The restoration begins.

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circlepilot

circlepilot

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Well after contemplating this and that and now being in position (recently retired) with time to start; my restoration has begun! However, there is one "minor" issue that has been plaguing me from the day I brought it home...Go back stock? *Clone my original ride?* (65 Commando 4 speed, bought in January, 1966 and traded in July, 1975..."brain fart!") Or, "hot rod it?" Anyway, I'm going to get it running "as is," which I believe will help me to decide. 1965, Super 225, Automatic. Everything is original and I mean everything. It hasn't seen the road since 1988. I've got, sitting in the office, several boxes of all of the goodies needed to get her going, from the water pump to an ignition switch and a bunch in between. The first thing to go was the 13" wheels. Yesterday it got a brand new pair of shoes...4, 14" Rally's and 4, P215 70R 14's. The wheels and tires totally transformed a "blue wuss" into a future "boulevard cruiser." I've got a long way to go and a lot of ideas to contemplate..."The restoration begins!"

The first two pics are of my original 65, Miami, Florida.

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Go for it mate,shell be a beauty,I like youre original paint personally only cause its a bluesy vibrant color,as for the clone,I to are in the same predicament as you my friend either way I dont think you can lose youll have a nice ride which ever you choose good luck and I will be watching.
DaveO
NZ
 
the stance of your original cuda in the first two pics is so boss.

I love cars with a stance like that because it is so super stock era and screams that it's ready to kick some *** on the track no matter what engine it has. :burnout:
 
Love the color! One forsale locally to me ,same color. Early abodies don't really hold there value, so I vote do a clone of your old commando.

What color was your orginal barracuda you bought in 1966?
 
ProStocker273 said:
Love the color! One forsale locally to me ,same color. Early abodies don't really hold there value, so I vote do a clone of your old commando.

What color was your orginal barracuda you bought in 1966?
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Thanks for all of the replies. My original Barracuda was metallic gold, gold interior. I had just dropped out of college and went to work for Eastern Airlines. (college was "cramping my style," I needed a fast car and fast women.) I was looking at a bright red, split rear window, 63 Corvette, a real beauty, but it had some real issues, it had been "run hard and put away wet" too many times. Anyway, Tropical Chevrolet had just taken the Barracuda in on a trade-in. The original owner didn't like the four speed and the exhaust (resonator) sound after he bought it. My dad owned a 64 Barracuda, first one sold in the city of North Miami. It was gold, gold interior, 273, 2 barrel, push button automatic. It would eat Falcon Sprints for lunch in a city block run. So when I saw this Barracuda, I had to have it, however this one, other than the year and color, was quite different. 273 Commando, 4 barrel, 4 speed, 14" wheels and that wonderful sound. It had less than 5,000 miles when I bought it. During the years that I owned it, I "upped" the cam and lifters, .050 over on the bore, worked the heads, headers, shortened Dodge Polara rear end, springs, etc. It was a regular on Saturday nights at the Miami Hollywood Speedway, dragstrip. Also at the (illegal) midnight drags, out on Krome Ave. In 1975, during a fit of anger, I traded it in for a brand new,1975 Chevy step-side. It was one of the dumbest things, on my list of dumb things I've done in my life. The last I ever saw of my Barracuda was the salesman behind the wheel, "getting down on it" headed out of the parking lot to who knows where. To this day, I've looked for it, I have had dreams of finding it in an old garage, or seen it going down the road. The only thing I have left of it is its last registration. I've tried to trace the VIN on it with no luck. I liken the feeling for that car like someone would of a missing love one, not knowing where they got off to, no closure. Anyway that's the story of my original Barracuda. I hope it didn't bore anyone. Now I have another one...not quite the same, but maybe soon. :wave:
Norm
 
Thanks for the back story, defiantly go for clone of your first barracuda. I've had my barracuda for 15 years and I couldn't imagine getting rid of it. Have fun and enjoy the new barracuda as much as you did your old one
 
Looks great starting point. Congratulations on the retirement. I did the same in February. Have returned part time, 2 days a week, but can hardly wait to finish mine. I have a Formula S and have the body stripped and ready for paint. Good luck on your build
 
We cranked it today for the first time in 28 years. I rescued it from a grown up yard next to an old lady's house. I ran it for just a short moment, as I had the cooling system out of it. I have done quite a bit of prepping for the start-up, but I was quite surprised at how easy she fired up. I tried to up load the video we took, but the site said it was invalid?
"The restoration begins."
Norm
 
Great story behind your original Barracuda, you have a great car to start again. I really like that color. I'll be watching your restoration.
 
