Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

The Era of The Square Body Racing Comets
warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Hey all,
As promised a couple months ago in my introduction thread, here is the beginning of the build thread for my 64 Hardtop.
Refer intro here:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=17810
So the car arrived at my house in Australia in June this year, after buying from Bakersfield Cali in March.
No real dramas with the importation, other than just the process playing out with inspections, shipping, more inspections etc.
As mentioned in the intro thread, the car is shabby but in great shape....
Caliente Hardtop
260 / 3sp manual column - original driveline
Bench seat with cloth trim
No PS or AC, original radio and remote mirror seem to be the only options.
Original paint (burgundy 🤮), all trim and hubcaps present. The trunk lid trim has a dent....
The plan:
Cy-Clone (as close as I can make it)
Bucket seats
5-speed floor shift manual (T5)
Keep the 260
Dual exhaust
Dual circuit drum brakes
Still haven't settle on the final color combo yet..... Tossing up Peacock/White-Black, White/Black. Really like Black/Red also, but have that combo on my Falcon coupe so unlikely.
Would love some feedback on the colors....
Here's some pics of the car as recieved.
IMG_8976[1].jpg
IMG_8976[1].jpg (116.45 KiB) Viewed 620 times
Arrival day 😎
20240628_133337.jpg
20240628_133337.jpg (194.19 KiB) Viewed 623 times
20240628_153356.jpg
20240628_153356.jpg (212.48 KiB) Viewed 623 times
20240628_202954.jpg
20240628_202954.jpg (224.62 KiB) Viewed 623 times
Last edited by warren1328 on Sat Nov 23, 2024 12:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Keeping along with more of the car as recieved
20240630_120915.jpg
20240630_120915.jpg (109.65 KiB) Viewed 622 times
Horrible CD player under dash so that I coudln't open the ashtray and groovy steering wheel sleeve 😁
I have a brand new dash pad from falconparts.com that I had delivered to the prev owner and was shipped in the trunk.
20240630_121332.jpg
20240630_121332.jpg (217.35 KiB) Viewed 622 times
Originally thought the cloth seats were done by previous owner, but curious if may be an option?
All the headliner bows are there but missing one of the caps at the end.
20240630_121343.jpg
20240630_121343.jpg (198.45 KiB) Viewed 622 times
20240715_203407.jpg
20240715_203407.jpg (222.82 KiB) Viewed 622 times
20240630_123535.jpg
20240630_123535.jpg (128.68 KiB) Viewed 622 times
My mechanic made me paint the air cleaner for the inspection for some reason.....
Note riiculous "burp tank" radiator overflow....
20240701_161141.jpg
20240701_161141.jpg (228.19 KiB) Viewed 622 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

So on arrival I took it to my mechanic Rod (73, very oldschool) and we put it up on the hoist.
He's seen soooo many US imports over the years and he actually trie to talk kme out of buying this initially. He's seen too many Aussies burned by rusty imports.....
I was fully expecting to find some ugly underneath but we were both incredibly surprised to see underneath.....
20240702_142634.jpg
20240702_142634.jpg (114.26 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240702_142752.jpg
20240702_142752.jpg (84.28 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240702_142806.jpg
20240702_142806.jpg (84.7 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240702_142832.jpg
20240702_142832.jpg (90.85 KiB) Viewed 618 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

So as mentioned, the plan is to make this into a Cy-Clone.
Happily for me, a mate of mine bought a Cyclone about a year ago and he got some extra parts.
Specifically another steering wheel and a tach.
Both needed some love, but turned out pretty well.
20240324_144054.jpg
20240324_144054.jpg (113.65 KiB) Viewed 617 times
20240428_134051.jpg
20240428_134051.jpg (224.54 KiB) Viewed 617 times
20240428_162040.jpg
20240428_162040.jpg (142.41 KiB) Viewed 617 times
The wheel and horn ring will do for now, but the horn ring will get rechromed when I do the cosmetic resto on the car.
20240324_144006.jpg
20240324_144006.jpg (112.96 KiB) Viewed 617 times
20240519_115605.jpg
20240519_115605.jpg (149.89 KiB) Viewed 617 times
20240521_180811.jpg
20240521_180811.jpg (120 KiB) Viewed 617 times
20240826_171845.jpg
20240826_171845.jpg (128.61 KiB) Viewed 617 times
Cheated a bit with the tach. The inside decal is deteriorated and I didn't want to break the crimping on the body, so I played around and had a new sticker made.

