aRTy

aRTy is a 1989 Dodge Shadow coupe we acquired for the bargain price of $150 after he failed to pass Massachussetts inspection due to some embarrasing frame and rust issues (which fortunately are not a problem in New York where we will be registering him). While the Dodge Shadow is a typical late 80s/early 90s econobox, in aRTy we see the spirit of past Mopar muscle cars, hot rods and stock cars clamoring to be set free.

The Plan

aRTy is decended from a long line of serious muscle cars and bears some resemblance to the Dodge Aspen R/T — one of his progenitors from the late 1960s and early 1970s.  We have decided to pay homage to this illustrious ancestry by decking Arty out like the 1971 version of that classic piece of Detriot rolling-iron…  Pinstripes, emblems, quarter-window louvers, rear spoiler and (if possible) a 3″ rear lift.

The Butcher’s Bill

As one might expect with a car purchased for $150, aRTy will need some TLC (and possibly some CPR) before he will be ready to take on the 1,500 miles of splendor that are the BABE Rally and then the return trip to New York.  So far, the list of repairs includes:

• patch chip in windshield* (attempted repair using a MacGyver-inspired homemade epoxy vacuum pump and then ignored)
• plug slow leak in right front tire – (ignored)
• reinforce K-frame (turns out this was not necessary)
• repair driver’s-side window bracket
• rehab or replace left front strut* (ignored)
• replace front brake pads (ignored)
• replace rear drum shoes (ignored)
• break loose cockpit temperature control
• duct tape/bondo rocker panels* (ignored)
• weld in new trunk floor* (er… weld… actually, amazing what aluminum flashing and duct tape can do…)
• replace missing emergency brake cable*

* denotes an inspection issue.

For a full history of aRTy’s repairs (or lack thereof), scroll back through the Team THOTC blog.