First Car Ideas
HI JOE!!!!! Welcome aboard!!!
As im only 13 i still a little while to go before i get a car but recently ive been looking at 70-73 Plymouth Dusters. I also was looking at 68-69 Plymouth Barracudas. I really like A Bodys.
Do you think a duster is a good first car for someone who loves cars and who likes working on them too?
Mt first word out of my mouth was “Car.”
So you’re in good company.
My first MoPar was a ‘73 Plymouth Duster.
I like to work on cars, but! I love to tinker with them even more. What’s tinker mean? Well, firstly, I like to go fast and often wondered more than just the average guy on how these things work. So, before the internet was around to ask questions, I simply purchased parts to swap and and see how they work. At one time I had 14 intake manifolds, dozens of carbs, 8 sets of heads, 3 different headers, multiple drop out rear end pigs to swap around (that’s the center section of a 8-3/4, your dad will help here if need be.) And camshafts! Holy moly! Forgettaboutit!!!!
I’d change them out almost as fast as socks and underwear. Drag cams, hot street cams, oval track cams, solid, Hyd, roller... I just kept getting them. Just to see how they worked.
Id install a cam, tune the engine up, run it hard for weeks, then swap the intake. Then swap a carb, then Swap headers, just for fun.
AND THATS TINKERING!
The Duster is an excellent choice in my book. They can be made very light. Though they will do just great as is.
Parts are common and are at a reasonable cost.
Totally go for it!
Im already saving and im going to try to get a job next year. But i would like some opinions.
Im redoing trans, putting 4.10 gears in, new ATK 408 Stroker Motor 465HP 535TQ, 27560R15 Mickey Thompson's in back, with cragar S/S's 15x8 4.25 Back spacing 5 on 4 bolt Pattern. And some more stuff but i will slowly buy my modifications over time because its obviously expensive.
Thanks, Joe
The only opinion here that counts to how you build your car is yours! Do your car your way as you see fit.
HOWEVER!
Listen to Dad. He will never steer you wrong. I’d bet a million dollars on that and be super sure I would win that bet!
Id also bet Dad will give you excellent advice on your plans and probably tell you to slowly get to your goal rather than do it right away. That engine is very powerful and can take out a heck of a surprise on even the most seasoned guys that have not been to that power level. The engine is a beast!
Im going to do something I don’t like to do because you have a Dad that I’m sure wants you to be happy and live a long super cool life of Hot Rodding for many many years. So here it is.
My top 4 advice items to new “Young Guns!”
1; Start easy. Learn the car and all of it from bumper to bumper, inside and outside & learn how to do everything you can on your own.
2; When it comes to your engine, I suggest building your own engine and learning how that’s done until you can do 90% of it blind folded. And pretty much the same on everything else. It saves HUGE amounts of money!
3; Lastly, build a basic engine first and then add on mild hot rod parts slowly working your way up to the power level of the Blue Print engine and then past it.
4; LISTEN TO YOUR DAD! He will never steer you wrong!
And always remember, help a guy/gal out without being a smart *** know it all loud foul mouthed idiot. Don’t do it. There is never a better way to make yourself look bad and make an enemy. Remember, we all start off knowing nothing. Teaching is hard sometimes, so be patient when doing so. Others will be patient with you. Never forget that.