Proud new owner

Aw snap! I done totally forgot to post pics! Was so excited to get the pics onto the internet from the expert photographers' digital camera (cell phone) that I forgot all about posting here! D:

First three are photos I stole from the Craigslist ad:






She has some issues, but nothing a hammer, dolly, sandpaper, mud, and primer won't fix! Honestly CAN NOT wait to start working on it! I haven't done real bodywork in over 3 years now, and I'm really jonesing for the smell of mud and lacquer thinner.

Also, I had a mission today to figure out my COA after seeing the car;
1. If in good shape with original paint, clean it up and flip it for a nice profit (original sale price undisclosed at this time)
2. If in decent shape with non-original paint, PLAY WITH IT!
3. If in bad shape, move on and find something else. There's a '55 Belvedere 2dr on CL right now, was gonna give that a look-see if the Duster didn't pan out.

Since it's non-original shape and in decent shape, she is now my play thing. My game plan is to first do some reliability work; tires, tune-up, oil change, etc. Then to the bodywork; getting it all in a nice calm primer color, then changing out the wheels (slotted mags), then some go-faster parts (bigger better carb and mani, exhaust headers, etc). Also, gonna do my best to trade/sell/etc. the red interior off for some black interior parts (don't like red interiors). Eventually (a few years down the line), full color change with probably a rotisserie-level resto. Not sure if I want to re-vinyl the roof or not...

Also, I'm not really a big engine guy; my expertise is metal shaping and paint.... What would be the best course of action for the 318? Don't need some 8-second Duster, just looking for something to make it rumble the ground and go through tires quicker than gasoline. ;)

Also also, is there any sort of online resource similar to like LMT Trucks for these cars? Paddock and associates are not what they used to be and it makes it difficult to find the right pieces...


- CK