Location: Johnsburg, Wisconsin
Body Style: 2dr Hardtop
Vehicle Condition: Currently Being Restored
Exterior Color: Red/White
Exterior Features: Adding Sport Trim
Interior Color: Black/White
Interior Features: radio delete--now factory AM, car also came with custom butchered wiring.
Engine Specs: 301V8 w. added 4-barrel
Drivetrain Specs: 2-speed Powerflite
Chassis Specs: Power Steering/Power Brakes
Vehicle Weight: 3200-3400lbs
Amount Driven: Currently Being Restored
Vehicle History:
Restoration Update... The bodywork is almost done. Both rear quarters are done behind the wheelwells, and upper fins are done (were bashed in pretty bad). All that is left is finishing the two rockers and the front driver's eyebrow area on the front fender. Man, that brow is tricky! Mine wasn't rusted, but the metal was warped beyond belief, so in order to get it shaped right, I had to crimp it almost flat and fill the rest with fiberglass. No sweat, right? Oh, sure...until I tried to make the aluminum brow trim above the headlamp fit, without it looking uneven anywhere. Put it in, take it out, sand/fill....put it in, take it out, sand/fill...yeah, you get the picture. I'm also working on the blinker switch inside the steering column. The original was taken out because it was broken in half, so I grabbed one on ebay pretty reasonable, harness and all. And, upon taking the column apart, turns out that it doesn't even come close to fitting at all! So, I either have to get the CORRECT switch assembly, or use hand signals, which I sometimes have to use on idiot drivers anyway with or without the lights!
lol
I also had another pleasant surprise with the suspension. Last week I changed the wheels out on my 70 Charger, and upon switching the front ones I checked for front end play. It had over an inch top and bottom, so the ball joints are junk. Anyway, I thought it a smart idea to check my Plymouth right away, since my poor Charger's aching joints are now like mine on a cold rainy fall morning, rendering them both undriveable until fixed. The Plymouth had no ball-joint play at all...whew! But, not so fast.....it had over 3 full inches of side to side play!! So I say to myself that just because I'm doing a Christine clone doesn't necessarily mean I want to smash it up like the movie props. Plus, there was also a loud hollow "clunk" on the return stroke every time I moved the wheel back and forth. Upon inspection, turns out it was the drag link smacking the oil pan because the idler arm bushing was gone, causing the whole thing to bounce up and down like a cheerleader out of control. No biggie, it's only a $35 part...but a scary experience at first, nevertheless.
Being winter a few weeks back yet... cold, yucky and nothing to do, one of my pasttimes is to listen to oldies with the aftermarket radio/cassette player I installed where the Hi-Way Hi-Fi would normally go....no holes drilled. Suddenly, Buddy Holly sounded like he had larangitis, and I could smell something funny. And, since I actually remembered to shower that day, I knew it wasn't my anti-persperant giving out. Ironically, Buddy was singing his "Not Fade Away" song, but unfortunately, it did fade away, and soon I was in a silent, smoky Plymouth.
So, I took a week away from it to get a breather. But today, I'm gonna hit her hard again, because the weather is in the 50s and low 60s, so it's time to get her done. Be back with more updates as it gets close to the finish!
Chris
