Mopars brought back from the dead?
- Thread starter Dartswinger70
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Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
I have had people tell me: "what are you going to do with such an ugly POS" "are you scrapping that?" "That is such an ugly car" "why did you buy that?" "whatever you paid, you over paid"
I disagree, I think it can be one tough wagon, given some love.
I intend to give it and then some .....this car is so bad *** IMO ...and from the dead
I disagree, I think it can be one tough wagon, given some love.
I intend to give it and then some .....this car is so bad *** IMO ...and from the dead
Cuda Al
Well-Known Member
My Barracuda was a driver when I started it although it sat apart for 17 years, I don't count that.
Now my Polara on the other hand...
May 2010
December 2010
January 2011
January 2012
January 2012
February 2015
March 2013
January 2017
This car sat in the field for 30 years, I worked on it on and off for 6-1/2 years. Never having done more than a basic paint job (1) with no bodywork, here a full restoration needing panel replacement (basically I learned to weld on this car).
Engine was seized, took a week to free it up but I did.
As the old saying goes, one and done, never again.
Alan
Now my Polara on the other hand...
May 2010
December 2010
January 2011
January 2012
January 2012
February 2015
March 2013
January 2017
This car sat in the field for 30 years, I worked on it on and off for 6-1/2 years. Never having done more than a basic paint job (1) with no bodywork, here a full restoration needing panel replacement (basically I learned to weld on this car).
Engine was seized, took a week to free it up but I did.
As the old saying goes, one and done, never again.
Alan
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Polaras are cool
I first saw this car when it was for sale locally in the local newspaper in the early 2000s. I went with my cousin to see it, I was 16 and he was 19. We tried to buy it then but we didn't have enough money between the two of us and his dad refused to loan us to get it.
So it sold and we got over it and then about 5 years after that we saw the car again. This time it was owned by a guy who was notorious for pulling engines and scrapping cars. He refused to sell me the car when I offered to buy it, saying the engine alone was worth my offer.
I assumed he pulled the engine and scrapped it, because shortly after it disappeared.
Then fast forward many years to Jan 2016. One cold day I was making a delivery for a company I was working for in a rural area. I was driving on a dirt road and I passed a mobile trailer home and parked right next to it was this car. I didn't recognize it at first until I got close up and saw the bucket seats and realized it was the same car I saw as a teen.
I bought it for 6 bills because the owner was in the process of moving out and needed to get rid of most of what he there. He also had a few other old cars there, all for sale but I couldn't even look at the other cars knowing I was finally going to get this one after I unsuccessfully tried to buy it two other times over almost 15 years.
I first saw this car when it was for sale locally in the local newspaper in the early 2000s. I went with my cousin to see it, I was 16 and he was 19. We tried to buy it then but we didn't have enough money between the two of us and his dad refused to loan us to get it.
So it sold and we got over it and then about 5 years after that we saw the car again. This time it was owned by a guy who was notorious for pulling engines and scrapping cars. He refused to sell me the car when I offered to buy it, saying the engine alone was worth my offer.
I assumed he pulled the engine and scrapped it, because shortly after it disappeared.
Then fast forward many years to Jan 2016. One cold day I was making a delivery for a company I was working for in a rural area. I was driving on a dirt road and I passed a mobile trailer home and parked right next to it was this car. I didn't recognize it at first until I got close up and saw the bucket seats and realized it was the same car I saw as a teen.
I bought it for 6 bills because the owner was in the process of moving out and needed to get rid of most of what he there. He also had a few other old cars there, all for sale but I couldn't even look at the other cars knowing I was finally going to get this one after I unsuccessfully tried to buy it two other times over almost 15 years.
superchargeddrt
Well-Known Member
Wow, THAT definitely counts! Talk about determination. You will have to post some after pics when done.
It sounds like we all think alike. We look at a car,we see what it CAN be,not what it is.
Yesterday driving thru rural southern Nevada on my way to Arizona I spied a 69 Valiant sitting in a fenced yard looking like it hasn't moved in decades. A little further drive there was a mobile home village. Thought drive thru and see what might be hiding. Sure enough a 80 Aspen coupe sitting in the sand. Do I NEED another ? No, but I can't stop thinking about what they CAN be.
