Another newbie but not to Mopars

[360dusted]

Hello friends I hail from the ForAbodiesOnly forum (MOPEkidD-3), I have a 1970 Plymouth Duster that is my project I have owned for 7 years and now I've finally got my hands on a C-body. I was looking for a car to fix up and flip for the summer and came across this badass '69 Polara 2-door... Not the easiest car to sell (to put it lightly) but it has some really cool features and the mechanicals are in great shape.



It has a factory 383 4-bbl which for this year had 10:1 compression (advertised). Also 727 trans but that's a given with these cars lol. 8 3/4 rear with 3.23 gears and sure-grip to boot. Has a new dual exhaust Other options include A/C, power steering, power drum (!!) brakes, and the super cool "Super-Lite" which currently has a burned bulb I suspect. I could surely use some help from here as I'm unfamiliar with some of the smaller gizmos the C-bodies are equipped with. I want to get it in good driving condition as it currently needs a front end rebuild, few brake parts and some engine accessories (just put on new starter, needs new alternator).

 

[tallhair]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the pic. You have more / interior shots and what is a "super cool "Super-Lite""? Is it the thing on the drivers side of the grill, inboard of the headlights?

 

[polara71]

Yes, thats a super lite, two year only option.

Nice looking car and welcome to the board.

Are your intentions still to flip

 

[70NPORT]

Have we seen this car before?

 

[tallhair]

Thanks Dave .. found a pic and some info in it.

That is super cool dusted. Here's one on a 70 model

Also exceptionally rare for 1970 was the "medallion" rear bumper. This bumper featured in all of the sales literature was discontinued after late August or early September 1969 production and replaced with a plain bumper lacking the center Fratzog medallion. Despite the fanfare, Dodge dropped the "Super-Lite" option at the end of the 1970 model year because of lack of consumer interest and various challenges to its legality in certain states. 1970s also received a new locking steering column which locked the steering wheel and column shift lever when the key was removed.

 

[polara71]

By the way, that medallion bumper theory of early production was realized by the Polara / Monaco group on Yahoo.

 

[tallhair]

By the way, that medallion bumper theory of early production was realized by the Polara / Monaco group on Yahoo.

What do you mean "realized"?

 

[detmatt]

Nice car, welcome to the site from the Motor City!

 

[commando1]

Have we seen this car before?

It's green. How can you tell....

Other options include A/C,

2 door hardtop w/no vinyl.....:love7:

 

[commando1]

What do you mean "realized"?

The same way FCBO "realized" it's actually the "stub" frame....

 

[polara71]

Realizing there were two bumpers and wanting to know why the group started to compare the only variable and that was build date. The convertible registry was a big help in determing a time frame. Fratzog ( Fred) was a driving force behind it.

 

[360dusted]

Yes, thats a super lite, two year only option.

Nice looking car and welcome to the board.

Are your intentions still to flip

Yeah I would love to keep this car for myself but I need money a lot more than I need another Mopar lol...

I actually ran through the broadcast sheet last night, turns out it has 2.76 gears instead of 3.23's but still SG. That explains why I had to get it up to 30 mph in first gear before the 383 started making any real power... I know the car would be a lot better to drive with 3.23's but I still have to spend money on some new tires, a wheel (yes one on the car is a 14" with some old bias-ply tire), gasket set for the engine, and probably other random stuff I can't remember offhand.

 

[tallhair]

Realizing there were two bumpers and wanting to know why the group started to compare the only variable and that was build date. The convertible registry was a big help in determing a time frame. Fratzog ( Fred) was a driving force behind it.

Thanks Dave

 

[tallhair]

The same way FCBO "realized" it's actually the "stub" frame....

I still don't get that one Stan although I've seen it referenced lately and assume it's a meme .. is it or something else like Dave said about the rear bumpers?

 

[AlleyOop2]

Welcome to FCBO!

 

[Mopardik]

Welcome! Nice ride, good luck with it!

 

[1978 NYB]

Welcome aboard!

:sFl_america2:

 

[Fratzog]

Hopefully someone ends up with the car that will appreciate it.

 

[360dusted]

Hopefully someone ends up with the car that will appreciate it.

I hope so too the drivetrain would be great to swap into a smaller body but the rest of the car is in too good shape just to scrap or part out... plus it is numbers-matching and has the original documentation tying it all together which is (I hope?) worth something.

Today I started pulling the front end apart, got the drum plates off but stopped at taking off the brake lines. Everything is in really good shape much to my surprise; the ball joints don't have any play but I'm replacing the uppers anyway. The tie rod ends are definitely gone, the boots are torn straight in half no doubt from being baked in the midwest sun. Bushings don't even look terrible but I'm real curious about the lower control arm ones I can't see them until I remove the arm. Hopefully I'll be getting a hoist and engine stand from a buddy within the next week so I can pull the engine and clean everything up a bit...

A few more pics and a video of it running...





http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200453315907683&l=283857829583193361

 

[tallhair]

That sounds great dusted .. and btw I'm now obsessed with the Super-Lite option. I hope you are happy !!