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What is wrong with a chrysler

4K views 23 replies 21 participants last post by  mikeweyman 
#1 ·
Just recently i was out a local skow and started talking to a man who owned a very nice superbee now i am only 17 years pld and really enjoy all 65-72 mopar c bodys.But i was talking to this man and when i stated that i was building a low low option 68 chrysler newport he just stood there and stared like i was an alien.After about a minute of this starring he said a chrysler now why in gods name are you building a chrysler i couldnt believe what i had heard i comment on the excellent job he had done with his super bee and all he can say is why are you building a chrysler.
Now all that i am wondering is why are chryslers 2 and 4 doors given the name engine donor disc brake donor and parts cars i mean at the rate good solid 2 and four door cars are going to waste there will be no more left for anyone else who wants one.All i ask is that every other chrysler owner who believes this is true is stand up and say somthing when someone puts your car down dont just take it and walk away!

Newport
 
#2 ·
Newport, listen very carefully. You've have made contact with a complete imbissole. Banish the thoughts and ideas of this person completely from your mind. If you should fail to do this, you stand the chance of becoming one also. Now, go wash yourself and spend 30 minutes listening to Beethovens 5th. You should be O.K. :D
 
#3 ·
You obviously met up with a guy who is only into muscle cars and doesn't understand anyone who might be interested in anything else. I've met restorers who were the same way when it comes to rods. They simply can’t understand why anyone would take an old car and "ruin" it by cutting it up and installing modern running gear.

Everyone has his or her own prejudices so the next time it happens just consider the source and forget it. It's not worth arguing over cause you'll never convince him, and he'll never convince you.
 
#4 ·
Dont listen to that guy. At one time studes, edsel s and plenty of others were considered ugly ducklings. That is the beauty of hot rodding, it takes all kinds of shapes,years colours etc.etc. to make the hot rodding hobby go round and round.If you like it and you are will to put an honest effort into doing something with it is all that matters in my book. Will you be able to get your money out of it when it is completed? who knows? You will unfortunately come across plenty of jerks out there. I hate to say it but most of the ones i met are hardcore muscle car guys, i like muscle cars also,( heck i'm buildin one now).You know, people probably looked at guys like Henry Ford and Bill Gates like they had a third head also when their idea first came about. Dont let it bother you!
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!
Regeardless of what you hear, Keep your dream alive! A man with no goal isnt going any where!
 
#5 ·
I meet guys like that all the time. They are typicaly not afraid to insult you to your face.

I had an 88 buick wagon that was my daily rod for a couple of years. When I wanted to add a custom stainless exhaust I took it to the shop in town that does a lot of hot rod and muscle car work. When I told him what I wanted he scoffed and said what for its a wagon. Needless to say I took my car elswhere and got the work done and I will not take my 57 to him when the time for exhaust comes.

I could tell you about a lot of these experiences. Do what you like and forget what Tom Dick and harry say. OK
 
#6 ·
newport,

makes you wonder why he bought a superbee in the first place. As stated previously, don't listen to this geek or anyone else who puts down chrysler. I know you're into the muscle cars but chrysler built some great cars over the years. You should try and catch a mopar-only car show and look at everything there. There's a lot of beautiful cars out there that were built. It doens't matter if it's got 2 or 4 doors.

I think you've got a great car. I've always like the newports and furys. It's a shame that guy with the superbee is so narrowminded.

JB
 
#7 ·
My first project 20 years ago in high school was of all cars a '74 MustangII. At that time most guys didn't even consider that car a real mustang. All I ever heard was "why that car?". I bought it for almost nothing, rebuilt the 2.3 4cyl. with two friends from vocational school, installed a hush thrush muffler into my single exhaust pipe, and added a fresh set of rims and tires. I had an absolute blast with that car and that's all that matters. Enjoy what you build!
 
#9 ·
I don't feel bad and I own a Chrysler. A 78 Cordoba that I bought in 96 with 32000 miles. My wife drove it for several years and liked it, still does but not as well as the Benz. Now its got 70000 miles and still runs and looks good. The 400 helps keep the old girl from getting in its own way. It now spends most of its time sitting in the garage and comes out on nice days. Thought about selling it but its still a nice driver that will go any where any time and back home without problems.It may not be a 4door but its large enough to be one. Tilt the wheel punch the cruise and let'er eat. :D
 
#10 ·
the dream is in the eyes of the beholder. you run your hand down the side and it feels right do it. if they were all superbees or gt-40's what a drag. dare to be different. the spice of life.
have fun and dream on!
 
