You have really turned in into mint condition. Is that a 47 factory option? They look soo cool!
The 1947 Dodge Build
- Thread starter 65 Dartman
- Start date
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Thanks! I’m sure it was an option! in 65 Wasn’t it still optional?
Yes, it was!
Actually, 1965 was the first year that air condition was a factory option. Earlier a/c was a dealer installed unit from 1960. A friend of mine has a 1960 Valiant with a dealer installed a/c unit named ARI.
The 47 will get “factory air” with the installation of a Chrysler-branded underdash kneeknocker unit
No progress on the 47 after I completed the heater assembly as I’ve been working on the 65’s dash harness while taking it easy from surgery (and it had to get done anyway!). When i get a chance I’ll jump back on the 47’s dash wiring. My bodyman friend says he wants to help out on the 47. The body, fenders, hood and trunk lid are arrow straight - which is good since it’s gonna get painted gloss black with gold interior.
Cool color combination!
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I already have the interior - complete gold interior from a 65 Barracuda I parted out. The back seat bottom fits in-between the rear armrests like it was made for it. Will have to do some mounting mods to fit the rear seat back and fronts will be no problem.
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Nice color. You might be able to use the chrome straps for it as well. Is it a flat floor in the 47? I know early A had some weird floor with lots of angels etc. But have probably fabricated new ones.
Will you use the console as well?
I will use the chrome seat trim on the buckets and the trim that goes around the sides and top of the rear seat back but not the grab bar.
the 47’s floor is mostly flat although for the front seat, they Used a raised platform of 4 to 6 inches - I guess to raise the height of the front seat. I looked at a wrecked 47 and the front sest is pretty tall! I don’t expect to use any console, although that could certainly change once i get into the build.
the 47’s floor is mostly flat although for the front seat, they Used a raised platform of 4 to 6 inches - I guess to raise the height of the front seat. I looked at a wrecked 47 and the front sest is pretty tall! I don’t expect to use any console, although that could certainly change once i get into the build.
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Hello Don. Did that rear seat come from the 65 Valiant 'Vert? Gotta say......looks great. All moved....might be knocking on your door soon to see your projects in person. sgrip65
Hi Jerry - that Valiant seat was - would you believe - too wide to fit between the armrests. The 65 Barracuda rear seat bottom slipped right in place - the seat back will require a little work On the back of the seat and on the car to install. If you’re in the area, definitely stop by!
Don. Indeed, we will stop by. All moved, settled, and time to hit the road for some R&R. Will enjoy seeing your projects. They look great. sgrip65
Long time since there is any kind of update since all my time is being devoted to the 65. I did want to make a comment on the paint. The paint guy where I buy my supplies said black and white are the cheapest colors. Really!!! Had to buy a small amount of black for the 65 and a pint of it was $28! That works out to $228 a gal - maybe it’s cheaper by the gal?
I can buy most single stage for like $119 a qt but the gal would cost $259!!! Basically a gal would cost almost same a 2 gts!!!!
I bet your paint for a gal would be way less maybe?? Go figure!!!
I’ve got to pick up at least another quart of the WW1 white for my 65 Monday so I will ask how much for gal of Black acrylic enamel runs.
Update on the cost of black single stage acrylic enamel - it’s definitely cheaper by the gal! $124 a gal and the less you buy, the more expensive it is!
No progress on the 47 - all my time is spent on little projects for the 65
I just read all 11 pages , cool build great detail .
Then the floor fun to come .
Get healed fast .
Then the floor fun to come .
Get healed fast .
Thanks! Yes, the floors should be fun; I’m looking forward to doing the 47 after I get my 65 Dart wagon conversion done.
same as above but am keeping an eye on eGad for little things I will still need. Looking/searching is part of the game lol!
Bill Crowell
Well-Known Member
No, 65 Dartman, I never did, and there's a story behind that. My father's dad died when my father was quite young, leaving a widow and lots of children. My dad grew up during the depression and his family was very impoverished, as in "not a penny to their name" (literally). Therefore neither he nor his siblings ever had enough money to drive a car. He was first able to afford a car after he graduated from high school, came to California and got a job in a factory. So I guess that's why he never learned to maintain a car. In fact, when he was younger he seemed to be somewhat in denial that a car ever needed any maintenance. He never seemed to change the oil, and when one old car broke down he would buy another used one. (Finally in '56 he bought a new Plymouth Savoy, and was so proud of it that he actually maintained it.) So when my brother was a kid he never learned that it was necessary to check the oil level on his '41 Plymouth and change it occasionally, so he ran the engine out of oil. Then the '41 got junked. I shudder to think of how many cool '40s Mopars suffered the same fate back in the '50s, mainly because they weren't worth anything because people considered them old-fashioned and wanted one of the more modern body styles instead.
Bill - thanks for the story! You mentioned when the old car broke down they would just buy another old car. That’s the way it basically was for me in the mid 60’s. Of course I wasn’t making much as a lowly enlisted man in the Air Force - IIRC about $100 a month. Bought a 10 year old 57 Ford for $50; when it broke down it was cheaper to buy another $50 10 year old Ford, then another 10 year old $50 58 Chevy then moved up in the world with a $75 59 Chevy that was still just 9 years old. In the late 60’s those 10 year old cars were really common in the junkyards
Hi Don. 57 Ford....small vertical fin with round tail lights. Still see those cars in old movies....not that you are old, of course. Do you remember the old 57 + Ford 2 door Skyliner? It wasn't a Mopar, but, nevertheless, a cool car. I still remember the neighbor had one when I was a kid. I'm still on the mend, but, better every day. Sgrip65
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