Resurrect the family 77 NYB?

[mailtodelete]

Hello All, I am writing in hope to get a little guidance and advice. I have a 77 NYB That has been sitting for the better part of a decade and need to decide to fix or sell. When it was parked, it had a leaky gas tank, so I took that off. It was running rich, so I know it'll need some carb adjustment. Since it has been sitting, the vinyl top has deteriorated, revealing some holes at the base of the 'C' pillars, but a mechanic friend says those are fixable. The biggest issue I am grappling with is getting parts. For instance, the door seals are dry rotten. They do not appear to have allowed leaks into the car though, as it smells the way it always has (not musty). The steering wheel has cracked in several places, I need a fuel tank (least expensive one I've found is $350). The paint is now faded, etc.

So, my question is this... Do you think I can find parts to get her back and operational without it being a second job, or is this a fool's errand? I recall riding around town in this thing when I was 3 or 4 years old, and it would be great to have my kids in the car some day too.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[shooter65]

I won't sugar coat it, C-Bodies are tough to find parts for in general but I didn't hear anything that would scare me away from the car. Spectrum makes fuel tanks and as far as your carb, there's a member here, @Dana of Woodruff Carburators who will fix you up at a fair price so no worries there. I assume the holes under the vinyl top are below the rear window and that's very common with C's. Some of the Formal guys will be able to point you in the right direction for door seals. Good Luck and we love pictures, any condition is fine with us.

 

[Davea Lux]

You will also want to do a brake system overhaul because the master cylinder, brake hoses and wheel cylinders will have deteriorated after 10 years of sitting. If the car has been sitting outside, the tires will also need to be replaced as should all the coolant hoses. All of this is doable. Rock auto should have the brake parts.

Dave

 

[commando1]

Where in Florida are you, Joe?

 

[jason99]

Might depend on your budget, timeline, and ability. Flip through rockauto.com to get an idea of what mechanical parts are available off the shelf and how much they cost.

 

[mailtodelete]

Where in Florida are you, Joe?

I'm in Tallahassee, but I grew up just north of you, in Polk County.

 

[mailtodelete]

I assume the holes under the vinyl top are below the rear window and that's very common with C's.

Are these types of repairs difficult or especially expensive? I am comfortable with mechanical repairs, but I have not looked into sheet metal repairs in the past.

 

[Davea Lux]

Are these types of repairs difficult or especially expensive? I am comfortable with mechanical repairs, but I have not looked into sheet metal repairs in the past.

C-Bodies collected moisture at the base of the window channel for the rear window. Moisture also collected under the vinyl tops. This caused a rust out of the rear window channel and frequently also caused holes to form under the vinyl top of the car anyplace where the paint was thin. This was a really big problem in areas that used road salt. No one as yet is fabricating reproduction window channels for these cars, you will either have to have one made or try to patch the existing unit. If the holes are small they can be welded shut with a wire feed welder or filled with body filler. Major rust issues will require that a new channel be made or salvaged from a rust free car. You will also want to check the A-Pillars on you car as cars with rust under the top often have holes in the A-Pillars and cowl also.

Dave

 

[commando1]

I have a 77 NYB that...

Mandatory that the first thing you do on a body inspection on these cars is to look hard at the left and right "briefcase" wells in the trunk with a poking tool.

 

[75LandYacht]

I’m restoring my 77 NYB as well. We should chat...

But first things first!! you NEED to post pictures of her first!!! Take LOTS so we can see what’s what.. also tell us her story, soup to nuts..

 

[mailtodelete]

OK, the story, soup to nuts, is this:
When I was growing up in Central FL, there was an elderly couple that lived behind us. They were like a third set of grandparent to us. I used to run across the back yard and see them regularly, when they were in town. They were Canadian citizens, who lived half the year in Canada, and the other half in Central FL. They had 2 cars for as long as I can remember, the 77 New Yorker Brougham, and a 78 T-Bird coupe. I understand they used to drive the New Yorker back and forth annually for a while, but they stopped doing that as they got older. As a result, the NYB lived in FL, and the T-Bird stayed in Canada. It is beige with a brown (velour?) interior. When the gentleman passed away, his wife decided to stay in Canada year round, so she sold the FL house and the NYB, with 77,000km on the odometer. My brother brought the NYB and took it to South FL with him, moving it to his garage. He kept it for many years, driving it occasionally. Once I graduated college and his wife had enough of it, he gave it to me. I drove it around here in N FL until the gas tank rusted and I removed it. I had a local shop repair it, but the job was sub-par and it never really worked. So, mother nature has been having her way with the body for some years now, and I am at the point of determining what's next... It has been on a friend's property for years, and I stopped with my son today to take a few pictures of the rust holes. I'll attach those to see what you gents think of the possibility to repair.

