As some of you know, I embarked on a wacky adventure a couple of years ago. The main part of this adventure was purchasing a 1981 Plymouth Champ that had been sitting in a Chicago garage since.....ahem.....1988!
After going through the car, I drove it from IL to Detroit, and then onto Florida. (the entire trip was chronicled in a story I wrote for GRM, but was never published--- the story comes with the car!)
The car made it home despite having a failing CV joint, and a leaky gas tank. Besides that...it ran well...really well---with only 88K original miles on it. Since that time, it's been sitting......
I haven't messed with it in a long time, and now the rust has taken hold. The worst area is on the lower strut towers, where there is a hole in each tower. It's repairable, but I'm honestly done with the Champ, as it's served its' purpose. I'd like to pass it along to a GRMer who likes quirky automotive footnotes. Yes, it is the "Twin-Stick" 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears!
Here's a few pics. It' looks the same these days--- just needs a thorough cleaning. It would make for an exceptional parts car, or you could get it drivable once again. Make me an offer---- chances are I'll say yes! The car is in the Daytona Beach area---just one mile from the GRM offices.
To be drivable it needs a new CV (included with car), and the gas tank has debris in it. The car will run with gravity feed (yes it has a carb), but dies if you attempt to drive it too far. It will usually quit running at the most inopportune time possible! The driver's seat bolster is ripped, but besides that, the interior is in very nice shape--- total time warp to 1981!
Someone save the Champ!
BTW-- parts are comically inexpensive through Rock Auto. The car also comes with a laundry list of new items, which I can detail if requested. Feel free to PM me, or email at Joe@Grassrootsmotorsports.com if you are interested.
The car will will need to be towed from my property.