1969 Coronet R/T Convertible 'Audrey'

[lanceh13]

Greetings! I've enjoyed following along on some of the other member's projects and restorations so I figured I'd go ahead and start one of my own.

I purchased my vert back in early 2010 from a gentlemen in Wisconsin. I had just sold my 1969 Coronet SuperBee in order to make room in the small garage I was renting as I was still in the Army and based out of Fort Belvoir, VA.

Shortly after purchasing the car I flew back to Wisconsin to meet with the shipper and load up the extra parts that came with the car (a 20' enclosed cargo trailer full of various parts).

 

[lanceh13]

I then started making my way back to Virginia and was hoping to beat the shipper there so I could receive the car as well. Oddly enough the car ended up beating me back to Virginia. My girlfriend at the time was at the house and was able to take delivery of the car.

The guy unloading the car didn't give the car enough time to warm up and had a difficult time backing it off of the trailer and ended up causing a little bit of damage to the right side of the car.

 

[lanceh13]

The damage was unfortunate and truly made the rest of my trip back to Virginia a little bit tense. But the shipping company took ownership and shortly after that I was able to pick a great shop to get the shipping damages repaired. The engine was tired at this time but I decided I would drive it enjoy it for a while.

 

[lanceh13]

Early 1980's pictures of my car. Notice anything odd?

 

[Sonny Black]

wow! I watched (3 weeks ago) a dumb fuc# drive my baby onto a 53' carrier IN 3RD FU#ing GEAR!!!!!
smelled burning clutch!...I was HOT!....it is now in LA.....I do have pictures and it looks like it is ok...

so i feel your pain! what is it about wisconsin?...

 

[lanceh13]

So I enjoy driving it from 2010-2011 while I'm still on active duty and even managed to hit a few car shows in the process. The motor at this point is starting to get a little bit tired so I know eventually I'm going to have to park it and get some work knocked out.

 

[Sonny Black]

Early 1980's pictures of my car. Notice anything odd?

View attachment 577019 View attachment 577020

R/T call-outs on sides & R/T stripes?

 

[lanceh13]

R/T call-outs on sides & R/T stripes?

Yea...I don't get it...but that's one of the things. There is one more item *hint* drivers side of the car.

 

[Sonny Black]

Yea...I don't get it...but that's one of the things. There is one more item *hint* drivers side of the car.

amber rear side marker light on passenger side

 

[lanceh13]

In early 2011 I ETS'd out of the Army after taking a position with the company that I currently work for. I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana...for the most part this time is very uneventful. I didn't drive the R/T much as the motor was pretty tired and I was a young Field Engineer so it was all about making a name for myself. Thankfully the shipper from Virgina to Louisiana was spot on...zero mishaps.

 

[lanceh13]

During my time in Louisiana however I do end up shipping off the spare 18 spline to the boys over at Passon and the 1969 GTX convertible block I got as part of the car deal off to Mr. Six Pack in Detroit so he can start building my motor.

 

[oldbee]

Wellll, the mud flaps are a definite “no-no”!

 

[lanceh13]

Fast forward to early 2013...I transfer from Louisiana to Arizona. I decide this time I'm going to haul Audrey to Arizona using the mint condition 1993 W-250 I inherited from my Grandfather.

 

[lanceh13]

This is the time that life really starts whipping by. I take delivery of the freshly built motor...but spare time is not something I had much of. I was very much a work-a-holic pulling 90-100 hour work weeks. I must say though...I absolutely love my industry and I wouldn't change it for the world. So 'Audrey' just patiently waits...but I still managed to push her out of the garage to soak up some sun.

 

[lanceh13]

Between 2015 and 2017 I start doing little things like sending a spare set of brake calipers off to get rebuilt. I do the same with the power steering gear, power steering pump, radiator, and a few other small odds and ends. Progress was super super during this time...

January 2018 comes around and I realize that it's time...I need to get back into my passion but I also know that I can't do the work myself. I really hadn't made many 'car friends' in Arizona as up til this point I hadn't really spent much time here. I was always traveling for work....so I decided it would best to let my great friend, small business owner and a true mopar aficionado Andy and his company Troxell's Garage help get my pride and joy back on the road again.

The car is then shipped from Arizona to beautiful Pismo Beach, CA...where it's surrounded by some pretty awesome cars and is currently undergoing the process of becoming roadworthy once again.

 

[lanceh13]

Thus kick starting my passion again. I just needed a little kick...the important lesson I learned is that there truly is more to life. It's so easy to get caught up in the now...

The car spent a little time in the ditch prior to me which is evident by some of the components under the car.

 

[JimKueneman]

We will kick you into gear! @Billccm has a Work-On to Drive Ratio with his RoadRunner such that you could get him working on your car and he would not even have noticed the difference!

 

[oldbee]

You know there are a few FBBO members in Phoenix area also? And where did the “Audrey” name come from? Wife, ex-gf?

 

[JimKueneman]

January 2018 comes around and I realize that it's time...I need to get back into my passion but I also know that I can't do the work myself. I really hadn't made many 'car friends' in Arizona as up til this point I hadn't really spent much time here. I was always traveling for work....so I

You needed to find FBBO and us sooner!

 

[lanceh13]

You know there are a few FBBO members in Phoenix area also? And where did the “Audrey” name come from? Wife, ex-gf?

Ya know...I'm impressed by the sheer number of people I've already spoken with on FBBO that are from Arizona. Looking forward to meeting some of them at this weekends HEMI show.

Audrey...haha...for me girlfriends are temporary. ;) I'm very likely an eternal bachelor...this isn't a public forum is it? haha...I don't want my gf reading this.