially for a first time welder.

Garethw · Mar 28, 2021

Finally got the final repair section done. Upper cowl sheet metal repair now complete! I’m going to blast and epoxy prime it next.

I also sent my trans crossmember for powder coat. I didn’t care too much what color it was and a buddy of mine was getting a bunch of stuff done. I just added it to his batch. It’ll be a silver gray color. Can’t wait to see it!

Garethw · Apr 4, 2021

This thing has taken forever! I think I got it all ready for primer now though. Getting in those grill slots was a serious pain. Tedious sanding with 100 grit wrapped around a screw driver worked pretty well. They say it’s all in the prep...

Dave Lucas · Apr 5, 2021

I know it's too late now, but how do you seal and paint under those vents? There's always that somebody who notices that at a show and I wouldn't want it to rust. I once had the thought of under coating it.

cosgig · Apr 5, 2021

I don’t know why I haven’t seen this thread, but holy cow are you doing some fine work. It’s more like a work of art than just a car resto. I must say that you will know every inch of that car by the time you’re done. Keep up the good work, it’s very inspiring to see.

Garethw · Apr 10, 2021

Thanks guys! Appreciate the kind words.
@Dave Lucas , the cowl isn’t welded on yet. It’s getting epoxy primed on both sides first. So it will be protected for sure. Top of the bottom cowl has rust bullet on it. I’ll detail that more when I get ready to permanently attach the upper cowl section.

Garethw · Apr 10, 2021

Got the motor and trans back out of the car. Now I can finish up the floor and transmission tunnel from underneath. I also dropped the K frame, which I plan to beef up just a little.

273commando · Apr 10, 2021

Garethw said:
This thing has taken forever! I think I got it all ready for primer now though. Getting in those grill slots was a serious pain. Tedious sanding with 100 grit wrapped around a screw driver worked pretty well. They say it’s all in the prep...

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amazing craftsmanship on your 65 restoration! No one would ever know its your first resto- top quality work! No doubt your welding is getting better and better with all that practice! Redoing the entire cowl area was genius- major surgery!But it came out great. Can't wait to see further progress updates. Keep up the great work! I have 3 65 Valiants and a 65 Barracuda- luckily they aren't nearly as rusty as yours was.

Garethw · Apr 10, 2021

273commando said:
amazing craftsmanship on your 65 restoration! No one would ever know its your first resto- top quality work! No doubt your welding is getting better and better with all that practice! Redoing the entire cowl area was genius- major surgery!But it came out great. Can't wait to see further progress updates. Keep up the great work! I have 3 65 Valiants and a 65 Barracuda- luckily they aren't nearly as rusty as yours was.

Thanks! Appreciate the kind words. It’s definitely been a learning experience. I’m using this car as practice. My wife’s 71 Javelin is next in line. That one will be our hot rod

Garethw · Apr 11, 2021

Got the rest of the top of the tunnel and floor burned in. Just a little stitching to do from the bottom. Back is killing me now so that’s it for today.

mygasser · Apr 12, 2021

good job

, are you going to make infill panels between the new tunnel and new trans' hoop? it'd probably stiffen it a bunch.
neil.

Garethw · Apr 12, 2021

mygasser said:
good job , are you going to make infill panels between the new tunnel and new trans' hoop? it'd probably stiffen it a bunch.
neil.

I don’t think so. I have the floor welded to the hoop in a couple spots though.

Garethw · Apr 12, 2021

Got my homemade transmission crossmember back from powder coat. Love it. My first part that’s ready for final assembly! Too bad it won’t get installed for quite some time yet.