She's a Good Fifty Footer

 Took the car out of storage (the barn) the other day and yesterday washed it. I really need to get to work on this car and fix it up so I can drive it. When I do get it fixed up, I can use this license plate on the front to register it. The car and plate are '65.
First thing I need to do is weld patches in the floorboards to keep small varmints from shitting on the seats.

Also need to do an engine swap as it is wore out. Have to change plugs every few hundred miles because they get oil fouled. I have another car with a 318 that should be a bolt in swap with a few minor changes like the exhaust manifolds. The engine is a '79 so will run on unleaded with no problems. Had to use lead substitute when I last ran it back in the '90s.

The car used to be basically rust-free with some minor dings and dents, but now is rusting through in various places. I didn't post pictures of the bad spots as I didn't want to show how bad the rust is. But if you look close at the lower rear quarter panel behind the rear wheel, you'll see the rust. That's not dirt causing the color. The other side is worse, there is actually a spot where the rust has made a hole behind the read wheel.

Barracuda

I've been doing some research online and discovered I can register and insure my old car for less than $200 a year. That will give me some incentive to fix the old gal up to make it drivable.

First thing I need to do is patch the floorboards, they are rusted through on both sides in front. On the driver's side it is probably from salt and water from the driver's boots. The passenger side is because the heater core sprung a leak and it sat with a puddle of coolant soaking the carpet for too long. Or I could leave it the way it is and if the brakes fail I can stop it like the Flintstone's car.

I can get full coverage collector car insurance for around $130 a year and get a Historical plate for $30. If I want to use the correct year plate (the one from 1965 currently on the front), it'll cost me $35.

Besides the floorboards and some bodywork, it needs work under the hood. The engine uses almost as much oil as gas. The plugs only last for about a 1000 miles before they need to be cleaned or replaced. I do have another engine (318 V8) in a '79 Plymouth that I could put in it and that would allow me to use unleaded gas. The original engine (273 V8)was designed to use leaded gas and it's a pain in the ass to have to use a lead substitute to keep from burning the valves. Or I could spend a couple of grand rebuilding the engine that's in it and have the heads worked so it can run on unleaded.

I've always liked these cars (bought my first one 40 years ago which is now a parts car for this one and have had this one for over 28 years) and can't understand why they aren't more popular like the Mustangs and Camaros. Maybe it's because it doesn't have the long hood, short trunk style. It kinda looks like a sedan with a huge rear window. At least it ain't a Rambler Marlin!!!