Hey CobraJet428;
I've had my 1950 Dodge Coupe for 28years now.
Originally found in a back yard in Tullahoma TN in 1979. Original owner parked it out back under an oak tree in 1953, went inside and had a heart attack. His wife wouldn't touch it. She died in '79 and the Son and his wife inherited the home place and started remodel, first time it could be seen from road. I gave $50 bucks for it. Friend that helped me haul said there wasn't enough left to put back on road. Weeds growing inside, all rubber gone. Bottom half of rims rotted away, brake drums on the dirt. BUT it had never been touched. No idiot had zip gunned out the rear fender wells, all the original chrome in place. No dents and nothing missing.
I originally put on the road in 1984 as a daily driver. Completely restored stock looking exterior/ interior. But with a 250L6 Chevy w/glide and '67TorinoGT rear w/ 3:55gears (26-28mpg@75mph)
She's got approx. 486,000 road miles on her now. Been totalled twice. Last time in about '98, got hit in front right and lost original grill and trim. I Fabbed headlite shades outta 16ga, shaved the bumper, and made hood one piece. Then had to shave rear, french turn sig's to match.
She's in the garage now, about 1/2 done. New 355 SBC Blower motor. Front end all welded up into one piece to flip forward. All the goodies except A/C. Winding up body prep for new coat of "Sapphire Blue Metallic". Then she'll be ready for street strip again. And, nobody's ever turned a wrench, fabbed or painted anything on her but me.
The wife swears she'll have to hire a backhoe to bury me, 'cause it'll have to include the car!