Keith Mopar said:
Great story behind your original Barracuda, you have a great car to start again. I really like that color. I'll be watching your restoration.
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It now has all new brake components, overhauled the master cylinder, new wheel bearings and drums, new axel lines, they have been bled and they work. Replaced all of the lug bolt studs and This week a new fuel tank and radiator. Hope to road test soon.

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I say make it like YOU want. like said, early A's are not really collectable rare BJ stuff, ( maybe later who knows, I don't care!).

best use of these old cars is for FUN!!!!!! whether doing a great resto, simply getting it back on the road, whatever floats ya boat!!!

I still say the guys that fool with this stuff with only $$$ signs in their eyes, truly miss out on LIFE!!!! sorta like the difference in people that wake up every day and SEE the beauty in this world, instead of seeing how many $$$ they can chase that day!!?????? just me.

keep us updated on the resto and congrats on retirement. ( are we ever really retired!??? stop dreaming and start dying!???)
 
Thanks All! Barbee is right..."ain't the money...it's the fun!" The look on my two son's (46 and 43) and grandson (18) faces when the engine "busted off," after sitting for 28 years, was priceless!
Norm
 
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Removed the old gas tank today. Got the new tank out of the box and realized I forgot to order a new seal (grommet) for the filler neck. Two (just in case) new ones on the way. While I'm waiting for them to arrive, I'll start the installation of the new aluminum, Champion Radiator.
Norm
 
Pulled the interior today, dirty but a rewarding task...Under the rear seat (see pic) was an "archeological dig." 3 Zippo lighters, someone's English homework, several pens and pencils, an old registration dated 1987, a "drive out tag," a bunch of receipts for a music store, numerous different size drill bits, 31 cents...(1962 nickel, 1964 penny and a 1967 quarter), book matches from a motel in Hot Springs Arkansas, scissors big and small, a campaign bumper sticker and the "Holy Grail," the "build / broadcast sheet." (see pic)
Norm
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Nice updates! Good to see you getting started on your build. Keep the pics coming!!!!
 
It is funny the things you find. When I was taking my 65 Barracuda apart, I found a 1964 dime and a 1965 quarter behind the drivers side door panel. There were the usual candy wrappers and theater tickets, but I mainly remember the coins.
 
Congrats on your retirement and having that little jewel to enjoy it with!
I call that stuff you found Cartifacts :-D (mine are in a baggie, preserved forever lol), cool pieces of your baby's past.
It sounds like you're already having fun and that's what this hobby is all about. Thanks for letting me ride shotgun.
 
It's exciting pulling out the back seat. I found 2 broadcast sheets in mine. One under the carpet rear pass side and the other behind the rear seat.
 
Well today was a special day...After "all new brakes," wheel cylinders, adjusters and springs, drums, right hand thread studs and lug nuts, brake hoses, tires, 14" rally wheels, gear oil, gas tank and sender, serviced 904 TC and transmission fluid and filter, engine oil, filter, spark plugs, coil, points, condenser, cap and rotor, plug wires, alternator, motor and transmission mounts (isolators), radiator and hoses, water pump, over hauled the carb and master cylinder, voltage regulator, starter and relay and I know I'm forgetting something, but "cutting to the chase;" after sitting for 28 years in an old ladie's yard, I took her out for a spin around our airport. She did alright! Made my heart "soar like a hawk." Now the restoration "really begins." BTW I wish there was a way to post the video we made.
Norm.

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