1965 Comet Caliente (little red)

[Jims65cyclone]

Looking at Jim's red Comet Cyclone picture above I think my Comet sets about like his right now.

Chris, here's a comparison of the rake on our cars. Note the yellow lines tracing the rocker panels and where they strike relative to the center of the wheels.


Jim

[Sugarmaker]

Jim, Folks,
Thank you for that it will be a good reference for me to shoot for on the stance. Your car is awesome! I like those wheels. I did see a set of the Cyclone Chrome reverse hubcaps for sale on Facebook Market place. I think they wanted $300 ish for the set. I think these cars look good with mag type wheels!
I will try to get a good picture from the side our car. Then let you do your magic again!

[Lou's Comet]

Guys,
Thanks for checking on me. A couple of things about the signature picture.
A. I had larger tires on the rear, So now the rear tires are 1 inch smaller.
B. The new front springs have raised the front end at least an inch. So the Comet is more level and almost feel a little low in the back end.

Looking at Jim's red Comet Cyclone picture above I think my Comet sets about like his right now. I don't have a good side picture as a comparison of our current stance?

I do like the look of our sig picture. Trying to get back to that look. I am not looking to lower the front of the car. It handles well and does not bottom out when hitting our local test divot, at 50 MPH, in the road near us! It would hit pretty hard with the old suspension.

So the 2 inch increase in new rear springs might lift the back a little bit? And I am ok with that! (maybe a car problem I had as a kid??:))

Also as mentioned it might take some strain off the rear air shocks? Also might stiffen up the rear of the car a little?? It seems a little soft, but I am not a great judge of these cars either.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Comet forum members! We will have family in the shop around all my junk tomorrow. Should be interesting!

A 2 inch increase over stock may initially raise the car 4-4.5 inch. I just put new stock height springs on the rear of my car and it raised the rear a good 2.5 inches. I used these

https://www.generalspringkc.com/1964-19 ... ng-4-leaf/

I have put couple hundred pounds in trunk to lower it some, but still higher and the front lowered some.

Just replacing the old springs is going to lift the rear, like when you replace the front springs with new raised the front.

If ya want the rear high like we use to do in the 70's then go with the higher springs. If you want it back to where it was I would use stock height springs. JMO

Lou

[poboyjo65]

I agree with Lou. everyone on here who has put new stock height leafs on,,, it ends up higher than they wanted & had to sandbag it for months to get it back to regular height or close. plus your new front coils will sag some over time.

[Joe Travers]

Comets all seemed to look a little like taildraggers when they were new, IMO.

Perhaps the skirted rear wheel wells gave it that appearance by hiding the top of the rear wheel? IDK, but seems to be plausible explanation?

Joe

[Sugarmaker]

Comet folks,
We are not quite snowed in, but it's not good out there! Maybe 12-14 inches south of the Lake and near 24 inches of new snow since yesterday about 10 miles north of us.
I tried to get the F-250 in the shop and found that the 4 wheel drive was not working. That was not good, And once I got in the shop I stepped out and my slippery feet went right out from under me and I landed on the sill, running board, and floor. Laid there for 30 seconds and everything was working. I was only sore, Lucked out on that.

Anyway I had just moved the Comet back to its spot. It started on high idle by just barely pushing the gas pedal down maybe 1/4 inch!

Thanks to all of you for the hints, information, and recommendations on the rear springs. I may go with these General springs? What items should I order with them? Shackles? Fasteners? U bolts? This may happen after Christmas. Other than that I don't have any other big projects for "lil red".
Man I like this car! Almost everyone has good things to say about it.

Another question: Anyone have a good recommendation on a car cover for one of these Comets? Just seems like the thing to do in my messy shop. I kick up a lot of dust.

I measured the Comet wheel wells and the rears are 22 inches from the floor to center. The fronts are about 26. Pass side still seems a little lower/

[Joe Travers]

Another question: Anyone have a good recommendation on a car cover for one of these Comets? Just seems like the thing to do in my messy shop. I kick up a lot of dust.

