Update on my '64 Econo

Thought I'd give you some pics of where I am. Outside is looking good but I still have a ton to do inside. Have mounted the '90 Miata seats, and they fit great and are super comfy (I also have a '91 Miata, so I knew these were a good option).

Before:
http://vintage-vans.smugmug.com/Vans/Southern-Mans-New-64-Ford/mcdvegas2007018/199404782_PSmGW-M.jpg

Now:




The new grill is just test fit - need to adjust it a little. All the door rubbers need to be put back in. But that's just for starters. I still have a TON of stuff to do inside, but at least others can see a little of what my vision is for this project (not you guys, I know you understand). But she is running great and drives like a dream.

Looks great. That grill looks familiar.

Yeah, sorry Mike. Yours looked so good I had to have it. At least I'm 3,000 miles away, so we won't be at the same show!

The van came out Great!!!! Very clean look Very sharp

Southern...looks great.Neat,clean! Like the color,pipes & wheels.Well done.

What length are those side pipes?

The pipes are 48".

very nice /clean job!!!!

looks great a set of those pipes would look good on my pick up where did you get them if you dont mind me asking and price? Thanks

Here's the link. I said earlier they are 48" but I guess the are actually 50". For around $200 they seemed like a no brainer to me. We'll see how long they last. I paired them with Clifford Performance headers and they sound pretty good.

http://www.carparts.com/Universal-Pipes-Tubing-Flex-Pipes/GP_2006246_N__10618.car?zmam=73771597&zmas=17&zmac=100&zmap=10618-2006246

Thanks for the link southern man

Looks great, I really like that colour.

Lookin good!

I ve been keepin my eyes out for an NOS thrush set but havent seen any short enuf. I ll keep those in mind as an alternative......thanks.

Are them American Racing on the van Southern? The deeper rears look great!
Yeah,those Thrush's keep inching up past my swallow pockets too.
Aren't those Thrush clam shelled to where they can be cut to what ever length?

Nightmoves, I was originally going to go with the Torq thrust American racing wheels, but these are classic cragar SS's, only the spokes are matte with a slightly rough surface. I like 'em a lot - the pic doesn't really do them justice. The fronts are 7" and the rears are 8".

I wanted the thrush side pipes too, but most were too long, and getting stupidly expensive. (I originally wanted dual exhausts out the back, obout 8" to either side of the license plate, tucked up into the roll pan. Could have done it on the passenger side but the gas tank inlet would have been a major problem on the driver's side, so I abandoned that idea.)

Southern, Van looks Fantasic.

You mentioned that the wheels are 7 & 8's should i assume they are 14's.
Did you have any problem with rubbing in the rear ?
Whats the offset?
I have 14X6 in the rear and was thinking of going to 7's but if 8's fit that would be better.

You were right about the mirrors. They look great. I have been looking for a pair ever since I questioned the price of your purchase and have come up with nothing.And yours were chromed already. At this point I would easily pay what you did. you live and learn.

What are your plans for the front plate? Do you need one ?
Here in NY I will get pulled over all the time without one. Always looking for ideas

mike

TRUCK LOOKS GREAT! REALLY LIKE THE COLOR, WHAT IS COLOR IS IT? IT LOOKS LIKE A VINTAGE COLOR FROM 50'S?
AM I CLOSE?

Wheels are 15", which was necessary with the D&D disc brake conversion on the front (you can go bigger, not smaller). Can't remember the offset but it may be stock. I had my paint shop measure and order them for me. No rubbing! PM me if you really want to know and I'll try and find out.

Yeah I looked for those mirrors for two years, in ANY condition, but got beaten out on e-bay several times. I originally would have settled to have them painted the same color as the body, but when that newly chromed pair showed up I went for it. Heck I paid more to have the headlight trim chromed than I did for both of those mirrors!

I grew up in upstate NY (wife came from LI) and always hated having to have a front plate. Got a ticket once for leaving it off the front of my '68 MGB, because I liked the way it looked so much better, but also got off with several warnings, which only made me more brazen. But here in SC, we only have the back plate!

Sorry Donn, not even close. It's a 2007 Chrysler color. I think it was from a PT Cruiser but there was a color on the 07 Crossfire that was really close. We sprayed up an old fender with both and I picked the one I liked the best. Pastel Yellow is the name. It is a two stage paint, with a pearlized second stage, but I just used the base coat with a clear on top (looks more period correct in my opinion, and makes future touch ups MUCH easier). I spent a LOT of time thinking about the color, and looking at every car I saw for inspiration. I'm really happy with my choice, which is a good thing! Thanks for the compliments - glad you guys like it too.

The van looks great all around, very classy. I am trying to pick a color, same as you checking out many cars. My first choice is a dull yellow, 68 camaro. But still looking. My friend has a 65 Falcon with a cool creamy white, don't think its orig. but really cool vintage look to it. Much like yours has.
It's hard!! if my body work skills were better, much better I would go with black but I am not even close to good enough for a dark color.
Love the ss's. That's going to be another tough choice down the road.

Southern,it kinda at first glance,reminded me of a tan/creme color that was popular on mid '80's GM trucks.Or just a shade or two darker.Looks great no matter who it came from.Very nice!

Donn,
I think these vans look best with lighter colors. Dark can be cool, but as you note your body work better be PERFECT or it'll show every nuance. These vans weren't perfect when they were new!

I saw a neat lime green on My Classic Car that was applied to a 1930's Hearse that was spectacular. It's a VW color - you see it a lot on the new beetles. Sounds awful but I think it could work. I seriously considered that for awhile, but just kept going back to yellow. It's no accident that it's close to the A100 I had over 30 years ago! (I've posted these before - pics are from 1976 when I left my home in Saugerties NY for California. Couldn't afford the Cragars back then!)

The D and D brakes were designed around fitting the stock 14" wheels. With only a few exceptions,14" wheels WILL fit. I dont recal the specifics but I know several peoiple using the D and D brakes specifically to allow for them to use the 14" rims. Dennis or Jim Bulger can explain it better than me.

By the way, your vans lookin "killer".

Sorry, I thought it wouldn't work with 14" at all.

It wasn't really an issue for me because I knew I wanted to go with a 15" wheel anyway.