Noob has a line on a built '84 FA. Please weigh in!

MartyB

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Hi, guys and gals.

Native Detroiter, long-time lurker (see my Welcome post). I am quite excited to join the bunch here, as I have lurked around all the other forums (FABO etc) and feel this one is the friendliest!

So tomorrow, I'm headed out to see an '84 FA. As you can see by the pix, it looks like the guy tried to make an AHB clone. The attempt hasn't been bad in many respects. He is a master mechanic. His shop gets solid reviews. He rebuilt and dropped a 360/727 in it, swapped out the butt end so as to get Sure Grip with 3.23 gear set, rebuilt the suspension with heavy duty parts/sway bars etc., did a repaint on what he says was a solid bod, sourced and installed new upholstery that is near flawless.

Damn.
Now that said, I don't like the split personality look of an FA grille (hopefully intact under that push bar) and stripper body. Here's my questions for ya...

1. I've seen a vendor customautotrim.com mentioned here. Does anyone think I can have my superb body guy approximate the original wheel/rocker/door trim using their materials? Guessing NOS stuff would be hard to come by.
2. Thoughts on Grant or other aftermarket steering wheels? Want one that says swanky, not muscle.
3. Aftermarket wheels. Any votes on what would look elegant, not AHB? Do those wire wheels at wheel vintiques make you shudder or oooh-ahh? What about the turbine wheels (Lincoln sourced, I believe) I saw on an M here? Don't want some durned 24-inch gaudy nightmares. Again, looking for a luxo look that is part of the FA's DNA. This ride is going for $4.9k. That gives me a fair amount of leftover bucks to spiff her up.

Thanks for any and all input! Third pic is of those turbine wheels I saw here.

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Duke5A

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IMG_0395.jpg

You're not far from me; I'm about 30 minutes north of the city. I'm not a fan of the wheel molding so I took mine off years ago. Left the rocker molding alone. Wheels are American Racing Torque Thrusts. If I wasn't planning on going with a big brake kit upfront I would have gone 16" or 17" on the wheels instead of 18".
 

MartyB

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Duke, that's a beauty. And I'm thinking it looks cleaner without the wheel trim. But the rocker trim does spiff things up. I'm hoping to fab something if NOS is unobtainium.
 

Darth-Car

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Welcome. It sounds like you are on the hunt, but rather than a stripper it sounds like you are looking for a bit more luxury. This could be your lucky day. Darth Car still has not found his new forever home. Take a look, and see what you think. He might be the right ride for you with less customizing required.

FOR SALE - Darth Car Needs A New Home
 

Duke5A

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Darth Car would probably be a better ride for what you're looking for. You can find 360 blocks and 727 transmissions all day long. Clean trim and Landau tops are another story.
 

Oldiron440

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I like the look of the gold car less the push bar. If it is as described it could be a nice ride but if you have to put cash in the car to make it the way you want it could be another story.
 

old yellow 78

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Welcome Marty B!
I have lurked around all the other forums (FABO etc) and feel this one is the friendliest!
I'd have to agree with you there. I gave up on another site I won't even mention, and never looked back. There is a good group of people here, some contribute often, others only once in a while, but everyone seems friendly and always helpful. I've been on this site for several years now, and I haven't run into any of the petty, nasty nonsense that made me abandon the other site. There is tons of great info here and always someone willing to help out. ;)
looking for a luxo look that is part of the FA's DNA
The car you are looking at strikes me as much more of a stripper/sleeper or cop car than a comfy luxo cruiser. I agree with comments above that it doesn't seem to match what you say you are looking for. I would suggest that you give Darth Car a call and check out his FA. For the same price, Darth Car seems to already have everything you would want to change about the gold car. Just check out the difference between the look of the two...

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I like them both, but they have very different images. The gold car seems much more of a hot rod. Darth Car is just CLASS - particularly the colors. Anyway, keep us updated on the hunt!
 

89.Fifth

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I saw that same car and I think it's a great deal, especially considering the motor.
 

XfbodyX

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If your willing to travel id spend more time shopping around, there are many nice ones that pop up semi often in the 1500-3000 area. The ones mentioned are very nice but you can still find ones equal for 1/3 to 1/2 less.

But ya got to be ready to jump, good cars at good prices sell quickly.

This one dont look too bad.

Good luck with whatever you end up with, a nice line of cars.

I do like the 360 copper car you posted on.

1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue
Chrysler 5th Avenue MINT
Chrysler Fifth Avenue 1989
1983 CHRYLER NEW YORKER / 5th AVENUE EDITION

Kinda like your first choice.

1984 Plymouth Gran Fury police car 318-4bbl. Restored-
 
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Darth-Car

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Thank you for all of the kind words from the members of the Darth Car fan club.:)
 

Poly

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Hi, guys and gals.

Native Detroiter, long-time lurker (see my Welcome post). I am quite excited to join the bunch here, as I have lurked around all the other forums (FABO etc) and feel this one is the friendliest!

So tomorrow, I'm headed out to see an '84 FA.

Great! Hey, how's everything ? What did it look like in person ? What's the verdict ?
 

BudW

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Maybe he is caught up with snow – and waiting to be able to look at something other than “white”?

I was going to say a few words earlier (but got sidetracked), like the ’84 copper colored car is not a Fifth Ave (no roof extension, is only one of many differences). The copper car might have had a Fifth Ave header panel/grill installed before – who knows.

The copper car might be an actual AHB (AKA: official police car), possibly. A quick look at the fender tag would tell a person – or better yet, take a picture of fender tag(s) and post here.

This is a picture of the fender tag from my '86 Fifth Ave (drivers side, mid-way from battery to brake booster):
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On another note (that might be not related): There were a few Fifth Ave AHB cars made – mostly for politicians (transport cars or body guard follow/lead cars). I heard (not seen one, yet) they came with police wheels and with wire hub caps (like the ones on Darth car) – so there will be no indication from outside that it is a special car.
BudW
 

MartyB

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Sorry, guys. Life got unexpectedly busy. I'm on hold, but may get a look at a ride this weekend. Will be back!
 

Jonnyuma

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First, I think the stripp-o gold car looks killer. The cop wheels, color combo, over all condition... bitchin'.
It's the direction I want to take my '79 Lebaron coupe but I'm having a harder time trying to figure out an elegant way to dress it down than l ever thought l would have.

What is AHB?
 

Duke5A

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First, I think the stripp-o gold car looks killer. The cop wheels, color combo, over all condition... bitchin'.
What is AHB?

AHB is the fender tag code indicating police package starting in the 1984 model year. Prior to that the designation was A38.
 
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