Found a 1964 Belvedere

[TX67RT]

Hello - My Daughter is starting to drive, and she wants a classic car; not interested in anything new. Guess I raised her right, haha. Anyway, I found a nice 1964 Belevedere 4-door sedan for sale locally.

It's nothing special; 225-6, automatic, and that's about it. But, except for a driver-quality repaint, the car is ALL original. The trim, including grille, is perfect. The interior had plastic on the seats from day one and is in amazing condition. Of particular interest is that the dash bezels are in incredible condition. The carpet is a little discolored, and it needs the door weatherstrips replaced. The engine needs a carb rebuild, and the exhaust manifold is leaking. Both easy fixes.

And, since my Daughter is small, I would have to add power steering. I know this isn't a big job on this car, but am wondering if parts might be a concern. I'm pretty sure a lot of people would want the car just to part it out for the trim, panels, etc. But, I think it's too nice to part out.

The seller is looking for around $4000, and I'm wondering if this is too high. I know that 4-doors are not worth much, but it seems to be a nice car. And, with my experience in B-bodies, it would be easy for me to maintain.

Here are some photos for reference. If it were a 2-door sedan, it would already be sitting in my shop with a crate Hemi on order, haha. Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[tallhair]

Looks pretty nice and cool to me for $4K. I assume looking like that it's solid mech .. have you test drove it yet?

 

[Doright]

4 grand and you didnt bring it home???????
Thats a nice car for 4 grand

 

[5.7 hemi]

Jump on it!!

 

[TX67RT]

I did drive the car, and it drives out nice. I forgot to mention that it only has 72,000 miles. The trans shifts like brand new. It might need shocks, but doesn't wander or make strange noises. The exhaust manifold leak is pretty bad; I'm considering the fact that it might be cracked. If so, is a replacement hard to source? There's a stumble in the idle, but a quick carb rebuild should take care of that.

How much trouble am I going to have finding PS parts? I need the steering gear with pitman arm, PS pump and reservoir, hoses, mounting brackets, different crank pulley, etc. I'll buy everything new that I can, but that still leaves the pitman arm, mounting bracket(s) and pulleys. Also, will the steering column shaft need to be replaced due to different length?

I'm considering going back and trying to drive a deal. I priced door weatherstrips, and they're pretty pricey. Should be a good bargaining chip.

Thanks for the input!

 

[tallhair]

I'd bring a pocketful of cash. May not be there long

 

[moparcrazy]

Wow Grab it ! !... i think for 4G with no rust ? thats a good price, but try for $3500.00 all he could say is No...

 

[Rich Kinsley]

I did drive the car, and it drives out nice. I forgot to mention that it only has 72,000 miles. The trans shifts like brand new. It might need shocks, but doesn't wander or make strange noises. The exhaust manifold leak is pretty bad; I'm considering the fact that it might be cracked. If so, is a replacement hard to source? There's a stumble in the idle, but a quick carb rebuild should take care of that.

How much trouble am I going to have finding PS parts? I need the steering gear with pitman arm, PS pump and reservoir, hoses, mounting brackets, different crank pulley, etc. I'll buy everything new that I can, but that still leaves the pitman arm, mounting bracket(s) and pulleys. Also, will the steering column shaft need to be replaced due to different length?

I'm considering going back and trying to drive a deal. I priced door weatherstrips, and they're pretty pricey. Should be a good bargaining chip.

Thanks for the input!

==========================================================================================================

There have been some articles lately on a new Borgeson PS set-up for our Mopars. Poweraudiomedia's Streetlegaltv has that article by Michael Harding. As a matter of fact it has been already put on this site. Look under 65roadracer posts. A nice set-up!

Also Joe Suchy is a good source for rubber products and other stuff for our Mopars. He is at [email protected] or 770-964-4441

Rich Kinsley

 

[Moparsmitty]

I'd jump on that car in a second. She will be amazed how much attention that Bel will get. I would install new seat belt/shoulder harness and insist that she wear them.

 

[5.7 hemi]

And where ya gonna bolt a shoulder harness too? I suppose it could be done to the pillar separating the doors, but it wasn't designed for that....but it could work.

 

[TX67RT]

Thanks for the input. It has seat belts, but I'd have them re-webbed at one of the places that restores seatbelts. As far as shoulder harnesses, I don't think there's a good way to add them. Probably just go with new seatbelts. I realize that these cars are inherently less safe than the new plastic cars, but this one has mass on it's side.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Fair price for sure...!
But, offer him $3200 cash and see what happens...

 

[moparsteve636]

You'll need a PS column also! Sheet metal is going to be hard to find if it gets bent up by some idiot or her inexperience especially if it's going to be a daily driver! It's great that she wants an old car and a mopar for sure! If it were me I'd get another car for her to drive until she has some miles under her belt get the 64 for a dad and daughter project! We need more young blood coming into this hobby! JMO! That looks like a great one for a 2 dr. conversion! it will make a great driver too!

 

[tallhair]

You'll need a PS column also! Sheet metal is going to be hard to find if it gets bent up by some idiot or her inexperience especially if it's going to be a daily driver! It's great that she wants an old car and a mopar for sure! If it were me I'd get another car for her to drive until she has some miles under her belt get the 64 for a dad and daughter project! We need more young blood coming into this hobby! JMO! That looks like a great one for a 2 dr. conversion! it will make a great driver too!

Or just keep an eye out for a 2 door and use the parts from this one in the future to resurrect it.

 

[snakeyes]

welcome to the site thats avery nice 64 ,the issues you talk about are small and minor I cant believe you have not made a purchase yet and brougth it home even if your daughter didnt want it you could turn around resell it quick thats anice car!

 

[aldal]

TX67RT your daughter sounds a lot like mine, your a lucky guy. For my 65 Coronet I contacted Bergman Auto Craft - they sell the Borgeson PS set up and hooked me up with everything else I needed, maybe not the cheapest but quality and service was top notch. As for seat belts check out Wesco Performance they sell 2 and 3 point seat belt kits that should work for you. Good luck and my congrats to your daughter on a beautiful car.

 

[440+6]

Sweet car for the price, I do agree with getting a shoulder belt in there somehow for safety.

 

[tallhair]

Maybe weld in a simple roll bar with 4 point mount behind the front seat and mount a 6 point or shoulder harness to that?

 

[Bull1tt]

I bought a 64 4dr Fury today, paid less, but that one looks very nice. Mine is a driver, body has had a bit of work. That car for 4k seems like a fair price.

 

[TX67RT]

Well, hate to hear that the column needs changed too. That makes it a little less attractive. Hopefully, I can just change out the internal shaft, and retain the original cosmetic components inside the car. As long as I can get the right parts, no big deal.

I'm interested in this car precisely because it's not a big-dollar (or even medium-dollar) car. I realize the risk in her driving it each day, but she's very responsible, and will baby the car and drive/park it carefully. That doesn't eliminate the risk from the other guy, but nothing's fool proof.