'65 F-85 Club Coupe
#1
'65 F-85 Club Coupe
Well I just dragged my '65 F-85 down from NY to FL.
I bought this car in '08 and haven't touched it since...just sat in my garage collecting dust.
It's a Deluxe V8, but the engine is long gone.
The cool thing about it is the very empty data plate:
-02C(3rd week February)
-LAN
-903(blue clothe bench seat)
-D-D(lucerne mist)
After that, it is completely blank.
It's a stripper and that's the way I'll keep it.
Planning on making it a simple cruiser with original steelies.
I'll post more picts when I get them.
-Pete
I bought this car in '08 and haven't touched it since...just sat in my garage collecting dust.
It's a Deluxe V8, but the engine is long gone.
The cool thing about it is the very empty data plate:
-02C(3rd week February)
-LAN
-903(blue clothe bench seat)
-D-D(lucerne mist)
After that, it is completely blank.
It's a stripper and that's the way I'll keep it.
Planning on making it a simple cruiser with original steelies.
I'll post more picts when I get them.
-Pete
#7
It's an automatic on the column.
No rocker chrome or post chrome.
The rear fascia has the bars and the hood had the shorty spear, but that's gone now. Some one welded up the holes then cut a huge hole in it for a scoop.
Kind of a waste if you ask me.
I got this from a guy who gutted it and was about to throw a BBC in it to race it.
Saved in a nick of time.
-pete
No rocker chrome or post chrome.
The rear fascia has the bars and the hood had the shorty spear, but that's gone now. Some one welded up the holes then cut a huge hole in it for a scoop.
Kind of a waste if you ask me.
I got this from a guy who gutted it and was about to throw a BBC in it to race it.
Saved in a nick of time.
-pete
#11
Would those options be listed on the data tag normally?
And one other question...What's the "S" mean stamped above "LAN"?
I've seen A, B, C, S or just blank on other plates?
-Pete
And one other question...What's the "S" mean stamped above "LAN"?
I've seen A, B, C, S or just blank on other plates?
-Pete
Last edited by Rallye469; May 28th, 2015 at 03:01 PM.
#13
No. If the auto was on the floor, it would be noted on the cowl tag because a hole was required. Anything that's not body related like back up lights, radio, clock, power brakes, power steering, wiper type would not be on the cowl tag.
#18
Well...haven’t done much but I’m about to. Lack of space has always prevented this project but that’s changing.
I just bought a home with a 22x25 garage with enough room for the F-85.
I’m currently fixing up the garage so I should have the car home in 2 weeks.
But for now, I brought the engine home and will start prepping it.
It’s a 70 455 that seems to be in terrific shape. Although the top is painted corporate blue, nothing seems out of place. Original metallic blue is all over everything below the heads.
Thoughts on these pictures?
I just bought a home with a 22x25 garage with enough room for the F-85.
I’m currently fixing up the garage so I should have the car home in 2 weeks.
But for now, I brought the engine home and will start prepping it.
It’s a 70 455 that seems to be in terrific shape. Although the top is painted corporate blue, nothing seems out of place. Original metallic blue is all over everything below the heads.
Thoughts on these pictures?
#20
Since it is a two barrel carb it should be a low compression engine.
I'm doing the exact same engine and it has 32cc cup pistons. I cut .025 off the block and .025 off the heads and will be barely 8.8 compression. so i'm taking another .015 to up it a little more.
Gene
I'm doing the exact same engine and it has 32cc cup pistons. I cut .025 off the block and .025 off the heads and will be barely 8.8 compression. so i'm taking another .015 to up it a little more.
Gene
#22
Since it is a two barrel carb it should be a low compression engine.
I'm doing the exact same engine and it has 32cc cup pistons. I cut .025 off the block and .025 off the heads and will be barely 8.8 compression. so i'm taking another .015 to up it a little more.
I'm doing the exact same engine and it has 32cc cup pistons. I cut .025 off the block and .025 off the heads and will be barely 8.8 compression. so i'm taking another .015 to up it a little more.
Dc2xdrvr...this is just a starter engine.
First, I’ll just change the timing chain and the oil pump, paint it and slap this on the top with HEI and headers. Pretty simple just to get an engine in.
But then....I may take the 496 and OD trans out of my Rallye and drop that in to this car. Then build a new rocket block 590 for the Rallye.
#25
In my mind the offy is ok. I think the Edelbrock O4B is a great street manifold. The Torker is very good, some say not that great for the street, but is did great for me. I drag race a 64 Cutlass,back in the mid 80's, with a 425 that had the offy intake. I went to a 455 with the offy, ran 12.50's, change to a torker, ran low 12's. 12;15, 12;20 all day.
But the O4B did real good on the street.
Gene
But the O4B did real good on the street.
Gene
#26
Gene, I have no doubts that this manifold isn’t the best performance wise. But I’ve always thought it was the best looking vintage manifold out there...plus the matching valve covers. It’s a lot more for show than go.
When it comes to performance I have the 70 to play with. This ones just for looks!
-pete
When it comes to performance I have the 70 to play with. This ones just for looks!
-pete
#29
That 65 is way lighter than the 70. Like 400 lbs. When installing the 455 engine and 400 trans move the cross member back about 4" for the trans. I would run a 350 convertor on street. And about 3.42 rear gears 12 or 10 bolt cover. You still have to find a stock hood.
Gerald
Gerald
#31
That 65 is way lighter than the 70. Like 400 lbs. When installing the 455 engine and 400 trans move the cross member back about 4" for the trans. I would run a 350 convertor on street. And about 3.42 rear gears 12 or 10 bolt cover. You still have to find a stock hood.
Gerald
Gerald
I think I will be removing my TH400 and Gear Vendors OD from the 70 and putting it in this one...
That should allow my to run a shorter gear...3.73’s maybe. I have a 12bolt lined up for it already.
As for the hood, I scored a nice ‘65 unit a few months back...just need to weld up the extra holes as I’ll only need a few for the short hood spear!
#32
Wow what a NICE F-85 to start with! I think the 64-65 Base F-85's weight in around 3,085 lbs. light indeed. A lot of guys have seen my build 64 F-85 build in the past. Car was built around to handle a ton of torque and HP. Right now running a stock 67 400E, highly modified 220-4R and a Moser 9inch with a 3:50 gear. Another engine down the road or with today's parts availability could build a pretty awesome 400E. Keep us posted on your "baby blue" Love that car...
#37
#39
A few more disassembly pictures. It’s getting close to taking the body off. Just need to remove the rear bumper and emergency brake cables.
I also put in a 12 bolt rear that had been narrowed 2”. It will make getting the wheels and tires I want on it a bit easier I think.
I also put in a 12 bolt rear that had been narrowed 2”. It will make getting the wheels and tires I want on it a bit easier I think.
#40
Does anyone know who made these tail light cross bars? A while back someone made a bunch of these out of aluminum and chromed them. I picked up a set when I purchased these freshly rechromed bumpers and tail light buckets! Score!