Picked up this 65 Valiant Signet today. Original 273, 4 speed and posi rear still in it and intact! Needs typical floor pans and trunk pan. Undecided on what I'm gonna do with it.
Nice, my first car (1973) was a '65 Valiant 273 auto (I put a four speed in it). You are already one step ahead of me!
I bet it was a blast with the 4 speed. Sadly this one's motor is stuck. Hopefully just from sitting. Gonna pour some Marvel Mystery oil in all the plug holes and see if its just stuck rings from sitting.
Haven't decided if I'm gonna part it out or sell it whole. But I did buy it to make money for my Demon build so its gonna go one way or the other. Lol
I love the 65 signet hard tops. It’s a shame you’re even thinking of parting it. I wish I had it, but I really don’t need another vehicle.
Cool car. You've got some work ahead of you, but think how much fun it will be to drive. If the 273 is toast, put a warmed up 340 or 360 in it with 273 badging. What fun. Silver or white with a red interior would be perfect.
I'll sell it. Just showing it off cause I was shocked when I walked up and saw what it was. Gotta either flip it or part it out. Need money to finish my Demon restoration
Decoded the fender tag this morning. Was a special order car. 273 V8 4 speed A/C w/heater AM Music Master/Economy Back up Lights Front and Rear Retracting Belts Front Bucket Seats w/Console Black Vinyl interior with Black upper door frame Copper Poly paint.
Awesome! That will go a long way in helping you sell it whole. From what I can see in the pics, it needs to be fixed and enjoyed! Good luck with it!
I agree, when I was headed to get it the plan was just to part it out. After seeing how good it is and rare I decided against that. Only rust I have found in it is the floor pans and trunk pan. Car is complete minus the console.
copper poly was what my 65 was when I got it, although the tag said it was silver poly....? So silver poly it went back to. Not a fan of the patina look myself, but an old school laquer job would be cool. That motor will come right back to life with a few days of ATF/Kerosene in the jugs and some working of the crank. Just move it a little a day clockwise of course, that bolt will spin right off if you try any thing more than a tug the other way! Im in the camp of if the motor frees up, change the oil and start it! Cant really hurt it as youll probably rebuild it anyway if it has terrible blowby or low compression. Ive started 30 year old motors that were frozen cranky and they ran fine after a few days of working the crank back and forth with some penetrating stuff in the holes. Guarantee the valve seals are rocks in the pan.