Classic Mopar as a daily... Crazy idea?

[Kern Dog]

I'm on the no side. You can add AC, overdrive, good brakes, good tires, cruise control, etc. Those all make the car more comfortable and drivable.

But crash worthiness would be a big problem for me. Front end collisions are catastrophic in A bodies. Consider that Chrysler had to replace the A body with the F body largely because they wouldn't meet crash standards for the late 1970s. Zero side impact protection in 72 and earlier cars, so even a minor side impact / T-bone collision on the driver's side and you could severely injured. Maybe with a 73+ car you would fare better, but still not like something built in the 80s or later. Someone cuts you off and the car ends up on its roof? Those A pillars will fold like a cheap suit.

I put ~6000 miles per year on my car, but most of those miles are country roads or highway cruising. When I'm driving my Dart I'm always at a heightened level of awareness, and when I'm in normal city / suburban traffic (as opposed to country roads) I'm hyper aware. Of course I don't want it damaged, but it's more about the safety aspect for me.

I find it pretty sad that so many of you guys are doomsayers. For example, I disagree with most of what I quoted here.
First, the chance of getting into a major collision is very low. Worrying about that is like being worried about being struck by lightning or being shot in a bank robbery.
Secondly, Ma Mopar didn't abandon the A body due to safety concerns. The A bodies can take an impact as well as any Aspen or Volare. One of the reasons for the model change was that catalytic converters were mandated and they needed to mount them close to the engine....The longitudinal torsion bars of the A bodies left no room for that, the transverse torsion bars did. It was time for a new model anyway so while very few prefer the F body cars over the A bodies, they were a business decision that unfortunately were plagued with engineering glitches.
Any mini truck from Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi or Mazda also had very little side impact protection and they were built that way well into the late 80s and beyond.
Yes, you can make an old car reliable and reasonably economical. What is more reliable than a slant six or 318 car?

 

[273]

I drove a 65 more door valiant I bought for $800 that sat in a field for a decade or so other than what little I did to put it on the road, went 7 years until I got bored of it as a daily driver up here in Canada summer/winter, besides routine maintenance and only had to replace a water pump.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I'm on the no side. You can add AC, overdrive, good brakes, good tires, cruise control, etc. Those all make the car more comfortable and drivable.

But crash worthiness would be a big problem for me. Front end collisions are catastrophic in A bodies. Consider that Chrysler had to replace the A body with the F body largely because they wouldn't meet crash standards for the late 1970s. Zero side impact protection in 72 and earlier cars, so even a minor side impact / T-bone collision on the driver's side and you could severely injured. Maybe with a 73+ car you would fare better, but still not like something built in the 80s or later. Someone cuts you off and the car ends up on its roof? Those A pillars will fold like a cheap suit.

I put ~6000 miles per year on my car, but most of those miles are country roads or highway cruising. When I'm driving my Dart I'm always at a heightened level of awareness, and when I'm in normal city / suburban traffic (as opposed to country roads) I'm hyper aware. Of course I don't want it damaged, but it's more about the safety aspect for me.

Then just don't have an accident.

 

[MopaR&D]

I mean, I tend to glance to the left and right when pulling away at a green light, shows how much I trust modern drivers.

Then just don't have an accident.

LOL

 

[RustyRatRod]

I find it pretty sad that so many of you guys are doomsayers. For example, I disagree with most of what I quoted here.
First, the chance of getting into a major collision is very low. Worrying about that is like being worried about being struck by lightning or being shot in a bank robbery.
Secondly, Ma Mopar didn't abandon the A body due to safety concerns. The A bodies can take an impact as well as any Aspen or Volare. One of the reasons for the model change was that catalytic converters were mandated and they needed to mount them close to the engine....The longitudinal torsion bars of the A bodies left no room for that, the transverse torsion bars did. It was time for a new model anyway so while very few prefer the F body cars over the A bodies, they were a business decision that unfortunately were plagued with engineering glitches.
Any mini truck from Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi or Mazda also had very little side impact protection and they were built that way well into the late 80s and beyond.
Yes, you can make an old car reliable and reasonably economical. What is more reliable than a slant six or 318 car?

I won't say I "prefer" F bodies to A bodies, because I don't. But if someone looks at an Aspen R/T or a Super Coupe and says they're ugly, they have mental issues.

 

[DionR]

I won't say I "prefer" F bodies to A bodies, because I don't. But if someone looks at an Aspen R/T or a Super Coupe and says they're ugly, they have mental issues.

I kind of prefer the F-Body interior to an A-Body. Dash is more "driver-centric" and AC vents are integrated. Just a little more modern without being too modern.

 

[DionR]

I mean, I tend to glance to the left and right when pulling away at a green light, shows how much I trust modern drivers.

I like the meme that says I look both ways in a roundabout.

