New Build Dyno Don 1965 Mercury Comet A/FX

[Metalmad]

Finally starting a new build which I will attempt to make this period correct with the exception of adding disc brakes to the front.So does anyone have any reference photos of the car? I’m in the search of interior , undercarriage , driveline , body and engine bay photos which I have only been able to find one photo of the engine bay and one of the interior and minimal photos of the body. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

[chris chabre]

Hot Rod in 65 had full features of the car. Its probably the most photographed 65 Comet AFX there is. Which version do you want to build? The original, the first altered, the 2nd altered, When Pete Gates raced it or the restoration?

 

My father is a 60s to early 70s ford and mercury drag racing historian.  The Moebius kit is of the restored car

Edited October 24, 2021 by chris chabre

[EngineerBob]

Check out the photos from when this car was at the Mecum auction: 1965 Mercury Comet 427 SOHC A/FX Super Cyclone | S154 | Indianapolis 2013 (mecum.com) 

[Metalmad]

Chris I’m going to be building the Moebius kit which is the regular wheel base kit.I did find a few pictures of a restored Dyno Dons 65 Comet on a old Mecums posting but it would be awesome to have more reference pictures.

Thank You

[Snake45]

I just google-imaged "don nicholson '65 comet" and got dozens of pics (most in color), maybe hundreds. 

Some are models and some are the restored car, but there are still LOTS of good reference pics there. 

[chris chabre]

  On 10/24/2021 at 6:11 PM, Metalmad said:

Chris I’m going to be building the Moebius kit which is the regular wheel base kit.I did find a few pictures of a restored Dyno Dons 65 Comet on a old Mecums posting but it would be awesome to have more reference pictures.

Thank You

Expand  

As the guys said, just search Don nicholson 65 Comet. You will find TONS of photos. the restored car is beautiful but its not how the car was raced to be honest, and from what Ive seen, its not much of the original car either. Once Don started cutting on the car for the match race circuit, it got cut up HARD.

If there is anything specific youd like to know, send me a DM. Unfortunately, all my fathers reference material is 600 miles away from me but I should know, can find out

 

I have several of the kit because Ive had a 65 Comet for 26 years, my dad has one powered by a dual quad center oiler 427.

[Zippi]

This is going to be a nice build.  I'll be checking in to see the progress.

[bluestringer]

Nice.

[Metalmad]

Grant,

I have done a search on google which is some help but I'm in search of more detailed information on the drive train and interior plus info on the body since one of the photos I came across of the rear deck lid the Comet badging has been removed as well as the lock cylinder.

Edited October 25, 2021 by Metalmad

[Metalmad]

Finally got started on the body and removed the rear Comet emblem and lock cylinder from the rear deck lid then shot the first coat of primer on the body then after the primer was dried I inspected the body which there will be a few ares that will need to be addressed and smoothed out before paint.

Edited October 27, 2021 by Metalmad

[papajohn97]

It’s a beautiful kit Seth, Moebius did a great job on this cammer and can be made even better with a pair of Fireball Resin Holleys 4160’s in place of the kit carbs. I have this same kit in my current queue of auto builds on my bench and will enjoy watching your build.

[Metalmad]

After inspecting the body after the second coat of primer I have found a couple of mold lines that I addressed this evening and then will hopefully shoot my last coat of primer tomorrow. Does anyone know if a Hurst shifter was installed on the original Cyclone? Because if it was I'm contemplating on ordering a photo etch Hurst shifter for the build also. or I may just scratch build one. I  also went through my stash of extra parts this evening and came across a set of Holley 3116 carbs from Fireball that are for  a 64 to 68 race Hemi so I might use these for the carb set up.

Edited October 29, 2021 by Metalmad

[chris chabre]

yes Dyno ran a hurst

[Metalmad]

Thank you for the info on the shifter Chris.

After the primer dried I noticed that I did not remove the small badges on the front quarter panels so I proceeded to remove both badges.I also was able spray some racing white Tamiya paint sprayed on the inner roof for the headliner which I found that on some of the reference photos that the headliner was a cream color and the Tamiya racing white was a pretty good match. I also have cleaned up the Fireball Holley carbs and have them in primer so next will be to detail them with some Tamiya Titanium Gold and drill holes for the fuel lines. Picture shows the Fireball on the left and the kit carb on the right.

[deuces wild]

Looks the choke horn was beaten with a hammer... You might want to file it down so it looks like it was machined off... Or get a replacement....

[Mattilacken]

Looking good! I am always impressed about those fireball carbs! 

[Metalmad]

Received a few parts today that I had ordered for the this build. Detail Master hurst shifters and The Model Car Garage 1965 Mercury Comet detail set which I will use only a few photo etch parts from this.

[TransAmMike]

  On 11/6/2021 at 6:16 PM, Metalmad said:

Received a few parts today that I had ordered for the this build. Detail Master hurst shifters and The Model Car Garage 1965 Mercury Comet detail set which I will use only a few photo etch parts from this.

Expand  

Those Hurst shifter's are a tedious process to make Seth, but look nice.   I really love the profile of the '65 Comet Cyclone.

Edited November 6, 2021 by TransAmMike

[Metalmad]

Was able to get the main chassie painted semi gloss black and I was also able to get the seats , dash and floor pan painted red then I sprayed a coat of semi gloss to tone the gloss red down a bit. Next I will add the carpeting to the floor plan and I might add carpeting to the rear seat delete panel as well.  I should have some pictures up in the next day or so.