Finally! A winter warrior joins my MC family

[knightfan26917]

I FINALLY have a bona fide winter warrior! Introducing my 1979 Caprice Classic sedan:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1979caprice/Welcome.html

Some of you may've already noticed the page on the website that Ray B created for me ... Ray included a link to the "Winter Beater Caprice" in the left column of the home page:

www.chevyasylum.com/cort

This dark blue and silver Caprice is my first true "2-tone" car; I've wanted a 2-tone for a LONG time.

I've been looking for a winter beater for a while, but with my 1987 Monte Carlo LS/CL starting to show a bit more rust on it this year than it had since I bought it in mid-2003, this was THE year to ensure it hibernated for the winter. Over the last few years, I've toyed with the idea of different "winter" cars...

...the 2009 Dodge Charger SXT (maroon) that I rented for my Route 66 road trip (September 2009) AND my trip to TN/AL (November 2009)

...a 1993 Cadillac Eldorado (owned by Alex of the First Gen MC Club)

...a 1996 Ford Thunderbird (owned by a lady at my dentist's office that I've known for years)

...a few different 1987/1988 MC LSs

...a 1977 Caprice Classic sedan

...a 1978 Caprice Classic coupe

...a 1978 Buick Riviera

...a 1996 Buick Riviera

...a 1996 Cadillac Eldorado

...a few different 2006 Lumina/monte carlo LTZ coupes (maroon/tan; silver/black; white/tan)

...and a few others.

My "ideal" car would've been a RWD coupe (namely the late 1980s Monte Carlos, the 1996 Ford Thunderbird or the 1978 Buick Riviera). I decided that I'd be OK with a RWD sedan (the Charger or Caprice) or a FWD coupe (the 1996 Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorados, etc.).

Similar to finding my '87 MC LS/CL, this 1979 Caprice Classic had been advertised for sale for over a year. I passed on it a year ago because I wanted a coupe. But, this year, the seller lowered the price to $500 ... and I grabbed it. My friend Randy W (from several MC groups/boards) picked it up for me in Missouri, Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

Despite the price, this '79 Caprice Classic is a solid car, and the miles on the odometer may be actual ... not over 100,000. Many thanks to Randy for doing some extensive work to make sure it is "winter ready". Among other things, Randy replaced...

...spark plugs (AC Delco)

...valve cover gaskets

...rear shocks (Monroe Sensa-Tracs)

...engine oil/filter (Pennzoil 10w30 and AC Delco PF454 oil filter)

...transmission fluid/filter

...alternator

...AC compressor

...power steering belts

...wiper blades

...starter

...radio (new CD player)

...battery

...front shocks

...idler arm

...mirrors on both sides

...front driver's side fender and front fascia and hood (damage from a previous accident)

Sunday, December 13, 2009, Derek and Janie (friends from central IL) met Randy in Springfield IL to pick up the car. I should have it from them sometime this week...!

Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker

CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com

"Uh, what model is it?" ... Johnny Cash ... 'One Piece At A Time'

[Blake Noble]

I hope she's a real tank, Cort, and takes the Winter months like a champ. It appeared to be a really decent winter beater when you first showed me a pic of it a little while back.

[Camino LS6]

This has beena long time coming, Cort.

I'm glad you finally got your winter cruiser.

[Delta Force79]

Nice to have a fellow '79 B-Body among the C&G fleet, good luck with it this winter

[Drew Dowdell]

Make sure you add it to your Garage here on C&G Cort!

[Z-06]

Cort, congrats. It is one gorgeous car for the age. Most of these B-bodies I have seen in Florida have been donked.

[A Horse With No Name]

Sweet! I need a winter beater/backup car myself!!

Chris

[daves87rs]

Sweet! Good looking car!

Sweet! I need a winter beater/backup car myself!!

Chris

That's my Cobalt's job....

[smk4565]

What about a Dodge Royal Monaco as detailed in this exquisitely made piece...

Although my personal favorite of that era was the Seville (the original, not the hideous slant back one) or Town Car Coupe, only because a 2-door Town car looks ridiculous.

Edited December 17, 2009 by smk4565

[knightfan26917]

*grins*

Thank you, all!

I neglected to mention that Randy also switched it to ... Fuel Injection!

Holy cow ... what a detailed comparison THAT is.

And ... watching it ... reminded me that, back in '77, the Caprice was the new downsized model ... while the Monte Carlo retained the "bigness" of the '73-'76 styles. So ... for 1977, the "fullsize" GMs seemed SMALLER than the "midsized" models.....

Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker

CDshowcase.HOLIDAY | Thursday.December 24 | noon-3p.CENTRAL = www.WRMN1410.com

"Maybe next year I'll give it to someone...special" ... WHAM! ... 'Last Christmas'

[2005 EquinoxLS]

Same color interior as the 1979 Impala I had other than the difference between a Caprice and Impala. With decent tires this should get you around just fine. Never had much of a problem with the 1981 Caprice or 1979 Impala or the one time I drove the 1981 Bonneville in a snow event. Tires make the difference with these. Which engine is in here? Most were 305s. My 1979 was. Good luck with it.

[knightfan26917]

Which engine is in here?

The 350 V8 ... that Randy converted to Fuel Injection for me.

Several pictures of my "Winter Warrier" 1979 Caprice Classic have been added...

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1979caprice/Welcome.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1979caprice/Welcome.html

While I haven't had time to prepare a few pics I took of it Saturday, 12/26/09 ...WITH ~10" OF SNOW ON THE CAPRICE..., newer pics on the website include...

...a better interior pic

...some emblem pics

...2 pics of it and the 2009 maroon Dodge Charger SXT I rented for my September 2009 Route 66 adventure and my November 2009 trip to TN/AL.

Pics of my MCs, all of which are hibernating this winter:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mccollection.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mccollection.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1972/72monte.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1972/72monte.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1976/76monte.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1976/76monte.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1979/79monte.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1979/79monte.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1981/81monte.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1981/81monte.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1987/87monte.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mc1987/87monte.html

Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"When you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God" ... Kenny Rogers/Wynonna ... 'Mary, Did You Know?'