Welcome to the forum. I lean toward Japanese cars too, but mostly because I've been building cars my wife has owned. My cars lean greatly toward German
Be sure to post your builds here!
I found this thread a good description of a product used one way in other crafts has found another use as carpeting in model cars. And that heat should probably not be used. Just some real world experiences with it.
That is a '65 for sure. My dad had one when I was I was 18. I drove it once and never asked for it again ... scariest car I ever drove on a corner, worst than his VW Bus he had before.
Bill is one of the most creative custom builders I know of. I'm surprised there are not leagues of responses here bowing down to Bill's creative talents!