1965 Mercury Comet Project

[Motown 454]

Nice choice on the gauges they fit the design perfect. Wayne

[Krashyman]

Thanks, Wayne, for the comment on the gauges.

I have a question for everyone about the gauge pod . . . .

The regular finish of the face of the gauge pod is a brushed aluminum (see pics below, including a close up). The dash will be painted black. Which of the following options do you think we should do:

(1) Leave the gauge pod face brushed aluminum;

(2) Try to polish the face;

(3) Paint the face black to match the dash; or

(4) Paint the face a dark charcoal (sort of a color that is between the black of the dash and the grey color in the center of the gauges themselves)?

I've also include a picture of the power steering reservoir, just because it's shiny and nice.

Thanks,
Josh

[fast Ed]

My suggestion would be to get it all together with the dash painted, and then decide. I think I'd be going for the natural finish, or maybe the dark charcoal face.


cheers
Ed N.

[Cometose]

I'm with Ed, wait til the dash is painted and then decide. Or maybe have the versions done in photoshop.
Will the charcoal or brushed aluminum be used elsewhere in the interior?If so,you can pick up on that to help keep things consistant.
Good luck on your decision!

[falconwagon62]

need any little stuff...I am parting out 3 comets now... also having a Falcon/Comet (to 66) and Econoline show at the Pumpkin Run this year...John

[Miss Daisy]

Josh,
I would paint the gauge pod FACE black to match the dash. Picture how the chrome of the gauge bezels and pod rim would stand out. You're gonna have chrome heater controls on that black dash (at least, as I can see now), plus your polished aluminum steering column and its buttons. Just my opinion, but I think that contrast would look awesome!

Bob

[Miss Daisy]

John,
I'm looking for a set of tail light bezels for a 65 Comet. Better than driver quality. No gouges, scrapes, or dings. VERY MINOR pitting may be acceptable. I'm willing to pay what they are worth IF a return policy is included if I'm not satisfied. I will also consider either side alone if in my described condition.
Any help would be appreciated.
If any one else reading this thread can 'hook me up', that would be great too!

Bob
Check my ride out at PT Garage

need any little stuff...I am parting out 3 comets now... also having a Falcon/Comet (to 66) and Econoline show at the Pumpkin Run this year...John

[Z06killinSBF]

Looking great.

[Motown 454]

I like the brushed aluminum, but also think the gray, like the gauge center would look nice and set it off. Color combo's are the hardest part to pick. Wayne

[Krashyman]

Thanks for everyone's comments.

I agree with Ed and Joe that it makes sense to wait until the dash is painted and then decide. We also had a call with the interior shop today, and it looks like we'll be able to wait to see how the interior goes before deciding what to do with the gauge pod color. We might be using some charcoal color mixed in with black in the interior and, if so, that will affect our decision on the gauge pod.

Bob -- I see what you're saying about the cool contrast if we paint the gauge pod face black. The only issue is that there is going to be A LOT of black in the interior (and exterior), and so a dark charcoal might be good option -- and there will still be a pretty stark contrast between the charcoal and the chrome/polished aluminum. Anyway, we'll wait until after paint/interior to decide.

John -- I don't think we need any Comet parts, but I'll keep it in mind if we do going forward. And, looks like you should talk to Bob in case you have the parts he's looking for.

Finally, a couple of quick updates that I'd like to get people's views on:

1. We're going to go with a synthetic leather -- "Allante" (sp?) -- for most of the seat coverings, door panels, etc. We also plan to use some real leather inserts in the interior, but the vast majority will be synthetic. Everything I've seen is that the synthetic leather available today is much more durable than leather (and so its look holds up over time) and that you really can't tell a difference from real leather.

2. We're not going to have any dome light -- just lights under the dash, in the doors, and in the rear seat area.

3. We're planning on having a console that runs to the back of the front seats (possibily with an adjustable arm rest). The rear seat will stay as a bench (three across), but it will be re-shaped so that there is a feel of two seats in the back (although someone could still sit in the center rear seat if needed).

