[FWDLK] May she rest in pieces!

[John Bartell <jrbartell@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all,
    I think I just came from the last trail a group of  pioneers gave up
on.  I took the ride today, and "viewed" the 59 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible. 
I say viewed, as I feel like I went to a wake.  "Here lies a 59 Sporty, has so much rust, she looks like she is "140"!
     Purched atop a couple of concrete blocks, on a hillside, with a beautiful
southern exposure, covered with a few small plastic sheets, ( my t-shirt
would have covered more ) and a few piles of bear dung alongside, and a nice
array of poplar saplings growing around the engine, here she was laid to
rest.  I could picture the preacher standing at her side.  Fifty yards to
the East, lies her 59 Fury 2 dr. hdtp. cousin, in somewhat better shape,
but nonetheless...dead!  
    There were relatives scattered about in their resting places, a 69 Satellite
wagon, a couple of 68 Furys, a 67 Dart GT convertible, 64 Polara convertible, 
a Monaco, a few younger Diplomats and some "unknowns"!  Some GMs and Fords
were also laid to rest atop "convertible boot" hill.  All in the same state
of being...RUST!   Missing body parts gave proof grave robbers had been there
before me!  Sniffle, sniffle.
    So, I took a look and saw this...one 59 Sport Fury convertible, 318 Powerflite,
ps, radio (missing) clock, swivel seats.  The front fenders, hood, grill,
valance had been taken off, they were missing or laying around in and out
of the car.  Body...either rusted, bent, or bondoed.  Frame, at least one
spot had been welded.  Trim...most all trim was there from, and including
the doors and back.  Trunk lid had deck lid option.  The convertible components
were all there except the left cylinder.  RUST is the word of the day.  I
cannot see a future life in this car, but I am sure it is a parts treasure
chest for a future ragtop restoration or to parts out the trim and whatever. 
Or, it can donate it's fliptop components to a 2 dr. hdtp. to be converted
to a ragtop.  I have not purchased it at this point, but will give it some
seious thought.  The price...I will keep that under my hat for now, as with
the location of the cars.  
    The fella that owns this, has more convertibles than most yards ever
had.  He grabbed every ragtop he could, but never took the time to take some
care to prevent their total demise...rust, neglect, greed.  He told me of
all his plans to restore these and many others he has.    I don't think he
will ever fix one!   "He has", and did not want anyone else to have.   He
now knows he can't fix them, his age and health, and he wants to sell some...not
all!   He had Buicks, Chevys, Plymouths, and Dodges, many convertibles, and
all junk.  The 64 Ply. ragtop was actually a 64 Polara ragtop, but is in
very rough shape and missing many parts.
    I will keep the list posted as to the status of this venture in the future. 
Have a Fintastic day!  Still smiling... John in sunny, warm (55) WI