Yesterday driving thru rural southern Nevada on my way to Arizona I spied a 69 Valiant sitting in a fenced yard looking like it hasn't moved in decades. A little further drive there was a mobile home village. Thought drive thru and see what might be hiding. Sure enough a 80 Aspen coupe sitting in the sand. Do I NEED another ? No, but I can't stop thinking about what they CAN be.
I agree! I have fond a liking for the F bodies. Cool profile, a lot of good ca be made of them... Just because they were lower compression V8 back then, a rebuild will make it anything YOU want!! And the 78-80 slants were mostly ( or all?)) 2 bbl super 6!!
LOL! I knew when I typed that "men" phrase someone who take it as not including both sexes!!!! ha. I should have said "gear head" ... it includes both men and women!!! LOL
In my horse world the women out there like to include themselves in the term " cowboy" instead of cowgirl. Especially when they can do all the work a man can do on the ranch. Many can and do,
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
I am still not sold on F bodies. Parts are extremely hard to find these days and they are just not a widely desirable car.
I had a sunroof aspen coupe that I couldn't give away around ten years ago. That left me sour on them.
If it had been a wagon then I would still have it but be searching for simple parts that should be available but somehow are not.
I know from having the coupe that unless you replace every last rubber piece in the suspension and there are about a thousand pieces lol , the ride gets mushy.
I had a sunroof aspen coupe that I couldn't give away around ten years ago. That left me sour on them.
If it had been a wagon then I would still have it but be searching for simple parts that should be available but somehow are not.
I know from having the coupe that unless you replace every last rubber piece in the suspension and there are about a thousand pieces lol , the ride gets mushy.
SSG_Karg
Enhanced member
Saved this ‘70 Swinger. Currently under construction. Will be my boy’s first race car someday.
I agree they are NOT that desirable to most. NOT for everyone! Yes they are cheap unless you have a perfect Runner or RT, even then they do not really bring that much. $5--- 8000 maybe. BUT I like them because they are cheap toys.
Parts are basically cheap except the plastic grills. Most of these cars have been crushed, used at demo derbies... so parts are not common. Yes F body wagons are cool, and again, I figure a decent wagon in real world price is around 2500 for a nice one. People ask more.
One thing is do enjoy is that most of the guys into these 70's 80's cars remind me a lot of what the average mopar guy was like in the 80's and 90's.
Yes they have rubber insolated suspension, ride pretty smooth. It can be replace with steel /poly. I admit I like the older mopars better, but I refuse to pay some of the prices for A and some B bodies now days! I eed cheap toys!!!!! lol
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
I somehow think "saving" them is what its all about. Someday parts will be scarce, hopefully not in my lifetime. It seems that there is alot more parts and repops out there for Mopars now than what used to be. I remember when nobody wanted Mopar, this was like the 80's, you could get them on the cheap. Now its like they are gold. I think when they were new, people just beat on them and threw them away . I know my Swinger was romped on when I got it 
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
I currently have 2 saved from the dead. First 3 pix are my 67 notch. Last 3 are of the 69 notch future build for my son that i got that was half stripped from another fabo member.
Some day I'll own a notch back.I've always like them better than a fast back.
Getting back to "F" bodies there are 2 on Vegas Craigs List. One for $350 ! The other is $2000.
I forgot to say that they are wagons !
Getting back to "F" bodies there are 2 on Vegas Craigs List. One for $350 ! The other is $2000.
I forgot to say that they are wagons !
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moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
One thing i always seem to notice is peoples reactions to older chrysler products. Either they are people like us that love em along w all their quirkiness, or they absolutely hate them for whatever reason. Doesnt ever seem to be a middle of the road reaction.
The list of negative comments typically range from, oh you like ******* junk *** chrysler products. The starters sound stupid. Lee made this one himself. They are rust buckets, (but what 50 year old car left to the elements isnt a "bucket")The electrical systems on those old mopars suck. Ok well i will give em the last one. The electrical systems on em did kinda suck. Thats why i'm doing ammeter bypass, headlight relays, and a volt gage.
I mean i'm not a chevelle, camaro, torino, or GTO fan but i dont heap venom on those vehicles like some people in those camps do on mopars. I mean i'm not a big fan of GMs idea of you just getting a gas gage, speedometer, and everything else being ID10T lights. Having to option in gages on a muscle car when they should be standard equipment. Or in order to get the big performance engines having to check off a bunch of frivolous options just to get there.
