What’s your FBBO story?

[Bleep Bleep]

I was at a car show with friends and family and spotted an old friend of my fathers, a 65 Coronet he couldn't afford to buy new, back in the day. We talked to the guy and the next thing I know, my wife bought it for me.

Your wife’s a keeper brother. Can I give her my wife’s number huh…?

My Mom and Dad shortly they married with his ‘51 Coronet convertible.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

I posted earlier about how I got here. This one is about what I've gained from being here. I've been an outlier in my local car community for decades, in an area dominated by Ford and Chevy. I once tried to become mainstream by purchasing a '66 Corvette, figured out within a year that it wasn't going to work. My wife, who with no personal interest in cars, and has endured my vice for nearly five decades, analyzed the situation well. She told me that I should not consider any options other than owning Plymouth GTXs. She is extremely liberal, and compared my situation to the TG community, saying not my preference, but you can't help being who you are. I bought GTX number four the next year.

So living in my small community in rural PA, how does a GTX guy connect with other like minded folks. I'm not a fan of social media, or most technology. So my spouse was shocked when she noticed me spending hours at a time on this site. It started to make sense to her after she met three of my fellow FBBO colleagues in person - @eldubb440, @Dennis H, and @PlymCrazy. Real people, who shared my Mopar obsession, but were likeable, and not freaks (her words.)

I've posted numerous times how Julie Clark started me down this road in 1970 when she handed me the keys to the new GTX that now resides in my garage 54 years later. For anyone reading that narrative for the first time, she owned the Plymouth dealership in my home town, first as a spouse, and later as a sole proprietor after her husband passed. Years after she passed the torch to me, I wondered if I might someday do the same, initiating a new enthusiast.

When I saw our new member @Bleep Bleep lived three hours away from me, I extended an offer to assist in an inspection when he finally reached to stage where he was prepared to purchase a B body. I was more than a bit surprised, when less than a month into the process, he reached out, asking if I would consider a trip to inspect a car considerably above the price point he had been exploring in earlier posts. I had mentioned earlier that I had gone up a notch when looking for similar cars, so I may have well been the enabler in this event.

My wife was a bit surprised that a guy I met on the internet a few weeks before was willing to front that kind of expense. Said he was either lucky or smart. After living through my seven GTXs, she's totally convinced I know how to evaluate them. Her only question, was whether I thought the car in question merited a trip to Florida, and when I confirmed it, she said it would be a great event, a veteran Mopar freak with a rookie.

I've always said that pictures don't do a great car justice, and make the lesser ones appear for better than they really are. With an original owner history of 38 years, and a salt free environment, I felt this one could be great, the only question not answered until I did the inspection was whether it had always been garaged. It turned out to be the best condition, unrestored B body with 100,000 plus miles I've ever picked apart, and I've owned two comparable cars. All I could find fault with was one small rust repair in a rocker panel, a minor flaw a previous owner had revealed during our new member's due diligence.

So thanks to FBBO, a great car just got united with an enthusiastic, conscientious caretaker on his first attempt out of the gate. This is the kind of stuff that makes this site a great place to be.

Thanks brother! Appreciate the kind words. … fun trip (…will leave it there)

Its not lost on me what fortune has shined on me to find the community here, run across several selfless experts not just willing but truly excited to get me started on the right foot, and then as fate would have it to unexpectedly find a ‘pretty sharp’ 54 year-young black 383 4spd ‘69 RR sitting in Fla. I’m sure there were well over 100 pms in the process of getting mentally prepared to dive into the deep end. Just amazing knowledge and Incredible support within the FBBO.

She was delivered just a little while ago this afternoon! I’m truly blessed and grateful to 3 solid FBBO guys @HawkRod @DeltaV, and like @68BabyBlue said he agreed to take a road trip with a potential serial killer he had never met.

No glamor shots yet. But she’s now all mine and tucked in the Road Runner cave! A self admitted rook, but hooked since a pre-teen on the rumble of big block Mopars. IMO so much better sound than any of todays retro models.

And as soon as my wallet shows up after dropping it in the Uber dude’s car on the way to the airport, she and I will share a little Runnin’

Yep … I did that.

Welcome home Flo Jo!

