2 1/2 years ago I hired a body man to repaint my 1983 Mirada, six weeks later I stop in to see what was the hold up, and man oh man, the car was stripped to bare metal and in little pieces! He said it needed a restoration, I told him I didn't want to pay for that, he said he wouldn't charge me any more. He was true to his word, but he is as slow as molasses, but the results are stunning! I didn't think there was any rust on her, but he found a little spot inside the right rear quarter. Instead of grinding it out and using filler, he cut out a foot square section and welded in a new steel patch. The worst part by far was the damn rear fender caps! They looked okay but were rotten when the came off. Couldn't find any good ones anywhere, so he put like 100 staples in each, ground those down and fiber glasesed them, done. The interior is almost mint, though I need to fix the droopy headliner, no big deal. After 2.5 years, I can even live with the crummy power steering that was the bain of these Chrysler cars. My only whine is the engine compartment, 85 HP slant six. I have had this car for 32 years and like 75K miles, runs like a dream on the highway, but around town it is a little lacking and it starts hard sometimes. I am debating a small block, or maybe just yank the lean burn off the 225, that should make a big change. Maybe even look for a 2BBL set up, what would you guys do? New problem, it ios so perfect, I am almost afraid to drive it. This has got to be one of the best restored Miradas (for sure 1983s, they are damned rare) in the country right now.