72E , Not just a destination but a journey

[webbarmory]

Longtime lurker, I’m finally getting some time to put into this project. I’m not exactly sure the path I’ll take but the end result will be a Oelklapper with minimal upgrades and originality in mind.

I purchased the car in the middle of a move for a new job, from Kentucky to North Carolina. I hadn’t even found a garage for my other kids, 87 M491 and 59 ConvD , and here I was adopting another. I had been looking for the right 72E, I didn’t want a fully restored car and I was trying to avoid to large of a project.

I’ll add some history later on the car and as I uncover other items.

I found the car in California, though it was originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. Originally purchased at Dave Strongs and owned by Equity Oil. Luckily my brother didn’t live to far from the car, I made arrangements and flew out, saw and made a deal on the car.

The car ran but burning oil. Also leaking oil in the typical “triangle” area fairly heavy at some point. The MFI had been rebuilt, it actually had some decent pep but after a few weeks of tinkering it was still churning out smoke like a mosquito fog truck. The few miles I drove in the backroads KY I could do, but moving just outside of Charlotte that would not cut it.

This is where it may start to take a few twists. I had hoped I’d get lucky and drive the car 1-2 summers before doing an engine rebuild. Do some repairs and purchase the restoration parts along the way. Well, that plan had been set aside and I started on dropping the engine and transmission. I’m the mean time I run across a 73 fully torn down with engine and transmission for a killer deal. Long story short I picked up a spare 2.4 carbureted engine with good compression and leak down.

This is where my story begins, I’m going to put in the spare engine and try to have a patina cruiser for a year. The car will later get torn down, patch up the few rust areas and full paint.

First day in KY


‘‘Twas the night before dropdown


Not to bad for first time and on my own


Obligatory


Let the games begin!

[FA-18C]

Look forward to watching this unfold. I had a 72S Targa long ago and loved that car. And my 70E took some work to get dialed, but once sorted, nothing like MFI.