Cheers from Southern California - Father/Daughter Eagle SX/4 Build

[jrpentolino]

So I've taken so much value over the last few months from this forum that I decided I had better become a member. I can't tell you how helpful the articles have been.

My journey started in March of this year. My daughter just turned 15, and I was talking to her about giving her Mom's Durango and buying mom a new car. Incidentally, mom really liked that idea. However, daughter had other plans. "So Daddy...you used to restore old cars when you were a kid, right?".

"I sure did, kiddo"

"That's so cool! Do you think you and I could restore an old car instead of getting mom's car?"

And that was it. I haven't had a project car in 10 years, but how do you say no to that??!! She asked me to give her recommendations of cool old cars from my childhood. And while I take exception to "old car" and my childhood being used in the same sentence, I acquiesced. I gave her options I thought were cool. When she saw the Eagle, that was it.

"This one Daddy!"

"Are you sure"

"Yup!"

And that was it. Found an '82 Eagle SX/4 with 4.2L and a 5 speed with factory air on eBay. The auction ended at 6pm my time on Easter Sunday. So there I am, fork in one hand and laptop on the table snipe bidding as the seconds ticked away. We won the auction right as we were getting ready to cut in the pumpkin pie. It was exciting, and she was so thrilled.

We had the car shipped and we began work immediately. It would start (kind of) when we got it, but would not idle and if you tried to drive it more than a few feet it would just die. According to the previous owner, it was sitting in a barn for 20 years.

Last Sunday we finally got her running and I passed smog and got my plates just a few days ago. This will be a full stock restoration. The only alterations will be a head unit capable of bluetooth and Apple Car Play for navigation, and I am lifting it 2". Everything else will remain. I'm currently working on trying to get the Select Drive to function again, and then I'm going to start on the front end rebuild and lift.

Needless to say, this is quite a large project. But I have a year to do it. And it is a blast and an amazing bonding experience to work with my daughter and teach her how a vehicle actually works.

Cheers!

JR

[AMC of Houston]

Thanks for the story.   And congrats on having a kid who appreciates old cars!!   Obviously brought up correctly........

[jrpentolino]

Thank you!

[vangremlin]

Sounds like a great father-daughter experience.  Good luck with the build!

[atmafox]

That's such a touching story!  Hearing about another lady getting into cars is always great; sometimes I feel pretty alone re working on cars as a woman - not to mention driving stick in this day and age.

For radios may I recommend https://www.retromanufacturing.com as they make factory style radios that support everything you're after and then some!

Good luck!
-Andrea

[jrpentolino]

That's such a touching story!  Hearing about another lady getting into cars is always great

Thank you! It's been a blast teaching her and watching her learn. And I appreciate the tip for the radio! Here are a few pics of her getting her Eagle on 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7z3VhiNnEZEkiXrM7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UZgwt4NuzVCxzxvF8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KvHeU4PTeqdQmDjN7

[vangremlin]

Cool pics, thanks for sharing.

Do you have your blasting cabinet set up in the front hallway to your house?  That's awesome!!

[jrpentolino]

Do you have your blasting cabinet set up in the front hallway to your house?  That's awesome!!

The cabinet is actually in my breezeway. My wife would kill me if I brought it in the house  . Actually....she might just kill me anyway. With my 40' container in the backyard, as well as two trailers and now the Eagle....we'll let's just say she isn't thrilled with what I'm doing with the place. But my Daughter and I love it!

[jdlmodelt]

Where did you guys end up with this project? Pictures of the finished product?

[vangremlin]

Where did you guys end up with this project? Pictures of the finished product?

The original poster has not been on the site for a couple years, you may have to drop him a direct message or email if you want an update.  Thanks!