Viper Red 1965 Fastback

[rusty428cj]

I thought I would give you an update on the Viper Red 65 Fastback that we finished in 2007. Saturday was the Mustang Club of Tampa's 29th annual car show. We had 272 cars and Paul's 65 Fastback was the Sponsors pick for best of show. He also got a trophy for best in class. After three years the SPI Viper Red with 6 coats of universal clear still looks wet.

This is what we started with

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/DCP_0458-1.jpg

A few surprises under the old paint

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/101-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/114-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/125-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/161-1.jpg

The end caps we bonded to the quarter

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/362-1.jpg

After a lot of block sanding and priming

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/63-1.jpg

After wet sanding and buffing

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/73-1.jpg

This is the finished product

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0154-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0152-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0169-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0163-2.jpg

347 engine

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/1043-1.jpg

[Redvtwin2]

wow....that color pops. Beautiful car - you should be very proud.

[DarkBuddha]

Congratulations. I saw the car at the show... very very nice in person. It was definitely one of my favorites of the show.

[LeighP]

Really nice colour...and car.

[rusty428cj]

Congratulations. I saw the car at the show... very very nice in person. It was definitely one of my favorites of the show.

You have a nice Merkur.

We started this one a long time ago was going to be a drag car not sure what we will do with it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/06-1.jpg

The cam cover is now red

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/08-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/12-1.jpg

[454bug]

VERY NICE color!! :1st:

[DarkBuddha]

You have a nice Merkur.

We started this one a long time ago was going to be a drag car not sure what we will do with it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/06-1.jpg

You're being far too kind... mine's not that nice, especially when compared to something like that beautiful Mustang you guys built. Heck, it's not even as nice as I'd like it to be. But I'm on a pretty small budget and I've done some cool stuff with it already, so it's getting there. Besides, if it was too nice, I'd probably start getting uptight about banging on it as hard as I do.

BTW, what is the real status on that XR y'all are/were building? Is it just on hold or completely dead? Is it a customer car or shop owned? I freaking love the YB motor... silky and powerful... makes the turbo 2.3 Lima (Pinto) motor seem like the POS it is. It would be cool as hell to see it done as a drag car, but if I had the skill, the time, and the coin, I know what I'd do with it: a bit of everything! That's kinda what I'm trying to do with mine, but I'd love to do a proper FIA/Rally America caged car and then take it to drags, track days, auto-x, stage and TSD rally, rallycross, standing mile, etc. Hmmm... based on the quality of your work, maybe I'll look you guys up when I get ready to cage mine.

[rusty428cj]

You're being far too kind... mine's not that nice, especially when compared to something like that beautiful Mustang you guys built. Heck, it's not even as nice as I'd like it to be. But I'm on a pretty small budget and I've done some cool stuff with it already, so it's getting there. Besides, if it was too nice, I'd probably start getting uptight about banging on it as hard as I do.

BTW, what is the real status on that XR y'all are/were building? Is it just on hold or completely dead? Is it a customer car or shop owned? I freaking love the YB motor... silky and powerful... makes the turbo 2.3 Lima (Pinto) motor seem like the POS it is. It would be cool as hell to see it done as a drag car, but if I had the skill, the time, and the coin, I know what I'd do with it: a bit of everything! That's kinda what I'm trying to do with mine, but I'd love to do a proper FIA/Rally America caged car and then take it to drags, track days, auto-x, stage and TSD rally, rallycross, standing mile, etc. Hmmm... based on the quality of your work, maybe I'll look you guys up when I get ready to cage mine.

It was a joint project with my brother to promote his business www.boostvalve.com. At this time it is on hold. I have way to many projects but some day I will finish it.

[DarkBuddha]

I'm so dense... Ric Gillis is your brother... I didn't make the connection with "Gillis Restorations". I've been running one of his valves since just after I got my car. It's one of the more reliable inexpensive valve setups out there. In any case, I'd love to see the XR project get done. I might just have to come see it in person sometime (just as an excuse for a roadtrip).