4. I took the plunge and ordered billet hood hinges from Ring Brothers. They arrived at my house, so I had a chance to look at them before shipping them off to Woody's. These things are a work of art. Sorry I didn't take a photo of them, but I'll post one as soon as they are installed in the Comet. And, thanks to Larry Callahan for his review of these hinges -- it definitely helped me decide to get them! The link to his review is:
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=31424

I guess that's it for now. I'll post more pics when I get them.

Thanks,
Josh

[Motown 454]

Josh, Those hood hinges will look great in that engine bay. I agree they are awsome.
Wayne

[fairlane347]

Just had to say VERY cool project, I love the Comets. My dad has a few too. I had a 64 Cyclone in high school, now I want it back.

[Miss Daisy]

Hi Josh,

I just looked at the up-dates on Woodys' site. Lookin GOOD! I'm really looking forward to see finished - I know not as much as you are.. LOL

Bob

[Krashyman]

Thanks Wayne, Fairlane, and Bob.

Bob -- I just noticed that you are in Maryland . . . we'll definitely have to get the Comets together once mine is done!

Here are some update pics (air box, emergency brake, gas tank). The gas tank is from Rick's.

[Miss Daisy]

Hi Josh,

Yep, I live in Maryland (Bel Air) and I have observed that you are in 'northern' Virginia - exactally where?

I'm really anxious to see your car in person when you are ready. As I have posted before, "Miss Daisy" is not the quality of car that you are turning out, but for a 'shade tree' project I am quite proud of her.

Have you went to my website and looked at the restoration pictures? I don't have as many as you do, but they pretty much tell the story.

Keep things rolling, Spring is coming!

Bob

[CraigMorrison]

When this build is done, send us pics and we will post them up on our website!

[Krashyman]

Bob -- I live in Alexandria, and it will be cool to see the two Comets together (although they will look like a bumble bee side-by-side). I spent a good amount of time on your site and the build pics were great . . . Miss Daisy is a sweet ride for sure. If you're interested in another '65 Comet build site, check out George's site at www.1965comet.net . . . maybe you've seen it already, but, if not, it's got some great pics. Anyway, my Comet is scheduled to be finished and delivered on May 3, so it will see a lot of road time this spring/summer.

Craig -- I'll defintely send you some pics or I'll ask Chris Sondles at Woody's to do so . . . Woody's seems to be putting an AME chassis on every full build that they do! I'm not sure if you went out with Art to see the Buckaroo build-off cars that Woody's was building last spring, but they seem to have turned out really great.

[Miss Daisy]

Hey Josh,
I'm sure May 3d won't get here soon enough for you! I'm looking forward to a get together.
George's web site (George Teding) is where I found out about this Pro-Touring site. He's from San Diego. He started out with the exact same Comet as mine, right down to the colors. He definitely ran in to some major rust issues but did a great job of repairing them. My car came from north/east Louisiana and had NO rust. George and I have swapped many emails - I have sent him 'tons' of pictures of my restoration, more detailed than what I have on my site to help him out. My car has inspired him to get his finished (it's been work in progress for a long time). He asked me back in October if I would mind him using some of my mods, and I told him to go for it. He has my web site in his 'Daily Log' link, where he decided to do away with his ashtray after he saw my dash.
His site and your car on Woodys' site are two of my daily stops..
Take care - come on Spring!

Bob

[65 comet]

Josh, Bob,

Same here...I swing by this site daily to see if any new pictures have gotten posted and I check out Miss Daily daily as well.

It's this kind of support network that really makes this hobby so cool.

You guys should add a misc. gallery on your sites for all the odds and ends pictures that don't make the front page but can be useful for guys like me. I'll be adding one myself shortly...

later guys...

g

[Miss Daisy]

George,
Did you get the pics and info I emailed you on the battery tray?
Bob

Josh, Bob,

Same here...I swing by this site daily to see if any new pictures have gotten posted and I check out Miss Daily daily as well.

It's this kind of support network that really makes this hobby so cool.

You guys should add a misc. gallery on your sites for all the odds and ends pictures that don't make the front page but can be useful for guys like me. I'll be adding one myself shortly...

later guys...

g