We recently purchased a 1971 Plymouth Scamp in the northern Seattle Washington area. It was a stately car that had been relegated to a used car dealer's back lot. When we looked at it, the salesman didn't even try to negotiate or talk the car up. His first comment was that he didn't know if it ran, and didn't trust the brakes. Oh, and by the way, it's definitely a project car! WOW, with sales skills like that, it is hard to imagine why it hadn't sold already.
The truth is we watched it almost sell on e-Bay, except it never made the minimum bid. After waiting a few months, we were finally ready to invest in a car that would run, but also be ready at a moments notice for a complete upgrade. My wife and I drove to the north end and looked at the car. It definitely needed some help, but there was just something about the lines of the car, barely noticed by the casual observer, that hinted of raw power and strength. Mind you, the original slant-6 225 cid engine with the automatic was still there. The drum brakes were still there. But the beast of a car that could launch 10 second 1/4 mile times is there too.
I don't want this to become a trailer queen ride. I also don't want this to be a high-school project that never completes. I want to build memories with my children that are growing up, way too quickly in case you didn't know! I remember sitting in the back seat of my older brothers 1970 Plymouth Road Runner as he and I and his girlfriend drove all over the back roads of Wasilla Alaska. I remember singing at the top of my lungs "Get your money for nothin', and your checks for free!" until he informed me that with money for nothin', checks weren't really that necessary... I still didn't see any value in "chicks" at that point.
I want my kids to have memories of when they helped dad rebuild that engine, or put the interior of the Scamp back together. I want them to talk about going to their high school prom in the Scamp that they had a part in building.
This project will not be a 7 day build like Overhaulin' (I wish it were, but in the same breath am thankful it won't be), nor will it be another started then forgotten distraction from everyday life. It will take some time, but it will be completed, and it will bear the mark of our family. Hopefully YOU will get to be a part of this project; as you read and comment, I look forward to sharing and learning from all of you.
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