I've got a particularly bad habit of aimlessly scrolling Facebook Marketplace from time to time, just to see all the junk available for sale. I'd been mostly perusing C-Body Chryslers, but always looking for a decent Box, but I kinda had a range. Either a good example of a very early one, or a very late one. Perhaps with a few minor exterior flaws and in need of a little mechanical love, but nothing that was going to need extensive exterior/interior rehabilitation.
So, that's how we got to this car, a 1979 LTD Landau. Door sticker shows production of 02-14-1979.
The Comet was also built on Valentine's Day '64. The '87 and '97 are also February production cars. Pretty sure this is a sign at this point.
The odometer is reporting 37,605 miles as of today. Now, is that the true mileage, or 137K? Great question. I feel like it's closer to actual reported based on how particularly nice things are for the age. It's a solid 10 footer, as the exterior does have some minor scratches about itself and a very small ding on the passenger front door. The interior is still very nice with minimal wear. The sun visors are about the worst bit right now as the passenger side one just kinda flops about. Regardless, I've seen far newer ones look so much worse. Paint and pinstripes seem to be original and would benefit from a good wash and a wax job. Lower trunk accent has the typical delamination issue. The vinyl roof has just the earliest signs of cracking setting in roughly in the middle, so I'll apply some 303 Aerospace protectant to slow any further degradation. Pillars and body seams did not have any rust bubbles or frightening issues showing. Seller told me it was kept in a carport its whole life, so that seems to track with the condition.
Time to take this thing home! (Or at least back to my friend's place until I've got the paperwork done up next week...)
Literally the worst part of the roof:
Malaise Gang ft. Zane's '75 Mustang II Ghia
So it looks decent, but how does it drive? Heh, bad. Shocks? I mean, they're present. Just definitely not doing anything. Brakes? Booster has an audible leak, definitely need to inspect the corners. Transmission? SelectClunk definitely drops into gear with some authority, much harder than the AOD. Runs through all gears smoothly at least with good kick down. Probably worth doing a good fluid/filter service and fitting an external cooler. Tires? 2010 date code 14s that are so dry rotten I did not go on a very long test drive, but did get up to about 50, but not for long. Engine? Runs rough. Has a cheap 2150 clone on it, seller unfamiliar with dialing carburetor in (might need to find a proper Motorcraft 2150). EGR valve might be slightly stuck given its behavior at idle. Pretty sure I heard a vacuum leak. Needs intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets at a minimum. Probably could use some spark plugs. Definitely needs belts.
Sounds like a lot, but honestly I don't think it'll take much to get the engine squared away. I think there's a light lifter tap, but I've got no idea what grade oil is in it right now, but I also consider if it wasn't driven much, it might be a case of a sticky one and just needs some drive time. It's already been desmogged with the exception of the pump still being fitted and the smog pipes at the back of the engine. Someone ran true duals on it, only thing I'll probably change is putting more factory style turn downs on it instead of the bumper exit tips it has right now. Otherwise, it's a 45 year old car that definitely needs a little mechanical TLC, but nothing extreme. I think its a decently kept example that should make for a decent driver quality car once it's squared up.
So, that's how we got to this car, a 1979 LTD Landau. Door sticker shows production of 02-14-1979.
The Comet was also built on Valentine's Day '64. The '87 and '97 are also February production cars. Pretty sure this is a sign at this point.The odometer is reporting 37,605 miles as of today. Now, is that the true mileage, or 137K? Great question. I feel like it's closer to actual reported based on how particularly nice things are for the age. It's a solid 10 footer, as the exterior does have some minor scratches about itself and a very small ding on the passenger front door. The interior is still very nice with minimal wear. The sun visors are about the worst bit right now as the passenger side one just kinda flops about. Regardless, I've seen far newer ones look so much worse. Paint and pinstripes seem to be original and would benefit from a good wash and a wax job. Lower trunk accent has the typical delamination issue. The vinyl roof has just the earliest signs of cracking setting in roughly in the middle, so I'll apply some 303 Aerospace protectant to slow any further degradation. Pillars and body seams did not have any rust bubbles or frightening issues showing. Seller told me it was kept in a carport its whole life, so that seems to track with the condition.
Time to take this thing home! (Or at least back to my friend's place until I've got the paperwork done up next week...)
Literally the worst part of the roof:
Malaise Gang ft. Zane's '75 Mustang II Ghia
So it looks decent, but how does it drive? Heh, bad. Shocks? I mean, they're present. Just definitely not doing anything. Brakes? Booster has an audible leak, definitely need to inspect the corners. Transmission? SelectClunk definitely drops into gear with some authority, much harder than the AOD. Runs through all gears smoothly at least with good kick down. Probably worth doing a good fluid/filter service and fitting an external cooler. Tires? 2010 date code 14s that are so dry rotten I did not go on a very long test drive, but did get up to about 50, but not for long. Engine? Runs rough. Has a cheap 2150 clone on it, seller unfamiliar with dialing carburetor in (might need to find a proper Motorcraft 2150). EGR valve might be slightly stuck given its behavior at idle. Pretty sure I heard a vacuum leak. Needs intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets at a minimum. Probably could use some spark plugs. Definitely needs belts.
Sounds like a lot, but honestly I don't think it'll take much to get the engine squared away. I think there's a light lifter tap, but I've got no idea what grade oil is in it right now, but I also consider if it wasn't driven much, it might be a case of a sticky one and just needs some drive time. It's already been desmogged with the exception of the pump still being fitted and the smog pipes at the back of the engine. Someone ran true duals on it, only thing I'll probably change is putting more factory style turn downs on it instead of the bumper exit tips it has right now. Otherwise, it's a 45 year old car that definitely needs a little mechanical TLC, but nothing extreme. I think its a decently kept example that should make for a decent driver quality car once it's squared up.
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