Joined: Sat Jun 06 2015, 07:26PM
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
Posts: 14
Hi All, I just found this site and joined right away. I have a 1966 Chrysler Windsor that I've owned for about a year and a half and is my summertime DD. Recently I drove from BC, Canada to San Francisco and back. Probably about 3000 miles total driving. It was smooth cruising all the way - a couple minor issues but overall I was very happy with the car. One thing I may consider is an OD transmission. My mileage dropped into the single digits cruising along at 80 mph on the highway. I wouldn't want to give up the factory console and shifter though as they look amazing.
I've already found some great info on this site about mods such as disk brake and suspension upgrades. This is my first C car and I'm beginning to think that they are the best kept secret of the musclecar era. It makes a daily drive way better and I'm surprised at the amount of interest it draws.
I'll try to add a picture - not sure if it will work since it's my first post.
Joined: Sat Jun 06 2015, 07:26PM
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
Posts: 14
Wow! I'm loving that 4 speed interior! I'll see what I have for pics and post some. My car is an original 440/automatic (727 I think) with posi rear highway gears. The engine has been rebuilt to Magnum 375 hp specs and currently has an Edelbrock carb and chrome air cleaner. The orignal carb and air cleaner have been rebuilt/restored but I haven't put them on since the car is running so well. I checked the numbers and everything matches. I'm the third owner and it has had one repaint in the original color. Unfortunately the previous owner stopped driving it and stored it for a couple years where the trunk area was exposed to the weather so it will need some work there. Our winters tend to be rainy. It still looks pretty good for driving though.
Joined: Sat Jun 06 2015, 07:26PM
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
Posts: 14
This site is great - so easy to post pics. As you can see above there is some rust bubbling out over the driver side rear wheel well. I'm a welder so the plan is to cut out that bit and put in clean metal then get the back half of the car painted. All the sheet metal is original to the car which is very rare for the Pacific Northwest. It has always been garaged or mostly garaged for it to have survived. The vinyl top is original with slight wear/sun fade but I kind of like it that way. It gives the car a bit of character. Engine plans are just to restore back to stock appearance. The car has an electric fuel pump added which works well but needs proper fuel line routing. The other mod is Petronix ignition. Interior is original except for the added CD player and seat covers. It could use a little work - new carpet in the front and I suspect the driver's seat will need recovering. It may seem odd that I never checked that but I was pretty happy with the car when I bought it and just assumed the covers were there for more than just protection. Last week a friend of mine was in the passenger seat and checked under the cover and it was okay so there's a small chance the driver's seat is too.
Joined: Sat Jun 06 2015, 07:26PM
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
Posts: 14
Thanks for the appreciation! It's a thrill getting in and driving every time and looking out over the dash, the turn signals on top of the fender, the smooth ride - it's always an adventure.
Questions - I have a couple - does anyone know what the stock dual exhaust looks like? It's time to replace the mufflers and I may as well do it right. Is there a best place to buy parts such as repro carpet/ seat covers etc? Last question would be how many mods are too much? I have a 70 Trans Am that I'm restoring and the answer for that car is zero mods. Being unfamiliar with C bodies I would like to hear everyone's opinions on mods. My car has a few that I can easily reverse but I would like to add front discs. The CD player will go since I'd rather listen to the engine anyways.
Joined: Tue Oct 16 2012, 12:15PM
Location: calgary
Posts: 1269
for me would leave the car oem for most part...retail orriginall colors..unless its a car that hasn't been pieced together would leave oem short of basic electronics..brakes tires and rims bottom line is your car......
Joined: Sat Jun 06 2015, 07:26PM
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
Posts: 14
Mostly OEM is my preference. I like the rims that are on it now but the center holes are getting worn and will need changing at some point. I have the original hubcaps so I may go that route. The colors are original and look good so no need to change them. I was thinking of drum to discs on the front and a two pot master cylinder.