THE JOURNEY OF 100,000 MILES...
The original owner of the car was my aunt. She was nice enough to let me drive it before it had even 50 miles on the odometer. The trouble began when she and the car moved to Dallas, TX. The interior and motor still were maintained properly but the body was beginning to be neglected. The hot Southern Sun, and lack of waxing at proper intervals had taken its toll. Fortunately, they don't salt much in the South. After several years, she and the car returned home to Iowa. |
The tach actually works.
It took microsurgery to fix. Long story. |
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A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
I purchased the car on April 24, 1999 for $1,100. It had seen some neglect however the things that are the most difficult to fix were in very good condition. It would be a long road back to its original condition. I started with simple, inexpensive, repairs. The first order of business was removing what was left of the louvers that had been ripped from the car in a thunderstorm. The main portion, which was never found, gave a parting shot to the hood in the form of a 2 foot scrape as it flew over the top of the car. The massive back window begged for tinting.
Other repairs include: minor surface rust repair over the rear wheels, repainting the hood, replacing many bulbs in the rear light assemblies, replaced the water pump and all belts, replaced the gasket in the sunroof latch (made from a bike inner-tube), realigned the window cranks and door striker, reattached the rubber boot that the emergency brake slides through, painted the pillers between the windshield and the side windows, repainted the top portion of the front bumper, resurfaced the wing, K&N air filter, Dynomax Turbo muffler, and finally added a wire that has only two inches visible from the top of my windshied trim that powers my radar detector. It is hardwired into the accessory circut to go on and off with the key.
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THS ROAD AHEAD
Future Projects: -Rolling out door dings, Acquired in Dallas
-Overhall of the A/C system
-Down the road, a paint job that will cost more than the car is worth. (Original colors) -Add a larger rear swaybar.
For now, the EXP spends its winters and cloudy days safely in the garage as much as possible. It had not been rained on since I bought my house in the Summer of 2000 until this winter. I am driving it a lot more now and having a great time.
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Call Ripley's! The hatch stays up by its self.
The lift struts have been replaced.
Napa part no. BK. 819-5475 |
