Mopars At The Strip - Project Build

Doug Meeker also was able to dig up several other parts we needed. He said he'd take $500 for this dashboard assembly complete with gauges even though the marked price was $800. He also had door panels and seatbacks for $10 each. Doug, who works for Raytheon developing things for the military that explode, says he does this for fun: "I love old Mopars, and I like collecting and selling parts at the different shows."

Doug Meeker from Reston, Virginia, had a valance in good shape for $75. He also had E-Body door glass on sale for $150. Doug says that the best prices are available on the last day of a show when vendors want to unload as many of their unsold parts as possible. If you wait till Sunday, however, you risk having your parts bought out from under you.

The car's core support was badly munched and the valance was completely gone, likely due to a transporter malfunction, but we managed to find both pieces in good condition a few feet from each other. Mike Divine from Phoenix West Parts out of Fresno, California, had this core support for sale for $175. We didn't haggle, 'cause he looked like he could beat us up and take our lunch money.

Finding mechanical parts turned out to be easier than we thought. Need a water pump, pulleys, and a brake booster? Take your pick. How about a fully assembled 440 complete with air cleaner?

Darryl Finch specializes in Mopar E-Bodies and was selling this running engine for $5,000. He had a bunch of transmissions, too.

This Pistol Grip shifter would look great in our refurbished interior.

Frank's Mopar Restoration Parts from Shingle Springs, California, was selling that and a dash cap.

We needed carpet to finish the interior.

We were able to find a lot of new replacements at Don and Sarah Crane's booth.

Mopars by Crane carried a front suspension rebuild kit, plus a wiring harness, weatherstripping, trim screws, and those cool, rectangular 'Cuda exhaust tips.

One thing we couldn't find was a headliner. Sarah told us she carried them for $60 but had sold out of them already.

'*Remember to add one-third to the price if you don't know what you are doing.