 

[Bleep Bleep]

As a long time member of Moparts and Dodge Charger board
The bacon and penguins drama plus other issues of various kinds on the one and the near impossible issue posting pictures on the other.
I got to looking elsewhere for the Mopar daily fix

I ended up here. Not sure how I found it , be it posted elsewhere or google. I dont remember


I do still ck in on Moparts a fair amount. But DC hardly ever .
Im here several times a day

Im a long time Mopar owner and with exception to just a few cars its always been a B-body. Oddly enough its been usually a Plymouth and most of them have been of the 69 GTX variety, both hardtops and convertibles. ( several of each over the years )
Ive owned 2 wingcars , a few other Hemi cars and loads of 383-440 cars
Now own a 1966 Satellite Hemi auto I lusted after for the better part of 20 years. Bought it off a long time very good friend of mine. And I actually helped build this very car back in the early 2000s

There is a part of me that would like to locate one of my old cars. With a dream I could buy one of them back( not sure I prefer which one to be honest ) But with values today. Im not sure Im willing to write that ck to make it happen

The green hardtop is the car I owned when my now wife and I met.
The vert is the one my oldest daughter came home from the hospital in

I have no idea where either car are today

View attachment 1728576

Love that color Blue!

 

[Black_Sheep]

Whenever I did a Google search of a Mopar specific tech question a lot of FBBO links came up in the search results. After lurking for awhile I figured that I should probably sign up and be an active participant, so here I am. Now you all are stuck with me…

 

[gtx6970]

Love that color Blue!

Thanks.
B5 with the blue and white interior are tops for color combos for myself.
2nd only to my current car that's black with red interior

 

[Hey-O]

Your wife’s a keeper brother. Can I give her my wife’s number huh…?

My Mom and Dad shortly they married with his ‘51 Coronet convertible.

View attachment 1728661

After 45 years together, we do for each other all the time. Whatever it takes.

That picture is an absolutely keeper!!

 

[gtx6970]

sharp looking car.

You're gonna have a love / hate the black relationship

I assume it does not have the correct 053 Radiator in it ? ( upper hose is wrong side )

 

[68BabyBlue]

sharp looking car.

You're gonna have a love / hate the black relationship

I assume it does not have the correct 053 Radiator in it ? ( upper hose is wrong side )

He already has a black vehicle, understands the deal. I told him he probably needs to correct the radiator situation with Glen Ray, wasn’t sure of the part number, loaned him my book and told him to look it up. Nice car, well worth getting perfect.

 

[Budnicks]

Thanks brother! Appreciate the kind words. … fun trip (…will leave it there)

Its not lost on me what fortune has shined on me to find the community here, run across several selfless experts not just willing but truly excited to get me started on the right foot, and then as fate would have it to unexpectedly find a ‘pretty sharp’ 54 year-young black 383 4spd ‘69 RR sitting in Fla. I’m sure there were well over 100 pms in the process of getting mentally prepared to dive into the deep end. Just amazing knowledge and Incredible support within the FBBO.

She was delivered just a little while ago this afternoon! I’m truly blessed and grateful to 3 solid FBBO guys @HawkRod @DeltaV, and like @68BabyBlue said he agreed to take a road trip with a potential serial killer he had never met.

No glamor shots yet. But she’s now all mine and tucked in the Road Runner cave! A self admitted rook, but hooked since a pre-teen on the rumble of big block Mopars. IMO so much better sound than any of todays retro models.

And as soon as my wallet shows up after dropping it in the Uber dude’s car on the way to the airport, she and I will share a little Runnin’

Yep … I did that.

Welcome home Flo Jo!

View attachment 1728668

View attachment 1728669

View attachment 1728670

View attachment 1728671

View attachment 1728672

View attachment 1728673

Congrats, very Cool car, thanks for sharing & have fun...
I know you will...

 

[Bleep Bleep]

I have to edit this post as
@kiwigtx, @Cranky, @HawkRod, et el;
deserve much credit for attempting
to hold this place together.
without bias or favoritisum. Hat's off.

Couldn’t agree more! It’s often the stuff getting done behind the curtain that means the most. Kudos to all the Staffers!

 

[Cojohnso1]

I was on MoparChat site that went completely dead. Not by Admins, but folks just stopped. Talking with one of the admins it is a enigma. So when I purchased a '69 GTX. I found this site to help with ID and any technical issues that arise.

I bought the car as a solid #3 driver quality. And though it's period correct with components, it's nowhere near numbers matching. Thus did not pay the premium B-body prices. Which was perfect. I can do as I will with no cost penalty of disruption to numbers matching. But what I found? That it's WAY off on the fender tag and body/component numbers that today? I cannot confirm if it's an actual GTX. Tag says RS23. As does VIN and title. All saying same production numbers. Thus a GTX. But I still say lovingly to guys in the know. "It's GTXish!" Lol.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

sharp looking car.

