Hello, long-roofed friends! Haven't had much to say in a while - but things may be starting to move on this project soon. I spent a good part of today with a chain-smoking, hard-living, tattoo-lovin', thrice-divorced, guy. He's been building, dismantling (and frankly, probably occasionally stealing) cars since he dropped out of school at 16. He's quite a character, and as gruff as he is, he has an amazing knowledge of cars and is happy to help me along with my project.... in exchange for nothing beyond than the big 17" mag wheels from the Durango. So we pulled out the reciprocating saw and began cutting up the truck, saving items of value along the way. It's not as sexy as later stages of the project will be, of course... but it's gotta be done. The hot rod shop wants to begin the big swap in May, and they've revised their (very rough) estimate to include a likely floor replacement, new wiring harness, etc. They're thinking $20K - $23K at this point. While that's a decent chunk of change - considering I already have over $10K into the vehicles - I absolutely believe it's worth it. More when it happens. As for the wagon, it's still in storage - complete with flat tire and flat battery.
Aw, man! First of all...don't scare me like this by not showing up around here for so long, bred!! Secondly, I'm still SO in love with your car and now am getting more and more jealous as I see you progressing with what will be a KILLER wagon! Looks like your guy is around the right age to know what he's doing. Hope so, anyway. Carry on! And keep us posted. I get withdrawal when you don't! Dang, I love that car!
Good to hear from you, Brad. Thanks for the update. Been a while, so I don't remember if this was mentioned by you...... I assume the Durango doner was a 2WD model? If so, you might find that the transmission is not as large as you think. I wonder what the Derelict guys discovered on this? That IDIDIT steering column is cool. I LOVE projects like this where modern conveniences are sneakily incorporated, as if they were there all along. Jay Leno's build of his '56 Buick Roadmaster comes to mind here. He even machined a set of original-looking wheel covers to fit his 17" wheels. And you don't need a Jay Leno budget to do some stuff like that.
back. Been wondering what's up. Just make sure your new helper doesn't walk off with your wagon. Let the demolition begin! A shade tree mechanic with Sawzall, bailing wire and duct tape could do this job for a case of beer in a weekend.
Yeeah... no. I'm setting this guy loose on things that aren't likely to go irreversibly wrong. Precise fabrication work and wiring issues aren't on that list. The hot rod shop will be the only ones touching the wag, and even then, I may opt to carefully remove the whole interior before it even gets there. Hey, it's a few less of their hours I'd need to pay for.
Please DO remove that interior before the body shop gets it!! At the very least, get those VERY rare seats out and protected!
It's a 5-spd auto, and fulltime AWD with a transfer case switch for 4Hi and 4LO. AWD might be overkill for this car's intended use -- but if it doesn't make things too much more complicated, I'm inclined to keep it on the off chance we need to pull the trailer through sand or mud down the road. I'll learn more pros / cons as we proceed I suspect. Not sure what ICON did for their trans - I do know they used a custom frame from Art Morrison, which I can only imagine would plop another 10K or more onto the project. Theirs cost $90K, I recall them saying in one interview. Mine will hopefully come in right around a third of that, out the door. I totally agree, Krash. I'm head over heels for this concept - when done well. Not that I don't adore the sound of that flat 6, or the quirky, semi-automatic Fluid Drive, or the dull warmth of the 6v dashboard lights. I'll miss those things. But this project (not that I have much to reflect back on yet) really has me wondering why there isn't a slick, cool company that facilitates a way for people to get the nostalgia of an old car with modern underpinnings. The interest level from regular people doesn't match how few custom cars there are out there, and my suspicion is that the intimidation of the "custom" concept steers everyone to the local Toyota dealership, instead of investigating a bit further. Lots of people with the appreciation for these things when finished... and obviously plenty of big old sedans in decent shape to be had for a few thousand bucks. There's obviously the insurance angle, as you're giving up crumple zones and airbags. But beyond that, it seems like more of a simple math problem: figuring out how to keep it cost effective for the customer, and keep it profitable for the shop. By spreading out payments similar to financing new cars, I bet you could do it. The other big factor would be striking the perfect balance of input from customers, so they get something that they're proud of and feels personal... but that doesn't have a level of input that slows projects down. For example, a 25 year old kid with no mechanical knowledge could come into the shop, plunk down 5K, pick from a dozen available old bodies in the yard, and maybe make some choices on upholstery or paint. Beyond that, this kid wouldn't have to weigh in on engine size, suspension, or worry about tuning the carb. He's simply make regular payments over 12-24 months, and rather than going to work in a VW Jetta like everyone else.... he'd have a used 2004 Chevy (or similar) in great shape, with the body of a '47 Pontiac Torpedo (or similar). Add some sort of limited-coverage warranty to provide a basic sense of security, and I think it would remove a lot of the mental obstacles for people. What might it truly cost, if the company had someone working full time to find chassis and bodies? $20K? $25K? If that'd be possible, that's new Corolla territory, and ten times more personal. Early car manufacturers built their products one at a time until Henry Ford integrated the assembly line. I don't see why you couldn't do that with restomods, as long as you remove most of the choices in order to streamline the process. It would put both antique and used cars back on the road by combining them - cars that might otherwise be scrapped. All while addressing the most intimidating aspect of owning an old car. I think it'd be awfully cool.
Will do. I may remove the dash, too - most of the early stages will be matching up the old body and new frame, so if I can send out gauges and lights to be converted to 12v - I'll again be spending my own time vs. theirs.
greetings and felicitations That car may be plain and unassuming from the outside, but that was a very warm and welcoming interior. And is that wood flooring in the back-back? And, as a trailer hauler, you can't beat a wagon.
Thanks both. Agreed, I think the Hemi's power, low center of gravity, the 125" wheelbase, and of course modern handling and stopping power... will add up to a really nice ride. When we go camping, it has tended to be month-long or more trips, measured in thousands of miles and covering a wide range of topography. I cannot wait to get this thing dialed in, bolt our new anti-sway hitch to the trailer, and watch the sprawling view unfold.
vacation cruises the way vacation cruises are suppose to be done. I know a few people(maybe a few too many)who rent minivans when they go on the vacation road trip. And that's not cool.
