Bucket List Cars

[TR21HP]

Nice job Shawski, I'm always envious of a skillset like yours. Looking forward to pics on the Mach 1 as well.

[SHAWSKI]

Thank you, I'm a ford guy at heart although I can appreciate all of the cars posted in this thread and many more.

There is really something about early 60's cars up to 64. Obviously there is a reason for the 64 and older rule for the back to the 50's car show in the twin cities.

The thread title is bucketlist cars though, so let me offer one up for the thread that I restored for myself, and then sold about a year ago:

This was my 1969 plymouth road runner.

I picked it up in central MN, brought it home to border land up by lake of the woods and tore into it.

That's what it looked like when we got it.

Originally a T7 bronze car with a white vinyl top, 383, 4 spd, 3.23:1 sure grip.

It looked like hell with it's funky mid 70's paint job and plenty of normal body rot. But the numbers all matched up, original engine, trans, interior was all there, air grabber hood, it was all there and all correct.

This was before we sold it.

I really did like that car.

I put it back to it's original color with modern base/clear.

We were looking forward to another spring/summer season about a year ago when we were contacted by a team of guys that had been searching for this car for many years. The car was originally from Iowa, I knew that much from my own research on the car when I initially brought it home.

Well, this was very much one man's bucket list car. A man in his 60's now, was searching for his first car that he purchased while he was in high school. He was technically the second owner, as the man that ordered the car wasn't making the payments so the dealership got the car back from him and resold it.

That's when my friend from Iowa got hold of the car.

Anyways, Yeah I liked the car, but not in the same way this guy liked it. Imagine his excitement when after 40 years separated, he finds that not only does his first car still exist,but it's also been restored.

Well, I sold him the car. He sends my pictures of the car in txt messages throughout the year. The car couldn't have a better owner, and what an awesome story he has to tell at car shows.

this was a very cool reunion to be a part of.

[nitro640]

I have one from my list a 67 fairlane 500. Two more Id like to have are a 1970 Z28 and a 69 Mach 1

[Dotch]

From the most recent Northstar Studebaker Chapter Newsletter:

Law of Mechanical Repair

After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin

to itch and you’ll have to pee.

[SHAWSKI]

That is so true, Dotch.

I thought maybe you would like to see the old ford with some trim on the sides?

[Dotch]

Looks like a sweet ride! Is the trim chrome or stainless? Forgot how pretty some of those old Fords were.

[Bucksnort]

Here is my bucket list car - been a pontiac guy all my life and a Judge was always on my list to get one day . 13 years ago I did. 4 speed Ram Air III car.

Dan

[SHAWSKI]

Looks like a sweet ride! Is the trim chrome or stainless? Forgot how pretty some of those old Fords were.

[Dotch]

It's coming... 

 

 

 

[Dotch]

 

Well I did it. Broke down and bought one. This is a '59 Silver Hawk, mileage 83,000 original miles, restored inside and out. Original 259 V8 engine has not been touched but not using oil and is a strong runner at this point. Couple in St. Louis had it but with an upcoming hip and knee replacement, he could no longer drive a 3 on the tree. Saw it last fall in Turning Wheels but had to pass on it due to health and $ issues. Price was right. It wasn't in the next issue so figured it was sold. Was pleased to find it again about a month ago still for sale by the same guy. Met with them last weekend and we struck a deal. Wonderful people. Made us come in and eat lunch with them then I took the car for a short test drive around St. Louis. My butt cheeks were pinched pretty tight with all that traffic. Last 3 on the tree I drove was almost 40 years ago, my own Studebaker Lark VI! Took it out for a short cruise when I got it home to see how it functions. Temperature hangs in there at 170 -175, oil pressure 40 or above and charging system working normally. Had it appraised for insurance purposes the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Love this car!  

Edited June 19, 2015 by Dotch

[Dotch]

My '59 Silver Hawk and my buddy's '57 T Bird from a benefit/show/cruise a few weeks ago. Gus' Station was moved onto the historical society page in Owatonna from its original home in Ellendale. Birds of a feather...:-)

 

Edited August 4, 2015 by Dotch

[Ufatz]

Well, okay.  This is the beast. Top speed 160mph. Huge back doors and huge room in back. Original foot rests. Hydraulic suspension system. Stops as well as it goes.

[Dotch]

Here ya go ufatz. Some rare footage of a prototype convertible from 1953. Ed Reynolds, the owner of Studebaker International recently purchased the vehicle and wrote an interesting article about it in the most recent edition of Turning Wheels. His dad who worked in the engineering department at Studebaker actually drove it the way it sounds.

http://www.studebaker-intl.com/Flash/1953 Prototype.swf

 

[Big Dave2]

I had one of these in the late '80's with t-tops and I wish I would have never got rid of it.

[Dotch]

Here ya go. Some of you ought to be able to waste all kinds of valuable time looking at these old car brochures. 

 

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/broch1.html

[ozzie]

Beautiful car Dotch!!  Congrats on the ride!!

[Dotch]

Thanks ozzie! This is not a trailer queen. It was built to be driven and enjoyed. Starting to get the hang of the overdrive thing now so Saturday took 'er to Spring Valley and the local A&W to celebrate International Drive Your Studebaker Day. Perfect weather for a cruise. Took Mrs. Cheviot along. Almost ran out of gas. Good thing the front seat folds flat. After all these years I think she's onto me. 

[Dotch]

For all the hot rod enthusiasts:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/AFKtlu-zL-w

 

[PurpleFloyd]

I had one of these in the late '80's with t-tops and I wish I would have never got rid of it.

all that is missing is the mullet. 

[SHAWSKI]

Wow dotch! Congrats on the silver hawk! That's a beautiful car!

 

Here's a truck we did this spring:

 

Here's some of the major mustang project.

 

 

 

 

Huge project, lol.

 

Here's a little Chevy I just finished painting. The doors, trunk lid and hood are also painted but not back on the car yet. I'm wet sanding and buffing now.

 

[Dotch]

Thanks Shawski. Now that's what I call a total frame off restoration project on that Mustang. Holy smokes! How's that 1960 Hawk coming?

Edited October 26, 2015 by Dotch

[SHAWSKI]

Hi Dotch, the owner of the hawk ditched on the project. punted, sent it down the road. It was a good call. The car was beyond any sensible efforts. Beyond cost effective. 

 

The Camaro is gone from the shop now.

 

 

I believe I will be bringing this one in next, possibly today yet. I have several in storage waiting to come into the resto shop. I do think this one will be next.

 

"Christine"

We've had her in the shop and up on the hoist for evaluation earlier this year. You can see that it's a very good car the way it is. But, the owner wan't to take it to the next level. We will be taking all the trim and prob all the glass out, she will be taken down to bare metal and we will begin our methodical resurfacing process with our sights set on a laser straight red and white, show quality Christine.

I'm really, really looking forward to this one

[Dotch]

Kudos on the Camaro. Can see why you're excited The fins on those old Fury's were indeed something to behold. Bummer on the Stude but as you said, can't save 'em all. Some of them like my '59 Lark live on as organ donors.  

[Dotch]

Izzat you driving Ufatz?  

 

[Richj]

Weve had em all, but are really stuck on our old VWs. Cheap to buy, to build, to fix, and to drive......And extremely reliable. Here are a couple....The blue 62 belongs to my 15yr son and the white 67 is my 17yr son...