#11 ·
yo man, kick a hole in that monkey. guys like that I take with the same grain of salt as the few that really dig my ride. Do whatever you want to the car, pinto running gear, who cares, it is yours. No one else has to like it or much less drive it. Take pride in teh work you do and others (qualified) will appreciate it. I had a hel of a time changing the bed on my truck. many older guys hammered me for changing body lines and swapping stuff around, the rig turned out great ( if I do say so myself) and I dig driving it. I built it for me alone... my new deal is a 59 dodge truck that is going to ride on 83 chev running gear. got it cheap and I know chev stuff well. check the pics of the truck in the past features it is a peach 57 cheve pu. send me pics of your ride as you go best of luck and shine the guys with attitude...
 
#12 ·
I went to the goodguys meet in bakersfield yesterday, what a motley of cars i saw there. 4 door everythings, "orphan cars", all rodded in their own way. one club, the shifters, i believe, have 4 door cars, coupes, buckets, wagons, you name it. you know what the difference is? they're there, having fun with what they brung, to hell what anyone else says. definetely cool. if you like it, go for it.
 
#13 ·
:D I'm 17 also, and you might cringe but my first car at 15 was a 75' Ranchero. I still have and love my car/truck. It's different and It does a screaming smoke show. The 400 moves and the not so normal body lines groove it, I've took my share of crap from guys with Nova's and mustangs, camaro's and such, but think, we can see 5-10 cars almost identical to their's every day. Granted they're nice and classic, but your origional and that is my favorite part of our ever expanding hobby. Keep it for you and your personal taste and your admiration will come from the guys like us who dare to be different, and the other guys who support us.
Keep up the good work and the rest of us will spread the good word.
Good luck
79monte :D
 
#14 ·
Opinions are like as_h_les, everybody has one, this guy had diarrea. Forget about him and do your own thing, not everyone can afford a Musclecar at your age. Nice to see you using some imagination with your vehicle.
 
#15 ·
You and me sound like we would get along perfectly! I'm just kind of wondering where this guy is coming from. Does he understand that Chrysler built his Super Bee? I laugh because when I first mentioned my 440, my father-in-law said something like, "I wouldn't do anything to that. It's a Dodge and Dodge never made anything worth driving!" I wanted to say (but I didn't!), "Actually, it's a Chrysler and they made Dodge. And if you look at any cars, Chrysler Corp. made a TON of great cars!"
There's a little rule that I go by when it comes to cars. Everyone has their opinions and that's fine. You need to build what you want and not listen to other people's opinions on what's cool or not. Don't ever build something specifically to sell it. You'll pour your time and your heart into the car and you probably will never, ever get someone to pay you what you think the car is worth. That is just the nature of the beast.
Keep your head up and don't take any crap from anyone. I look forward to seeing how your project turns out!!!
 
#16 ·
You have heard from a number of people encouraging you to be confident in your decsion to own and maintain your Newport and they are correct. There are two primary reasons Mopars of all sorts are gaining popularity and they have to do with the fact that Fords and Chevies have been way over-done and the offerings are beginning to thin out. The second is the uniqueness of the Chrysler brand. One thing is for certain, you won't see yourself over and over at the various shows you choose to attend or enter and there are a great many people who appreciate the car you own.
When I chose to restore a 1935 Plymouth 4dr Flatback Sedan, I was quizzed about why I would pick that car over a coupe? Three years later when the restoration was completed, I entered it in a Grand National meet with the Chrysler Club and was soundly defeated in the judging by a beautiful DeSoto dual side-mount coupe and a very rare'36 Plymouth four door convertible.
As I was packing up to leave, a lady approached and asked if the '35 belonged to me and I acknowledged that fact. She then told me that it was her favorite car on the show field of over 300 cars and she wished that she could have it! This meant more to me than any trophy I could have received. Believe in the fact that there are many people who appreciate your car, you just happened to meet one who didn't.
Remember, every one has the right to be a jerk, some people just abuse the priviledge.

Good luck with your project and welcome to the Chrysler fraternity!

Wayne R. Brandon
Technical Advisor '35 Plymouth/C51-C52 New Yorker
Chrysler Products Restorers Club, Inc.
 
