Automotive

Up until around 2016 or so, I primarily drove these quirky "Turbo Mopars" employing Chrysler's 2.2L turbocharged powertrain.  My last daily driver of this type was a 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z C/S.  The car was a bit of a basket case when I got it, but it was eventually sorted out: the frame was straightened, the floor pans replaced, and the powertrain and interior were upgraded.  It was a very fun and comfortable car to drive (for a Turbo-Mopar anyway).  Eventually I had to let it go, as it just wasn't practical to use a 30+ year-old car as a daily.

My previous daily driver from 1995 through 2002 was a 1988 Dodge Shadow ES.  It was laid to rest due to a fatal case paint peel and floorpan/frame rust.  It had been in a few collisions over its life and it just wasn't worth saving.  Prior to that, I drove a 1987 Dodge Shadow Turbo and a 1987 Plymouth Sundance Turbo.  I had a thing for these particular cars (the "P-body", in Turbo-Mopar parlance), especially the first generation (1987-1988).

Back when I first graduated from college, I strongly desired the ultimate first-generation P-body: the 1987 Shelby CSX.  After some searching and waiting for the right car in my price range, I found Shelby CSX #694 of 750.  It has mainly been a project car, though it has had to step in as a daily from time to time.  This is the last of these cars that I still own.

Chrysler had an interesting relationship with Carroll Shelby in the late 1980s.  While the resulting vehicles were never taken very seriously in muscle car circles, a great online community did form around them.  The discourse has moved from mailing lists to online Forums to (unfortunately) Facebook Groups, but the community itself still exists.  The Shelby-Dodge Auto Club still holds an annual convention to this day.

In the dark recesses of the Internet lies an ancient tome of knowledge that (according to the server logs) people still visit for some reason: Mini-Mopar Resources.

The Daytona: May 8, 2005

Posted on May 08, 2005.

Heard a strange scraping sound as I pulled into the driveway.  It was part of the rusted, twisted hulk that was my radiator core support.  Time to drive the CSX for a while.

The CSX: May 8, 2005

Posted on May 08, 2005.

All put back together and back on the road so that I can put the Daytona down for a while.  I cobbled-together a small guage cluster and mounted it under the center console.  It has the fual pressure, oil pressure, and the new oil temperature guages.  It's basically a Radio Shack 8" x 5.5" x 3" ABS project case.  The guages are angled towards the driver with those Auto Meter inserts.  It doesn't look great, but its servicable.

The CSX: April 29, 2005

Posted on April 29, 2005.

The rusty areas of the floor pans are prepped for POR-15.  Most of it is surface rust, but it is starting to pit and flake in a few spots, so it is a good time to address them.  I also noticed a crack in the firewall, but I don't really have time to deal with it now.  If/when I ever pull this motor for a rebuild, I'll patch up the firewall properly.

The CSX: April 26, 2005

Posted on April 26, 2005.

Well, I have the oil pan back in.  I dropped it to fix a leak and went ahead and welded a temp sensor bung, side baffles, and some reinforcements on the bottom after banging out all the dents.  It was then stripped and painted with POR-15.  I also cleaned and painted the control arms and radiator/IC brackets.  The control arm bushing on the passenger side was walking out of the arm, so I purchased new poly bushings for it again.  I don't think it was properly lubricated, so it shouldn't happen again.  I also got the radiator recored, which has been in dire need since I bought the car.

The Daytona: April 4, 2005

Posted on April 04, 2005.

Swapped back to the original tires and put the Blizzaks in storage.  They were excellent tires in the sloppy weather, though we had a fairly mild winter this year.  Dry traction and handling is horrible, but I was expecting that given the very soft compound and tall treads.  Gonna start on the CSX so I can start tearing into this thing.