You're gonna have a love / hate the black relationship

I assume it does not have the correct 053 Radiator in it ? ( upper hose is wrong side )

The car came with a pile of documentation. In there was contact information for a prior owner who had spent a nice chunk of change rebuilding the motor, front dash and pad, etc. I didn’t know what to expect when I called him up out of the blue. We spent the next hour talking through as much history as I ever could have hoped for. He gave me the heads up of some overheating issues he didn’t get corrected and put it on my radar as a priority.

Another example of the brotherhood this Mopar family is.

Like @68BabyBlue said, the black is actually a challenge I’m used to, and weirdly enjoy. The paint is from 1985 and comes with a bit of aging patina I’ll have fun dialing in.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

I was on MoparChat site that went completely dead. Not by Admins, but folks just stopped. Talking with one of the admins it is a enigma. So when I purchased a '69 GTX. I found this site to help with ID and any technical issues that arise.

I bought the car as a solid #3 driver quality. And though it's period correct with components, it's nowhere near numbers matching. Thus did not pay the premium B-body prices. Which was perfect. I can do as I will with no cost penalty of disruption to numbers matching. But what I found? That it's WAY off on the fender tag and body/component numbers that today? I cannot confirm if it's an actual GTX. Tag says RS23. As does VIN and title. All saying same production numbers. Thus a GTX. But I still say lovingly to guys in the know. "It's GTXish!" Lol.

Sweet! …numbers or none-ish.

 

[Cojohnso1]

Sweet! …numbers or none-ish.

I like it. It runs and drives nice. The best I can guess? A GTX was rear ended years ago. (At least 30) And possibly someone found a F8 green Sport Satellite and transferred Fender tag/Vin and title making a GTX. Attached is the fender tag. The first problem is the D32. My car is not an automatic. So either was transferred? Or someone changed out not only trans to a 4-speed, but also added a correct Dana rear. (Auto car should have an 8 3/4 rear.) Next is interior. Tag says Green on green. Car has camel tan with a split bench seat. Next is no vinyl top. Car is a hardtop. With no evidence of removed and painted over. (If they did? They did a REAL good job.) Car does has correct factory tach. Next problem is front fenders. Clearly Sport Satellite due to blinker indicator and trim holes still present.

The person I bought was not super Mopar savvy. And we also talked to the guy he bought from 5 years earlier. A Chevy guy. He bought from someone 15 years before that who has past away years ago. The two of them were either very non Mopar? Or they were hiding something.

I wish I was able to speak with the guy these guys bought car from 25+ years ago. Who ever he was? He knew Mopar. If my Sports Satellite theory is correct? He took the time to change speedo to a correct 150 MPH. I turned odometer over a couple years back. So it's new again! Lol.

Just another Mopar tale here in B-bodies

 

[Cojohnso1]

The 440 is also not right. It's a 1968 block. But not a HP. The heads are 1977/78 452s. I'm guessing with a standard 3 angle valve job with some bench porting to better match up with about a late 70s Edelbrock Performer manifold. With Holley 750. Pulled the dist out and could see it has a purple grind cam. I'm guessing 484? Does have HP exhaust manifolds. It performs very simular to stock HP 440 I've had in the past. Maybe even slightly better.

And that's about all I've learned. Yes, I'm dying to pull the heads. But I also know I'm capable of screwing up something that doesn't need fixing. Lol.

 

[chargervert]

This site doesn't have the clicks that have caused many people to leave other sites. Most people on here are good people who want to help others with their Mopar projects.

 

[Hey-O]

This site doesn't have the clicks that have caused many people to leave other sites. Most people on here are good people who want to help others with their Mopar projects.

Being with honest to God good people is what makes it fun. Try being with a group of guys with Vipers. I got rid of both. Bucket list only, a few down, some to go, and they're not cars.

 

[Black_Sheep]

This site doesn't have the clicks that have caused many people to leave other sites. Most people on here are good people who want to help others with their Mopar projects.

That’s one of the reasons I stopped going on Moparts…

 

[gtx6970]

This site doesn't have the clicks that have caused many people to leave other sites. Most people on here are good people who want to help others with their Mopar projects.

Agreed 1000%

 

[chargervert]

It's great just coming onto the site and talking all things Mopar with no bullschit. The site also has other sections that are entertaining as well.