Nice work, Isaiah! Who cares about the black engine compartment. It didn't roll of the assembly line with a sweet metallic red/silver paint job either. It's your car dude! I think we're all as anxious as you to hear this thing run.
Abandoned for 40 years: 1968 New Yorker 2 DR
- Thread starter Isaiah Estrada
- Start date
bones_68
New Member
No joke man, this story inspires me and makes me think I'm not the only one taking on a big project! I'm glad I found this page. Keep up your drive for the car man.
Are you planning on making her into a low rider? That's what I am going to do with mine. And can't wait to see the progression of these cars!
Oh yes, I’m glad I could be of some inspiration! I’ve taken far too long of a break away from the New Yorker. I’m only 23, but already I’m married and have a kid on the way! So now I’ve resumed work on the car and I’m plugging away at making it a driver by summer at the very least. This car was rough as you could see, even though it was a CA car!
Long term goal: yes a lowrider juiced with 4 batteries and 2 pumps. I’m a traditionalist however, I don’t care for 3 wheel motion or even hopping. My vision is a clean sky blue metallic paint job, lowered on some 15” Chrysler Magnum wheels with thin whites. The hydraulics will be more of a lay and play setup with accumulators for a softer smoother ride. I wanna drive this car everywhere!
Maybe even further in the future, adapt a GM 4L60 tranny to the 440 for better highway driving. I consider myself a Mopar man but I don’t care about using certain components from other brands that make our cars better functioning. I draw the line at engines tho - no LS crud for my 68. She’s 440 strong!
Although I’d consider myself attached to the 68, I’d sell it in a heartbeat if someone offered me the right money for it so I could buy my real dream car, a 62 Chrysler. Though, letting this 68 go would hurt since I’ve done everything to basically mechanically restore it!
This is my vision for the 68
And if I got a 62, this would be the vision
A 62 with hydraulics, same idea as my 68- but I’d love to be crazy and put a 57-59 392 Hemi in it adapted to a 4 speed auto tranny. Totally impractical but very freakin cool to think about…
This is my vision for the 68
And if I got a 62, this would be the vision
A 62 with hydraulics, same idea as my 68- but I’d love to be crazy and put a 57-59 392 Hemi in it adapted to a 4 speed auto tranny. Totally impractical but very freakin cool to think about…
bones_68
New Member
That's awesome man, I can't wait to see what she looks like when you are finished! Someone on here told me (because I was told wrong) that my car is actually a Newport lol so I have the 380 but after a cam kit, carb and some headers she will be rowdy. I want airbags not hydraulics only because it's cheaper and I plan on driving it daily. A friend of mine has some 15 inch Dayton's if you want me to see if he is willing to part with them.
Newport, New Yorker and even the 300 are pretty much identical cars with different trim packages. The Newport is an awesome car still, and the 383 is no slouch. Winds up like a small block but has all the power of a big block. I’d love to build one of those motors someday. There’s a Newport on bags where I live too actually.
Personally, I think it’s way easier to juice a c Body than it is to bag one. The shock mounts are a perfect location for a hydraulic cylinder. Although, you’ll probably need to cut that driveshaft tunnel and raise it towards the rear so the driveline doesn’t rub… My FB friend had a slammed 68 4 door in Colorado on juice. With the accumies he said it rode the way it did when it was stock too.
Here’s one low Newport that showed up here in Santa Maria one year for a big car show.
And here’s a pic I took of the one that cruises around town all the time
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Oh, my... 
The good news Stan is, unlike most who post here for 3 months asking dumb questions about lowering a C Body and then leave and sell there car is I’ve been plugging away at mine for 4 years. I’ve got every intention of enjoying the car fully as well as keeping things as tasteful as I can. Lowered cars where I am from have been the popular thing for over 70 years.
The car should’ve been a parts car or crushed but I saw a vision and I’m happy to be able to call her mine
bones_68
New Member
Mine is the exact same light blue as the first picture. Man just talking about this stuff gets me stoked.
The typical attitude in the Mopar world is pretty much bleak towards any Mopar that isn’t bone stock and the way it came from the factory. Don’t expect nice comments or even support from a lot of the people who roam these forums. Aside from the hate a car like mine gets here, the info available is invaluable and such a big help to get these beasts running and keeping them healthy. My 68 is gonna be a daily driver!
Never get discouraged or give up on your vision. I look forward to seeing another low 68. These cars are great cars.
