Thanks, I started a thread Under restores. I'm collecting a bunch of the little parts, wiper switch, thermostat, stuff like that, and will post up as I get it done. I'm reluctant to do some of the work myself, even though this is a pretty Plain Jane vehicle, because from past experience I've learned how quickly things can go pear shaped when you're mucking around in dark territory.
Years ago I got a nice gasoline bath, while wearing a goose down parka to soak it all in, while replacing a fuel sending unit on a 67 Dart. Fortunately, there were no ignition sources nearby, or I would have made an interesting human torch. Another time I tried to rebuild a carburetor. The boys at the shop had a good laugh over that one. Whistled like a tea kettle and barely ran.
The interior needs a total restore, as does the paint. I live in El Paso, and work can be done over the river for about half price. In past experience, quality was just as good. There are some extraneous issues that worry me a bit. But plan is to rectify the little stuff and then get the big, cosmetic stuff taken care of.
El Paso is HOT in the summer. Leaving her black will turn her into an EZ Bake oven. No AC, except the nice vent windows. My research indicates seven original colors, red, white, black, and deep green, I forget the others. I am partial to green and thinking of going with Sea Foam.
Back in the day, I had a lovely '64 Valiant, the color of which was more like a mental asylum green. It was an amazing car, and I regret I let it loose for something more "practical." She was a true barn find and had been moldering for decades. She fired right up, but all the rubber fuel lines, and some brake seals, were all rotted out.
I found out about the brake seals the first time I tried to brake coming down a hill. Being a quick thinking guy, I wrenched back on the hand brake, only to have it come out in my hand, dangling corroded cable.
I downshifted the pushbutton dash and ran up on a frozen snow bank that helped a little, and she bounced off the rear of a Subaru Brat, badly damaging his chrome bumper. Hardly a scratch on the Valiant. (He took off like a bat out of Hell, guess his license was under suspension?)
By more luck than intention, I've owned six Slant 6'ers over the years, and always wondered why I let them go. They were all wonderful cars, they looked different than anything on the road (except the '67, which looked a slab of lumber), reliable and comfortable. Now that I've got this one in my paws, I ain't letting go!
