70DartMike
Too many projects
My buddy Brad and I drove his car out to Vernon on Thursday to look at this '57 Dodge Royal Lancer I'd had my eye on for a while. The pictures don't do it justice, it's gorgeous! Not only the body, but all the interior, engine, trans, underneath, everything. I made an offer and the guy accepted, and I drove it back with Brad following me. It still has the dual wheel cylinder drum brakes with a single master cylinder, it still has a generator, very original. It had sat for about 10 years with the guy just starting it here and there. Before leaving Vernon I repacked the wheel bearings, and greased everything.
I actually only put less than 100 litres of fuel in it, that's just over a tank of fuel. It got us to Chilliwack without problems, but then we pulled into a gas station, popped the hood, to see smoke pouring out of the generator. I guess the poor thing hadn't been ran for 8 hours straight in a long time. It was so hot the paint was melting right off it. I figure the bearings hadn't been oiled in a LONG time. We let it cool down, couldn't find a motel to stay in (Friday night, everything was booked), so I slept in the '57, Brad in his car. This morning I started the car, and although the generator wasn't smoking, it also wasn't charging. So we drove to the Tswassen ferry and then to my house near Parksville, on just the battery. Overall, VERY happy with this one. I can't see myself letting go of it.
Every single gauge works accurately, speedometer works, all the lights, everything. It's a '57 with a 3 speed, so it has neutral start (push the neutral button in to engage starter). Very clean underneath, all the glass is good. 600 kms in something that hadn't left the guy's shop in over 10 years.
It's a 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer, original 325 Poly, 4 barrel. Torqueflite 3 speed pushbutton trans, dual rear antennas, power brakes, power steering. Engine held at 60 psi oil pressure, temp stayed around 185.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, was stopping to take pictures everywhere we were, tons of comments, thumbs up, people smiling. Very cool car, and very nice people I bought it from. Walt was 87 years old, and he bought one of these new in 1957.
I actually only put less than 100 litres of fuel in it, that's just over a tank of fuel. It got us to Chilliwack without problems, but then we pulled into a gas station, popped the hood, to see smoke pouring out of the generator. I guess the poor thing hadn't been ran for 8 hours straight in a long time. It was so hot the paint was melting right off it. I figure the bearings hadn't been oiled in a LONG time. We let it cool down, couldn't find a motel to stay in (Friday night, everything was booked), so I slept in the '57, Brad in his car. This morning I started the car, and although the generator wasn't smoking, it also wasn't charging. So we drove to the Tswassen ferry and then to my house near Parksville, on just the battery. Overall, VERY happy with this one. I can't see myself letting go of it.
Every single gauge works accurately, speedometer works, all the lights, everything. It's a '57 with a 3 speed, so it has neutral start (push the neutral button in to engage starter). Very clean underneath, all the glass is good. 600 kms in something that hadn't left the guy's shop in over 10 years.
It's a 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer, original 325 Poly, 4 barrel. Torqueflite 3 speed pushbutton trans, dual rear antennas, power brakes, power steering. Engine held at 60 psi oil pressure, temp stayed around 185.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, was stopping to take pictures everywhere we were, tons of comments, thumbs up, people smiling. Very cool car, and very nice people I bought it from. Walt was 87 years old, and he bought one of these new in 1957.
