I knew the parade boots were in there because they were on the car when I bought it. The seller bagged them up for me for the trip. Despite the tree incident, they were right where he set them.
The spare tire, cover, original bumper jack & tire iron are all in place, just missing the carpet cover for the tire (if there ever was one?).
Also an ice scraper and a pair of gloves that look too small to fit me ("If da gloves don't fit, you must acquit!").
Then it got really good. I had a dim recollection of the seller telling me the original radio was included in the trunk. Someone had replaced it back in '85-'86 with a stylin' Jensen cassette deck and crappy little speakers they cut into the rear side panels, along with aerial #2 they bored into the back fender. Might not be half bad if it didn't sound like Minnie Ripperton singing through cellophane stretched over a dixie cup. I mean, it'll make your ears bleed.
Anyhow, I digress....happens more as I get older....I had actually started looking for an original radio just to see what was out there. I had though AM/FM was probably standard equipment, but not so, not yet. Seems many of the cars were shipped with AM radios that had the groovy auto-search feature controlled by a foot switch next to the dimmer switch on the floor. Sure enough, foot switch was in place, so I had a hint.
Apparently the AM/FM radios are somewhat scarce. What's more, they made a different model for 1965 and another for 1966. The optional radio for 1966 was (no kidding) the model 420. What are the chances of finding one of these? Well, I did track one down in Kalyfornia for a mere $350. Decided to hold off since the brakes, top, and other, more pressing items need to be fixed first. Minnie would just have to do for now. And I think I dreamed something about a radio in that @#$%!&* jammed trunk.
Sure enough - there was the original radio, connectors cut off by the genius who installed the Jensen (at least I can reclaimed them with some solder and heat shrink). No knobs, either. No big deal. So, which would it be - AM only, or the elusive AM/FM auto seek (or whatever)??
Yes, I am still stunned today. Cannot believe it. Too unlikely.
Believe it or not, it gets better.
One of the tiny parts I located last fall (from the same guy who still has a model 420 if anyone wants it) is the knob for the rear speaker in the back seat. I wondered if it was possible that the car had the factory reverb installed. If so, the speaker control would have an in-out switch to turn it on, or so I read. Nope, all it did was turn. Also, the reverb was supposedly installed under the rear window/seat deck, not possible with the convertible apparently. And the @#$%!&* trunk was jammed, so no way to check. Even the trunk release in the glove box wouldn't open it. Sheesh.
Well....after regaining consciousness after finding the model 420 radio, I noticed the cardboard siding was loose around the rear area by the tail lights. Thought I spied a mouse nest behind it, grrr.
Sure enough, they had moved into a mouse condo with building material courtesy of the back seat by the looks. But! they had built their home up against....
...a factory reverb unit! Incredible. I of course immediately became the nasty landlord and evicted them, condo and all. No rust, staining, or apparent damage to the reverb, however it is installed directly behind the impact area of the rear bumper, so I'm prepared for potential issues.
As to the remote trunk release? It was disconnected at the solenoid on the latch. Either an electrical problem like a relay, or the former owner didn't want anyone else in his trunk. Remember, this car was driven into a metal shipping container in 1986 and didn't see daylight again until last spring.
So anyway....there ya go. Though I will probably jinx myself by saying this, it would appear that the old car/Mopar Gods have finally chosen to smile upon me. At least for now.
More work to do, a lot more to come. But finally, some actual progress. Brakes/gas tank replacement next. As soon as the door handle linkage is fixed.
