Driving a C-Body as a daily driver.

mopar_4life

mopar_4life

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So I have been thinking for the past several months about selling my 03 explorer and buying a late 60's C body. I have been watching a nice Fury I, but I would really like a Newport. I only drive a few miles to work every day. I figure that I would do some simpler upgrades like disc brakes in the front and theres a company that sells TBI kits relativity cheap programed for the engines. I figure it would help make it more reliable as a daily driver. What do you all think? Smart idea/bad idea?


Thanks
Eric
 
Depends on how reliable and safe the C-body is and it also depends on what inconveniences you're will to put up with having a C-body as a DD.
There is no answer to this question.

You can buy a $10,000.00 turnkey car, sink another 10 grand into it, and it still will never be a 2016 Camry.
 
IMHO, an old car is fun to drive and there's no reason why it can't be as reliable as a new car.....
But..... There's drawbacks. First, do you want to drive that car all winter? Fort Drum has a harsh winter. You are going to kill that car pretty fast. The salt and cold destroys an old car much faster than a newer car. I remember seeing rust problems on 4 and 5 year old cars back when they were new. Rust will happen no matter what you do. The old vinyl interior cracks and splits in the cold. The old engine might not like turning over on a sub zero morning and suddenly you are laying on your back, in the cold, replacing the starter that you had to order because the local Autozone didn't have one on the shelf.

The other three seasons aren't too bad... as long as you understand that you are still driving a very old car... parts are going to be a little harder to come by and may be more expensive. The TBI system sounds cool... but you are going to be 100% on your own if something happens. Almost nobody here is going to be able to help with diagnosis and no local mechanic is going to touch it. A carburetor will be more reliable.

Don't get me wrong, I drive my old car a lot more than many folks do. I'll put 4000 miles on it every year and there are some that do much more... But I don't have to be at work at 7:00 any more either.... and when I did, it was in a newer car with heated seats and A/C. Show up late for work once because of your older car and you won't hear the end of it from your boss.

One other thing.... You will stand out everywhere. Everyone is going to know where you are and what you are doing. "Hey, I saw your Fury at Adult World last night" etc. Just saying.....
 
I have been driving 60's cars as my Daily Driver for about 10 years now. I got my Polara in 2009 and it has been my Daily Driver since I got it. Personally I do not see having drum brakes as an issue, as long as you know it and don't try and drive it like your Exploder and dive-bomb stops. I'm not sure fuel injection is necessary I was happy with upgrading to electronic ignition.

My daily work commute is so short I could walk but it wouldn't matter if it was 60 miles. I'd focus on getting a car that runs good and enjoy it as is, the more you play with it the more your reliability starts to wander. Unless you are a skilled technician and understand these upgrades they are never as simple as the website or magazine make them and at the end of the day probably make little difference. My 318 Polara gets 17+ MPG and with my short commute it probably wouldn't mater of it was 8 (which it was till i did the electronic ignition upgrade).

The down side of having a C-Body as a daily driver is parking, if you don't mind walking I found it easier to just park where I could get in and out of the stalls easier.


Alan
 
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4111334990_6b68076850_z.jpg


Snow+salt=rust
 
My daily driver is a 69 Fury suburban. I can fix it when it breaks. Lay a 4X8 foot sheet of material flat in the back and close the tailgate. Insurance is cheap. the 318 gets decent mileage. Anytime I stop somewhere it's like a car show or nostalgia trip for someone.
My newest vehicle is a 96 ram 4X4 that just sits in the yard.
Of course I have the advantage of being able to drive year around with little worry about nasty weather or road salt. You may need a C body "beater" for winter where you are.
When I lived in Michigan I would ride down to Kentucky or Tennessee to find a good, cheap winter beater that I would drive all winter. I'd keep it as clean as possible and sell it in the spring. I usually came out even and sometimes ahead. Free transportation.
 
I drive the old car every day once road salt has been washed away. Park it first sign of snow. Have beater car for winter.
 
I drive my Chrysler everyday (other than snow or salt days). Its been off the road a few times. Its just a reality that you have to except. It definitely takes some looking after to be able to enjoy this car as I do. It's 45 plus years old, doesn't owe anyone anything. Stuff will or already has worn out and you must replace or repair it. It's not gonna be as carefree as mom's Toyota Camry...but then its way cooler then her Camry too. Waaay cooler...and people will notice.
 
I'm with John on this one. You can drive a C year round but as he says expect to deal with what is required from it.
I am north of Fort Drum and you can kill any old car quick within a couple winters driving in our climate.
If you lived in the southern portions of the country--like other members here who have chimed in,go for it.
The only card you have is you are not far from Jack Forkey's in Depauvlille/Clayton where he has a gold mine of Mopar only parts.
If you insist,my recommendation would be a Formal (74-78) C body.
Being the newer C's of the bunch,cheaper to buy and typically in good running shape.
Mechanical parts are still easy to attain,plus the modern comforts of big disc brakes,and run on unleaded fuel.
Speaking from experience,they are awesome cars in the snow!!

I drove my 68 VIP for years till there was nothing left of the fenders,stub frame and rear quarters.
She was a sweetheart,but I learned to leave the 318 alone in sub zero temperatures.
The rear springs were bagged from carrying a toolbox and non-obtainable spare parts should the need arise--and did.
I drove her to the wreckers..I took this pic,said goodbye, and walk away ....Boy I miss that car..

Old pics 031.jpg
 
My last DD was a 79 Volare wagon. I like driving older Mopars.
Since wrecking my Volare, I have had to slum around in my 07 Magnum R/T.
sigh...
 
cbarge said:
The only card you have is you are not far from Jack Forkey's in Depauvlille/Clayton where he has a gold mine of Mopar only parts.
Click to expand...

Jack is one of the true "characters" left in the world.

I was up there once and there was a familiar face just leaving. As that person was known to be a bit shady, I asked Jack "Did you count your fingers after shaking hands?". Jack pulled his glove off slowly.... and started yelling...

I never knew he was missing a finger.
 
mopar_4life said:
So I have been thinking for the past several months about selling my 03 explorer and buying a late 60's C body. I have been watching a nice Fury I, but I would really like a Newport. I only drive a few miles to work every day. I figure that I would do some simpler upgrades like disc brakes in the front and theres a company that sells TBI kits relativity cheap programed for the engines. I figure it would help make it more reliable as a daily driver. What do you all think? Smart idea/bad idea?


Thanks
Eric
Click to expand...

Funny!! I'm looking for a Winter DD, I had an 07 Explorer and loved it. Whatcha ask'en for the 03? Got pics?
 
I drive my 78 NYB every day as long as there isn't any salt on the road.
 
Buy a Formal with manual A/C and you won't have to convert the brakes.
 
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