What became of this '71 SFGT?

[rags]

there's more 383s and 440s in the world than satellites to put 'em into. prices of entry level e and b bodies have become exclusionary. c's are an affordable alternative. they've been adult owned and usually well cared for. also, most c-cars have a/c and power windows which have become a necessity of life in the modern world. path of least resistance. SG

 

[Carmine]

I spoke with 2 guys today that would likely remember that car if it went through Sullivan's shop, one worked for him at the time and said he would have remembered such a C as that. There would have been no reason to import a car from Florida for a drivetrain, even without Craigslist, especially at that time, maybe you were mistaken about the Florida angle of the story. These guys were incredibly well connected in the Mopar circle here in Detroit. It is possible that it was a local car that gave up its drivetrain for a B body that someone was building, maybe even Sullivan. Anything is possible, of course, it was a long time ago. They did recall a couple of C bodies that came through the shop as doners for parts, one was a '68ish Fury that had a 392 Hemi transplanted in it, it of course was bought for the Hemi. My impression from the conversations was that they would have recognized a rare HP Mopar and they wouldn't have gutted it if it were restorable. These guys were and still are Mopar enthusiasts.

If your looking for a date-correct HP 440, it's not incredible to think the car was shipped up. All I can tell you is that story was given to me by the guy showing the car (he did not own it). I can also say that I was at Sullivan's shop circa 1996 to have my car photoed by Mopar Action. Whoever the caretaker was at that time, made it clear he had little use for C-bodies beyond engine donors. MA never ran the story BTW, I'm sure I got bumped for an E-body with factory air in the spare tire.

My car had an MP 6bbl, race hemi cam, hooker C-body headers, stall converter and 4.30 SG

 

[1978 NYB]

What a stunning car!

Do you still have it?

 

[commando1]

I am lusting over this badly...

 

[Carmine]

What a stunning car!

Do you still have it?

You would cry if you knew what became of it. Let's just say after I sold it, the drivetrain didn't remain for more than a few months. However, the car itself turned up on Craigs a few months back (I sold it around '98). Looked like it had been sitting outside forever, greasy 400 under the hood. I meant to go look at it, but never got around to it. Doubt it sold, maybe will be back this spring.

 

[1978 NYB]

You would cry if you knew what became of it. Let's just say after I sold it, the drivetrain didn't remain for more than a few months. However, the car itself turned up on Craigs a few months back (I sold it around '98). Looked like it had been sitting outside forever, greasy 400 under the hood. I meant to go look at it, but never got around to it. Doubt it sold, maybe will be back this spring.

That is terrible!!!

 

[CanCritter]

what brand of tires on there??

 

[Carmine]

That is terrible!!!

yup. Had new correct-material seats and re-chromed bumpers.

Found another pic I have online:

 

[Fratzog]

That's brutal. Hope someone saves it.

 

[Carmine]

what brand of tires on there??

Road Hugger Radial GT (made by Cooper if I recall) They were good tires.

 

[polara71]

So, Carmine, what makes you put together cool cars and sell them off

 

[1978 NYB]

yup. Had new correct-material seats and re-chromed bumpers.

Found another pic I have online:

Exceptional!!!

 

[commando1]

Now I'm crying...

 

[Carmine]

So, Carmine, what makes you put together cool cars and sell them off

Lack of storage. I am doing a photo dump in the formal section, more cars I have owned.

 

[polara71]

Ive seen many of your rides over the last dozen years or so. All good stuff

 

[rags]

that is (was) a beautiful mutha of a car. what is it that makes small cars so attractive that someone would wish to ruin such an exceptional vehicle. makes me wonder what you could have traded it in favor of. hemi car? SG

 

[tbm3fan]

You would cry if you knew what became of it. Let's just say after I sold it, the drivetrain didn't remain for more than a few months. However, the car itself turned up on Craigs a few months back (I sold it around '98). Looked like it had been sitting outside forever, greasy 400 under the hood. I meant to go look at it, but never got around to it. Doubt it sold, maybe will be back this spring.

Sounds like what the buyer paid for it wasn't prohibitive enough to keep them from stripping out the drive train.

Got to admit, deep in my brain, about selling one of my cars to someone who in the end would essentially destroy your work. I have thought would I sell it as a last resort or crush it while I still had it? May sound strange but those who know how I feel about restoration work I do would not think I sound so off the wall. I know the docents, on board the Hornet, have been taken to task when I found some pieces I installed stolen and vandalism once in the Bridge. I went ballistic and some were told that they provide tours and security while at the same time staying out of my way. A couple quit.

 

[1978 NYB]

Holy Moly......a 6 pack!

Did you ever get it on the 1/4 mile?

 

[Mr C]

Lack of storage. I am doing a photo dump in the formal section, more cars I have owned.

Ugh. I'm living that right now...going to say good bye to the Imperial I've owned for 27 years...really hurts. I can take solace in having given it the best chance of survival.

 

[detmatt]

For what it's worth I just spoke to a guy that was 100% sure that no sport Fury GT of any color passed through Sullivan's shop for any reason. Further more Harold has never been a big fan of a GTX so he has not personally restored one. I have now spoken with 3 people that would have been around and involved in the workings of the shop on an all but daily basis.