I dont understand it, however you can sometimes get good deals from those people. Especially when they wont educate themselves on what some mopar stuff is worth. Thats how i got a slightly used performer RPM SBM intake for $75, and 4 speed A body shift linkages for $10 LOL. Sometimes its also how some of these old mopars end up rusting away in some GM or Ford guys backyard. Ignorance about their worth, or how to repair/upgrade them, or just plain predjudice against the brand.
The list of negative comments typically range from, oh you like ******* junk *** chrysler products. The starters sound stupid. Lee made this one himself. They are rust buckets, (but what 50 year old car left to the elements isnt a "bucket")The electrical systems on those old mopars suck. Ok well i will give em the last one. The electrical systems on em did kinda suck. Thats why i'm doing ammeter bypass, headlight relays, and a volt gage.
I mean i'm not a chevelle, camaro, torino, or GTO fan but i dont heap venom on those vehicles like some people in those camps do on mopars. I mean i'm not a big fan of GMs idea of you just getting a gas gage, speedometer, and everything else being ID10T lights. Having to option in gages on a muscle car when they should be standard equipment. Or in order to get the big performance engines having to check off a bunch of frivolous options just to get there.
I dont understand it, however you can sometimes get good deals from those people. Especially when they wont educate themselves on what some mopar stuff is worth. Thats how i got a slightly used performer RPM SBM intake for $75, and 4 speed A body shift linkages for $10 LOL. Sometimes its also how some of these old mopars end up rusting away in some GM or Ford guys backyard. Ignorance about their worth, or how to repair/upgrade them, or just plain predjudice against the brand.
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I saved my 64 sport fury from the crusher in 1982, it was on a forklift actually heading to the crusher! WAIT!!!!. 426 wedge convertible. 4 speed. Even tho it was going to be crushed, he still wanted 2800.00 for it! 
It was drive able with a brake job.
View attachment 1715167563
View attachment 1715167562
It was drive able with a brake job.View attachment 1715167563
View attachment 1715167562
moper
Well-Known Member
Over the years for myself I've done two '72 Swingers, a Newport, a D150, the LHS I drive daily now, and I'm working on my Imperial. For customers I've done probably another 3-4. I pulled the Imp's 440 yesterday because it's stuck. At some point it will be "unstucked" and go back in. I think, unless you have the cash to pay for it to get done or get one done, a lot of resurrections are happening.
I like bringing them back from the dead, because every little thing to do to make that car live again, gives me a thrill. The satisfaction of fixing something, no matter how small!
I don't get that same satisfaction with the wife, because she is PERFECT already!! lol... ( actually a true statement!).....
I don't get that same satisfaction with the wife, because she is PERFECT already!! lol... ( actually a true statement!).....
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
Shows like graveyard cars, Gas monkey garage , barrett jackson among others weather you like them or not are also helping to drive that trend to fix em up, as well as the repop parts that are coming along fueling the trend. Of course that makes everybody sitting on a rusty slanty dart in their backyard think its worth buyit jackman auction $$$$$
So even though these may have some drawbacks to them, it helps the hobby appeal to people that are not in the hobby as traditional hobbiests. This helps in regards to saving old cars rather than relegating them to scrap.
Also the higher visibility of these old cars is the reason why there are companies like AMD and others making as many pieces of these cars as they are doing. The reality is that back in the 80s the yearone mopar catalog for example was only 1/8" thick. I remember getting excited when 68-69 charger interior door panels came out so i could buy a set for my 69 R/T. Now you can damn near build a complete 69 charger out of a catalog. Only a matter of time before they offer a complete shell.
Back in them days, No internet, so everything was thru catalogs and call em on the phone to order, or mail in an order sheet with a check in the envelope. Or hit the swap meets, and hope you could find the parts you need used and in better shape than what you had, or restore what you had.
I remember seeing a truk lagoon rusty 69 R/T in a local N.J. wrecking yard sans engine and trans around 1990. I mean this thing looked like it was dipped in the ocean for a few years. Seats falling thru the floors, i opened the trunk and the springs were thru the floor. I was staring at framerails, a gas tank, and the gravel under the car. No trunk floor left. Bought the bumper off the back for my 69 R/T. Shook my head and said this thing is too far gone to save. And back then it was too far gone to save. Same car in same condition today is repairable because of AMD and others.
