WAS a Valiant owner wannabe 'til TODAY!

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Shishaldin

Shishaldin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
318
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Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Hi All-

I've been lurking these forums for a while now (but feeling kinda creepy about it, not owning an A-Body Mopar), dreaming of the day I'd finally get my hands on a '65 Valiant (best lines of any year, IMHO). Originally, I was dead set on finding a V-200 2 door, 'cause they have those very cool side spears (see my Photoshopped avatar). But yesterday, I found a '65 Signet convertible in Hayward, CA on Craigslist, where the owner had lost his storage space and was taking offers. Well, I offered him $400 today, he accepted, and now IT'S ALL MINE :love10:!
You can imagine that this is not some garaged cream puff with 30k original miles, and you'd be correct. It's got the standard floorboard "peek-a-boo" rust perforations in the rear, but the rest of the body/trunk area has very minor surface rust, if at all. It's also got a non-running 318 and a floor shifted automatic in it. Oh, and it's got a nice Barracuda grille set up front(XMAS came early)! All in all, a GREAT start for a project ride. I can't wait to get into it and clean up my new baby. I'll post photos after I get it towed to my place in Santa Cruz this Sunday, AFTER we celebrate my wife's birthday on Saturday. Happy Wife, Happy Life! And yes, she does condone and support my Valiant fetish. She's a keeper! :thumleft:
You guys are an inspiration and an invaluable source of information, and I can't wait to share my experience putting her together. Stay tuned!

Regards,
Daniel

P.S. Anybody got a line on any '65 Mexican Valiant Acapulco parts? Gotta get me one of those center consoles with the tach in it...and those side spears:wink:

65ValiantAcapulcoInterior.jpg
 
Welcome to FABO Daniel. You are going to (continue) loving it here. Several of us are local (Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, etc.). How about some pics of your new ride when it gets home?
 
GTXperience said:
Welcome to FABO Daniel. You are going to (continue) loving it here. Several of us are local (Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, etc.). How about some pics of your new ride when it gets home?
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Absolutely! I'll get some snapped as soon as I get 'er off of the car carrier. Once I get 'er running (and safe!), I'd love to coordinate with other local A-Body Moparphiles (that's "you guys") in the Bay Area/Central Coast.

I can't wait to cruise Highway 1 to Big Sur in it come Summer '08 :toothy10:
 
Cool! Glad to hear you found your Valiant.

And I had not seen that conole with the tach before
 
Welcome! nice find, i think i saw that on craigslist. Im here in Santa Clara, not far from GTX, if you need anything, lets us know.

Question, you said it was a 65, is that a poly 318? anyone
 
Welcome to the site! Sounds like you have a cool little car to work with.
 
sublimeswinger said:
Welcome! nice find, i think i saw that on craigslist. Im here in Santa Clara, not far from GTX, if you need anything, lets us know.

Question, you said it was a 65, is that a poly 318? anyone
Click to expand...

Hey sublimeswinger-
Thanks! The guy I bought it from said it was a 318, and due to the light blue paint on the block, I'm inclined to believe him. We'll find out for sure on tear down. 65's originally came with 273's.

It's funny, I was kinda hoping for a Leaning Tower of Power /6 instead. Dreams of an ethanol-fueled, 14:1 CR'ed, HyperPak'ed and Fuel Injected LToP keep dancing through my head:idea1: But, that'll have to wait for another thread :)
 
 
ValiantMike said:
You said it was an automatic. In your pic that looks like a 4spd setup. Mike
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Wish that was my interior shot, ValiantMike! That one was from a Mexican Valiant Acapulco with the cool center console. Check out the links in my previous post to see what it really looks like right now (not so pretty).
 
Looks like a great protect!!
Glad you have saved another sweet A body.
I am still waiting for mine and can't wait to let everyone see here.
Lets get started and let us know your first move so we can jump in and help.
Welcome to this great site.
 
Daniel, the pictures look great. It's hard to tell what lurks under that paint but over all, looks like it will be a fun project. Now, get to work so it will be ready for the coastal cruise next spring/summer. ;-)
 
Best wishes, with your new "Toy car".

Looks like a mid 70's,newer 318, with the EGR valve on the intake,
a 318 makes more power and torque than a 273. ;)

{Especially with a Little bigger cam, LOL.}

Hmm, someone added a "Cuda" grille. :)

100_0867.jpg


100_0866.jpg
 
Nice score. You've got the right idea with the Barracuda grill. I think they look awesome on the convertibles. I have a set that I'm getting restored for my 66 Signet. Have fun with it.
 
Hey Dan,Good Save! That car looks like it's in a similar condition to ours when we got it,and you paid way less! I will have a bunch of 64 A-body parts for sale here soon. PM me if you have some immediate needs or a wish list. I saw your spears on ebay just the other day btw. Good Luck,baucco
 
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