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

First proper job since the car arrived was to replace the shocks all around and the front springs. The shocks were toast, and the front end was sitting too high for my liking. The new shocks tightened up the ride and the springs a little stiffer and a little lower make a huge difference.
20240718_114520.jpg
20240718_114520.jpg (191.27 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240718_114532.jpg
20240718_114532.jpg (241.67 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240718_114537.jpg
20240718_114537.jpg (161.13 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240718_123647.jpg
20240718_123647.jpg (143.8 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240718_132037.jpg
20240718_132037.jpg (221.81 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240718_133257.jpg
20240718_133257.jpg (217.29 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240718_171451.jpg
20240718_171451.jpg (152.93 KiB) Viewed 618 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

So one of the complications of having a LHD car in Australia is the mirrors.....
The Comet has a factory (?) remote mirror and had nothing on the passenger side.
My Mustang I have the factory round mirrors on both sides, and I've used the same mirrors on my XM coupe.
The Comet has the square mirror and I had never seen one just like it. So I referred to my Mustang suppliers and came up with 68 Mustang pass side mirror that I thought would pass as good enough for now.
I had found "64 Comet passenger side mirror" on ebay that looks just right, but was listed at $400 US which just seemed ridiculous, so I went with the 68 Mustang unit for $100 AU.
20240702_104927.jpg
20240702_104927.jpg (184.15 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240720_163826.jpg
20240720_163826.jpg (147.04 KiB) Viewed 618 times
If you are not looking in the right angle and can't see both together, you can kind of not notice.
Of course, since I did this, I've discovered that the mirror I need is 63 Thunderbird and I can get one for about $125US. It's an exact match to my driver side mirror so will be part of my next parts order from the US.

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Next major change was the seats.
This car came with bench front seat. Really not sure about the fabric on them though. Thought they might have been done by the original owner, but after removing and inspecting them, I'm not sure if they are not perhaps original?
Anyway.....
The bench had to go, so I managed to source a pair of 68 Mustang seats from a guy an hour up the road who was customizing his Mustang. Zero chance of finding Cyclone seats over here, but these Mustang seats are great dimension for me (I'm 6'2") for driving position. Of course the floorpan is different and there isn't the Mustang style seat base.
Happily I had adapted 65 Mustang seats to my XM Falcon years ago and knew that Mazda 323 seat tracks from around 1986 fit almost perfectly to both the seats and the Falcon/Comet floorpan.
20240609_161315.jpg
20240609_161315.jpg (182.66 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240609_161332.jpg
20240609_161332.jpg (251.13 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_112721.jpg
20240722_112721.jpg (207.55 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_112709.jpg
20240722_112709.jpg (169.8 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_112656.jpg
20240722_112656.jpg (232.36 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_120919.jpg
20240722_120919.jpg (191.52 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_113753.jpg
20240722_113753.jpg (215.77 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_121237.jpg
20240722_121237.jpg (225.84 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_124301.jpg
20240722_124301.jpg (221.95 KiB) Viewed 618 times
20240722_124330.jpg
20240722_124330.jpg (226.19 KiB) Viewed 618 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Took the car to it's first cars and coffee in Aug.
20240928_114846.jpg
20240928_114846.jpg (175.21 KiB) Viewed 618 times
There was a pro photographer there taking heaps of pics and he got a few good ones of the Comet 😁
455789907_480139084767970_988775504359467963_n.jpg
455789907_480139084767970_988775504359467963_n.jpg (237.71 KiB) Viewed 618 times
456196519_480147798100432_6415415594023468233_n.jpg
456196519_480147798100432_6415415594023468233_n.jpg (247.07 KiB) Viewed 618 times
455979204_480138404768038_866708891477372363_n.jpg
455979204_480138404768038_866708891477372363_n.jpg (196.84 KiB) Viewed 618 times
456966639_974182974748528_5621779294973416529_n.jpg
456966639_974182974748528_5621779294973416529_n.jpg (198.32 KiB) Viewed 618 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

One of the big things about the Cy-Clone thing is the rarity and expense of some of the Cyclone only trim pieces.
As already seen I've managed to source a Cyclone steering wheel and a tach.
Couple of the difficult things seem to be the wheel arch trims and the hubcaps. Did lots of digging and questioning and seemed that these would be a major stumbling block and expense to the intended project.
Rather than trying to source original trims that would likely be squashed, insanely expensive and probably damaged in shipping, I called into a local Mustang parts vendor here with a tape measure and some sketches. Had measured the length of the wheel arch surface beforehand, and had a good look at the aftermarket Mustang wheel arch trims.
Turns out that 65/6 Mustang front trims are a similar length and 67/8 Mustang rears are a similar length to what's needed. For $30 each AUD it was a no-brainer to buy some and give them a try at re-shaping. Being aluminium they bend easy and by carefully shaping to the Comet wheel arch shape I managed to get them to match perfectly. They will need to be trimmed when I finally fit them up, but they worked brilliantly.
Also, in Australia, the 67 GT Falcon used the exact same hubcaps as the 64/5 Cyclone. They're very expensive here if you can find them, but there was a company that produced a batch of repros just before going out of business recently. I managed to score a full set brand new.
I think the only thing I still need to source is the rocker trim piece. I have some thoughts for that also, but yet to try them.....
20240720_144127.jpg
20240720_144127.jpg (192.5 KiB) Viewed 616 times
20240720_144422.jpg
20240720_144422.jpg (175.6 KiB) Viewed 616 times
20240720_145259.jpg
20240720_145259.jpg (215.84 KiB) Viewed 616 times
20240720_145511.jpg
20240720_145511.jpg (156.35 KiB) Viewed 616 times
20240720_145551.jpg
20240720_145551.jpg (203.52 KiB) Viewed 616 times
20240720_145603.jpg
20240720_145603.jpg (124.23 KiB) Viewed 616 times
Took a while to make the trims match the wheel arch openings. Had to be very careful and patient as the trims will kink very easily, but I think they have turned out pretty nice and will trim nicely on final fit up.

User avatar
Jims65cyclone
Posts: 2905
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:29 pm
Location: Lexington, SC

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by Jims65cyclone »

Warren, you scored a great find! Mechanical issues can be easily fixed, but a car as relatively rust free as yours is the holy grail. That Bakersville, CA climate certainly did you a favor. I'll be following your build closely for tips on mine. I found a set of Cyclone wheel lips for mine a while back, but still looking for a set of rocker moldings for less than a mint. I'll be interested to see what you come up with given you talent for modifying parts. Keep the posts coming!

Jim
Image

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Cheers, thanks Jim.
The mechanical stuff has always been pretty easy for me. Wanted to get the best body I could, and was certainly pleasantly surprised on arrival.
To the point it had me questioning my project goals for a while. Even had paint supply guy trying to convince me to just paint clear on it and leave it.
I'm a little ahead of the posting here, so there'll be a few more to catch up to where it sits today.
Following along the CyClone pathway are the fender badges.
As mentioned, I have a friend who has a 64 Cyclone so I had access to some fender badges. I do 3D machine design for a living, so it was a nice little distraction for me to measure up the flags and badge and model them in 3D, using AutoDesk Inventor.
Screenshot 2024-11-24 184752.jpg
Screenshot 2024-11-24 184752.jpg (142.78 KiB) Viewed 562 times
Screenshot 2024-11-24 184817.jpg
Screenshot 2024-11-24 184817.jpg (120.77 KiB) Viewed 562 times
Because I'm modifying a Caliente, I don't have holes in the fender in the correct position for original badges, so I modelled them with larger, more robust pins, and didn't worry too much about copying the placement.
Then I had them 3D printed.....
I made 2 versions of the block letter badge. One for the original type sticker and another with the lettering included.
20240521_180738.jpg
20240521_180738.jpg (200.41 KiB) Viewed 562 times
Painted them up using chrome spray paint and modellers satin black with brush. Also bought new Cyclone wording stickers from AutoKrafters for the block badge.
20240829_143304.jpg
20240829_143304.jpg (255.86 KiB) Viewed 562 times
Then mocked up the placement on the fender.
20240929_125219.jpg
20240929_125219.jpg (197.58 KiB) Viewed 562 times
20240929_125227.jpg
20240929_125227.jpg (146.86 KiB) Viewed 562 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Next up, radio.
Comet has the original Mercury AM radio. Doesn't work, but looks nice. Also had ugly CD player radio strapped to the underside of the dash that just had to go!
If you've seen my intro post, you'll notice my other vintage Fords. One thing I've done with all of them is to upgrade the radios with Retrosound units with Bluetooth and hands-free phone. On those cars I've gutted the original radios and upgraded them with the controls of the Retrosound units. They operate the same as original, look original (because they still are), but have the BT and hands free features. (you can get massive fines here in Aus for using/touching your phone while driving). Mounted the supplied microphone on the interior visor and ran the wire down behind the A-pillar trim and then behind the dash to the radio.
20230907_175749.jpg
20230907_175749.jpg (189.93 KiB) Viewed 563 times
20230909_160647.jpg
20230909_160647.jpg (122.35 KiB) Viewed 563 times
So with my Comet, I've also bought the Retro setup, although so far I have just replaced the original radio with the new one. Further down the track, I'll modify the Mercury original and re-install it, but for now, unless you know Comets, you would not notice the RS unit is not the original.
20240831_111915.jpg
20240831_111915.jpg (176.39 KiB) Viewed 563 times
20240831_122630.jpg
20240831_122630.jpg (141.32 KiB) Viewed 563 times
20240831_133628.jpg
20240831_133628.jpg (143.32 KiB) Viewed 563 times
20240831_151039.jpg
20240831_151039.jpg (172.51 KiB) Viewed 563 times
20240831_151049.jpg
20240831_151049.jpg (175.95 KiB) Viewed 563 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Obvious upgrade was seatbelts.
The seatbelts in the car were all lap belts, and a combination of old original Ford units and some sort of replacement style, but also old and deteriorated.
I stayed with the original style lap belt configuration, but bought 5 new belts from RetroBelt for new units.
20240901_111933.jpg
20240901_111933.jpg (230.23 KiB) Viewed 560 times
20240901_111953.jpg
20240901_111953.jpg (184.46 KiB) Viewed 560 times
20240901_130248.jpg
20240901_130248.jpg (171.12 KiB) Viewed 560 times
20240901_111852.jpg
20240901_111852.jpg (243.71 KiB) Viewed 560 times
20240901_114110.jpg
20240901_114110.jpg (220.33 KiB) Viewed 560 times
20240901_130302.jpg
20240901_130302.jpg (192.39 KiB) Viewed 560 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

