I've been reading all over this board on definitions of the different type of cars there are, and I can not figure out what mine will fall into. It's a 1966 Chrysler Newport, and I realize that technically, it's an OT car for here, but you'll have to forgive me. Now first, I think you'll have to get a mental picture of what I have planned. Paint : Black with white top and either some tasteful scalloping or pin-striping Wheels : Cragar Starwire or a truspoke of the same pattern Tires : Wide whites Mods : Not much planned here. Bagged and if possible turned into a 4 dr hardtop with suicide back doors, like the mid 60s Lincolns. Now, with that pictured in your head, it's not a hot rod or street rod, that's clear. It doesn't fall under the definition of a Kustom, from what I've read on here. It's not a muscle car and I don't consider it a low rider. So, your opinions are appreciated on this one.
If a neat old car to have fun with is your goal, your on the right track. If you want a period-perfect show rod, not so much. Get her runnin and drivin, have some fun, and go from there.
Well, it would technically bew called a "milled custom" but who cares to be honest. Why label cars just drive them. Same think with music people try to say oh thats Rock n' Roll or R&B or Rockabilly who cares if you like it thats good enough.
Well I don't really care, but it seems a lot of shows are caring and limiting lately. I was just reading through some threads on that subject and it got me thinking. Just seemed my car would fall between the cracks of the strict definitions. Like Richard said, I just want a neat old car to have fun with
Dont touch it man, that car is all class. Wide whites are for cars from the 50s and lower. Its hard to change a car like that without going the wrong way, less is more man . Just give er the dump and roll that bastard.
I would say that keeping it simple would be the way go go. Crank the torsion bars down a couple of turns in the front and maybe two inch blocks in the back to get it to sit right and what ever color you want with some simple striping. It looks like a hell of a nice car as it sits and those are damned nice highway burners that can eat up long stretches of road without sweat. No need to try and make it something it's not when you can have a nice cruiser that you can pile the crew in and head off on a road trip in full comfort.
I would just say certain cars and styles of cars are placed in "categories" because the individual building the car was trying to fit it in their mind into a "category". Your car doesnt need to be anything but fun for you. For this Board our cars are as described in the opener. So dont worry about it. Enjoy your car. If you want it to be traditional or fit a style or era then go that route. just my 2 cents.
Oh and just curious. Who is that in your profile pic. is that the Starkweather kid that murdered those people in Nebraska and Wyoming in the fifties. the James Dean Fan gone bad?
Leave it alone dude. Its a four door or a "more door" and as such, would never really be suitable to make for a cool custom anyway. The doors are too short. Two doors have longer doors and more graceful lines because of it. Its a nice old survivor. Drive it to the sock hop and take your girl to dinner in it. If you have to have a custom, then find a more suitable candidate. Just my opinion, but, that is what you asked for.
If you're worried about not getting into shows because it doesn't fit a certain mold, don't. I bet that any show for which it fits the year requirement you'll be welcomed with open arms. I have to agree with what's been said so far about doing too much to it. That thing is never going to be anything better than it is right now, an old car that survived this long without anybody messing it up. In my opinion, any modification you do to it is going to destroy the only thing it has going for it, its survivor status. Lets face facts; this was never a pretty car or a special car. I'm sorry to be so blunt but there's nothing you can do to that car to make it cool. It was basic transportation for some old couple in 1966 and that's all it has ever been. The good news is it can still serve that purpose for you more than 4 decades later, only now it is unique because it is pretty old and still, to paraphrase Johnny Cash, in pretty good shape for the shape she's in. If it were mine, I'd leave it just like it is and drive it till the wheels fall off. The most I'd do to it is maybe make an authentic looking push bar for the front of it and get some reproduction 1966, 67, 68 etc... Winter Nationals water slide decals and put in the vent windows. Oh, and dual exhaust run through glass packs. Either that or an argyle sweater and an old man hat, a big pair of coke bottle glasses and a big cigar. Hurry up and bring your jukebox money! There's my $0.02
i think it would fall under the same category as my big chrysler, whatever that is. personally i don't give a shit what anyone wants to call it-i drive it daily, it gets a lot of looks, runs alike a champ and is fun as shit to drive. good enough for me.
That is a nice clean straight car as is. I reckon the tyres and hub caps (wheel covers?) are cool. I agree with "less is more" so maybe you could just get it an inch or so lower. And work on the exhaust note, I would run a split system and work on the burble. Man I would love to drive that beast to work amongst all that modern boring shit on the road!
Personally I would leave it as stock ! They were a nice riding car and to chop it up would,t do anything but screw it up . Just drive it & enjoy it ! RetroJim
Get your kicks in the '66! Man it does look lovely 'n' straight. No hissin' torch near that baby. Do route 66 instead!
Oh crap.....There are two cars shows to attend any more. The ones you pay to get into and the other that goes on in the parking lot. Pick one. HellRaiser
If you like it keep it and drive it, if you want something older and needs more work or something you can put your label on then flip it.
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