Welcome Rob, your name is easy to remember. I'm not personally a fan of the '63-'64 cars but if they are your fancy I think a 300 would be appropriate. On the slabsides, I am clearly a '68 Chrysler guy (see sig) but the '65-'66 Chryslers (particularly 300's) do a lot for me.
Some things to consider: 440 power was standard on all 300's and New Yorkers '67 and up. 383's were standard in other Chryslers after '64 or '65. There's certainly no shortage of power in any of them, the only real drawback on the '63-'64's are the tapered rear axles which require pullers to remove brake drums, etc.
Any of the above should be available in good condition for a reasonable price. Keep us posted!
Joined: Sat Apr 01 2006, 01:25AM
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 142
I really like the pre '69s. You could really tell a Newport from a Polara or Fury. After '69 they kinda lost some of their identity. As to gas prices, I look at my Newort sort of like an RV. I'll use it a lot from May to October in this area, and it goes in the garage from November to April, unless we get an early spring.
Joined: Tue May 02 2006, 12:23PM
Location: Ridgecrest Ca. (China Lake Naval Weapons Center)
Posts: 140
Hi Rob
One of the first things after seat belts was that rear end....would a later model 8-3/4 swap in (or Dana 60?) or is there fabrication involved. At the eventual velocity I may be going....4 wheel disks may be required. I'd like to keep the hacking and sawing to a minumum. Just for the record, I'm not a nuts and bolts "as it left the factory" kinda guy. I'll be upgrading things and I do plan on some track time...if only to learn how to drive one of these boats in a "spirited manner" and avoid showing the world my keel!
Who knows...if time and money work out, it may see the Silver State Classic or similar events. I wonder how much air a '64 300K would displace at 140 MPH....
Joined: Sat Apr 01 2006, 01:25AM
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 142
I loved my familiy's '67 Newport Sedan. Got my license in it. It was gold, with just the thumbwheel AM radio. I saw one just like it on the web a few years ago, and tried to talk my wife into it. She said "But we have a car". When I ran across our convertible, she said "Now that's different" The kid I bought it from in Canada really loved the car, but needed the money. He even drove it all the way out here. It wasn't in as good a shape as he thought it was, as I have a laundry list of stuff that I've had done to it, but the engine was /is solid. I figured I'd be putting some bucks in it any way. It least it's not a boat, which is defined as " a hole in the ocean that you throw money into". I'm getting a new top next week, then you have to leave it up for a couple of weeks so it stretches properly. It's going to be a long couple of weeks.
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 12:39AM
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 516
Ontos wrote ... Hi Rob
Who knows...if time and money work out, it may see the Silver State Classic or similar events. I wonder how much air a '64 300K would displace at 140 MPH....
I think one of those would make a nice cruiser, and heck, they look pretty slick, all things considered. I say if you can find a solid example, go for it. I would just get used to all the parts being stamped from the same material that the 67 A-body windshield mouldings are...
For the handling side, it would be very, VERY convenient if they used a 47" t-bar, as those are the best bets for any significant OEM upgrades. I heard a rumor that Firm Feel is working on reproducing t-bars in the future, though. Don't hold your breath...
Good to see you here, my 67-69 Barracuda/road race/autoX brother!
Joined: Tue May 02 2006, 12:23PM
Location: Ridgecrest Ca. (China Lake Naval Weapons Center)
Posts: 140
hey Clair
Yeah, I came over to the dark side As I get closer to getting one, I'll go back over to Pearsons and start taking more measurements and photos if they'll let me. As we cruised the rows, I counted at least 5 '63-'64 300, Newport and New Yorker's sitting there, all mostly complete. Two full rows of '65-'70ish C-bodies, also pretty complete. His prices are pretty high...but he do have some good stuff. Parts are here, not quite made of unobtainium!
a nice set of 1.24 T-bars and a stage 2 box would be very nice. Ad subframe connectors...torque boxes, some of Dr. Bobs rear spring hangers (if I can get a set for a whale)..Hollow swaybars
Well, speaking only for my 68, a 275/60-15 fits the front just fine, and is cake in the back without the fender skirts. Henry had a 265/50-16 up front, IIRC, and something like a 305/50-16 out back (with offset shackles and perches) on The Whale - 1966 300. Welcome to the Land of Generous Wheelwells, my friend. No contortions to fit a measley 245-section tire any more...
As for the T-bars, until the ultra secret T-bar project comes to fruition, you/we are stuck with 1.06" as the largest 47" bar, and 0.98" as the largest 44" bar. Again, check to see what those jokers ran before making huge plans based on two pieces of billet nonexistium... The rest is doable, I'm sure.