I FINALLY have a bona fide winter warrior! Introducing my 1979 Caprice Classic sedan:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1979caprice/Welcome.htmlSome of you may've already noticed the page on the website that Ray B created for me ... Ray included a link to the "Winter Beater Caprice" in the left column of the home page:
www.chevyasylum.com/cortThis dark blue and silver Caprice is my first true "2-tone" car; I've wanted a 2-tone for a LONG time.
I've been looking for a winter beater for a while, but with my 1987 Monte Carlo LS/CL starting to show a bit more rust on it this year than it had since I bought it in mid-2003, this was THE year to ensure it hibernated for the winter. Over the last few years, I've toyed with the idea of different "winter" cars...
...the 2009 Dodge Charger SXT (maroon) that I rented for my Route 66 road trip (September 2009) AND my trip to TN/AL (November 2009)
...a 1993 Cadillac Eldorado (owned by Alex of the First Gen MC Club)
...a 1996 Ford Thunderbird (owned by a lady at my dentist's office that I've known for years)
...a few different 1987/1988 MC LSs
...a 1977 Caprice Classic sedan
...a 1978 Caprice Classic coupe
...a 1978 Buick Riviera
...a 1996 Buick Riviera
...a 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
...a few different 2006 Lumina/monte carlo LTZ coupes (maroon/tan; silver/black; white/tan)
...and a few others.
My "ideal" car would've been a RWD coupe (namely the late 1980s Monte Carlos, the 1996 Ford Thunderbird or the 1978 Buick Riviera). I decided that I'd be OK with a RWD sedan (the Charger or Caprice) or a FWD coupe (the 1996 Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorados, etc.).
Similar to finding my '87 MC LS/CL, this 1979 Caprice Classic had been advertised for sale for over a year. I passed on it a year ago because I wanted a coupe. But, this year, the seller lowered the price to $500 ... and I grabbed it. My friend Randy W (from several MC groups/boards) picked it up for me in Missouri, Wednesday, November 11, 2009.
Despite the price, this '79 Caprice Classic is a solid car, and the miles on the odometer may be actual ... not over 100,000. Many thanks to Randy for doing some extensive work to make sure it is "winter ready". Among other things, Randy replaced...
...spark plugs (AC Delco)
...valve cover gaskets
...rear shocks (Monroe Sensa-Tracs)
...engine oil/filter (Pennzoil 10w30 and AC Delco PF454 oil filter)
...transmission fluid/filter
...alternator
...AC compressor
...power steering belts
...wiper blades
...starter
...radio (new CD player)
...battery
...front shocks
...idler arm
...mirrors on both sides
...front driver's side fender and front fascia and hood (damage from a previous accident)
Sunday, December 13, 2009, Derek and Janie (friends from central IL) met Randy in Springfield IL to pick up the car, and as of Tuesday evening, December 15, the car is in my possession!
Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker
CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com"Uh, what model is it?" ... Johnny Cash ... 'One Piece At A Time'