 

[mailtodelete]

 

[75LandYacht]

Wow she’s ate up pretty bad.. so! Do you REALLY have an attachment to her? If so.. get ready for $$$$$$$$$$$. Just say’en

I bought my 77 hoping for the best! But.. I’ll end up WAY more into it than shes worth, but it’s manageable.

Keep the pics coming, hopefully things look up form here.

 

[commando1]

"No it's not for sale, I'm gonna fix it up someday..."
My dear friend, l I'm afraid I'm forced to say it passed through that window.

 

[78Brougham]

 

[75LandYacht]

OK, the story, soup to nuts, is this:
When I was growing up in Central FL, there was an elderly couple that lived behind us. They were like a third set of grandparent to us. I used to run across the back yard and see them regularly, when they were in town. They were Canadian citizens, who lived half the year in Canada, and the other half in Central FL. They had 2 cars for as long as I can remember, the 77 New Yorker Brougham, and a 78 T-Bird coupe. I understand they used to drive the New Yorker back and forth annually for a while, but they stopped doing that as they got older. As a result, the NYB lived in FL, and the T-Bird stayed in Canada. It is beige with a brown (velour?) interior. When the gentleman passed away, his wife decided to stay in Canada year round, so she sold the FL house and the NYB, with 77,000km on the odometer. My brother brought the NYB and took it to South FL with him, moving it to his garage. He kept it for many years, driving it occasionally. Once I graduated college and his wife had enough of it, he gave it to me. I drove it around here in N FL until the gas tank rusted and I removed it. I had a local shop repair it, but the job was sub-par and it never really worked. So, mother nature has been having her way with the body for some years now, and I am at the point of determining what's next... It has been on a friend's property for years, and I stopped with my son today to take a few pictures of the rust holes. I'll attach those to see what you gents think of the possibility to repair.

Don’t take our criticism the wrong way. We mean we’ll! Just don't want to sugar coat the reality of restoring / refreshing theses Formals..

 

[furious70]

You'll be into it for far more than it's worth, maybe $10-15k to the bad. All you have to do is decide how much the sentimental aspect is worth to you.

 

[cantflip]

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Hi Joe,

I'm a well known idiot who loves these cars and own a small fleet myself. I'm not going to search the threads for you, but the members you want to look for for include @1978 NYB and @monaco75 , both of whom have done extensive rust repairs on Formals and have documented a lot of information here... there are going to be a lot threads/reading involved.

The unfortunate truth is that all Formal era Mopars must be approached as a labor of love, there is no way the resale will ever cover the ownership expense. I have been hoarding parts whenever I find them, because they won't get easier to find in the future. The only ones that really seem to get excitement/money on resale are the Bules Brothers tribute cars .

I have been thinking about shrinking my mess a little. I have a 76 "parts car" which runs and drives and I have enjoyed owning. I'm debating keeping her, if I do, she needs love and I may be interested in your car for parts. If you love your car, I may be willing to work out a deal to sell her to you, or may have some of what you need to fix yours.

I'm not much on selling... hence the "cantfilp" handle... I am fine with trying to help and tire kicking. Just keep replying here and the information will trickle in. You are in the right place for lovers of these cars and @commando1 has a deep background in them as well. @75LandYacht is another idiot with too many cars, and he has some rust pictures too.

BTW, ready made seals are not available, but there is more now than a few years ago. With some effort you can probably make what you need work... I'd consider that an eventual concern with what you're facing.

Jeff

 

[75LandYacht]

Hi Joe,

I'm a well known idiot who loves these cars and own a small fleet myself. I'm not going to search the threads for you, but the members you want to look for for include @1978 NYB and @monaco75 , both of whom have done extensive rust repairs on Formals and have documented a lot of information here... there are going to be a lot threads/reading involved.

The unfortunate truth is that all Formal era Mopars must be approached as a labor of love, there is no way the resale will ever cover the ownership expense. I have been hoarding parts whenever I find them, because they won't get easier to find in the future. The only ones that really seem to get excitement/money on resale are the Bules Brothers tribute cars .

I have been thinking about shrinking my mess a little. I have a 76 "parts car" which runs and drives and I have enjoyed owning. I'm debating keeping her, if I do, she needs love and I may be interested in your car for parts. If you love your car, I may be willing to work out a deal to sell her to you, or may have some of what you need to fix yours.

I'm not much on selling... hence the "cantfilp" handle... I am fine with trying to help and tire kicking. Just keep replying here and the information will trickle in. You are in the right place for lovers of these cars and @commando1 has a deep background in them as well. @75LandYacht is another idiot with too many cars, and he has some rust pictures too.

BTW, ready made seals are not available, but there is more now than a few years ago. With some effort you can probably make what you need work... I'd consider that an eventual concern with what you're facing.

Jeff

Awww Jeff! You say the sweetest things..

 

[78Brougham]

@75LandYacht I don't know anything about rust repairs on mine.