I keep watching youtube, and i see more and more of all makes being pulled out of the weeds, woods, and junkyards and headed for rehabbing. I keep pushing the narrative that we are the best recyclers simply because we are keeping our automotive heritage alive with every restoration, plus the fact that the energy spent and pollution expelled to manufacture these cars and their parts when new is already done, to melt them down is a waste and creates even more pollution to turn them into new cars.
Had non enthusiast people tell me that they are old and pollute. My reply is always the same. Old restored cars are kept in top states of tune, and are not used daily most times because they are too valuable now to use daily so their impact on the environment is minimal, additionally i tell them, that there are fuel injection kits, and even sometimes people refit modern engines and transmissions in them to get better performance and mileage along with reduced emissions, so the emissions issue from them is really a non issue.
Education is key. Teaching folks how we recycle them. And how its better than crushing and melting them down. About how peoole do restifications with modern drivetrains which is still recycling because these drivetrains are typically out of wrecked junkyard vehicles typically trucks and vans now. Also Disc brake setups and axles used off non typical newer vehicles. This is all still recycling.
Saving our hobby by saving em from the dead is great, however raising awareness with the general public can also help change public perception.
So even though these may have some drawbacks to them, it helps the hobby appeal to people that are not in the hobby as traditional hobbiests. This helps in regards to saving old cars rather than relegating them to scrap.
Also the higher visibility of these old cars is the reason why there are companies like AMD and others making as many pieces of these cars as they are doing. The reality is that back in the 80s the yearone mopar catalog for example was only 1/8" thick. I remember getting excited when 68-69 charger interior door panels came out so i could buy a set for my 69 R/T. Now you can damn near build a complete 69 charger out of a catalog. Only a matter of time before they offer a complete shell.
Back in them days, No internet, so everything was thru catalogs and call em on the phone to order, or mail in an order sheet with a check in the envelope. Or hit the swap meets, and hope you could find the parts you need used and in better shape than what you had, or restore what you had.
I remember seeing a truk lagoon rusty 69 R/T in a local N.J. wrecking yard sans engine and trans around 1990. I mean this thing looked like it was dipped in the ocean for a few years. Seats falling thru the floors, i opened the trunk and the springs were thru the floor. I was staring at framerails, a gas tank, and the gravel under the car. No trunk floor left. Bought the bumper off the back for my 69 R/T. Shook my head and said this thing is too far gone to save. And back then it was too far gone to save. Same car in same condition today is repairable because of AMD and others.
I keep watching youtube, and i see more and more of all makes being pulled out of the weeds, woods, and junkyards and headed for rehabbing. I keep pushing the narrative that we are the best recyclers simply because we are keeping our automotive heritage alive with every restoration, plus the fact that the energy spent and pollution expelled to manufacture these cars and their parts when new is already done, to melt them down is a waste and creates even more pollution to turn them into new cars.
Had non enthusiast people tell me that they are old and pollute. My reply is always the same. Old restored cars are kept in top states of tune, and are not used daily most times because they are too valuable now to use daily so their impact on the environment is minimal, additionally i tell them, that there are fuel injection kits, and even sometimes people refit modern engines and transmissions in them to get better performance and mileage along with reduced emissions, so the emissions issue from them is really a non issue.
Education is key. Teaching folks how we recycle them. And how its better than crushing and melting them down. About how peoole do restifications with modern drivetrains which is still recycling because these drivetrains are typically out of wrecked junkyard vehicles typically trucks and vans now. Also Disc brake setups and axles used off non typical newer vehicles. This is all still recycling.
Saving our hobby by saving em from the dead is great, however raising awareness with the general public can also help change public perception.
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moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
Dont write off the baby boomer generation either. These were the people who bought these cars when new. Some of em probably are not mechanic type people. Maybe bought a charger, RR, or chevelle SS, or something else coming back from vietnam. I know my uncle did. A 68 RR 383 4 speed new in 68. My grandfather sent him brocures when he was in southeast asia in 67. Hes in his 70s now. People like him wanting to rekindle their youth. Heck my pops is 80. Has a 1930 model A 3 window coupe. He didnt restore it, however he knows how to work on it, and bought it already done.
1969VADart
Well-Known Member
It is all done. Here is my build thread. Finished car is in my signature pic.
Finally Some Pictures of my 1969 Dodge Dart GT
Working a deal right now to save a 72 Duster with a 74 Dart as the donor for the power train and front disks.
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