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Had the Convertible fall into my lap, and thats how I got started on Mopars and away from GM stuff. MoparMailingList helped me ID what I had, and caught the Mopar Bug.
Enjoyed (and still do) the convertible but I resigned myself that I would not touch the car unless needed and that I would keep it in Survivor status and merely act as a caretaker. My opinion being that anyone can have a restored car, a great looking original is extra-extra special and is only original once. The Sport Satellite is neat to have, but nervous driving around town, and was kinda boring not being able to make "mods" to it.
Few years later:
Had been looking for a 68 Charger for a while (keeping an eye on the market, etc) but I had to finish school first.
I wanted a complete car that was not restored, a survivor type of car, so that I didnt inherit someone elses nightmare. Needed to be A/C, big block, and an Auto tranny, solid body and not Green. Something that needed some mechanical work and that would hold its value, but that I could feel free to "work on" and hotrod a little and drive everyday for a few years. I convinced myself that I could buy the car, enjoy it, and not take a depreciation hit later like I would a new sportscar and therefore was a smart spend of $$$.
I started getting serious about finding a Charger in 2001 when money and garage space became a reality.
My Dad had a 70 Challenger R/T from 70-75. Ive never seen it though, not even a picture. When I told him of my plans to get a Charger, he snickered at me and asked why I wanted a big clunky boat like that ? I should get a Challenger, not a Charger, and he reserved the right to tease me mercilessly if I brought home a Charger.
I got to looking at the eBodies and they started to grow on me. Made some bids on few Chargers and lost out on them, and one '70 Barracuda that was local and all restored but had a small block 360. (while I was haggling over $400 through email on the car, it sold, in hindsight I probabably shoulda got it)
Watched for a few months and just couldnt quite find what I was looking for at a price I was willing to pay. Then there was Challenger SE on eBay and it was almost everything I wanted. Wasnt too sure about the Orange on Orange at the time. The ad was terrible and so were the pictures so it didnt generate much traffic. Didnt meet reserve so I started negotiating offline. Got more and better pictures. Found out the car was heavily optioned and as it turns out, the car was worth more in parts than it was as a whole. Agreed to a price and terms and I sent 1/2 down.
then the fun started.......
Seller was playing Slick Used Car Sales Guy all of a sudden on me, but I saved all my emails from before and held him to his word and worked though the issues. When I asked for a photocopy of the Title before I bought the plane tickets.... surprise... the title was held by another family member and there was an issue over the estate. Wanted me to come get the car and then he would send the title to me later..... yeaaaaaaaahhhhh riiiiiiiiggghht. I declined and said I want the car, but Im not going to pick it up until you can send me a title. Finally 2 months later, he was able to put a lien against the car, get the title, and then get the title signed to me.
Finally my little brother and I flew up to Portland Oregon. We inspected it, paid the remainder, took possession of the car, and drove it home to Arizona. In hind sight I should have had it transported but we made it home with a dirty carb and a fuel pump that blew its diagphragm somewhere in the last 20 miles of the 1300 mile trip.
When I got it home I found that it was more of a survivor and more optioned than I thought it was and I stuggled for the first couple of years about doing any mods that I couldnt unbolt. Finally got over that (although I keep every part/nut/bolt that I have removed) and started having fun with the car, though I try hard to keep it looking like it came from the factory that way.
No regrets on the purchase yet, nor any wishes to trade for a different car. Now that it has the a 440 and a Kiesler 5 Speed in it, what more could I want ?
I dont see myself ever getting rid of either of them, intentionally. I would like to get a 69 SuperBee or a 70 B body someday as another one to play with.
