My '71 Duster 340 pays a visit to Nick's Garage

[PlymCrazy]

After watching last night’s live show, I discovered that once Nick and the guys got behind the dashboard, there were a handful of things that they took care of for me. They were done before I was even aware.
They were items I had been living with peacefully because I really had no need for them, some I wasn’t even aware of (like the park brake light - had no idea the Duster had one!)
It’s great to know they work now.
Other items they fixed…

- Wipers (the car doesn’t see rain ever)
- Dash lights (rarely, if ever driven in the dark - lots of deer around here)

Thanks @Nick Panaritis

 

[Michael Kocan]

Oh yea, That is one nice looking Duster and a great running street ride. Look at how Manney swooned over it. That is my HEMI which he is working on and will soon be fully assembled. You may see it running when you pick-up that Duster. You can't go wrong at Nick's. Kocan

 

[PlymCrazy]

I spoke with Nick about 20 minutes ago.
The Duster is ready to go.
I just made arrangements for a day trip this Saturday to go and pick it up with our son, Devon.
Trailer reservation has been made.
Hoping to be on the road very early

 

[davek]

I spoke with Nick about 20 minutes ago.
The Duster is ready to go.
I just made arrangements for a day trip this Saturday to go and pick it up with our son, Devon.
Trailer reservation has been made.
Hoping to be on the road very early

Drive careful Nick and have fun with your son.

 

[Michael Kocan]

Have a great trip. Check out the engine build room while you are there as my 426 is on it's way. Looking forward to your updates. Kocan

 

[Budnicks]

I spoke with Nick about 20 minutes ago.
The Duster is ready to go.
I just made arrangements for a day trip this Saturday to go and pick it up with our son, Devon.
Trailer reservation has been made.
Hoping to be on the road very early

Have a great trip, take more photos & video

the Duster will be great, shift smooth & stuff work that didn't
win, win, win

 

[PlymCrazy]

Have a great trip. Check out the engine build room while you are there as my 426 is on it's way. Looking forward to your updates. Kocan

I’ll be sure to look for your Hemi

 

[PlymCrazy]

Have a great trip, take more photos & video

the Duster will be great, shift smooth & stuff work that didn't
win, win, win

It’ll be just me and the boy Saturday.
My wife is already hounding him for pics and videos.
Mama’s got you covered there Budnicks!

 

[davek]

It’ll be just me and the boy Saturday.
My wife is already hounding him for pics and videos.
Mama’s got you covered there Budnicks!

 

[MarPar]

 

[PlymCrazy]

You will be pleasantly surprised as to how nice a fresh rebuilt 833 shifts.

We got to Nick’s Garage around 11:45am Saturday morning and took the Duster for a little test drive before loading her on the trailer.
Wow, what a difference the rebuild makes.

You weren’t kidding @hunt2elk

Nick rebuilt the shifter too.
It shifts smoother, the gears are closer together and the transmission is much less whiny sounding.

 

[PlymCrazy]

I then backed the car back into the garage for some group shops with my son Devon, Nick, Manny and Robert.
I think I'll blow one of these up to hang up on a wall at my shop.

 

[PlymCrazy]

...That is my HEMI which he is working on...

@Michael Kocan,
I mentioned you while I was there and inquired about your Hemi.
It's looking good, but Nick wasn't quite finished with it yet.

 

[PlymCrazy]

@Michael Kocan

Nick brought us over to your engine and he gave my son a lesson on the difference between wedge and hemispherical heads.

That sparked plenty of conversation between my boy and I on the way home.

 

[davek]

Sounds like a day you both will never forget,thats great Nick. Glad you got your baby back.

 

[Michael Kocan]

Wow,Wow,Wow!!! is all that I can say on your 340 A body and the adventure you and your son had with this trip. I think that Manny wanted to keep it. I dosen't get any better than this with being able to share your enthusiasm with your son. Memerable moments that cannot be replaced. For you both it will last a lifetime.They are a great gang and very modest to boot. Such a cool trip that I hope to make sometime in the future. Thanks for the images of the HEMI and sharing your experience. Thunder Road!! Kocan.

 

[PlymCrazy]

….Look at how Manney swooned over it…

Manny mentioned several times how he wished I’d leave the Duster in his care for “just a couple more weeks”.
Being a Ford man himself, he said the Duster pulled him further in the direction of favoring Mopars.
And they had to turn down a bunch of folks visiting, when they asked to go for a ride in the car while it was in Nick’s shop.

 

[PlymCrazy]

My son Devon sent this to me a couple days ago.
Looks like the Duster got one more shot at fame with this post on Nick’s Instagram.