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Daily Driver

Still running and gets you where you need to go.

Description & Modifiations

I found Ashley on Craigslist in West Ashley, SC, in June of '09. I had her for about 6 months then ran into the center barrier on the freeway going about 45mph on impact. I had changed out the ignition lock and forgot to put the locking nut back on the steering wheel; mid-drive at 2:30 in the AM the steering wheel comes of, I scream like a 12-yr-old girl, and BOOM! I thought I'd bent the frame because she was sagging about 4" in the front where I'd hit the barrier. 5 mo. later when I was about to part her out, I realized that I'd just buckled the front driver-side leaf spring. One Rough Country lift kit and $575.00 later, I had her back on her feet and on the road again. Now, she's my daily driver, weather permitting.

What was done before I got her:
-Apparently, not much but a 4" body lift

What I've done to her (apart from smash her face in on the freeway):
-Alternator & belt
-Battery & cables
-Ignition coil, wires, plugs, cap & rotor
-Holley 2300 carb & throttle cable
-1" carb spacer (sweet)
-Shiny new air filter assembly
-4" Rough Country lift kit
-New driver side fender panel to replace the one I smashed in on the freeway
-Other minor body work & a fresh paint job (thanks Maaco)
-Borgen steering coupler

Engine

V8 345cid

Future Modifications

What's being done in the coming weeks:
-Shiny new chrome steering column from Helix
-Updated dash and gauges
-New side view mirrors
-NOS body molding
-Bikini top
-Rear disk brakes
-New wiring
-Gas tank and fuel sending unit
-Paint roll bar white
-Fix and reinstall front bumper (stock - white)
-Water pump & hoses
-Door locks
-Remove catalytic converts (exempt)
-Marine stereo & speakers (Sony)
-LoJack

In the next few months towards the end of the Summer or start of the Fall, I plan on starting my frame-off restoration. I'm not going to take her back to original, as some things I would like to be a little more up to date. But I do want to restore the body to factory and have a custom frame built from scratch. I will also rebuild the engine and replace the transmission with a new 4x4 five speed automatic. In addition, I also plan on upgrading the suspension and doing away with the leaf springs.

That's all the big stuff. I'll post more as we progress.

-Aaron (Houston, TX)