1971 Chrysler Newport Custom 383, rebuilding in Europe

Unix · Nov 29, 2018

Hi guys,

would like to share my experience of giving my Chrysler a rebuild in Poland.
The car was imported to Poland in 2017 by a trader. Bought by me in August 2018 in running condition. The reason i bought it here instead of the US was that i could verify the condition of the car - mostly the rust involved. This one was not bad, and all original, no body or paint work ever performed - a BIG advantage. All the bits were on the car (except for the trim on the front grill). It's a 383 2bbl. Drives nice , engine & trans in good order (however on idle for a longer period of time the oil light flashes) . Suspension ok, steering bad - very loose - probably shot bushings all around and the steering box needs a rebuild. Brakes good.

This is the one:
For Sale - 1971 Chrysler Newport Custom - 383 V8 - $4000 (Linden)

Anyhow, i'm having the car rebuilt.
Body work, paint, interior, engine rebuild, new suspension, brakes, steering, brake lines, fuel lines, fuel tank.... well, basically everything. The trunk floor was in poor condition - but not from driving and salt - rather water laying on the floor. Quarter panels need some work on the bottom, as well as front fenders just behind the wheel wells. Other than that, the body is in excellent condition. Before i had the car taken apart, i ordered the floors from c2c fabrication - and the only bit im using is the trunk floor... which is a very pleasant surprise!

The plan is to keep the car in original spec, it's probably going to get the same color, Chrysler Avocado Metallic - GF9 code.

Some pics:

Unix · Nov 29, 2018

and the c2c floor panels which im not going to use, except for the trunk panel. I bought the trunk extension bits as well but not needed - no point of removing the good original sheet metal.

The front frame rails are going to be sand blasted, as well as the odd spots on the car in hard to reach places, same with the window rails. To be clear, this is not a show car restoration, but a rebuild to original spec and to be used on the occasional weekend with my wife and kids, to drive out for a cruise to the lake and have a bbq

Also got the cloth samples w SMS fabrics, perfect match. All the chrome bits, trim, grill etc i took home from the body shop and every now and then i clean them at home after work. The front and rear bumper will need re-chroming unfortunately.

The engine is getting a total rebuild including heads, new pistons camshaft etc. I got a performance cam, a bit better than factory spec. I will be running the 2bbl for a year or two after the rebuild, but ultimately plan an aftermarket throttle body fuel injection on a 4bbl intake. Would also like a shorter rear end in the future, something like 3.23 ratio.

Should be a nice car when finished. The plan is to keep the original wheels, but i will buy 235/70/15 front and 255/70/15 rear BF Goodrich tyres w/white raised letters ;)

Should be a nice cruiser when finished.
Tell me what you think , any suggestions are welcome.

330dTA · Nov 29, 2018

Nice car, good plan. Welcome on board!

71Polara383 · Nov 29, 2018

Unix said:
and the c2c floor panels which im not going to use, except for the trunk panel. I bought the trunk extension bits as well but not needed - no point of removing the good original sheet metal.

The front frame rails are going to be sand blasted, as well as the odd spots on the car in hard to reach places, same with the window rails. To be clear, this is not a show car restoration, but a rebuild to original spec and to be used on the occasional weekend with my wife and kids, to drive out for a cruise to the lake and have a bbq

Also got the cloth samples w SMS fabrics, perfect match. All the chrome bits, trim, grill etc i took home from the body shop and every now and then i clean them at home after work. The front and rear bumper will need re-chroming unfortunately.

The engine is getting a total rebuild including heads, new pistons camshaft etc. I got a performance cam, a bit better than factory spec. I will be running the 2bbl for a year or two after the rebuild, but ultimately plan an aftermarket throttle body fuel injection on a 4bbl intake. Would also like a shorter rear end in the future, something like 3.23 ratio.

Should be a nice car when finished. The plan is to keep the original wheels, but i will buy 235/70/15 front and 255/70/15 rear BF Goodrich tyres w/white raised letters ;)

Should be a nice cruiser when finished.
Tell me what you think , any suggestions are welcome.

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Nice project. 235/70 and 255/70 is Perfect. Laces out...I mean letters out

Davea Lux · Nov 29, 2018

Be sure to get rid of the air shocks on the rear. Good plan and good luck.