So I've arrived at the last major stage of roughing out the planned result, the 5 speed conversion.
I had anticipated driving it a while longer with the 3 on the tree, but outside influences forced my hand.
The guy I have lined up for the exhaust is a genius, but is 83 yrs old and has had some recent health issues. He's decided to finally fully retire, but will do my car as his last one. To that end, I had to get stuck into the gearbox change at short notice to have it ready for exhaust to be done. That will be a simple 2" dual system, with H pipe, hugging the underside as close as possible and exiting at the bumper with original style Mustang turn-downs so that the pipes cannot be readily seen. I don't dig the pipes poking out the back look too much.....
Fortunately I've been playing with Mustangs and Falcons for a long time and have had engines in and out more times than I can remember. Allows me to do most all of the work on my own, without too much assistance, although the dog and the 10yr old twins are always curious 😁
Starting the disassembly.....
20241026_154225.jpg
20241026_154225.jpg (199.28 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241026_171417.jpg
20241026_171417.jpg (212.68 KiB) Viewed 558 times
The original driver side manifold that snakes under the engine will be replaced with Mustang unit.
20241103_094035.jpg
20241103_094035.jpg (241.64 KiB) Viewed 558 times
That funky original exhaust arrangement is so cool it's a shame to bin it. May become a piece of shed art....
20241026_171509.jpg
20241026_171509.jpg (246.88 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241027_095316.jpg
20241027_095316.jpg (184.29 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241027_095343.jpg
20241027_095343.jpg (173.64 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241027_101211.jpg
20241027_101211.jpg (167.18 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241027_101248.jpg
20241027_101248.jpg (185.3 KiB) Viewed 558 times

warren1328
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:49 am

Re: Wazza's 64 Hardtop - Aus

Post by warren1328 »

Keeping the original 260 in the car. It runs great so there's no need to replace it.
Keeping the original crank style clutch also, again, it works fine so no need to replace.
Bought a T5 adaptor plate for 5-bolt bellhousing from NPD.
Also, got the rest of my conversion parts, trans mount bracket and shifter handle from Modern Driveline. I've used NPD for years and they are always great. First project using Modern Driveline and they have also been sensational to deal with!
The adaptor plate bolts directly to the T5 bolt pattern and 2 bolts in the bellhousing. You need to remove the bellhousing and drill 2 further holes to match the adaptor and then bolt them together with 2 bolts from the inside (new holes into tapped holes in the adadptor) and 2 counter sunk cap screws from the adaptor to the bellhousing existing tapped holes.
20241029_180937.jpg
20241029_180937.jpg (218.64 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241029_181308.jpg
20241029_181308.jpg (204.1 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241029_184606.jpg
20241029_184606.jpg (185.01 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241029_184612.jpg
20241029_184612.jpg (172.03 KiB) Viewed 558 times
20241029_185858.jpg
20241029_185858.jpg (245.77 KiB) Viewed 558 times

Post Reply