Wife wants me to switch gears and get a drivable car

He bought it from his shops landlords father, who was a WWII vet that bought it brand new after the war, and kept it nice. Repainted in the 80s and stopped driving 2 years ago as he couldn’t anymore. Never been truly restored. Just maintained.. he told me some of the paperwork is in the glovebox and there is old paperwork there but I didn’t go through it.

I plan on going through it as best I can in my garage until April or so. Once the salt clears off the roads I can bring it into work and put it on the lift. Check the alignment, grease it ect…. It’s surprising that our Hunter alignment machine has the specs for it… I have a 1953 Motors manual which I’ve had forever that covers it

 

I had a ‘50 Dodge Coronet with a 318/727 combo, that drove and stopped great. I did install a “dual” master cylinder. I’m kinda sorry I let that one get away…

 

I should have never got rid of my ‘50 Plymouth. It wasn’t perfect but it was good enough and it was mine. The ‘51 arrives next weekend and is way nicer

 

Matt, did this ever go through? Would like to see a driver build.

 

Working on getting it still. Current owner had some trailer problems and then couldn’t come this weekend but I’ll get it, even if I have to go get it. But pretty sure he’s going to make next weekend work. I will probably make it work if he can’t

 

Trade her in for a wife that like the Model A.

Maybe you can find one with some extra parts for your car!

 

Yeah, and her dad owns a chrome shop, mom is a seamstress (no shade for the ladies!) and the crazy grandfather has a private junkyard that hasn't been open since the 50s!


He said he and his wife are both happy. A model A isn't going to get in the way.

 

To be honest, working on the A project was pretty tight in my single car garage. Not that I couldn’t, but between time available, space and costs, I’m kind of happy, and the car realistically is going to end up $20k cheaper give or take

 

Has your car ever criticized your choice of wife? Seems kind of one sided to me.

 

I could have kept building the Model A and she would have supported it, but in the single car garage and all she was right. I’ve always liked cars out of the early 50’s.

Also my wife took the time out of her day a few weeks ago without me asking to pull the money out of the bank for it, so I’d kind of think my wife is a keeper.

 

Ahhh, I see both sides now, and see your point. The most valuable part of any of my projects is my wife's input...even when it doesn't quite line up with what I think.

 

Looks like I’ll be up late tonight clearing my driveway of ice. Car should be coming tomorrow, but still gotta take the misses out for Valentine’s Day. My driveway is at a fairly steep angle

 

Have you considered keeping the Model A since you don't have a lot into it? Yes, you only have a one car garage but that may eventually change. Model A bodies can be broken down into individual panels. You can stash your parts in a shed, the garage rafters, a
house attic or crawlspace/basement...
You lament the fact you sold your old Plymouth. Don't be saying the same thing about the Model A a few years from now.
Maybe down the road you still have the Plymouth and are building out a little Hot Rod coupe and will have the best of both worlds...

 

I actually don’t have a body for the Model A, but I have most everything to put a chassis together minus boxing plates. My original plan was to get a body from Spirit industries, or a nice original that didn’t come with an original Model A. I thought about keeping The stuff for a build, but if I do I’m honestly thinking about taking another crack at a scratch built body. But that’s for the future.

 

The guy never came as he had an emergency repair at his shop. But this weekend is clear weather. I might just rent a good old U-Haul transporter.

 

Well. Car arrived. I had the previous owner meet me at my mom’s house as she was much closer for him. Bad news is it has a dead miss so I’ll need to figure that out. The plugs have been in for a while for sure, so I’ll have to do a compression test, tune up and adjust the valves. It was running good the day I heard it so I doubt it’s a big deal

 

Pull up the lube chart and go over the whole thing.
Change any fluid that doesn't look new (brakes, coolant).
Check the points as part of the tune.
Glad you got it!

 

I’m going to check the points/ ignition system all over since it has the dead miss. Pretty sure I found everything I need at Rock auto. They didn’t list the distributor cap, and the restoration places get $60-100 for the caps. I took an $8 chance that a cap from RA for a 1958 Plymouth 230 will work as the IAT distributor was used 1951-60 and the cap looks right.

I have a 1953 motors manual so I’m for sure going to go through the maintenance section and change all the fluids