Another Mopar Off My Bucket List - Barracuda Fastback
Friday's road trip was a kick! Doug (my buddy from Seward that was interested in the car) showed up around 9 am. We stopped in Rising City to pick up another Mopar fanatic friend (Ken) before heading to Norfolk, Nebraska an hour and a half away. Ken is well versed on Chrysler production numbers and has a wealth of info on most everything Mopar. With his background in restorations he's good to have along.
The '68 R/T was a lot rougher than what we had been led to believe. Even though it had been a well optioned car (rear defrost, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, posi, Magnum 500s, 440, console shift, deck stripe, etc...) the condition was too poor to justify the price. Most of these b-bodies that you find are vinyl top cars and this one came from the factory without. The factory black exterior with factory gold interior is a neat combination but... The transmission crossmember was rusted out and so were the rear frame rails. Both quarters, both fenders, the front and rear inner fenders, trunk floor, and passenger side floor pan all had rust holes too. There was no transmission, radiator, or brake booster. A date correct 440 block came with the car, but no other engine components. They were wanting $7000 for it.
The seats were there but going to need new upholstery of course. Mouse holes all over the headliner. No carpet. Bumpers were there but pitted and not as straight as you'd want. Only 2 of the Magnum 500s were with the car. The fuel tank had been modified with a rear sump.
Even though Doug is most likely going to pass on this car he had at least started his quest to find himself a '68 or '69 Coronet 440, 500, R/T, or Super Bee. While we were at that farmstead we were able to check out some of the other gems that were stored inside. None of their 'restored cars' were there but they did have some other cool cars that needed finishing. The first I saw was a '70 Shaker hood 440 Sixpack 'Cuda. Next to it was a 383 4-speed Dart GTS. There was also a '70 Fury convertible and a Hurst edition 300 letter series car.
On the way back we stopped to check out a '70 Challenger R/T that we spotted sitting on a trailer a few miles away. Although the owner wasn't home, the neighbor gave us some of the history. Apparently it had a barn fall in on it earlier this year when a tornado passed through Pilger, Nebraska. It had gotten some major roof damage but survived. There was no drivetrain in it and it still needed a total restoration (quarters were rusted out).
So the day was full of general Mopar bullshitting as we each discussed the cars we'd tortured in our youth. Over all it was a good time. It would have been great though if we would have been pulling another one back home.
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Friday's road trip was a kick! Doug (my buddy from Seward that was interested in the car) showed up around 9 am. We stopped in Rising City to pick up another Mopar fanatic friend (Ken) before heading to Norfolk, Nebraska an hour and a half away. Ken is well versed on Chrysler production numbers and has a wealth of info on most everything Mopar. With his background in restorations he's good to have along.
The '68 R/T was a lot rougher than what we had been led to believe. Even though it had been a well optioned car (rear defrost, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, posi, Magnum 500s, 440, console shift, deck stripe, etc...) the condition was too poor to justify the price. Most of these b-bodies that you find are vinyl top cars and this one came from the factory without. The factory black exterior with factory gold interior is a neat combination but... The transmission crossmember was rusted out and so were the rear frame rails. Both quarters, both fenders, the front and rear inner fenders, trunk floor, and passenger side floor pan all had rust holes too. There was no transmission, radiator, or brake booster. A date correct 440 block came with the car, but no other engine components. They were wanting $7000 for it.
The seats were there but going to need new upholstery of course. Mouse holes all over the headliner. No carpet. Bumpers were there but pitted and not as straight as you'd want. Only 2 of the Magnum 500s were with the car. The fuel tank had been modified with a rear sump.
Even though Doug is most likely going to pass on this car he had at least started his quest to find himself a '68 or '69 Coronet 440, 500, R/T, or Super Bee. While we were at that farmstead we were able to check out some of the other gems that were stored inside. None of their 'restored cars' were there but they did have some other cool cars that needed finishing. The first I saw was a '70 Shaker hood 440 Sixpack 'Cuda. Next to it was a 383 4-speed Dart GTS. There was also a '70 Fury convertible and a Hurst edition 300 letter series car.
On the way back we stopped to check out a '70 Challenger R/T that we spotted sitting on a trailer a few miles away. Although the owner wasn't home, the neighbor gave us some of the history. Apparently it had a barn fall in on it earlier this year when a tornado passed through Pilger, Nebraska. It had gotten some major roof damage but survived. There was no drivetrain in it and it still needed a total restoration (quarters were rusted out).
So the day was full of general Mopar bullshitting as we each discussed the cars we'd tortured in our youth. Over all it was a good time. It would have been great though if we would have been pulling another one back home.
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View attachment IMG_2062.jpg
View attachment IMG_2065.jpg
View attachment IMG_2066.jpg
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