Mopar Muscle Association UK

Welcome on board.

Wow! Thank you for the warm welcome folks!
Some really useful advice there to bear in mind when car shopping.

I’m not sure *exactly* what we want, well… Nicola is set on a ’70 super bee in a high impact colour but that’s a good 3 years away ‘til we can move house.
It’d be nice if whatever we go for has a V8 but it’s not an essential. Although, I can appreciate the comments re: the muscle car bug biting further down the line. I doubt it’s something we’ll be able to ignore for long… Ten years ago, I spent much of my first year at university pinching pennies to put a V8 in the MGB GT I was driving around in whilst Nicola dumped her first car (another MGB) and bought a 911 SC Targa and then went on to get a class B race licence to learn how to drive it properly.
So I guess “going faster” in something cool has always been a bit of a thing for us in one form or another? We met drag racing at the pod so I guess that says it all really!

I think in the first instance we’re just looking for something honest and unmolested and ideally with a V8 and an auto box so we can learn about these cars before doing anything more ambitious?
Although if the car in question happened to be finished in plum / sublime then that’d be OK by me!

On the subject of Aus / SA cars… I have been looking out for South African Valiant Chargers, but according to a S/A friend of mine they were a bit rare when new. Although he did say there were a lot of 4 door Valiant regal sedans trucking around? They do seem to have all the toys – buckets / console and demon sheet metal just without the V8 / beefed up power train.
I’m just not sure about a RHD “yank” though…

The only experience either of us have of LHD vehicles is a smart car we borrowed off the inlaws for a week! I’m sure an A body will be miles better than that, though!

Thanks again,

Jon.

p.s To save causing any confusion I think it’s probably best if I change my user name whilst I’m still new. Who’s the best person to speak to about?

A lot of people discount RHD as its not seen as "right."

Every time you go through a drive through, toll booth or window payment you can't help but smile to yourself though.

PITA in the engine bay at times though.

Hi jon and Nicola, welcome to the club, I own an A body and B body and for every day use you cant beat an A body, youre more than welcome to check mine out in west yorks, Richard.

Hello and welcome to you both

Welcome. Great to see you on here! Enjoy..

JC. wrote:
p.s To save causing any confusion I think it’s probably best if I change my user name whilst I’m still new. Who’s the best person to speak to about?

You have PM re this.

I can also vouch for the RHD benefits. Possibly also a bit cheaper because of the (lack of) kudos of not being LHD but the drive through and parking barrier thing is very true. Also the RHD stuff tends to be high spec. All the UK market RHD Barracudas had disc brakes as factory fit I believe, and Aussie stuff is beefed up for their environment, such as boxed in spring hangers etc.

Having owned both LHD and RHD A bodies, I still prefer LHD. I had a RHD Barracuda that was my daily at the time, to me it felt wrong and the super slow ratio steering I really didn't like.

Welcome to the club and happy hunting....Dave Madders and Don Scott regularly import cars, inc A bodies, and are always very fairly priced good cars. They usually give us lot first dibbs at great prices. Check the 'For Sale' forum.

I know that Mick on here lives in Nottingham and he has a beast of an A body....not too far from you so might be worth a PM and a drive over. Mick is a great guy and VERY experienced with racing/ building etc. He has been known to have a dodgy wardrobe at times though....you have been warned!!

Rust is the big thing to watch out for really, as with any old car. If you are happy to weld yourself, then it can be beneficial as you can get the car much cheaper. Ive done that in the past and, though I did enjoy it and I learned loads, its not the easiest route to take and not for the faint hearted. I made the panels I needed on my Fury but they are expensive if you have to buy new.

As Dave said, the more you spend on a sorted car, the less it will cost in the long run. Buy the best you can afford.

I would also recommend that you buy a car that is as original and as complete as you can, especially if you are going down the route of stock resto. That missing fender trim piece, tatty door cards and missing water bottle all adds up. I know because Im looking for a few small parts for my 72 New Yorker and I have stopped adding it up now or it will depress me!

Check for brittle wiring, especially around the bulkhead connector area. Expect to do some cleaning etc but a really bad loom will invariably result in expense and time off the road.

Things like carpets, headlinings, seat covers, mirrors, sunvisors etc are still available new. I use Ron Fenton of STS imports to bring stuff in from the US in his regular containers. Thje prices on Ebay look great when you are browsing but that perfect $160 carpet quickly turns into £250 to your door once customs and USPS get hold of your wallet. I plan ahead....list what you will need, find it, get it shipped to Ron so it comes in the same container then get on with the other jobs while your stuff is on the ship over. You will save loads of money in the long term.

Use the 'wanted' forum for parts etc. Lots of members have parts that you can use and they dont need.

Get stuck in to the forum, you will love it and we can all learn from you as well as you are obviously really into your cars!!

Cheers Steve

Steve, you have summed that up very well, you should be writing for Practical Classics buying guides. Spot on.

MattH wrote:I can also vouch for the RHD benefits. Possibly also a bit cheaper because of the (lack of) kudos of not being LHD but the drive through and parking barrier thing is very true. Also the RHD stuff tends to be high spec. All the UK market RHD Barracudas had disc brakes as factory fit I believe, and Aussie stuff is beefed up for their environment, such as boxed in spring hangers etc.

UK got four pot brakes and uprated suspension, formula S ish package.

Blue calls 'em wrong hand drive.

hello there , good luck with your quest for MOPAR

Hello and welcome

Hi Jon and Nicola, welcome to the club.

I recently imported a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 and my choice of Mopar was also restricted by the size of my garage. However, I am really pleased with my choice, bit late if I wasn't!, and something a bit more individual compared with the Chevies and Fords that I have owned.

A very helpful bunch of knowledgeable guys on here to point you in the right direction and give useful advice.

Regards
Arthur