I have owned my charger since 1970, when I worked at a body shop whose specialty was rebuilding "totals". I bought mine for $500.00, hit HARD in the rear, pushing the tail lights almost to the rear window. As this was my very first major project, and it was worked on only during after hours and weekends, it took until very late 1971 or very early 1972 to completely rebuild with MUCH help from all of my coworkers at the shop and my boss. When it was done, I had a grand total of $1269.29 in it, which also included a new set of Keystone 5 spoke wheels and Formula 1 Super Stock tires. [F60 on the front with 7" wide wheels and L60 on the rear with 8" wide wheels]
over the years since, the car has sat due to "life happens" issues several times for many years. During those times, I considered selling it on and off, and I came VERY close to doing so somewhere around 1986 or 1987 to a guy for $3500.00. When he came to pick it up, he royally pi$$ed me off, so I backed out of the deal and told him to "farg off !!"
I'm glad I did, as last year, a very good friend and his nephew spent a solid two weeks of nights lasting from roughly 5pm until midnight or later with me getting the car up and running again, after sitting from the last time running in 2006. A new stainless tank and fuel lines were installed, the brakes gone over 100%, and the car ran pretty good for the last local car show of the season around here in late September. Didn't even wash the car, and the only "clean" place on it was the front fenders where our fat guts were leaning over them, getting the engine running.
The car made the show, however it was discovered the alternator was not charging, requiring the use of a jump box a couple of times when we stopped before getting to the show. Not washing the car, it was a kind of "garage find" hit, garnering way more attention and picture taking than many of the WAY nicer vehicles surrounding it
! Afterward, on the way home, the car overheated BAD, pegging the gauge for the last 8 miles home ! Arriving home, it spewed EVERYTHING out of the radiator, but luckily, it still had reasonable oil pressure, didn't smoke, or make any engine noise.
After it cooled down a few hours later, I fired it up to drive into the garage, and there was no smoke or engine noise whatsoever, so that was very promising !
The next day, I looked into the radiator, and discovered it was completely plugged...........
Removing the radiator, I also removed the thermostat, waterpump and housing, plus both block plugs on the side of the block. I then fired the car up and backed it out of the garage, and proceeded to flush and poke into the block to remove countless years worth of black sludge and rust scale. I also rigged up a fitting that coupled with a hose and an air gun to help blast loose the crud. After a couple of hours, clear water came out of the block, so the block plugs were reinstalled after the block completely drained. The car was then returned inside, and I focused on cleaning out the waterpump housing, replacing the waterpump and thermostat, both hoses, and a new "chinesium" aluminum 26" radiator that contained two rows of 1 1/2" wide tubes. The car now runs 180-185 degrees all the time, even on 95 degree days !
over last winter, I replaced the original carpet that had turned to dust because of being dried out, and when doing so, i replaced all the original floor pan seam sealer which had come off in large chunks because it was so old. After that, I added subframe connectors, painted the floor with black rustoleum, then installed new carpet and sill plates. When the seats were reinstalled, I felt a new sense of pride in this car, and after a thorough wash job in the spring, I couldn't wait to get back behind the wheel and put some miles on it !
I had the car going for the town's annual festival in June, and although doctors and hospital visits took up a lot of time this year, a buddy of mine since high school took a long ride early this fall, and the car turned over to 19k original miles !
The car reflects the "life events" of the years since 1970, of me and the car, as both of us are OLDER, and our looks are battered and scared due to how "life happens".
My point of this story is this : I am so glad I have kept this car over the years, and it has become part of me.
If your car has left you "unenthused", but you still care deeply for it, walk away at times, [as I have done with my car] let "life go on as necessary", then come back to it when your enthusiasm returns. You will be glad you did, just as I was glad I came back to my car.
Just the story of me and a car that has become a very important part of myself.
Your mileage will vary.