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Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Today I closed the deal on a 1984 Shelby Charger that had been mentioned in Shelby Times #4 in 1986. On page 35 there was an article and two photos of the car once owned by Bill McPeak of Central Florida.
I had discovered the car 6 years ago at a buy here-cry here lot in Apopka but at the time the car had a price tag of $6k. With 2 car payments already under my belt I didn't have the available funds to pull off buying the car.
Back then I had made contact with Dave at Positive Impressions who quickly narrowed down the previous owner of the car based on the unique license plate attached to the front which read Shelby Dodge Club, Jacksonville.
Dave pointed me towards Mr McPeak who had confirmed it was indeed his old car which he purchased new for his wife back in 84 and also made mention that the car now had a 2.5 and a 1800 stall converter for a little extra kick.
When I looked at the car 6 years ago it was looking at a time capusle. At the time it had just over 40k garage kept miles and it sported a Direct Connection valve cover, louvers and a odd accessory Mopar radio. The grey interior was spotless and the paint was near showroom perfect.
Well a few years went by and in my travels around Orlando I stumbled on the car once again.....at another buy here-cry here lot. This time the car was looking a little sad, the paint was failing and from the road the body had a couple noticable dings. I called the lot the following Monday morning and was told the car had a sticker of $2500 cash. A couple days went by and a 16v car came up for sale and I directed my interests towards it.
While surfing the net for another VW project I decided to do a quick search of Shelby Dodges just to see what came up......there it was, Mr McPeaks car, now looking like total a$$ with weeds growing around it and a smoked automatic.
I quiclky called on the ad and spoke with the seller. Not 100% sure that it was Bills old car I asked a couple key questions about the car. When I asked about the front license plate the guy on the other end said yup its still on it. COOL!
I just went today and looked at the car in person. Although the paint is weathered the interior is still an easy 9 out of 10 and the oddball radio and Direct Connection valve cover are still present...the louvers were ditched sometime back :confused2: and the odometer now reads just over 55k.
So, long story short.....the car is finally back in the hands of a FWD Mopar guy!
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Congratulations. A good story with a happy ending (or well, a new beginning)!
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Good story, congrats on gettind the car! :thumb:
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
so how much did you end up picking it up for?
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
It's a car like that which I really want to start seeing more and more of at SDAC conventions and shows in general - cars with a historic background to them that no one focused back then apparently.
Congrats on picking it up! I'm happy for ya :hail::thumb:
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Great story, more pics please!
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Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
pics taken today. See accessory Mopar radio, GLHS Speedo Overlay, Direct Connection valve cover, full size spare tire, MP Performance computer P4349299 and exhaust header!!! You know this car was once owned by a serious Shelby Dodge Fan!!!
Just above the "Dodge" nameplate you can still read where the Gainesville Dodge decal was once applied.
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Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Very cool. Can't wait to see when you finish with it.
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Nice, It sounds like you were meant for this car
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Very cool! That's the Direct Connection/MP header for the carb'd 2.2 which you have pictured in your last post there. Also, you sure don't see many pre-85 SC's with that style gray interior! Plus, finding that spare pizza wheel in the tire well must've been an awesome feeling!!!!!! BTW though, all 2-door L-bodies with that lower console area had the spare change holder man :lol: But sure as hell not that radio!
I have some items you may be interested in for the resto of this car. PM me and I'll see if I can't help you out with some NOS goodies :D
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DC Turismo
BTW though, all 2-door L-bodies with that lower console area had the spare change holder man :lol:
Yeah, but it's full of $change$....thats what I thought was cool! :thumb:
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
As for the computer..P4349299..it's a valid part number but my 84 Direct Connection catalog says nothing about that particular part number. Does anyone have a later catalog listing this computer??
I emailed the original owner last night to see if he had any old pics of the car he’d like to share. He still has his 86 GLHS which is prestine and sports the Florida license plate: "SHELBY"
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
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Originally Posted by
Rick
As for the computer..P4349299..it's a valid part number but my 84 Direct Connection catalog says nothing about that particular part number. Does anyone have a later catalog listing this computer??
The catalog number rarely matches the number on the unit itself (except some of the newer ones sold in the last couple years). The correct catalog number for a 1984 Shelby Charger (carb only) was P4349263 (as was listed in an early 90's MP catalog).
These were known as Spark Control Computers but the catalog called them High Performance Ignition Computers. They were located next to the battery, where the power module on the early turbo cars is located.
Here is what the catalog said about them:
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Originally Posted by Mopar Performance Catalog
For 4 cylinder carbureted engines. These race ignition computers help deliver high rpms in 1.7 and 2.2 Chrysler 4 cylinder engines. Recurves spark advance, modifies vacuum schedule to increase performance. Permits faster spark advance up to 40 degrees. Built-in altitude enrichment for use in high altitudes. Provides maximum power spark advance in off-road applications. Typical gain on a standard 2.2 is 4-5% increase in horsepower output. Gain is less on a Shelby. Either regular leaded or premium unleaded fuel on 1981-1982 models is required on most engines. Set basic timing at 20 degrees. (12 degrees before computer change recommended). On 1983 models set according to '83 instructions. For computer ignition systems only, will not work with E.C.U. style systems. Not for use on EFI engines.
Barry
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
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Originally Posted by
sdac guy
The catalog number rarely matches the number on the unit itself
Barry
That explains why it doesent match my 1984 catalog. Thanks Barry!
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Glad you finally got the car you wanted.
Question, NEVER heard this term before..."buy here-cry here lot".
What in the world does that mean?
Johnny
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
Nice. So will it be at the next meet? lol
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
That spare tire/rim looks like an NOS part:clap: I guess the OO had the forsight to purchase a full size spare? Or did the early cars get them? Earliest L body I've had was an 85 and it had the little steelie. Stick a magnet on the rear bumper support, steel or aluminum? I thought the Aluminum was only the first 2 years of 2 door L production but I've been finding them on some later cars, one specifically was an 84 SC with auto:eyebrows:
Re: Shelby Charger featured in Shelby Times #4 found in weeds
I had an 83 1/2 SC with a full size spare, so I would assume the 84's had them too.