Hello all.
My mom owns a 1982 Lebaron Convertible with 84k original miles. Generally well cared for and garage kept for it's entire life. However it is in the Mid-Atlantic area and has been exposed to various "cancer" causing agents during its' lifetime so it does have a couple of "sores" poking through (one in the trunk lid and one near the chrome boot snap ring).
The engine (carb-ed 2.2L) is in definite need of work (looks just a trifle oily on the outside - as does the garage floor underneath) and combined with the squeaky/squawky suspension one is inspired to go the speed limit (or below) and hold the steering wheel with 2 hands.
Am I nuts to put any money into this vehicle? I have visions of swapping out the motor with a fuel injected version and trying to beef up the suspension a little. And of course that will also lead to "cancer" repairs. And we will probably need new canvas for the top. Oh yeah, and I can't forget the bucket seat that has no support in one corner (that one is aggravating and I suspect extremely unsafe). And I guess the list goes on from there.
And then of course there is the issue of finding someone on the East Coast who is willing to work on a K-Car still and actually care enough to do it right.
So what do you good folks think? Am I insane to even consider this? Should I drop it before I get any further than just thinking about it?
Help!