My wife's 1965 Belvedere II wagon

I've already rebuilt the front suspension, added front and rear sway bars, stainless steel fuel line, tune up and converted to electronic ignition. Last year I blew the rear end so I had a spare 8 3/4 suregrip hanging around and decided to put that in. Getting that ready. While at it I figured I'd take care of the gas tank. I patched a couple of pin holes and resealed it, new grommet and got the fuel sending unit cleaned and working again.

 

Unfortunately I can't find new sheet metal for a 65 wagon spare tire well so I had to make my own. It was rotted pretty bad. I cut out all the rot and got it ready for welding.

 

I have a 66 Charger parts car so I cut out the spare tire well from that. It isn't long enough compared to the wagon. I cut it in half horizontally and fabricated the center section. Chassis paint was brushed on and I used truck bedliner spray to coat it. The final result.

 

Now I am in the process of getting the new rear end ready. Cleaned and degreased. All new brakes and replaced all the wheel studs. She wants me to paint a sugar skull on the center section.

 

Gas tank ready to go in.

 

The original gas tank splash shield was rotting away. After searching for months I finally found a nice rust free shield in Texas. All cleaned, painted and found the rubber molding from McMaster Carr. The other problem was that I didn't know about a small bracket that was at the top of the wheel well to mount the splash shield. It was rotted away and I couldn't find any pics to go by. I am in the process of fabricating one to weld in.

 

pardon my ignorance but what is a sugar skull?.....Longroofs Rule!

 

By the way Timmayy, looks like your making great headway on the wagon! Keep up the excellent work, that spare tire well sure looks nice!....Longroofs Rule!

 

This is a sugar skull. Retro hot rod style artwork.

 

Unfortunately it's been too cold to paint any artwork in the garage lately. Hopefully things will warm up soon.

 

COOL! I have seen this artwork before just didn't know the name of it? That would look great on your wife's (car) rear end....Longroofs Rule!

 

Glad to see you are making some progress Timmayy!
Finding parts for these cars can certainly be an adventure...

 

Yes, quite an adventure.

 

When I was in High School there was briefly a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere wagon in a local wrecking yard. It was black and had red interior. It wasn't in great shape, but I recall it was all there and was straight. I wished at the time I could have bought it simply as a parts car. But I was in High School.
Funny how I remember cars like that and wish I could have saved them all. Would be a treasure trove of parts.