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| What was once a tamed pink fish! |
The project you see being completed on this website is far from a ground-up restoration; however, it is a transformation into something very different than what rolled down the assembly line..
Below is some history about the car and the current stages of its transformation
The car came from the factory with a 999 paint code. Click here for a picture of the fender tag. This code basically meant "custom paint". Well the custom paint that came on this car was PINK. These photo were given to me by the previous owner. There is not alot of info on these Pink cars; however, I have heard of atleast 3 that are from the california bay area including this one. Some will tell you it is a Playboy bunny car. I have heard of 1 person tell a story that Chrysler built 60 of these cars with the "999" paint code in 66. If anybody has any further info on these cars, please email me.
In 1998 we purchased the car in what was excellent condition for what I felt was a great deal at $4,500. As you can see it has a targa roof option.. Plus it came with dealer installed A/C, PS, and a 2bbrl 273. The previous owner is the one who got the current paint job you see, including the 1965 stripe pattern going all the way down the grill. Click on the picture if you would like to see more.
In 1999, coming from San Jose on the way to Spring Fling, at 2am in the morning the car lost oil pressure, and threw a rod in the middle of nowhere. I guess you can say when it rains it poors. Later when examining the engine damage we found some very odd malfunctions. As you can see below one of the rod bolts decided to unscrew after 32 years. Uh, can you say Odd? Well from then on the project you see was underway, a full replacment of the engine, tranny, brakes, suspension, and rear end. Now with 2 donar cars and a slew of other parts found, traded or purchased in various ways the current project is under way.
The 1st donar car was a 73 Charger Rally. I was able to grab the 340, 727, and 8 3/4 S.G. Punkin. I was able to part the rest of the car out in order to make up the $600 I spent on the car, plus a bit more. The rally bulge hood was worth a pretty penny; along with a slew of other nice parts like the center console, ect, ect.
The 2nd donar car we currently have is a 66 barracuda as well. We decided to purchase this car in order to convert the car to a 4speed. Luckily it also has a slew of extra parts we don't need so we can again make up the money spent. For pictures of the car click here.
Engine:
1973 340 bored .030 over
Transmission:
With the transmission we have gone through many different options and plans. Along time ago we purchased a 904 built up to handle the power of a 340. It had a 3200 stall converter and manual valve body, plus extra clutchs in order to handle the extra power... Also the 73 charger donar car came with a nice small block 727; however, our desire was always to have a 4speed. The problem was the diffeculty and expense of finding all the parts, especially the 66 4 speed center console. Well as they say good thing comes to those who wait. We were lucky enough to come across a wrecked 66 cuda with a complete 4 speed including the much desired 4speed console. We have to thank the EVBC member Bran F for posting this info. For pictures of the car click here.
Rearend:
As most know finding an 8 3/4 A-body rear end can be most diffecult, and if you want a large bolt pattern wheel you have to get custom axles. We have gone a somewhat different route. We aquired an E-body 8 3/4 rear housing and axles for $100. The A-body has a 43 inch perch to perch length with the E-body having a 46 inch. For more info take a look at this article on autohobbyist. Now most told us that this wouldn't work; however, with lots of measuring and some custom wheels we think we have done it. Take a look. The key is getting enough backspacing, and with 6.5 BS it works perfect; however, only one outfit was able to do this much backspacing--Stockton Wheel
The 73 charger donar car was nice enough to come with a 4.89 SG punkin; which, was traded at a swap meet for a fresh 3.55 SG punkin. The rear end parts were then inspected and freshened up with all new bearings by Rearend Specialties.
Exhaust:
When we started this project the best option was to use Hi-Po 340 exhuast manifolds. We found a set in good condition; however, as most of you know Spitfire Headers has come up with a tri-y desiged headers that fit early a-bodies without power-steering. So we went ahead and rolled the dice on getting a set in a resonable amount of time. SNAKE EYES! We got a set one month after we ordered them.
The plan is to run duel exhaust out back to a pair of Formula S resonators. A pair you say? Yes, thanks to Neil B from again the EVBC for selling me two reproduction Formula S resonators. Right now they are kinda dull, but with some buffing work that metal should shine up real nice. Take a Look. Also in order to make room for the dual exhuast we had to fabricate the fuel tank a bit. Take a look at the before and after shots.
Suspension:
We currently have purchased the following parts: new set of 6 leaf springs from ESPO, Poly rebuild kit from PSC, MP.920 Torsion bars, lower control arms with factory sway bar tabs and a rear swaybar from a junk yard Dart. We are still figuring out which front swaybar and shocks to purchase.
Wheels:
Set of 15x8inch rally wheels. These wheels were ordered from Stockton Wheel
They sure are pretty.
