71Polara383
Kid with ballcap
I'm willing to bet you are correct!
Medina, a 1971 T-code Monaco
- Thread starter ayilar
- Start date
On seats - Correct, no one that I know of makes the foam for any year C Body but a good auto upholstery shop can make foam inserts/cushions that are better than the factory foam with modern memory foam etc.
SMS Auto Fabrics can make you seat covers if yours are the correct pattern, which appear to be the same as the 71 Sport Fury. Figure about $2,000 if want NOS material and about a year wait, less if you want reproduction vinyl.
On the radio, 71 Polaras and Monacos used the same dash as the Plymouth Furys. I'm pretty sure that all of the available factory installed radios in 71 for the Fury had thumbwheels. Now, say you bought a used 71 Monaco in 73 and it had an AM radio. The dealer could order an AM/FM for a 72-73, which had knobs and it would fit like a glove. Maybe there was a late production switch to knob type radios, which would explain the 71 Chrysler 300 radio referenced.
While I was hard at work exercising the convertible, @71Polara383 was having fun with Medina. The weather in Illinois was not cooperating till this weekend, to say the least, but he still managed to replace the HCV (see my posts and pics in another thread), the air filter (Wix 42044) and the voltage regulator (last week) and to change the oil & oil filter (today -- WIX 51068 filter, PennGrade 15W40 oil). Oh, and he tracked down the air valve for the shocks and let them down as they were bumped up.
Here are some before/after photos of the VR. The one that was on when I bought Medina not only did not look correct, but it was in poor shape (leaking some goopy slime).
So, I bought this one from eBay -- it does not have the correct dimple as present on the original one in my 1970 Polara, but otherwise it is correct for the year. The part was listed at a reasonable $39.95 due to "cosmetic blemishes" that I could care less about (in fact, neither Wyatt nor I could see any -- kudos to the seller) vs. $49.95 for the "unblemished" part and a whopping $149.95 for one with the dimple. I have better uses of $100, especially given that the eBay unit's part date is consistent with my car's build date.
Now, thanks to Wyatt, the car once again looks right and works fine.
PS: here are the backs, good one at the top, shot one at the bottom.
Here are some before/after photos of the VR. The one that was on when I bought Medina not only did not look correct, but it was in poor shape (leaking some goopy slime).
So, I bought this one from eBay -- it does not have the correct dimple as present on the original one in my 1970 Polara, but otherwise it is correct for the year. The part was listed at a reasonable $39.95 due to "cosmetic blemishes" that I could care less about (in fact, neither Wyatt nor I could see any -- kudos to the seller) vs. $49.95 for the "unblemished" part and a whopping $149.95 for one with the dimple. I have better uses of $100, especially given that the eBay unit's part date is consistent with my car's build date.
Now, thanks to Wyatt, the car once again looks right and works fine.
PS: here are the backs, good one at the top, shot one at the bottom.
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polara71
Old Man with a Hat
What car is that on?
Hint: the firewall paint color code is GY9.
FYI the VR is still available from the Dealer under a Mopar Performance part number P4529794
But I believe those are orange instead of the original black. Michel probably wants the original black if I have him pegged correctly on his 71 Monaco.
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
71Polara383
Kid with ballcap
Because it's on the Brougham
71Polara383
Kid with ballcap
My turn to add to the story a bit...Got Medina out to stretch her legs a bit and drive it around to see what it needs and doesnt need. Overall it's a great driving car needing very minor tinkering and adjustments. Need to adjust the timing and mixture on the carb. Just the little stuff. Took it to get washed at a full service wash, after hosing off the initial dirt and grime from transport myself at the coin operated wash down the street. Ran into my friend with a Burgandy Challenger at the wash so we took some pics!
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71Polara383
Kid with ballcap
I've been tinkering ALL DAY.
@71Polara383 continues to take really great pictures of Medina as he tests out the car's various systems. He just posted (in the Fuselage pic thread) several that he took earlier today. Here is my favorite of the bunch that he shared with me. The warmth of the parking lights offsets the cool landscape colors of Northern Illinois in March and the general bleakness of the abandoned railway buildings. The picture is perfectly framed to boot, with the train tracks taking the viewer's eye around the frame. Thank you!
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Fratzog
Old Man with a Hat
If the car could talk "What happened to my world?". Great photography.
