Thread: Your first car
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Steve Carlton Steve Carlton is online now
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF east bay
Posts: 25,392
My parents offered me their 1968 Bel Air wagon with a 283 if I quit my quest to get a motorcycle in 1971. I turned it down. As I turned 16, their mechanic suggested a customer's 1968 Firebird hardtop with the 4.1L OHC six cylinder engine with a three-on-a-tree transmission. It had 99,000 miles and was in excellent condition for $1,100. My parents kicked in towards the purchase price and I was on my way. Went looking for a 4-speed to install and found one for $75 with a 389 V8 for $125 more. For some unknown reason it ran out of oil almost instantly and seized 6 rod bearings. Rebuilt it, then spun a couple of rod bearings again a couple of years later revving it to 7,000 rpm on the freeway 200 miles away from home. I was an idiot. I should have left it stock. I should have taken the free wagon, which was green on green. The Firebird was red on red.
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Old 05-17-2024, 07:53 AM
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