My new baby- American Beauty - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-01-2003, 10:03 AM

Just got my new baby, I call her an American Beauty. Since she is a real head turner and generates lots of conversation . Where ever I take her, she brings smiles

on peoples faces and they enjoy watching her. I have taken it to few shows and people have complimented it.
There is something about classic cars, they had personalities and each had distinctive characteristics. Which I really enjoy. At present I am enjoying going to shows and showing her off.

PeterG · #2 09-01-2003, 11:59 AM

Congratulations

Those are real classic cars that you really do not see anymore. I had a 69 shelby GT350 convertible that I sold last year. I had had it for about 23 years, but it just was not practical anymore, so it had to go. It was fully restored and I did not drive for fear of chipping the paint from stones. It was worth too much money to drive it for fun. Kind of sad because I never had it in any shows. So enjoy it while you can and best of luck.

PeterG

dmorrison · #3 09-01-2003, 12:38 PM

What a beauty.
I had a 63 chevy Impala. bought from the "little old lady" from across the street. She was not really a "little old lady" She was the wife if a mentor of mine. An Eastern Airlines Captain.
She was meticulous about the car. had a log of everything done to the car including replacing a battery cap. That car was great. I NEVER should have gotten rid of it. It was aqua blue with medeum blue interiors and a white top.
Classic cars are great. My sons Mustang Fastback is a lot of fun to drive.

Dave

#4 09-01-2003, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by w126
Nice Chev! I like the conti-kit. Tell me more about the power plant. 283? Dual exhaust?

Hi w126,
The continental kit gives the car an impressive look, I love it too. I was lucky to have found this beauty which has a 348 tripower, dual exhaust, factory air ( unhead in those days) power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission etc.

#5 09-01-2003, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dmorrison
I NEVER should have gotten rid of it. It was aqua blue with medeum blue interiors and a white top.
Dave

Like this one?

#6 09-01-2003, 05:05 PM

WowS500,

That's an absolute beauty you have there...it looks soooo clean

CJ · #7 09-01-2003, 09:52 PM

Very nice! I was deciding about buying an old car and restoring it or buying a kit car. I am now working on an AC Cobra. I took a vacation with a friend of mine out to Hot Laps at Bondurant and drove one on a closed course and figured I am not getting any younger so I went for it. We have been working many many late nights on the car.

So far I have the frame, fully powdercoated in gun-metal grey, the rear end installed and the front members. I am in the process of specing out an engine.

dmorrison · #8 09-02-2003, 12:20 AM

Manu
That is it, Except mine was a convertible and had the stock wheels. It was a great car.

Dave

PeterG · #9 09-02-2003, 01:11 PM

CJ:

Thats what I have been looking at as a car I could drive, and not real expensive. What kit are you building? I tried to get a hold of Everett Morris out of Florida, but they were going through a reorg and would not take any orders. I talked to a guy in Kansas several years ago that had built kit cars for a living and he said the E/M was the best, because of the Fiberglass thickness was an average of 1" to 1 1/2". I almost bought a frame he had set up complete with 427 side oiler, but I had decided not to sell the Shelby so I did not have the 10 K he wanted for it. I finally set my sights on Formula one. They sponsor a lot of races, and a excellant web site. I would like to here more about your kit if it is different.

PeterG

phatryd · #10 09-02-2003, 03:44 PM

Those are both beautiful cars. I had a 1968 Impala SS convertible 327. White with navy top and blue interior. (Sorry no photos handy) Didn't want to sell but was moving to Boston for a few years and didn't want to pay to garage or worse have it stolen...so I parted with it only somewhat voluntarily...

John

G-Benz · #11 09-02-2003, 03:46 PM

Kinda like your sig...WOW!

phatryd · #12 09-02-2003, 04:10 PM

You can have the sig if I can have your garage! I would love an SL and my wife often drops "suggestions" about an ML.

The Cherokee was a total disaster but at least it was kind enough to do itself in (spontaneous engine fire while driving) and got the insurance...

John

G-Benz · #13 09-02-2003, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phatryd
You can have the sig if I can have your garage! I would love an SL and my wife often drops "suggestions" about an ML.

John

The R129 SLs are plenty cheap nowadays if you want one...passed by a red 92 in a dealer lot for $19.5K

CJ · #14 09-02-2003, 09:49 PM

PeterG,

I am building a Mark II roadster, aka 65 427 Cobra. I am on a limited budget therefore I am doing this over some time, but doing it correctly and as close to the originol as possible. FFR has been a pleasure to deal with and I have a local body shop doing the paintwork. The engine will be coming as a crate motor, to match the originol specs. That motor is being built as we speak by Summit of Akron Ohio. You can reach FFR at (508) 291-3443 . I highly recomend buying the assembly manual, read it cover to cover many times, wait a month and then sit down and make sure you understand what you are getting into both financially & emotionally.
Good luck!!!!!

G-Benz · #15 09-03-2003, 11:11 AM

A good friend of mine got the FFR kit and used his 86 Mustang donor engine and tranny for the powertrain.

He lived next door to my best friend, and we would go over and bring some beers to watch and laugh at what he got himself into...body sitting over there, motor on the floor in the corner, assorted parts everywhere else!

But he got that thing put together, and he called me over to help him put the body on it prior to getting it sprayed at the paint shop. What impressed me was how well the body mated to the chassis, as well as the rest of the parts that came with the kit! Made me want to get one.

He estimates that his investment in the whole deal was $17.5K.

Perhaps these kits look TOO nice! I hear Carroll Shelby and Ford are going after these manufacturers with a pretty stiff lawsuit!