JM_ART
Member
Greetings all! Thanks to everyone who gave me such a warm welcome in the new members area. It’s appreciated!
About three weeks ago my two sons and I drove to Crawfordsville, IN and bought our “new” ‘68 New Yorker. I’m the third owner. She was in the second owner’s family since new. AM/FM four channel stereo, rear defogger, Front and rear center armrests, power drivers seat, power drum brakes, power tilt/telescoping steering, cruise control, passenger front seat headrest, power windows, power antenna, 440/727 rebuilt approximately 1,000 miles ago, with a total of 120,000 miles on the car.
The first owner garaged her when she wasn’t being used. So, the body is straight and all metal, with only minor surface rust (I guess some folks might call it “patina”) on the frame/underside. He kept detailed maintenance logs and kept receipts. He also kept a hoard or spare parts. Some good, some not. We got the FSM he had, and other manuals, too. The interior is in fantastic shape for her age. The trim panel between the left front and rear seats is broken, and will have to be sourced from somewhere.
She started and ran fine while we were there. Almost everything works except for the rear power windows (which are rolled up, fortunately). The second owner wasn’t quite as kind to her, and didn’t are for her as well. His kid did a hack job installing an aftermarket head unit in the dash which, thankfully, wasn’t cut up in the process. We also, thankfully, have the original radio if we want to reinstall it.
Ends up that she was what I wanted; a good car to work on with my sons, and something to get them involved in the hobby. Bought it, gassed up, and started driving her back to St. Louis. My 14 year old was having a great time riding in the new-old car. Then we stopped in Decatur, IL and she didn’t turn over afterward. No power. Nothing. Had to put it on a flatbed to get it home. Drove through a storm and didn’t get back to home base until 2:00 AM. The car arrived at 3:30. The tow driver (who was a great guy) said she’d never been towed before. I guess he would know.
Just today I shunted the ammeter after reading some really great tutorials here. So, I have my headlights, interior lights, signals, wipers, defroster motor, power seat, and power antenna back, but she’s not starting. That’s a problem I owe to the new starter and what’s likely a bum solenoid, since it turns but doesn’t engage. The older one works, so back in it goes. Then I’m sure it’ll start up again. Going to finish bypassing the ammeter, too.
Over the next Few months we’re going to rebuild the front end, replace the front drums with a disc setup and all new lines from front to rear, then rebuild the rear drums. We’ll make sure she can pass a state safety inspection, then turn our attention toward freshening the interior, upgrading the A/C system, new wheels and tires, and installing a new sound system. Lots of work, but that’s why I bought her.
I’ve been learning a lot sitting in the background. Hopefully at some point I’ll be able to help others out through what I learn/re-learn.
Safe skies!
-John
About three weeks ago my two sons and I drove to Crawfordsville, IN and bought our “new” ‘68 New Yorker. I’m the third owner. She was in the second owner’s family since new. AM/FM four channel stereo, rear defogger, Front and rear center armrests, power drivers seat, power drum brakes, power tilt/telescoping steering, cruise control, passenger front seat headrest, power windows, power antenna, 440/727 rebuilt approximately 1,000 miles ago, with a total of 120,000 miles on the car.
The first owner garaged her when she wasn’t being used. So, the body is straight and all metal, with only minor surface rust (I guess some folks might call it “patina”) on the frame/underside. He kept detailed maintenance logs and kept receipts. He also kept a hoard or spare parts. Some good, some not. We got the FSM he had, and other manuals, too. The interior is in fantastic shape for her age. The trim panel between the left front and rear seats is broken, and will have to be sourced from somewhere.
She started and ran fine while we were there. Almost everything works except for the rear power windows (which are rolled up, fortunately). The second owner wasn’t quite as kind to her, and didn’t are for her as well. His kid did a hack job installing an aftermarket head unit in the dash which, thankfully, wasn’t cut up in the process. We also, thankfully, have the original radio if we want to reinstall it.
Ends up that she was what I wanted; a good car to work on with my sons, and something to get them involved in the hobby. Bought it, gassed up, and started driving her back to St. Louis. My 14 year old was having a great time riding in the new-old car. Then we stopped in Decatur, IL and she didn’t turn over afterward. No power. Nothing. Had to put it on a flatbed to get it home. Drove through a storm and didn’t get back to home base until 2:00 AM. The car arrived at 3:30. The tow driver (who was a great guy) said she’d never been towed before. I guess he would know.
Just today I shunted the ammeter after reading some really great tutorials here. So, I have my headlights, interior lights, signals, wipers, defroster motor, power seat, and power antenna back, but she’s not starting. That’s a problem I owe to the new starter and what’s likely a bum solenoid, since it turns but doesn’t engage. The older one works, so back in it goes. Then I’m sure it’ll start up again. Going to finish bypassing the ammeter, too.
Over the next Few months we’re going to rebuild the front end, replace the front drums with a disc setup and all new lines from front to rear, then rebuild the rear drums. We’ll make sure she can pass a state safety inspection, then turn our attention toward freshening the interior, upgrading the A/C system, new wheels and tires, and installing a new sound system. Lots of work, but that’s why I bought her.
I’ve been learning a lot sitting in the background. Hopefully at some point I’ll be able to help others out through what I learn/re-learn.
Safe skies!
-John
