Classing it up at the MetalmaniacAZ house

MetalManiacAZ

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Out in the sticks - MS Gulf Coast
Well, after dreaming of adding an example of the pinnacle of Mopar luxury to my collection, I finally pulled the trigger on this 68 Crown Coupe. My 66 300 finally has a Mopar friend amongst our fleet of GM trucks. Big thanks to @detmatt for assisting on what to look for on these 67-68 beasts. This one popped up locally and while she needs A LOT of TLC, she is rock solid and was negotiated to a fair price. She's an Arizona car and other than the surface crap under the roached canopy top, I can't find any rust.

The skirts and wheel covers are in the trunk so don't freak out! Factory color is Sky Blue Metallic with blue leather interior. Yes, she has power vents! She sat under a carport for the last 20 years so the paint is garbage and the interior will need to be done. I'll be digging in this week ripping off the hitch, ordering new shocks, replacing incorrect parts (i.e. master cylinder), new white walls (I'm thinking 1.6"), boiling out/reinstalling the tank, and cleaning her up.

Thanks guys!

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Nice score. I had contacted him about it but went another direction for now. Good luck with it!
 
Congrats! Great score!:thumbsup:
 
If you don't mind posting,,, what did you give for it...

When people post the actually price they paid it gives others and idea what to really expect to pay..
 
If you don't mind posting,,, what did you give for it...

When people post the actually price they paid it gives others and idea what to really expect to pay..
I'd hate to ruffle any feathers, especially knowing other members were looking at her. I'll just say that it was well under the asking price of $5,800. We both walked away happy though.
 
High-and-dry AZ Crown coupe - sure makes a nice starting point - not to mention a good deal..... Can't go wrong with met. blue on these. Chrome still looks great on it. I'd say get it running, and address the rest as you go. Be sure to read up on the Budd disc brakes, their stopping power makes them worth their trouble. Congrats!
 
High-and-dry AZ Crown coupe - sure makes a nice starting point - not to mention a good deal..... Can't go wrong with met. blue on these. Chrome still looks great on it. I'd say get it running, and address the rest as you go. Be sure to read up on the Budd disc brakes, their stopping power makes them worth their trouble. Congrats!
Yessir! All the trim is in fantastic shape. She starts right up (when you jump the starter relay. More on that later) and sounds great. Your suggestion is word for word my plan. Thsts exactly what I did with my 300. I will however, fast track her for paint. I've researched the Budd's for about a year so I know what I'm getting into. Sleeving pistons, etc. Tips/suggestions are more than welcome though! I'm already sourcing Budd rotors since they're almost as extinct as the dinosaurs. You guys are awesome and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and willingness to help!
 
Out with the old, in with the rebuilt. Thankfully I had already shipped a Bendix for Betty White's disc conversion to Dewey/Steve, so I wasn't sweating when I was told the booster on this car was toast. This one will be boxed and sent to Oregon tomorrow. Don't worry guys, correct MC is next.

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Do a little reading on the imperialclub website too regarding Budd parts, good info. there as well. Main problem on the east coast with calipers is rust, which you won't have there, count yourself lucky. The rotors ARE in production, I THINK still with Dura-Brake, which is on the west coast. Rotors and calipers are the "big ticket" items on this, but since it involves stopping your Imp, the best place to "invest."

Good luck. Other thing I'd advise is to get some Lexol/Leatherique on the leather seats in that beautiful interior. Looks like good portions of them are salvageable, and you can at least preserve what's left.
 
I probably have 6 or 8 sets of core calipers.
 
Yeah, we really don't have to worry about rusty rotors other than flash rust from not driving. Also picked up some Lexol on Sunday and started giving that leather a much needed drink. Great minds think alike!

So I diagnosed the "no start without jumping relay terminals". I went under the car and saw that the NSS is a three prong type so I ordered a correct single pole from MrMoparts (locals, yeah!). Just for shits and giggs, I looked at the date code of 5022, build date: 4/28/75. The old man who used to own it probably smoked the original towing up the big *** hills just north of Phoenix. Oh well! Here's the decoding tool I used for anyone interested:
Chrysler's 10,000-Day Calendar
 
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This came from Phoenix, around Union Hills and 83rd Ave, about 20 years ago. Driven back to Michigan, then I sold it on eBay maybe a year or so after. It was an unrestored car with original turquoise leather buckets. It had a full-vinyl top, which seems odd for a Crown Coupe, but was available.

I wish I knew what became of it.
 
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This came from Phoenix, around Union Hills and 83rd Ave, about 20 years ago. Driven back to Michigan, then I sold it on eBay maybe a year or so after. It was an unrestored car with original turquoise leather buckets. It had a full-vinyl top, which seems odd for a Crown Coupe, but was available.

I wish I knew what became of it.

That car is gorgeous! I can't believe I never saw it around. Lots of cars in that area are hidden until Saturday nights when they all go to the Mexican food restaurant near there. There's usually about 75 cars every Saturday, even in July/August.
 
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