Project "Chihuahua" '65 Formula S Restoration "Estilo Mexicano"

[dibbons]

Day #1:
I stripped the car myself, took about a week. Marielena, my Mexican born spouse, posed for the first foto. The restoration is taking place in her home town of La Paz, Baja California Sur (about 950 miles south of San Diego).

We rebuilt the motor already (about ten years ago). Its a 1980's 318 with the original 273 Commando AFB, intake (1966 version), chrome air cleaner, and ribbed valve covers. Stock exhaust manifolds and dual exhaust by TTI.

The transmission is a floor shift 904 (no work done on that yet). The rear end is a 8 3/4 with 489 case (no sure-grip) with 2.76 ring and pinion. Stock brakes with Mopar Rallye wheels. Options include power steering, power brakes, and A/C (parts missing). Original color is WW1 white with gold headliner and carpets. Seats and door panels are black. I assume the black upholstery and accents are not original (build sheet found under rear seat cushion belongs to another vehicle).

We will probably paint the vehicle the same 1965 white and same 1965 gold poly trim (inside). Plans are to add a factory style body stripe (gold).

 

[Divenut]

Very cool! Look forward to following your build.

Be well,
Pat

 

[chryslerfat]

Looks real good now that it is stripped.

 

[65 Dartman]

Subscribed!

 

[65dartcharger]

Cool project and awesome to start out with a rustfree body! Subscribed!

 

[dibbons]

Vehicle purchased new at a Sacramento, California dealership and I purchased it not too far from there. Rear window channels (both sides) show some rust (unless that is a factory drain hole I see):

 

[A408Cuda]

Excellent looking forward to following your progress.

 

[chryslerfat]

Vehicle purchased new at a Sacramento, California dealership and I purchased it not too far from there. Rear window channels (both sides) show some rust (unless that is a factory drain hole I see):

View attachment 1715151031

View attachment 1715151032

View attachment 1715151033

Not factory that hole was made by rust.

 

[dibbons]

Day #2:
The little "Chihuahua" is delivered to the shop "Los Pelones" which means "The Bald Guys". Estimate is $50,000.00 Mexican pesos which at the current exchange rate @ 18 to 1 works out to $2,777.77 US dollars (required 50% down). This is supposed to include one stage acrylic enamel (with hardener) including the body, interior, and chassis. A couple of years ago they painted the exterior of our 1972 Satellite Sebring Plus for $20,000.00 pesos (second foto). Can you pick out the father and son in the shop foto?

 

[dibbons]

Days #3-#4:
First some parts were removed that were needed for the 8 block drive from home to the shop: rear wheels, both doors, fuel tank, dash, and wiring. Then began the process of stripping the exterior with paint remover.

 

[Tadams]

Awesome. Looks like the same as my 65. All in pieces waiting on paint. Good luck.

 

[MonkeyMadness]

Wow Looks awesome, awaiting updates. I'm in the process of building a 65 as well... I'm getting real close to body and paint too..

 

[clifftt]

Dibs: Where’d you find the gold headliner? Or is that going to be a custom thing? Great start you have there.

 

[dibbons]

Gold Headliner was the rotten factory installed one. I have to go with buckskin headliner now, being gold is not found in aftermarket options. I like the perforated style, don't even know if gold perforated material is out there for a custom-made headliner.

 

[clifftt]

Yea, I came to the same conclusion. I’m going with white.

 

[RustyRatRod]

La Chupacabra sounds better. LOL Nice lookin project.......and family and friends!

 

[Big_John]

Gold Headliner was the rotten factory installed one. I have to go with buckskin headliner now, being gold is not found in aftermarket options. I like the perforated style, don't even know if gold perforated material is out there for a custom-made headliner.

Check with SMS. I could not find the correct material (red) for my 65 Barracuda, but SMS had it and could make a headliner for me. Of course, the cost was over twice as much as everybody else, but it matches the original exactly.

I suggest having them send a sample.

SMS Auto Fabrics - The Largest Selection of Classic Auto Interiors

 

[dibbons]

A real person from SMS actually returned my inquiry regarding interior/headliner. I was not there to answer the phone, however. I will have to call back.

 

[dibbons]

Day #15:
I check on the project daily. The Barracuda is taking up two stalls in the shop. They are always very busy so work on my project is a little slow. Today, we got a better look of the condition of the window frames. First four fotos are the windshield and last four are backlight. Don't show up in the fotos, but the windshield lower corners have a couple of minor pinholes. The rear window rust holes are more obvious.

 

[dibbons]

While the "Chihuahau" is in the body shop, I am working on a few side projects. Glove box liner(s) fabricated at the local stainless steel restaurant welders. Material is 18 gauge SAE type 304 SS. Two are for my Formula S and '65 Valiant Signet convertible. Third is a sample just in case this idea catches on and we go into a small production run.

 

[65 Dartman]

Third is a sample just in case this idea catches on and we go into a small production run.

View attachment 1715154717

How much for one shipped to 22657?

 

[dibbons]

I first would need to know what vehicles this would fit before I go too far. I guess I should box and weigh one, take it to the Mexican Postal Service, and see what it would cost to send one stateside. I will be working on that, time permitting.

 

[65 Dartman]

It would be for a 66 Barracuda Dash into a 65 Dart - gloveboxes are the same.

 

[dibbons]

Day #29:
Body shop removed the exhaust system and is now working on removing adhesives, seam sealer, and undercoating in preparation for the sandblasting of the stripped down shell.

The loose parts have all been sandblasted and primed (two coats) with a one-part, fast-drying, oyster white, anti-corrosive alkyd primer formulated for steel structures (see first foto). I am applying two coats over that white primer using Rust-Oleum Rusty Metal Red Primer (on the inside surfaces only) before returning these loose parts to the shop.

 

[OCswinger]

Looks like its coming along nicely!