#17 ·
Newport,

It's all good, do your own thing and enjoy it. To hell with ALL the critics.

I do find it funny though that many of the people who are giving the positive advice here to your post are the same ones that love to bash what they call "Ricers and "Rice Rockets" on this same bulletin board. These same guys probably love Fiat Topolino's, Henry J's and Jaguar rear suspensions but then turn around and bash everything that comes out of Asia.

This web site should support anyone who hot-rods his or her own ride, period. Quite a few of these so called "Ricers" kick some serious butt.

Don't get me wrong, my personal preference is anything pre-1940's, but I would much rather hang with a hands on "Ricer" than a hands off millionaire snob in his Pro-built trailered-in Deuce Roadster.
 
#18 ·
It's not the cars of Ricers that I don't agree with, it's the mentality. The majority of their modifications are for show and not for go. I do know of quite a few people who have some serious go with Rice cars though.
That's the one thing I did like about the movie Fast and the Furious. The kid picked up a piece of crap and actually helped with the work on it.
It's not just Asian cars that are Rice either. I have seen plenty of Cavaliers and even Grand Ams that could be viewed as a Rice Rocket. It's all about the mentality of the driver. If it can go fast and you did the work, then I would like to hang with you. It's not to say that people are stupid for having their cars built, because this world needs all sorts to go around. I'm just saying that I respect anyone more if they have done the work themselves rather than writing out a few checks.
 
#21 ·
You're getting some good advice here. Like they all say...don't sweat it. Good luck with your project, parts are hard to get.(body panels etc.) The thing I like to see here, is everyones ideas and creativity. Last year I could of had a `67 300 with a 440, a `47 stude p/u and a `51-55? monarch in exchange for cleaning them out of a property. (as well as alot of other junk.) I left it too long and missed out. GRRRR. I would have fixed up the 300, blacked it out with some decent rims, and cruised everywhere. It wouldn't have been perfect, but still cool and different. Build what you like. Best of luck, let us know how it goes.
 
#22 ·
Done more cars that I worked my --- off on,won shows did all that stuff. Cleaning valve covers with Q-tips. All classics and antiques. Had money,no kids. Have kids now,no money. I've never had more fun than playing with my current(last 2 years)project. A 83 Bonneville wagon. Old lady car. Back seat never sat on and spent evey night in the garage. She must have never changed the oil.Bought a wreck with a good 231 for 250. I've got about 650 in it now and even the a/c works.Recently bought a 83 Gran Prix bucket seat car($125) that's going to give up the console and seats to the wagon. This is a long term project in the making that I'm enjoying as I go. Like the Chrysler,it may not ever be a popular classic,but it's gonna be fun and it's gonna be cool. Build your car your way and enjoy.
 
#23 ·
well, to add my own to cents: **** that guy. hess full of it. when i was driving my duster daily, i was hauling some moulding out the rear window for some work i had to do. a guy came up, asked if the car was for sale. i told him no, its my first car that my dad and i built together. his response was "its a damn shame to see a nice car liek that getting ****ed up by some punk kid." so do what you want. i mean, if we didnt, wed all be driving yellow 32 ford roadsters, red 68 camaros, and hemi cudas. it would suck.
build the newport. oh, and to really piss off the hardcore musclecar guys, drop it on airbags, set the suspension to cornering "kill" and put a twin turbo, efi'd 440 in it, with air conditioning. dont forgrt the fuzzy dice and black primer!!!!
mike
 
#24 ·
myself, i am not a mopar guy although i had a few
in my day, as far as souping them up, i like 4 doors brought back to original or close,spoked rims yes, 6 foot long flames no.
build what you like,enjoy,i know a guy who cut 12 inches from the middle of his 51 ford truck, i mean fenders doors cab everything .he then proceded to cut the roof down 6or8 inches, he shortened the box to 4 or 5 feet narrowed it in and added big 50's wings to the box, the final touch was to add rear quarters off a camaro to the old flat front fenders to widen them out to accept wide tires.this new vehicle is barely recognizable as a truck let alone a ford.bad news is he is a welder not a hotrodder, the beast is now under snow outside the garage, it will never be completed by him, he will now trade this for his next project.c'est la vie... <img src="graemlins/boxing.gif" border="0" alt="[boxing]" />
 
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