 

[273]

I drove cab 20 years, people loved to smash into me, 20+ times , especially sitting at red lights, maybe I've been lucky but accidents don't scare me.

 

[DionR]

 

[crackedback]

I won't say I "prefer" F bodies to A bodies, because I don't. But if someone looks at an Aspen R/T or a Super Coupe and says they're ugly, they have mental issues.

Yeah this isn't ugly!

 

[Kern Dog]

The front suspension of the FMJs are the only Mopars that I would consider replacing with a coil over setup.

 

[missing linc]

I find it pretty sad that so many of you guys are doomsayers. For example, I disagree with most of what I quoted here.
First, the chance of getting into a major collision is very low. Worrying about that is like being worried about being struck by lightning or being shot in a bank robbery.
Secondly, Ma Mopar didn't abandon the A body due to safety concerns. The A bodies can take an impact as well as any Aspen or Volare. One of the reasons for the model change was that catalytic converters were mandated and they needed to mount them close to the engine....The longitudinal torsion bars of the A bodies left no room for that, the transverse torsion bars did. It was time for a new model anyway so while very few prefer the F body cars over the A bodies, they were a business decision that unfortunately were plagued with engineering glitches.
Any mini truck from Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi or Mazda also had very little side impact protection and they were built that way well into the late 80s and beyond.
Yes, you can make an old car reliable and reasonably economical. What is more reliable than a slant six or 318 car?

You reminded me of a rear end collision that I was in as kid in my brother's 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 4 door beater. Got hit at a red light by an older man in a nearly new (at the time) 74 or 75 a body Mopar. Barely even a scratch on the front of his car, while my brother's (rust bucket) was at least a foot shorter. I was probably 12 or 13 years old at the time.

 

[SpeedThrills]

When I was creeping closer to the 400,000 number, I was near home. I kept pulling over to take pictures...

View attachment 1716436631

View attachment 1716436632

View attachment 1716436633

There you go. Your trip odometer allowed you an entire mile to pull over!

Thread content: Trip odometers were few and far between on those malaise era cars. You had to panic stop to get a picture so it didn't flip to, "and one tenth"!

I've gone back and forth between old and new cars. Yes, old cars are simpler. The disadvantages have been pointed out here. New cars are boring, expensive, and toooooo complicated! I'm not allowed to talk on a cell phone, but I can play with all those "features" on that screen? If someone made a new car that was just the basics, I'd buy one.

 

[barbee6043]

I won't say I "prefer" F bodies to A bodies, because I don't. But if someone looks at an Aspen R/T or a Super Coupe and says they're ugly, they have mental issues.

I have had in the last 6-7 years several F bodies. Good road cars, YES! the AC was missing or never there, but I like hot! I like the F bodies, but the average guy does not so much. All my classic daily drivers would come and go. I never intended to loss a dime on one. Part of the point. A new or newish car depreciates, the classic can have all the miles on it in the world, value is about condition, mechanical and cosmetic, and what model it is!

Big difference between driving the small town/rural areas vs big cities and their traffic.

 

[Kern Dog]

I was real close to buying a Diplomat/Gran Fury/Fifth Avenue a couple years back. I wanted some late-classic Mopar with rear wheel drive and a traditional V8 and the FMJs are about all there is in the 80s. I thought it might be nice to have a medium performance 4 door to roll around in. I have been driving pickups for daily drivers since 1990 and the thought of the convenience of a car might be fun.
Finding a clean and complete FMJ is not easy if you're used to buying old Mopars for under $2000. I saw a few for over $5000 and while they were probably worth that, I just couldn't justify the expense.
In a strange twist of fate, I stumbled upon the 69 Dart 4 door.

I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I have already rebuilt the front suspension and added big sway bars to get it to handle. I have a 360, A-999 and an 8 1/4" axle for it. It won't be as luxurious as a Fifth Avenue but will be much faster and handle better. I am trying to put the car together with as many used parts that I have stashed away, almost like I'm in a challenge to build the car as complete but as cheaply as I can.

It is an ongoing project.....

69 Dart 4 door cruiser

 

[72bluNblu]

I was real close to buying a Diplomat/Gran Fury/Fifth Avenue a couple years back. I wanted some late-classic Mopar with rear wheel drive and a traditional V8 and the FMJs are about all there is in the 80s. I thought it might be nice to have a medium performance 4 door to roll around in. I have been driving pickups for daily drivers since 1990 and the thought of the convenience of a car might be fun.
Finding a clean and complete FMJ is not easy if you're used to buying old Mopars for under $2000. I saw a few for over $5000 and while they were probably worth that, I just couldn't justify the expense.
In a strange twist of fate, I stumbled upon the 69 Dart 4 door.

View attachment 1716436692

View attachment 1716436693

I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I have already rebuilt the front suspension and added big sway bars to get it to handle. I have a 360, A-999 and an 8 1/4" axle for it. It won't be as luxurious as a Fifth Avenue but will be much faster and handle better. I am trying to put the car together with as many used parts that I have stashed away, almost like I'm in a challenge to build the car as complete but as cheaply as I can.

It is an ongoing project.....

69 Dart 4 door cruiser

Honestly a 4 door would be the way to go to alleviate some of the "issues" brought up in this thread.

They're not worth nearly as much, so, the whole daily driver insurance thing would be less of a concern. And they would be much cheaper to pick up in the first place

The additional door pillar and shorter front door span would help some in a side impact, although really if you're that worried about collision safety you shouldn't ever drive ANY of these cars. Like ever.

And if you're concerned about "beating up" a desirable classic with daily use, well, the 4 doors still aren't nearly as desirable. Otherwise they'd cost more.

Heck, if you could find a '73+ 4 door A-body with a V8 you'd be pretty well set, you'd have disks up front, BBP, large upper ball joints to start off with. With a set of 1.03" torsion bars and some 11.75 front rotors you'd have decent handling and braking, and yeah, nobody would even want the front clip bodywork!

 

[Kern Dog]

Honestly a 4 door would be the way to go/

Heck, if you could find a '73+ 4 door A-body with a V8 you'd be pretty well set, nobody would even want the front clip bodywork!

That is funny.
I can only imagine my Dart being stolen ONLY for the front clip!

 

[DionR]

I was real close to buying a Diplomat/Gran Fury/Fifth Avenue a couple years back. I wanted some late-classic Mopar with rear wheel drive and a traditional V8 and the FMJs are about all there is in the 80s. I thought it might be nice to have a medium performance 4 door to roll around in. I have been driving pickups for daily drivers since 1990 and the thought of the convenience of a car might be fun.
Finding a clean and complete FMJ is not easy if you're used to buying old Mopars for under $2000. I saw a few for over $5000 and while they were probably worth that, I just couldn't justify the expense.
In a strange twist of fate, I stumbled upon the 69 Dart 4 door.

View attachment 1716436692

View attachment 1716436693

I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I have already rebuilt the front suspension and added big sway bars to get it to handle. I have a 360, A-999 and an 8 1/4" axle for it. It won't be as luxurious as a Fifth Avenue but will be much faster and handle better. I am trying to put the car together with as many used parts that I have stashed away, almost like I'm in a challenge to build the car as complete but as cheaply as I can.

It is an ongoing project.....

69 Dart 4 door cruiser

Love that project. And with a mordoor you should be able to fly under the radar some. It's what I thought of when I first started reading this thread.

I did something similar with a Diplomat cop car years ago. Drug it home with no motor (can't remember if the trans was in it) and put a 360 I had laying around in it. Built it to drive as a daily driver and used it for awhile. Striped it to use the motor and parts in a '47 Plymouth street rod project that fizzled. Regret doing that, the car was solid and I should have saved it. Still have parts off that car I can't seem to sell, which feels like a punishment for crushing the car.

 

[273]

Love that project. And with a mordoor you should be able to fly under the radar some. It's what I thought of when I first started reading this thread.

I did something similar with a Diplomat cop car years ago. Drug it home with no motor (can't remember if the trans was in it) and put a 360 I had laying around in it. Built it to drive as a daily driver and used it for awhile. Striped it to use the motor and parts in a '47 Plymouth street rod project that fizzled. Regret doing that, the car was solid and I should have saved it. Still have parts off that car I can't seem to sell, which feels like a punishment for crushing the car.

I had a rust free 2 door Diplomat for a daily driver, /6 died end up scrapping it, didn't realize at the time they weren't common, kick myself now for getting rid of it.

 

[junkyardhero]

Honestly a 4 door would be the way to go to alleviate some of the "issues" brought up in this thread.

They're not worth nearly as much, so, the whole daily driver insurance thing would be less of a concern. And they would be much cheaper to pick up in the first place

The additional door pillar and shorter front door span would help some in a side impact, although really if you're that worried about collision safety you shouldn't ever drive ANY of these cars. Like ever.

And if you're concerned about "beating up" a desirable classic with daily use, well, the 4 doors still aren't nearly as desirable. Otherwise they'd cost more.

Heck, if you could find a '73+ 4 door A-body with a V8 you'd be pretty well set, you'd have disks up front, BBP, large upper ball joints to start off with. With a set of 1.03" torsion bars and some 11.75 front rotors you'd have decent handling and braking, and yeah, nobody would even want the front clip bodywork!

this right here is the way. a buddy of mine wanted a classic cruiser with some refinement that he could daily and not worry about so we went out and found a 74 dart 4 door. typical 318 2bbl/904 car with discs, power steering, manual brakes and AC.

because the initial buy in was so cheap he could splurge a little and went with Dr. Diff's cobra kit in the front, some 17's off a mustang from the yard and then spec'd out a 9" complete with discs. the other usual suspects rounded out the chassis: big bars, f&r sways, shocks and subframes.

a 318 roller and 999 out of a low miles 89 diplomat rounded out the package.

besides upgrading to a sanden compressor the AC was untouched save a recharge.

in the cabin, he opted for some BMW seats, which are not my taste but but don't look too out of place and are very comfy. we were going to scab in CC off of a 70's FMJ but the servo was trash so went with an aftermarket unit there.

the 318/999 set up it still rolling along, but he's got a 5.9 magnum built for it with a 42RH waiting in the wings.

all in, i'd bet he's sub 20 on the build including the magnum

 

[72bluNblu]

That is funny.
I can only imagine my Dart being stolen ONLY for the front clip!

View attachment 1716436708

LOL!

But seriously, the '71 Dart front clip on my '74 Duster came from a '71 Dart 4 door that was being parted out. Wasn't a bad car either, I honestly felt bad about pulling those parts. But the seller hadn't had any luck selling it complete, he was definitely parting it out, and it was a way nicer front clip than what I had come up with at that point. I had to tell myself DOZENS of times while I was pulling the front clip bodywork that I couldn't deal with another car at that point, I really thought about buying the whole damn car.

this right here is the way. a buddy of mine wanted a classic cruiser with some refinement that he could daily and not worry about so we went out and found a 74 dart 4 door. typical 318 2bbl/904 car with discs, power steering, manual brakes and AC.

because the initial buy in was so cheap he could splurge a little and went with Dr. Diff's cobra kit in the front, some 17's off a mustang from the yard and then spec'd out a 9" complete with discs. the other usual suspects rounded out the chassis: big bars, f&r sways, shocks and subframes.

a 318 roller and 999 out of a low miles 89 diplomat rounded out the package.

besides upgrading to a sanden compressor the AC was untouched save a recharge.

in the cabin, he opted for some BMW seats, which are not my taste but but don't look too out of place and are very comfy. we were going to scab in CC off of a 70's FMJ but the servo was trash so went with an aftermarket unit there.

the 318/999 set up it still rolling along, but he's got a 5.9 magnum built for it with a 42RH waiting in the wings.

all in, i'd bet he's sub 20 on the build including the magnum

Exactly! You could definitely find a '74 or '75 4 door with a 318/904, PS and AC and pay substantially less than what you'd pay for even a '74 2 door with that stuff.

Sounds like a nice build too! For the purposes of this thread you could definitely not go quite as far as that though and still have a nice daily.

 

[85glht]

200,000 miles? That’s just getting started. My daily has 623,000 on it and I’d drive it to the east coast and back right now. Hell at 190,000 I put a turbo on it!!

Holy ****!! Thats like a few round trips to the moon and back!!! Nothing in the NE would survive that long, the salt would eat them way before you'd hit that kind of milage. Well done!!

 

[DionR]

this right here is the way. a buddy of mine wanted a classic cruiser with some refinement that he could daily and not worry about so we went out and found a 74 dart 4 door. typical 318 2bbl/904 car with discs, power steering, manual brakes and AC.

because the initial buy in was so cheap he could splurge a little and went with Dr. Diff's cobra kit in the front, some 17's off a mustang from the yard and then spec'd out a 9" complete with discs. the other usual suspects rounded out the chassis: big bars, f&r sways, shocks and subframes.

a 318 roller and 999 out of a low miles 89 diplomat rounded out the package.

besides upgrading to a sanden compressor the AC was untouched save a recharge.

in the cabin, he opted for some BMW seats, which are not my taste but but don't look too out of place and are very comfy. we were going to scab in CC off of a 70's FMJ but the servo was trash so went with an aftermarket unit there.

the 318/999 set up it still rolling along, but he's got a 5.9 magnum built for it with a 42RH waiting in the wings.

all in, i'd bet he's sub 20 on the build including the magnum

Sounds like a cool build. Pictures?

 

[skep419]

I've grown to love minivans, just picked up an 07 caravan with 135,000 miles for $100 (super rusty, needed some work but......). I find that my daily has to be able to fit the kids comfortably, be able to haul greasy parts without worry, no chance of modifying anything.

Around here you need 4 wheel drive for the winter and the salt rusts everything out. (pickup sits most of the year)

 

[junkyardhero]

Sounds like a cool build. Pictures?

i wish i had some, they were on my old phone and i stupidly didn't back it up before it **** the bed.

truth be told, it wasn't anything special. just nice clean old car. something you'd see parked up at a show and shine or on the street.

if i wind up doing the 5.9/OD install i'll be documenting the whole thing for sure.