Re: The STINGER has landed.

[Ken Ames <amesk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sounds like a really nice find John. 

The rear sag may be in part due to too many parts under the hatch. :)

My 73 has Concord springs under it now and they work fine. The only thing to 
watch out for with them is that the centre bolt is taller on the later springs 
to fit the rubber isolater. The tall bolts won't let the spring seat on the 
pad as they touch the axle tube first. I just shorted them a touch with the 
hacksaw. The original Hornet springs weren't broken as is usual, just tired 
from holding up a car for 30+ years.  

Ken Ames


Quoting John W Rosa <JohnRosa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

> 
> 11:30AM this morning, the big rig stopped at the 
> curb of my mommy-in-laws place to deliver our new
> Hornet X....and all was right with the world.
> 
> Almost. The damn rain would not let up long enough 
> for a single photo with the smallest amount of 
> sunlight. Oh, well...maybe tomorrow.
> 
> So, the car is just about everything I could have 
> expected- a very clean and maniacally maintained
> original-owner car. He bought it December 12, 1972
> in Liberal, Kansas for the princely sticker price 
> of $4210.65 (actual price paid, I don't know).
> 
> The window sticker is complete, crisp and not faded, 
> with 3 creases across the face due to folding. The
> car is described as a 'Hornet hatchback 2-dr sedan'.
> The next line indicates 304 cid V-8 2-barrel for $138,
> but the very next notes 360 cid V-8 2-barrel at 
> another $41.55. seems to me a confusing way to set
> these sheets up.
> 
> Can't believe anyone paid $121.90 for a Mono AM/FM 
> radio, even back then!! An aftermarket unit with tape
> was far less!
> 
> I've scanned it, brightened the colors a bit and 
> reprinted it for display in the window at all times,
> while the original now retires to a dark cabinet.
> 
> The seller provided a huge cache of receipts from 
> 1972 through 2004, plus his fuel/mileage binder, where
> he has tracked every drop of gas for 32 years used the 
> car. It begins 12-08-73 and ends 09-27-04.
> 
> I'm going to be sorting the nine boxes full of spare 
> parts over the weekend, but I'll post a few pictures 
> of the larger pieces shortly.
> 
> In the glovebox was a near-mint Owner's Manual plus
> Guarantee Card, Dealer Business Card, Consumer Info 
> pamphlet, a Drive Safely pamphlet, a Guarantee
> booklet, all in the soft, clear, plastic folder. On
> the visors are two plastic sleeves- one explaining
> how the ignition works, the other is a dealer prep 
> checklist (never seen these before)!
> 
> Oh, yea...I got a CAR, too.
> 
> She fires right up, goes into gear solid and drives 
> really well considering the short spaces I played in 
> today. I'll have it legal shortly so I can test her 
> out at normal speeds.
> 
> The exhaust seems to leak a bit at the driver's manifold,
> and the 'tick' of that annoys you away from the VERY 
> throaty rumble of the custom duals. Two-barrel not 
> withstanding, this car advertises a lot of attitude.
> 
> The carpet is very clean and complete, with just a 
> bit of irregular fade due to the long use of a full-
> width floor mat. The driver's seat has a mild 
> separation of the patterned fabric from the solid vinyl 
> bolster...should be an easy fix.
> 
> The dash top is perfect, thanks to an exact-fit carpet 
> cover, properly molded, cut and edge-sewn to fit Hornet/
> Gremlin dashes...but it's too clean to really be from 
> the era....isn't it?? It's a keeper!
> 
> The paint is shiny, applied in 1995. The stripes are
> a handmade-made copy of the originals, done at the 
> paint shop by someone pretty damn talented. They are
> just a bit too thick, but until NOS or exact repros 
> come up, they'll do fine. Doors close tight with no sag.
> Hatch stays up, but drops heavily with little help.
> The hood and it's release operate perfectly.
> 
> The radio works (and if you expect more gush than that, 
> you've got a long wait).
> 
> Two center caps need red rings, which I have on hand.
> 
> The missing C-pillar trim appears to be an easily faked 
> item....I'll start toying with that shortly.
> 
> The Space-Saver spare, still clearly marked on the tread
> with white D70-14' painted lettering, has never been on 
> the asphalt. The bottle is missing.
> 
> I think the rear half sits too low...I'll need that 
> addressed soon, too.
> 
> (Lousy) photos on the way shortly.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 
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> 


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