About this Mopar:
This is an example of a car that was nearly pampered to death. It has been in climate controlled storage since I bought it in 1989 but spent many years almost completely ignored. Sure it was started now and then and even driven a mile or two but it also endured lengthy periods up on blocks.
This faithful Dodge was driven semi regularly for the first five years I owned it but other projects and driveable MoPars intervened. So over 30+ years it has seen just over 3000 miles.
A year ago, I decided it was time to either drive it or sell it. Since I still have it, the decision is obvious. Only now the instrument cluster has been fully restored, rebuilt brake system including the power brake booster, rebuilt power steering pump, new A/C components, changed trans fluid and filter, new shocks, etc, etc. It is still wearing 35 year old tires (don't scream, it won't be on the street until it has new rubber) but except for one re-paint in the factory color over 25 years ago, this car is a numbers matching original. I'm just amazed at how easy it starts, idles smoothly with no lifter noise, doesn't overheat and holds great oil pressure.
It will now spend the winter getting the necessary suspension updates, AM/FM radio repaired, along with hoses, belts, and a tempermental power window switch fixed. Next year this car will final get the activity and weekly care it deserves. Time to realign priorities. Tomorrow is a promisory note at best.
This faithful Dodge was driven semi regularly for the first five years I owned it but other projects and driveable MoPars intervened. So over 30+ years it has seen just over 3000 miles.
A year ago, I decided it was time to either drive it or sell it. Since I still have it, the decision is obvious. Only now the instrument cluster has been fully restored, rebuilt brake system including the power brake booster, rebuilt power steering pump, new A/C components, changed trans fluid and filter, new shocks, etc, etc. It is still wearing 35 year old tires (don't scream, it won't be on the street until it has new rubber) but except for one re-paint in the factory color over 25 years ago, this car is a numbers matching original. I'm just amazed at how easy it starts, idles smoothly with no lifter noise, doesn't overheat and holds great oil pressure.
It will now spend the winter getting the necessary suspension updates, AM/FM radio repaired, along with hoses, belts, and a tempermental power window switch fixed. Next year this car will final get the activity and weekly care it deserves. Time to realign priorities. Tomorrow is a promisory note at best.
