[mmarx]

I went to a local cruise-in tonight and I notice a guy really looking my car over. I was talking to somebody else and this first guy is all over the car. He walks away and I figured he would be back.
Sure enough, an hour later he comes back and starts asking me questions about the car, when it was restored, who did it, how much work I did, etc.

Then the bombshell, he says, "I bought a '74 SD new and it has 11k miles...I ordered it in May and they told me the 4sp and honeycomb wheels weren't available (as he pointed at my honey's)" I asked him what options the car has, "auto, a/c, ps, pb, am/fm, pw, all the options I could get" Well, I fell out of my chair...

After talking for a couple of hours, the car is a survivor, original paint and all original components, including decals. Admiralty Blue with black custom interior...the car will NEVER be for sale (I tried). He invited me to come look at the car and take pictures which, hopefully, he'll let me share.

Years ago he painted the rally's all black and changed the shifter (he still has the original) that's all that's been changed.

These stories just amaze me...he said he wanted a "toy" and that's what he ordered.

I'll post pics when I get 'em.

Still Jazzed...

Mike

[Larry Navarro]

Cool story. Did you encourage him to check out this forum?

[mmarx]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

Cool story. Did you encourage him to check out this forum?

Yes, I did mention it to him. He hasn't driven/started the car in 15 years-now he has the itch to drive the car and I offered to help him sort it out. I get the feeling that the car, other than his changes, is basically untouched from new. Additionally, he has every piece of paperwork on the car.

I casually mentioned that he should try and get the car to the nationals next year...we'll see.

Funny thing is I got out of work late and almost didn't go to the show...man you just never know what you'll run into

Mike

[Lloyd-TX]

Cool story, Mike. What an awesome SD and only 11K miles - WOW!

Luv to see pics if and when . . .

Wouldn't hurt to ask him if he'll let you forward his info to John Wallace for the SD registry as well.

[mmarx]

Originally Posted by Lloyd-TX

Cool story, Mike. What an awesome SD and only 11K miles - WOW!

Luv to see pics if and when . . .

Wouldn't hurt to ask him if he'll let you forward his info to John Wallace for the SD registry as well.

Lloyd, good idea on the registry. We have traded emails and it looks like I'll see the car labor day weekend. I'm looking forward to helping him anyway I can to get the car on the road and back to the local shows.
I don't think anything has ever been changed on the car and it's been garage kept/stored all it's life. I know it's been in Florida at least 20 years.

Hopefully, more to follow...

Mike

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by mmarx

Lloyd, good idea on the registry. We have traded emails and it looks like I'll see the car labor day weekend. I'm looking forward to helping him anyway I can to get the car on the road and back to the local shows.
I don't think anything has ever been changed on the car and it's been garage kept/stored all it's life. I know it's been in Florida at least 20 years.

Hopefully, more to follow...

Mike

Thanks, Mike.

[getmygoat]

Hopefully that engine is still viable after sitting for 15 years!

Will definitely need oil pump primed before turning that sucker over.

[wizard61]

Hello,

Please post the pictures when you get them. I would love to see them for comparison purposes, I bought my SD-455 about 7 years ago. It has just over 17k origional miles. I'll post some pictures. To my knowledge, it is complete, nothing has been altered. The only problem it has is the headliner has given up the fight. So I'll have to figure that out this fall. These pictures are just after I finnished my barn and started moving my stuff in from long term storage.

Regards,

James

[wizard61]

Here are a couple more.

James

[1qikta]

Originally Posted by wizard61

Here are a couple more.

James

Could we see a close engine pic without the scoop/breather?

[superdutybob]

There is a local guy here in town that just purchased an Ad Blue SD auto with only 186 original miles. No, that was not a typo. I said 186 miles. We took several pictures as reference material. Very cool.

[wizard61]

Hello Jay,

I hope these work for you. If you want closer pictures of something specific, just let me know.

Bob, 186 miles is incredible. I thought I was bad. I've put less than 1,000 miles on mine in 7 years.

Regards,

James

[1qikta]

Originally Posted by wizard61

Hello Jay,

I hope these work for you. If you want closer pictures of something specific, just let me know.

Bob, 186 miles is incredible. I thought I was bad. I've put less than 1,000 miles on mine in 7 years.

Regards,

James

Perfect!

Thanks for sharing.It is nice to know what is exactly correct. It helps us all get it right!

[wizard61]

No problem Jay,

I saw something in my own photo's that i can't believe I have not noticed before. In the second picture, the Vacuum break rod is missing. What would be the benefit of removing that?

Thanks,

James

[1qikta]

Originally Posted by wizard61

No problem Jay,

I saw something in my own photo's that i can't believe I have not noticed before. In the second picture, the Vacuum break rod is missing. What would be the benefit of removing that?

Thanks,

James

I saw that too,

The secondaries would open almost directly behind the primaries...even when cold. Without the vacuum delay it would prob bog especially if it was cold or not fully warmed up.

But when warm...it would shread the tires much quicker!

I bet the secondary spring tensioner is loose as well. Check the secondary flap tension with your finger...

[superdutybob]

I too noticed that!

It should also have insulation on the fuel line from the pump to carb. It was standard production on a 74 SD car. Helps with vapor lock. I also noticed that it appears that the vacuum lines have been replaced. No color stripes.

Believe it or not, the 186 mile SD engine only looks marginally better than yours. The rest of the car though, unbelievable. The interior is perfect.

[1qikta]

Bob,

I am now buying into the whole Black master cylinder thing.As you know I thought it was a natural cast iron color...

James,

Would you say your master cylinder is Flat Black, Satin Black or Semi gloss black...hard to tell from the pics (its a little dusty..no offense)

[wizard61]

Jay,

I'll dust it off tonight and get you a better photo of the master cylinder. I have been planning on getting all my cars running this fall. I really havn't done anything to them since I pulled them from storage. the SD is an exception in that it actually starts and runs pretty well.

I'll post the photo after I get home from work.

Also, I replaced most of the vacuum lines that were bad and to eliminate a vacuum leak in the TCS switch if I remember right. So I'm the culprit there.

James

[superdutybob]

Jay:

The 186 mile car has a black master cylinder. We paint them semi gloss black. It also has the steering intermediate shaft painted black. Most have been painting them with a natural steel look or clear coating the steel shaft. I took several photos of original fasteners on the upper rad support area. Let me know if you want to see any. I will post later this evening.

[Rack776]

A few years ago I met a guy once who said him and his brother both ordered
matching red 74 SD Automatics. I thought he was full of it, he said his was all
original and he bought every interior part you could get as a spare at he dealer
while they were still available "just in case".

He said his brothers car was featured in "Automobile Quartly"
back in the 1980s. The guy I spoke to still had his SD but his brother sold his
when he moved to germany for the service I think it was.

Anyway, I found a copy of the book about a month later and sure enugh there
was a photo of a red 74 SD in one of our local parks.
A few more months later he had it out a cruze night, all original
only flaw was a scratch on the rear quarter he said some kids
did to it when it was his driver yet. He also said he would never sell
and wants to find a car museum to take it when he dies.

I dont rember his name but he lived arround the Allentown PA area
They are still out there to be found.

Ever see Nunzi's orange 73 Formula SD? it still had the 70s NY state plates on it
and some "Period Correct" pinstripes on it. that car is all original too. He said he
got it from a customer back in the 70s or 80s I have some photos somewhere of it
at the Englishtown NJ pontiac show.

Cool deal on spotting the low miles SD post all the photos you can!