New ‘65 Caliente project

[ArkansasComet]

I’ve been away from the forum for a while, the rust repair on my 202 had me burned out & I had moved on to other projects. But that all changed Tuesday night when I picked up my first ‘65 Caliente project for a really good deal! It’s been sitting in the AR woods for over a decade, but somehow managed to avoid rotting away. The quarters are in perfect shape & there’s only a few small spots of rust in the typical places. My rusty 202 project will now be pushed aside while I piece this car back together, luckily I already have a bunch of ‘65 parts! Stay tuned for progress pics. once I make some room in the shop!

[poboyjo65]

Congrats,good find! what are the plans? use all the parts you have on it & abandon or sell the 202? also what's in store for the caliente?

[SASSY]

Great find and WELCOME BACK!
FRED

[ArkansasComet]

It’s good to be back! For now I will use whatever good parts I have between the 2 cars to get the Caliente back together & driving. I haven’t really decided what to do with the 202, but since I already started cutting out the rear quarters to replace them, I may do an altered wheel base straight axle build down the road. My original plan with the 202 was to build a mild race/street car with it, so I’ll probably go that same route with the Caliente. Right now the major parts I need are a trans & driveshaft.

[lavron]

What is better than having a Comet? Two of course

Welcome back hope to see some good build posts now

See Ya,
Mike

[poboyjo65]

Right now the major parts I need are a trans & driveshaft.

If you get back over this way I have a 65 C4 & DS. the shaft came from my car, the trans i bought at the first gathering.

[ArkansasComet]

Right now the major parts I need are a trans & driveshaft.

If you get back over this way I have a 65 C4 & DS. the shaft came from my car, the trans i bought at the first gathering.

Sounds great John, I am definitely interested in them! Maybe I can come out your way one weekend in the next couple of weeks, that would be a big help for me to get this car back on the road!

[poboyjo65]

Yea go over your new car good, I may have other needed stuff. I was told the C4 was working when pulled for a 4sp swap but I'd recommend rebuilding it since it probably never has been opened up since 65. The ds was behind my 303 3sp man.. but I'm thinking I heard DS's were same for c4's, maybe someone can tell us.

[Joe Travers]

Nice find!

I'm helping an old friend restore his '65 202 between lower back breaks!
Just getting back into it a bit to help him out because he's in worse shape than me w/ the back problems.
Trying to run down old parts cars myself after a very long break.

Happy wrenching!

JT

[Jims65cyclone]

Welcome back! Glad to hear you've got a solid project car, and looking forward to your build thread.

Jim

[poboyjo65]

did it have the trim or any other parts inside of it?

[ArkansasComet]

did it have the trim or any other parts inside of it?

Yes luckily the trunk was full of all the trim, emblems, headlights, taillights, grill, etc. I think the only emblem I am missing is the C on the deck lid & the E is missing its pegs. I also got 2 front bumpers & a rear (bent) bumper. I’m sure glad it’s Friday, really looking forward to getting the car all cleaned out this weekend! I’ll post some more pics later today

[ArkansasComet]

Here are a couple more pics of the new Caliente before & after power washing the moss off, doesn’t look too bad for a $500 car!

[Jims65cyclone]

You done good! Especially with all the missing trim included in the trunk.

Jim

[SASSY]

Is it really as nice as the pics? WOW! what a find
Fred