Two car restoration experts recently rescued a 1961 Plymouth Sport Suburban from a Pennsylvania garage where it had been languishing for four decades. The car was in dire straits, having been neglected for so long. Despite the challenges, the experts were determined to bring it back to life. They towed the car to their workshop and immediately began the arduous task of restoring it.
A key question on everyone’s mind was whether the car’s 318 cubic-inch V8 engine would still function after so many years of inactivity. The experts were hopeful but cautious, knowing that the engine might have suffered significant internal damage during its long slumber. The Plymouth Sport Suburban, a relic from the owner’s college days, had been dormant for nearly 15 years.
Despite a recent engine rebuild, it refused to fire up on the first try. The IronTrap Garage team, however, breathed life back into the aging vehicle. Clouds of smoke billowed from the exhaust as the engine roared to life. The power steering, tailgate window, gauges, and radio all functioned as expected. The odometer, showing a mere 78,000 miles, hinted at the car’s potential.
With headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights operational, the team was ready to hit the road. The only obstacle was a flat tire, which they quickly addressed. As they drove out of the garage, a trail of smoke followed them, a stark reminder of the car’s long slumber. The sight of a police car nearly sent their hearts racing, as their makeshift vehicle was far from roadworthy.
The thrill of reviving a forgotten classic often clashes with the harsh reality of the restoration process. IronTrap Garage grappled with this dilemma firsthand after acquiring a 1980 Plymouth Sport Wagon. Their initial test drive was a baptism by fire, ending with a smoking engine, a leaky gas tank, and a head gasket singing its final song.
Now, a critical decision loomed: pour money into a full restoration, or dismantle the vehicle and sell its parts? The Plymouth itself presented a complex puzzle. While meticulously restored examples could command over $100,000, the extensive rust riddling the car’s body and the blown head gasket made a quick fix a pipe dream.
A potential compromise emerged: a retro restomod that would retain the car’s classic character while integrating modern components like a HEMI engine. This path wouldn’t be a smooth cruise, but it could transform the Plymouth into a one of a kind and potentially valuable ride.
For now, the project was put on hold, but a deep clean was a nonnegotiable first step, whatever the ultimate fate of the car. IronTrap Garage found themselves at a crossroads, torn between the undeniable charm of the classic wagon and the hefty investment required to breathe new life into it.