Dave

68 4spd Fury · Nov 29, 2018

Nice car and good luck with it! Look forward to updates on the progress.

Turboomni · Nov 29, 2018

Nice car and I am glad you are saving it.
Keep us posted! :thumbsup:

1978 NYB · Nov 29, 2018

More pictures please.

Good job so far!!!

ImpJay · Dec 1, 2018

That Newport found a good home!

Unix · Dec 2, 2018

thanks for the support!
a few more pics... some bits and pieces in my house. The grill nice and clean.
Also got a present from my wife, a T-Shirt with a 71' Newport ;) i believe the color may be the same as the real one !
A few pics from when the Newport was still on the road, as well as my 1987 Camaro i had previously - had it for 16 years, sold it to start the Newport project ;)

ImpJay · Dec 2, 2018

I love your over-the-hood pic!

(quote)

Unix · Dec 2, 2018

Well the above pic actually shows you how loose the steering/suspension is . The road was slightly inclined to the left, and the car immediately started doing it's own thing , so to keep it straight i had to turn the steering wheel just "slightly" :steering:

Unix · Dec 10, 2018

Not too much going on lately @ the body shop, but things will start moving along quicker now. The paint job is expected around march. The plan is to disassemble the car further including windows, front firewall etc. The front frame needs little repair, but firstly will be sandblasted along with the firewall, the tail section and some areas on the inside of the passenger compartment.
The new floor of the trunk is almost ready.

I need to find a set of mirrors for the car - i'm not to keen on single original one on the left. Any ideas where i could find a nice set for both sides? I've seen round ones on other c-bodies. Suggestions welcome

I also made a storage room for parts i need refurbish, as well as a place to keep new parts which are awaiting installation - still waiting for 5 big boxes from the US.

A couple of photos of nice MB and BMW that were parked at the upholsterer.

330dTA · Dec 10, 2018

Round side view mirrors were on ’69 and ’70 Chryslers. Right hand side was always an option at extra cost. I think those round ones are repopped, I have seen some on eBay.

Unix · Dec 17, 2018

I'll have a look, thanks!

In the meantime some work has been done.

The sub frame was sandblasted, not bad overall, the right hand side rail is v.good, the left side quite bad, has been bent (probably by the fork lift truck that load the car into the container when it was shipped to Poland) , and has lots of rot, probably the whole thing will need a rebuild.

The new trunk is in, fitted nicely. Right hand side rear quarter panel almost done, nice work by the body shop. Three more to go. The firewall has been completely stripped, ready for sandblasting, same with the rear.

Last pic when i bought the car, getting it home

fc7_plumcrazy · Dec 17, 2018

you are working fast !
Good speed hope you are back on the road soon

Carsten

Yeahrightgreer · Dec 21, 2018

Unix said:
I'll have a look, thanks!

In the meantime some work has been done.

The sub frame was sandblasted, not bad overall, the right hand side rail is v.good, the left side quite bad, has been bent (probably by the fork lift truck that load the car into the container when it was shipped to Poland) , and has lots of rot, probably the whole thing will need a rebuild.

The new trunk is in, fitted nicely. Right hand side rear quarter panel almost done, nice work by the body shop. Three more to go. The firewall has been completely stripped, ready for sandblasting, same with the rear.

Last pic when i bought the car, getting it home

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Will be interesting to see what kind of repair work you do to that frame - unless you just replace the whole thing.

Unix · Dec 28, 2018

A little bit done recently. The frame has been repaired on the one side which had some damage and rust. Half of it was removed and fabricated, seems good to me. Obviously would be best to buy a new stubframe, easier said than done - shipping in the states, shipping to poland, customs etc, the costs wouldn't be justified.

The whole thing will be powder coated. Most of the other items are already after powder (inner fender wells , brackets etc), they look like new!

Next thing is the frame to body bushings, overall 6 of them, 4 of which are in excellent shape but the other 2 mounted under the floor pan look bad - the rubber is cracked and fatigued. The plan is to fabricate all 6 from polurethane.

Other than that a few more parts arrived, new discs, suspension/steering components from PST (complete front end super rebuild kit). Already have new calipers & other nice looking stuff

Im now just waiting for an entire engine rebuild kit and lightning for the car (changing all bulbs w/front headlights & connectors) . The interior carpet has arrived recently.

Some pics: