Since early 1984, when I first drove a NYB, I've wanted to own a triple white one. My main problem is that I have no budget for such things. Until recently, as well, I have had no place to put one. This all changed on October 7, 2000.
October 7, 2000 - The Find
While traveling from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Swan River, Manitoba (my home town), I
noticed what looked like a waterfall grille in the tall grass, 170 km North of
Winnipeg. I did not stop at that time. I took note of where the yard was so on my
way back on October 9th, (Canadian Thanksgiving) I could stop by for a look.
October 9, 2000 - The Deal
Sure enough, when I arrived back at the yard, I saw that it was not only a waterfall
grille but behind that grille was my favorite type of NYB of all. It was a triple
white, 4-door, Chrysler New Yorker Brougham. This was not the PERFECT car but it
was so close that I fell in love. I knocked on the door of the farm house but there
was no answer. I wrote a note, stating my name, number, and my interest in the car,
and placed it on the door . I proceeded to leave the yard. I was not more than 100
yards down the highway when I met a pickup truck traveling very slowly. I rolled
down my window and asked the gentleman if that was his New Yorker. He said it was
and asked me if I wanted to buy it. I said, "Maybe." We went back to his yard and
looked at the car again and talked about it's value. He told me that they stopped
driving it 8 years ago (1992) because of transmission trouble. He was glad I stopped
by (as was I) because he had just that week decided that the car should be scrapped.
I talked to him about my possible plans to restore it and after a while I offered
$50.00. He accepted. I was glad. That fit my budget just fine. I collected his
phone number and bid him a good day.
October 28, 2000 - The Adventure
My brother and I (and his girlfriend) set out to fetch the beastie. We towed his
custom made (by himself and our father) trailer behind his Dodge Dakota pickup, back
to the farm 170 km North of Winnipeg. We arrived there and winched the hulk onto the
trailer. I paid the nice man and we headed home. This whole process, although
taking the whole day, was very uneventful and smooth. The trailer and car were
parked in my yard in Winnipeg. This pretty much filled my very small yard because my
Grandfathers' 1968 Newport and my brother's boat were also parked in my yard.
November 4, 2000 - The Car
My first day working on my NYB. I set out to see how many things worked and didn't
work on the car. I cleaned the nest out from under the breather and sprayed the
linkage with WD-40. I poured some gas down its throat and cranked it a while. The
thing fired up! It was actually running on 8 year old gas! It ran on 7 cylinders but
it ran pretty strongly. I let it run for about 10 minutes until I couldn't stand
the stench of the oily manifolds anymore. I was actually afraid the neighbours would
call the fire department. While it was running, I checked out various devices.
These are the results...
The power seats worked fine but need lubrication
The power window switches and motors all work
The power door locks do not work
The front passenger window doesn't move although the motor runs
The transmission goes into forward but not reverse
The power antenna runs but is badly bent and won't retract
The headlight door motor gets power but does not open the doors
All the lights and signals work
The brakes seem good
The right block heater leaks coolant so the engine won't hold water
I then set out to correct a few of the easy items. I straightened and lubricated the
power antenna (with ATF) and it works very well now. It now goes all the way up AND
down. I disassembled the headlight door motor and lubricated it, it now works
perfectly.
While working on the car, I noticed the following features and options...
400 cid engine. I would have preferred the 440 but at least it is the same as the
engine in my 78 Newport.
Automatic parking brake release. Auto Height Control. It doesn't work but I think I can fix that too.
(I might add that this is one of the few options that Jon's car DOESN'T have!)
.
I'm sure there are more but I have to discover more about the car to find them.
November, 2000 - My Plans
I bought the car primarily because I've always wanted a triple white NYB. I don't
like the 'halo roof' on the 77 but prefer the style on the 78. I also prefer the 78
grille. I also don't like vent windows on a hard top as I feel it spoils the open
air look. Secondly, it has the same engine as my Newport along with many other parts
that it could donate if it came to that. There was still a hope of restoration
though. I am currently working on the restoration angle so I'll not be disassembling
it or stripping it down. I probably won't get much done on it this winter as I want
to concentrate on getting my 68 Newport road worthy.
April 14, 2001: Parting out the NYB
It was a tough decision but I decided to part out the NYB. I will be keeping a number of parts as spare for my 78 Newport and selling anything that anyone else needs.
October 4, 2001: Good-Bye NYB
After months of trying to get either of a couple of interested parties to come and get the NYB, I had had enough of it cluttering my yard so I called a local charity and they hauled it away. This is the end of the NYB story but not the end of the fun I'll have with all the parts I scavenged off it.
