Must be 2 cars and also 2 trucks (Dakota’s) over the years bought out of state surfing the web coming from friendlier climates. And my ’63 from CA. Couple of times got on a plane and drove them home. Yeah, rust-belt kills vehicles savagely. First ride I restored with my dear-departed dad, was a vert my mother bought and it eventually got handed around the family as a loaner for years. Geezuz, what we ended up doing to bring it back! Great learning experience though. Said then, NO way I’m doing another rust bucket. Lol, after getting into restoring the ’63 was night & day. Example, ordered new brake lines when redoing it; when I took out the axle housing, brake lines came off perfect and put those back on. No torching or cutting off bolts, sandblasting, etc.
My ’05 Dakota Laramie all - optioned came from a better climate with low mileage; but still exposed to salt, especially for the 6 years I drove it for work. Box and fenders rusted badly so did a body transplant last year. After looking at prices for new/newer Rams such as getting one five years old, with 20k less miles than mine for $35k, just thought why fork out da cash despite being able to fork? If the Dakota was still available may have thought more. New rides are not a must have for me. $4,500 later my Dak looks pretty much new and being retired now, might be my last truck. Luv my old truck.