I measured the Comet wheel wells and the rears are 22 inches from the floor to center. The fronts are about 26. Pass side still seems a little lower/

I would be interested in the car cover, as well. Don't know if this would be a good thing w/o climate control?? Do have cover from rain/UV but humidity rather high much of the year.

Second statement goes back to my last one about rear skirted fender. Stance was different in early-mid '60s than later models. I also notice this w/ other makes @ that period of time. The perception of motion in body design was 'wheelie pulling' Harkens back to the drag race stance of the times.

'Tails up' look really not a thing until 3-4 years later?? We all did it in '70s for tire clearance w/o tubbing. Some designs were kinder to that treatment than Comets, say '67-'70 Mustangs. Air shocks used for those later models to pull it off.

Joe

[A/FX]

I believe I have expressed my opinion on stance in previous posts. I also have an opinion on air shocks and their use to raise the rear of a leaf spring equipped vehicle.
Leaf springs support the weight of a vehicle in four points that were designed to carry the weight and suspension action, when air shocks are used to raise a car over the normal height of the springs the weight is transferred to two points that were designed as mounts for normal shock absorbers. This defeats the purpose of the leaf springs and could possibly create structural issues with the upper shock Mount crossmember.
(Ask me how I know!) I was also one of those guys who back in the early ‘70’s had air shocks, I learned the hard way that there are better ways to raise the rear of a car.
Now a day I prefer a lower stance, hence the profile of my Comet now compared to how it looked back in the late ‘60’s, early ‘70’s.
You may agree or disagree with my opinion, no problem.

As for car covers. I recommend purchasing directly from a manufacturer like Cover Craft, not a reseller like California Car Cover. ( they source their covers from Cover Craft)
https://www.covercraft.com

I have at least six covers for my variety of vehicles, I prefer the soft cotton covers for indoor use, I also have an cover made with Kimberly Clark Evolution 4 material if the car is to be outside overnight at an event.
For indoors when I am making dust in the shop or just to keep dust off the car for a short period of time I use this type of disposable cover.
https://www.griotsgarage.com/disposable-car-cover/
Jim

[Joe Travers]

As for car covers. I recommend purchasing directly from a manufacturer like Cover Craft, not a reseller like California Car Cover. ( they source their covers from Cover Craft)
https://www.covercraft.com

Different materials for different storage needs. I like that! Perhaps a call to Santa is in store
W/ you on the shocks & stance, BTW.

Sorry for the tangent, Chris. I installed wagon springs on my car to get a slight lift and stiffer action for better handling and braking.
Same springs were optional from the dealership when these cars were new. Stiffer ride but not too harsh.

Joe

[Sugarmaker]

Joe and Jim and Folks,
I appreciated all the positive input and suggestions/recommendations. The springs, air shocks, and car cover information is now here and myself and others can use the information to improve and protect these cars that we work on, drive, and enjoy! And I like tangents I do it all the time.

(I digress)
Having this red Comet for almost a year has been a great experience for both Cheryl and I. Cheryl really enjoys going for rides, socializing and getting some food. I don't cook much, and I sure miss her cooking! She is not able to drive anymore and the Comet is our magic carpet ride, back into the 70's. She has been asked by many folks at car shows or Ice cream stands what year the car is, she smiles and says she doesn't know. She can't buckle the lap belt or roll the windows down or up. But it doesn't stop her from smiling each drive we take in the "lil red" Comet! She loves the music and enjoys singing along while the glass packs on the 289 are singing too.

The Comet forum allows me to share some things and get some feedback as I learn something each time I log in. Really like as the Build threads move along! Very thankful you guys have allowed me and us to participate here.

We are looking forward to 2025 and the Comet will be 60 years old! So thankful that the previous owners cared for this car and continued to pamper and improve it too. We hope it goes to a good owner in its next life too.