Visited @71Polara383 yesterday and drove Medina all around Rockford. Here she is, parked in from of O'Reilly (got some cleaning rags and a couple of Gates V-belts) with some mighty fine (as @Ripinator would say) two-wheeled American iron next to it.
Wyatt gave me the build sheet he'd rescued from the back seat. Here is a photo of the sheet before it goes in a plastic sleeve for safekeeping.
Wyatt gave me the build sheet he'd rescued from the back seat. Here is a photo of the sheet before it goes in a plastic sleeve for safekeeping.
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Carb needs rebuilt (@Dana will do it), and then the idle will need to be finely adjusted. The steering box leaks, so that's also on the menu. The window up-stop needs replaced on driver's side, and a new plastic shield will be taped inside for good measure. That's it for stuff that Wyatt and I think Medina really needs.
Now for a few frills!
Once the carb is back, the incorrect air cleaner will be replaced by a proper 1971-only dual snorkel unit. The current air cleaner is perfectly functional, it just is not the correct one.
I may also replace the partly-decomposed hood insulation pad by an REM molded repop. Not sure on this one, as I may wait till the GY9 repaint before replacing the pad.
Finally, probably after the summer meets are over, Wyatt will replace the engine mounts. On @saforwardlook's recommendation, I'll get Schumacher mounts (specifically, the B/RB Poly-Locs). The original mounts are not showing signs of deterioration, but it's one of those things where I'm willing to pay for peace of mind.
For the interior, on the recommendation of @saforwardlook and @polara71, I have ordered from Bob at ABC Moparts (i) the hinge covers for my manual seats (one is gone, the other is broken) and the necessary metal support brackets (one is gone, the other rusted), plus (ii) a pair of chrome armrest bases for the front doors and a pair for the back seats (mine are bereft of much chrome and look pretty sad). The rest of the interior will stay as is, as it is looking pretty good after just a minimal wet-towel cleaning by myself last Saturday.
Now for a few frills!
Once the carb is back, the incorrect air cleaner will be replaced by a proper 1971-only dual snorkel unit. The current air cleaner is perfectly functional, it just is not the correct one.
I may also replace the partly-decomposed hood insulation pad by an REM molded repop. Not sure on this one, as I may wait till the GY9 repaint before replacing the pad.
Finally, probably after the summer meets are over, Wyatt will replace the engine mounts. On @saforwardlook's recommendation, I'll get Schumacher mounts (specifically, the B/RB Poly-Locs). The original mounts are not showing signs of deterioration, but it's one of those things where I'm willing to pay for peace of mind.
For the interior, on the recommendation of @saforwardlook and @polara71, I have ordered from Bob at ABC Moparts (i) the hinge covers for my manual seats (one is gone, the other is broken) and the necessary metal support brackets (one is gone, the other rusted), plus (ii) a pair of chrome armrest bases for the front doors and a pair for the back seats (mine are bereft of much chrome and look pretty sad). The rest of the interior will stay as is, as it is looking pretty good after just a minimal wet-towel cleaning by myself last Saturday.
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Frill #1, a 1971-only T-code only dual snorkel air cleaner, was delivered to Wyatt's shop yesterday. I snagged it thanks to @71Polara383 and @BLUPORT's sharp eyes from a CL ad in Largo, FL. Wyatt gave me an assist by giving the seller a head's up while I was at work (crazy long hours this past week) and was therefore unable to communicate.
There is some "caked" dust outside, but it should clean up nicely. Most importantly, the inside is clean (more photos in this thread) -- and, in any event, my engine bay is unrestored so it should blend in nicely
There is some "caked" dust outside, but it should clean up nicely. Most importantly, the inside is clean (more photos in this thread) -- and, in any event, my engine bay is unrestored so it should blend in nicely
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One thing I ought to mention is that Medina's vacuum-operated toys function perfectly. The cruise control holds speed even at HIGHway speeds, and the stalk responds well to finger inputs. The power trunk release (activated from inside the glove box) works even after the engine has been shut off. On a 48 year old car, I am impressed!
Here is a grainy photo of the stalk before I bought the car -- it looks the same now, but is all cleaned up
Here is a grainy photo of the stalk before I bought the car -- it looks the same now, but is all cleaned up
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