65 Coronet 440

[Pizmo]

Hello from Washington State.

My teenage son and I decided to take the plunge into buying our first project car that the two of us can fix up together as a father and son project. After going out and looking at a bunch of project cars for sale in our area we finally decided to buy a 65 Coronet 440. Of all the cars we looked at this coronet was the best fit for us due to it being mostly complete (it's missing motor and trans) and requiring the least amount of rust repair. The car is almost rust free. There is a small hole in the driver side lower 1/4 panel that is about the size of a 50 cent piece, but that's it.

I am a diesel truck technician by trade. I've been working on big rigs for the last 15 years, but as mentioned earlier this is my first attempt at a classic car restoration. So I'm sure I have a lot to learn and I am probably going to need lots of guidance.

Thanks for letting me join the group

 

[Sam69sat]

You've come to the right place. The knowledge on this forum is amazing. If you run into a problem it won't take long to get answers.

 

[Pizmo]

You've come to the right place. The knowledge on this forum is amazing. If you run into a problem it won't take long to get answers.

Good to know. Here's hoping that I didn't get myself in too far over my head with this project

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[Sam69sat]

That's gonna be a cool car! I'm in the same boat. Recently picked up a 67 Coronet R/T that's in about the same conditon as your 65 (lots of parts in boxes). I plan on starting the restoration this summer and it will be my first restoration. Gonna being doing all the work myself else i couldn't afford it. With the help of forbbodiesonly members we'll get them done!

 

[Pizmo]

That's gonna be a cool car! I'm in the same boat. Recently picked up a 67 Coronet R/T that's in about the same conditon as your 65 (lots of parts in boxes). I plan on starting the restoration this summer and it will be my first restoration. Gonna being doing all the work myself else i couldn't afford it. With the help of forbbodiesonly members we'll get them done!

Your 67 r/t will definitely be the cooler of the two cars.

I have to admit that when we got the car home and I started to go over EVERYTHING that is going to need to be done on this car I got very overwhelmed, and was struck with a case of buyers remorse... but the only way this project will ever get finished is by picking a starting point and begin plowing ahead.

I've decided that my starting point is going to be the brakes and suspension. I dont know if that's the wisest place to start, but it is where I am starting

 

[VANDAN]

Welcome, and You picked a Great Car to start with, a True Classic Mopar, in My Book !

 

[Pizmo]

Welcome, and You picked a Great Car to start with, a True Classic Mopar, in My Book !

Thank you

 

[GOLDMYN]

Hi, Can't go wrong with a 65 Coronet.

 

[440Coronet500]

Welcome from Michigan, the Motor City! Thx for the pics, now we know what you're dealing with! 440'

 

[Pizmo]

Welcome from Michigan, the Motor City! Thx for the pics, now we know what you're dealing with! 440'

I think I over paid for this car. The guy was originally asking $3000, but I was able to talk him down to $1500. Its crazy how expensive these old cars have become. Not that long ago this would have been a car that a person would have had a hard time giving away. But $1500 was a screaming deal for a semi complete rust free car compared to some of the other junk I looked at that were four times the price

 

[Jim914]

I just aquired a 65 Coronet 500. Guy lost interest in it. Has alot of new parts. I'm sure there are extras. Let me know if you are missing anything.
It's a Mr Norm car

 

[Sam69sat]

Any 60-70's 2 door mopar is expensive anymore. I think you got a pretty good deal especially since it's not a rust bucket that needs every floor pan and panel replaced. Just imagine when you're done and it looks something like this.

 

[Budnicks]

welcome to FBBO from NorCal Sierras

you come to the correct & 'right' place for advice & knowledge

good luck to you & your son

 

[1 Wild R/T]

65"s are very cool! On the one side yeah you & your son's car needs some work.. But working with your son will be very rewarding for both of you.. And if you've made a living fixing big rigs for 15 years you've probably got the needed skill set to build an old car... And by the time the car is done hopefully your son will have learned allot... Welcome to the forum, we got your back.. Have fun!! Thats what this is all about...

 

[Pizmo]

I just aquired a 65 Coronet 500. Guy lost interest in it. Has alot of new parts. I'm sure there are extras. Let me know if you are missing anything.
It's a Mr Norm car

View attachment 1091251

Wow... your coronet is in a lot better shape than mine. Yours is also a 500 which means that you probably have the bucket seats and the floor console shifter... I am most jealous

 

[moparedtn]

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Welcome from North Florida !!!
Nice project
This place is an encyclopedia of knowledge so ask away.

 

[Dave6T4]

Welcome to FBBO from Ontario. That looks like a good project for you and your son. Raising your kids is mostly about building good memories for them.
We did not have '65 Coronets or Belvederes here in Canada, so they are rarely seen up here at shows. Get to know Joe Suchy in Dalton, Georgia for reproduction parts for your early B-body. He is a '64 Plymouth guy, but knows early B-bodies. Good honest guy to deal with.

 

[Riverdawg]

Congrats on finding a solid 65. It'll be a great project for you and your son. Never had a chance to with my dad but my brother helps me out a lot. We (mostly he) are just getting a new 440 stroker build going for my 65. Good luck with your project and enjoy the time and fun with your son.