new guy with 74 comet, have questions.

hello everyone,

im about to purchase a 1974 comet off a friend who's had it parked for over 6 years. it has a straight six and isn't currently running. once my pops and i get it going i might decide to rebuild a 302 and drop it in. if not i will jump straight to restoring the body and what not. the body is ok, only the driver side rear quarter panel is damaged and other than that i have several rusted sections to bondo or repair with sheet metal.

here's my main question, im not too crazy about the bumper's on the 74's. i like the sporty look you get with the smaller earlier bumpers. so i want to be sure before i start hunting.. what bumpers from earlier comets are compatible with the 74? will i need to mess with the fenders at all, or is it just a mounting thing? are there any people on this forum with a 74 comet which has the bumper mod?

thanks

 

Welcome from Northern California!

 

wow.. well first off.. i wouldn't say it has a "rusty bad body." the car is complete, interior is in good shape (some reupholstering needed) and the owner is only asking $450 bucks. i just need to get it running, then some body work and a paint job. feels like a great project to me. do you know anything about the bumper swap?

 

to add a little back story.. i personally know the previous owner. right before he was getting ready to move 600 miles away. his comet started to stall out on him. he took it to a mechanics shop that had worked on it previously, left it parked there and moved. he intended to have the mechanic fix it but never it never happened. years pass and that's where i come in..

 

Start here:

http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=11108


Try to find a parts car it may be cheaper.
If I have the parts I would sell them for $400 to $500.

I am in the Dallas area in Forney, TX. I do have some parts if are interested.

Rick

 

Big bumper tuck is another option:

http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=40251&highlight=big+bumper+tuck

Rick

 

hmm, im kinda digging the big bumper tuck on these mavericks.. although i have yet to see the results on a 74 comet. thanks for the links!

anyone else have any experience with a 74?

 

I agree with "Run away!" There are plenty of solid bodies available to invest time and money into.

 

this is the best deal ive seen.. im not sure where you guys find classic cars. maybe you can show me. wherever i look (craigslist, classifieds, ebay) people want $1,000 up for a motor-less, interior-less gutted rusted shell.

 

If you like the car, and you have the skills, and the car is cheap, go for it. If the rust is bad, find another.
Big Bumpers are an acquired taste...

 

from Northeast Pennsylvania

I have relatives that live in McAllen Texas

Try to do the sheet metal repair first before you just cover it up with bondo it will be done right and will last a long time

 

greetings and thanks for the positive feedback.. all in all, im looking forward to fixing, driving and maintaining this car. i'll be sure to take pictures and document things as they go along. thanks again.

im no where near swapping bumpers, but from what i understand..

if i want to swap to the small bumper.. i need to find a 71 or 72 bumper and valance, and modify the mounting system in one of the many ways listed on the site.
and if i want to do the tuck method.. i can take the existing bumper and shorten the mounts in one of the ways discussed.

what's the difference between the 73 and 74 bumper?

 

Welcome to the site!!!!!

 

...:Handshake

 

i'm gonna tuck my bumper on my 74.i bought a 70 just for the bumpers but i'm gonna end up selling the whole car and tuck mine i don't mind the look and it doesn't look like that bad of a job to do.i'm gonna take off the back fraiming on the bumper and figure out how to attach it back from there.i'll lose a ton of weight that way to. ahve fun with yours and welcome to the site!