Summary:
Great car for the right person
Faults:
The car was in storage for a long time before I got it, so the entire cooling system needed to be rebuilt - hoses, radiator, water pump.
Replaced the timing chain and replaced a front crank seal, thinking I had a leak there - turned out to be the PS pump, which I had to replace.
Valve train clattered badly; had to adjust all valves when I got it.
Suspecting lots of varnish in the carb from sitting so long. I had it rebuilt, but now it's hard to tune and I have a persistent leak around the base gasket. Will take the carb back to a rebuilder.
Tranny (904 Torqueflyte) broke its reverse band soon after I bought it, so I had that replaced.
Needed new shocks all around.
Brake fluid had never been flushed since the car was new (looked like coffee), so I did that and replaced all rubber lines and master cylinder.
General Comments:
This car is a very well preserved original, with a near-pristine interior and great original yellow paint with a black vinyl canopy roof. It came with poverty hubcaps and black steel rim wheels, but I upgraded to factory rally rims and BFGoodrich T/A radials.
I've always loved slant six cars, and was transitioning out of a '67 Dart that I loved, so decided to try this car.
The torsion bar suspension makes the car ride very well, and it's a generally comfortable ride. I need to track down some rumbles in the drive train (maybe a bent rim?) and get the carb to smooth out, then it will be a very nice driver.
Unfortunately, it is built for taller people than I (pedals are just a hair too far away for comfort), so it's probably not going to be a keeper.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th January, 2013
