This is the car I plan on using for running gear for the TCoupe Street Rod project. This car has a bit of history in that it was manufactured originally for the PepsiCo company for their executives. Apparently The Executive assigned to this car didn't last long as the car, as the car was wholesaled to a dealer after little less than a year!
The date was 1972 Enter the Father of a real good friend of mine. My friends father was at that time a King County Coroner and his name is Gordon. Below is the story as I heard it.
As I have been told ol Gordon had a golfing buddy that was always going to auctions and wheeling and dealing. The thing was he always got Gordon to put the money up front and he would fix the car up if needed and resell it. This time Gordon was real reluctant to be a banker. His buddy won out and when Gordon saw the car he said I want it and the deal was done. I think the car had less than 10,000 miles on the clock and was just a bit over a year old. The car was a basic early 1971 Galaxy with 351W 2bl with a factory heavy duty FMX trans and an 8.8 rear with I think was 3.55 gears. Interior was basic with a bench seat,radio,and Air.
Gordon took exceptional care of this car. He always had the oil changed and full service done by Professionals and I think he only went 1500 mi on an oil change He was almost fanatical and he changed belts and hoses annually. So you can imagine how the car was kept up. He didn't drive a whole lot kept it under cover and never sold the car.
About 3 years ago my friend Stevo called and asked me if I could take a look at Gordon's car as it was having brake issues. I readily agreed and went to see the car. I had known Stevos father but had never really interacted as I was always hanging out with Stevo and his father didn't always agree with our party plans. At any rate I looked over the car repaired the master Cylinder.
While I was there looking over the car and talking with Gordon I was noticing how well the car was cared for and when we started it I knew I had to have that motor. It was sweet, no smoke, no noises, and STRONG as Hell! Oh yeah this car has 76,000 original miles on the clock.. I asked Gordon then if the car was for sale and Gordon just shook his head. I respected his wishes and actually forgot about the car for almost a year.
I was only reminded of the car when Gordon and his wife (Stevos parents) fell on bad health. He was going to assisted living and Stevo was just trying to clean out loose ends. Not only did Stevo have to deal with all of the issues of getting his parents estate settled he had to find a home for pets, the cars and make arrangements to sell the house, Oh and (listen to the relatives bitch and then not offer a hand to help)
I had been talking to Stevo about my TCoupe when the discussion came around to the Galaxy and the engine. I told Stevo I would love to have that engine. We talked a bit more and finally Stevo and I came to an agreement. He didn't want to see the car just go to scrap or be sold to someone whom would trash it. Stevo sold me the car with the agreement I was to use what I can on the TCoupe and not to resell the vehicle as a whole. We both felt Gordon would agree that to repower the T with the 351 would be a fitting for the end. That works just right for me as I needed the papers from the car to show where the running gear came from.
The most disappointing part is I have been real slow on getting it tore down and it just sets outside and waits.
I haven't taken very many pictures yet but here is the couple I do have.
Please excuse the green crud. Out here in the forest nothing remaining stationary for more than 24 hrs escapes the green slime..
Return
to AutoShop