Current status on the 68! It is ready to be driven. The heater box is close to being done. I’m working on trying to figure out a few things, like how to keep the linkage free and not bind up.
The plan is to install the heater box before dropping the dash in place. I have basically all NOS switches for the dash, since mine were all toast. The dash frame will be sanded, primed and painted satin black to match with the dash pad.
As for the wiring, don’t even get me started. I’m having it done professionally by an acquaintance of mine who’s done many of the show cars and daily drivers in town. The fuse block is trashed on my 68, so it’ll probably end up getting replaced with a modern GM style fuse block. All wiring is going to be cleaned up, replace the connectors that aren’t good, and bypass the ammeter while we’re at it. I’ve already converted the gauge inside the cluster to a voltmeter. Currently my dash looks like this
Not fun whatsoever! But it’s gotta get done. I have a CLEAN 8 track stereo and matching bezel, rebuilt cluster …. The dash is gonna GLEAM. I can’t wait to see it shining at night.
Once I drop heater box and dash in, I can re-install the steering column, hook up the tranny linkage and kickdown, hook up the throttle and plumb the brakes… she’ll be ready for her maiden voyage! Oh but I can’t forget, it needs an exhaust. Probably going to go with dual 30” glasspacks.
I have a new headliner, carpet kit and upholstered seats ready to go in! Going to buy new power window motors, and convert the switches and pigtails to the late 80s Chevy styled ones. They look the exact same, but are way cheaper and make more sense to me than to spend hundreds on old switches that still need rebuilt…
The plan is to install the heater box before dropping the dash in place. I have basically all NOS switches for the dash, since mine were all toast. The dash frame will be sanded, primed and painted satin black to match with the dash pad.
As for the wiring, don’t even get me started. I’m having it done professionally by an acquaintance of mine who’s done many of the show cars and daily drivers in town. The fuse block is trashed on my 68, so it’ll probably end up getting replaced with a modern GM style fuse block. All wiring is going to be cleaned up, replace the connectors that aren’t good, and bypass the ammeter while we’re at it. I’ve already converted the gauge inside the cluster to a voltmeter. Currently my dash looks like this
Not fun whatsoever! But it’s gotta get done. I have a CLEAN 8 track stereo and matching bezel, rebuilt cluster …. The dash is gonna GLEAM. I can’t wait to see it shining at night.
Once I drop heater box and dash in, I can re-install the steering column, hook up the tranny linkage and kickdown, hook up the throttle and plumb the brakes… she’ll be ready for her maiden voyage! Oh but I can’t forget, it needs an exhaust. Probably going to go with dual 30” glasspacks.
I have a new headliner, carpet kit and upholstered seats ready to go in! Going to buy new power window motors, and convert the switches and pigtails to the late 80s Chevy styled ones. They look the exact same, but are way cheaper and make more sense to me than to spend hundreds on old switches that still need rebuilt…
LocuMob
Fluid Technician with a hat
C bodies for sure, the purists cringe at no stock parts.
Now in the A body world, anything goes.
Yes! I had to learn the hard way. I don’t care anymore though. I love my car, and although it’s not all original - it’s going to look good and function well!
75LandYacht
Yank Tank
That ah boy Isaiah. YOU tell him!! LolThe good news Stan is, unlike most who post here for 3 months asking dumb questions about lowering a C Body and then leave and sell there car is I’ve been plugging away at mine for 4 years. I’ve got every intention of enjoying the car fully as well as keeping things as tasteful as I can. Lowered cars where I am from have been the popular thing for over 70 years.
The car should’ve been a parts car or crushed but I saw a vision and I’m happy to be able to call her mine
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carguy300
Well-Known Member
Looking forward to accomplished photos!
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
You guys read this wrong. I was saying I was sad I sold my Newport FastTop.
LocuMob
Fluid Technician with a hat
I knew what you meant. I'm sad you sold that car.
My bad Stan, I shouldn’t be quick to jump into defense! However, I do know the general attitude here towards a lowered C Isn’t always a positive one - lol. I do want everyone to know however how much I love and respect these cars - which is why in my vision I’m going to do my best to let the car speak for itself keeping my modifications very subtle. I look forward to sharing the finished product with everyone!
I know I would regret letting the 68 go. Although at this point, it isn’t up to me either! The wife is attached to this car as she says it’s what she remembers me talking to her about when we first got to know each other.
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