Finally had to put my first car 'down' this morning...

[gossame1]

Hello Gang,

I had to do something this morning that I was dreading to do for the longest time. I finally had to 'put down' my first car, due to engine failure. (If you are wondering, not the 300-Still have her.) The car I am referring to was my 1968 Plymouth Valiant sedan that I purchased when I first got my driver's license. I bought the Valiant from the original owner 5 years ago. (My late grandfather on my mom's side of the family had a '68 Plymouth Valiant Signet sedan, (same color) when I was a little guy and remembered it fondly. Driving my old car brought back alot of memories, even though it wasn't my grandfather's actual car. My parents disposed of that car shortly after he died because of the condition and problems it had (His car had the 225 "Super Slant Six" and mine had the 273 V8. His had more chrome and mine was the base model at the time (Mine was a Valiant 100)

I'm a little bit down, but at least I still have the memories of my first car!

BTC


RIP 1968 Plymouth Valiant (7/10/68-9/30/08 ) (7/10 was the date of manufacture on the fender tag under the hood)

 

[68 Sedan]

Why not just put an engine in it? (besides cost I mean)

 

[Badawg]

I was wondering the same thing T. Also, unless its in REALLY bad shape (outside of the engine issue) you might find a buyer on here to bring it back to life if you list it for sale.

 

[3404speed]

I hope you didn't just scrap it!

 

[sublimeswinger]

ya why not fix it?

 

[daredevil]

Old mopars never die,they just get faster

 

[gossame1]

Hello Gang,

Thanks for the condolences from those who responded to my post regarding my '68 Valiant. To answer a few questions...

1) The car at the end had a considerable amount of 'body cancer' in all the usual spaces that the old Mopars had, around the wheel wells. etc.
2) The steering rack was on the verge of going and eventually would have needed to be either fixed or replaced, (According to the mechanic that took care of the car had said that this would have been an expensive repair and not sure if the parts could be obtained.
3) One of the pulleys on the front of the engine sheared off and shattered. (I'm sure there was probably crankshaft or cam damage)-Wouldn't really know that unless the engine was torn down and inspected, but could cost 1-2K to rebuild or replace the engine according to the mechanic that takes care of the 300 for me at the local Chrysler dealer.

Looking back, I at least got 5 good years out of the car,between my brother and I. (My brother had used it for about a year and a half after I bought the 300. Granted, I would have had to sink considerable amounts of money into it to keep it going, but I got out of it more than I really expected.

Even though this chapter of my car life is over, I'll stick around on the boards, I'm still driving a MOPAR currently!

Sincerely,

Brian T. Carotenuto

 

[moparsegura]

ok, now where the hell is the car?

 

[daredevil]

we need pics of the deceased

 

[mullinax95]

ok, now where the hell is the car?

It's at the scrap yard waiting to be crushed.

 

[Vic Storm]

May I have a moment of silence while taps is being played. Fairwell amigo!

 

[gossame1]

I have attached the original picture that was taken by the original owner of my '68 Valiant. I blanked out the front plate because at that time it was an active plate in NJ, where I purchased the car from.

 

[moparsegura]

I say if you crush a Mopar, we crush you. eye for an eye!!

 

[3404speed]

yeah, I really am confused as most parts are available and used good engines, at least slant 6's are still around.. whatever

 

[sublimeswinger]

first off, you dont bring a classic car to the dealer. Second any dealer will be atleast double to do the work. Third, why not offer it to a member here that knows what there doing. Forth, $1-$2000 to fix a /6 should of sent flags up, telling you somethings not right and to get another oppion. You can get those for free and running in most cases.

 

[Backtobasics]

Let's let up on him a bit.​

He came here looking for a little support, and instead he is getting second guessed. There may be those of us who would rebuild a car from a VIN tag, but that does not mean it is for everyone.

Think about this....You just scored a pair of rust free fenders, or that 8 3/4 A body rear end, or 4 speed OD tranmission, or a Sharktooth grille. Where do you think used parts come from?
Someone pulled it off a "parts car" or of a car in a salvage yard.

They cannot all be saved.

 

[memike]

I Just got a very nice passenger side fender from our great member dartcuda
And I have to hope that the car don't get crushed and the parts will be saved, I feel the pain gossame1 is feeling.
I sold a 63 valiant a few years back but it won't be put down.
Sorry to here that you had to get rid of it and thanks for a great story.

 

[doug 371]

where is the car?...i need parts