That is in great condition, even better when you consider it sat topless for so long.
1975 Trailduster 440 PowerWagon
Part II of my TD project. (Part I is in the introductions forum)
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After purchasing this project rig, I searched all over the country for a RC/TD top. Found one about 70 miles from home, but it had a big dent in the top back corner, lots of rust, and a busted back window for $500! Found another one in Carson City, NV for $450. Rounded up a buddy and made the 13 hour drive (each way) to pick up this top in great condition.
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A little rust on the hinges, but look at that headliner! Nearly perfect! Add some new weatherstripping, and winner winner chicken dinner.
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Removed the top, seats, and roll bar to attack the interior rust. Enduring winter after winter outside in MT without a top....
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Some major cancer happening on the interior floor, especially up front. Here I have painted most of the rust with rust converter (all the black). I plan to cover the smaller holes with fiberglass patches, while the bigger areas will be treated with sheet metal, then top all that off with some bedliner. I will leave most of the bed itself orange, just bedliner where the worst rust is and to cover the patches.
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I removed the gas tank to clean out the old gas and gunk accumulated over the years. I swapped out all fluids and filters, gave her a new battery (after relocating the battery from the very back to the engine compartment. Had to score a battery tray from the boneyard.)
It took a few cranks of the starter, but the old 383 roared to life! It's alive!!! Bled the brakes and the power steering and drove the TD for the first time. It definitely still needs some tuning, but woohoo!!!
That's where the '75 TD project is at for now. Still waiting to hear from the state if I can title this thing and eventually register it and drive it down the road. I plan on acquiring another hood (I have located an orange one with matching oxidized patina). I need seat belts, windshield visors, new windshield, grill. I plan to mount the spare tire to the massive brush guard. More ideas keep popping into my head. I would love to hear your suggestion as well.
To be continued............
After purchasing this project rig, I searched all over the country for a RC/TD top. Found one about 70 miles from home, but it had a big dent in the top back corner, lots of rust, and a busted back window for $500! Found another one in Carson City, NV for $450. Rounded up a buddy and made the 13 hour drive (each way) to pick up this top in great condition.
A little rust on the hinges, but look at that headliner! Nearly perfect! Add some new weatherstripping, and winner winner chicken dinner.
Removed the top, seats, and roll bar to attack the interior rust. Enduring winter after winter outside in MT without a top....
Some major cancer happening on the interior floor, especially up front. Here I have painted most of the rust with rust converter (all the black). I plan to cover the smaller holes with fiberglass patches, while the bigger areas will be treated with sheet metal, then top all that off with some bedliner. I will leave most of the bed itself orange, just bedliner where the worst rust is and to cover the patches.
I removed the gas tank to clean out the old gas and gunk accumulated over the years. I swapped out all fluids and filters, gave her a new battery (after relocating the battery from the very back to the engine compartment. Had to score a battery tray from the boneyard.)
It took a few cranks of the starter, but the old 383 roared to life! It's alive!!! Bled the brakes and the power steering and drove the TD for the first time. It definitely still needs some tuning, but woohoo!!!
That's where the '75 TD project is at for now. Still waiting to hear from the state if I can title this thing and eventually register it and drive it down the road. I plan on acquiring another hood (I have located an orange one with matching oxidized patina). I need seat belts, windshield visors, new windshield, grill. I plan to mount the spare tire to the massive brush guard. More ideas keep popping into my head. I would love to hear your suggestion as well.
To be continued............
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Title finally made through all of the red tape at State, I went and registered the TD the next day.
After twenty two years, the Plymouth is street legal again!
(Well, nearly so. I still need seat belts...)
We have had a few weeks of Indian summer here in Montana, and I have been driving this thing nearly every day.
Soon I will have to put the top on for the winter.
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After twenty two years, the Plymouth is street legal again!
(Well, nearly so. I still need seat belts...)
We have had a few weeks of Indian summer here in Montana, and I have been driving this thing nearly every day.
Soon I will have to put the top on for the winter.
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1 - 12 of 12 Posts
