robertob
Well-Known Member
Well I've had this car for five years now, and my grandma had it for a number of years before that. Her dad (my great grandfather) bought it from a long-gone Plymouth dealer in Van Nuys, CA. It was built in City of Industry at the Chrysler plant there, and until last week had never been out of California. I recently moved to Colorado and since I finished the restoration of our '68 D200 pickup, I am ready to start working on the Valiant again.
It has always been registered and always was a daily driver, and that's what intend to keep it as. It's had two re-upholster jobs (last one in the early 90s) and the interior is decent though a little worn. It's been painted twice, last time in 1996 or so by Maaco, and the paint is definitely showing it's age. The front suspension has been rebuilt a couple of times - last time I added lbp discs, 1.0 torsion bars. It needs a rear axle and rear springs.
The motor has 175,000 original miles and has never been apart. But it is burning a quart every 200 miles so that is where I will begin.
This is more of a 'preservation' than a 'restoration' so here's the plan of attack:
- rebuild motor, use offy dual 1bbl intake, dutra duals, ported head, good cam and more compression. Not really a hot rod but a good, reliable 200hp motor.
- paint engine compartment, reseal firewall (which leaks badly) while motor is out. Replace windshield and door seals and door catwhiskers. Replace rear window seal, trunk seal, etc.
- Fix rust in passenger floor and few tiny holes in cowl and left C-pillar.
- Strip most of the crappy paint down to metal or the original WW1 white paint,
- Fix bodywork, straighten & rechrome bumpers
- repaint using borrowed spray booth. Keep it red since that is how it has been for the last 30 years or so.
It has always been registered and always was a daily driver, and that's what intend to keep it as. It's had two re-upholster jobs (last one in the early 90s) and the interior is decent though a little worn. It's been painted twice, last time in 1996 or so by Maaco, and the paint is definitely showing it's age. The front suspension has been rebuilt a couple of times - last time I added lbp discs, 1.0 torsion bars. It needs a rear axle and rear springs.
The motor has 175,000 original miles and has never been apart. But it is burning a quart every 200 miles so that is where I will begin.
This is more of a 'preservation' than a 'restoration' so here's the plan of attack:
- rebuild motor, use offy dual 1bbl intake, dutra duals, ported head, good cam and more compression. Not really a hot rod but a good, reliable 200hp motor.
- paint engine compartment, reseal firewall (which leaks badly) while motor is out. Replace windshield and door seals and door catwhiskers. Replace rear window seal, trunk seal, etc.
- Fix rust in passenger floor and few tiny holes in cowl and left C-pillar.
- Strip most of the crappy paint down to metal or the original WW1 white paint,
- Fix bodywork, straighten & rechrome bumpers
- repaint using borrowed spray booth. Keep it red since that is how it has been for the last 30 years or so.
