"I've put 14,000 miles on the Scamp since I bought it last summer, including long
commutes and a trip to Florida! "
|
Tell us about your Daily Driver. Send us your story and pictures and your car could be next months feature!
|
|
I spent the better part of the next month driving in to every "hot rod" shop around
having every mechanic along the way inspect and evaluate the condition of my car. I
collected the best of the opinions and set out to get this car ready. A set of air shocks
replaces the old clanky "coil-overs" in the back, and a fresh pair for the front. A set
of four new BFG Radial TA's and a full alignment will set this car straight. Next the
exhaust system is replaced from the manifolds back, changing the pipes from 1 7/8" to
2 1/4", and a nice pair of all steel "flow-through" mufflers is installed. Some minor
details like valve cover gaskets, and new belts.
After the first couple-thousand miles, the 318 developed a bit of a miss, and ran a
little rough. I replaced plugs, wires, coil, cap and rotor, and installed an upgraded
electronic ignition. A few-thousand more miles and the charging system got weak. After
a jump on a rainy night, the ballast resistor, voltage regulator, alternator and a new
battery were installed the next day.
The next ten thousand miles are simply delightful. Not a mechanical issue in sight.
Driving round trip, 160 miles, nearly every day for work was not noticed much by the
Scamp. Drinking gas at the rate of 21 mpg and oil at the rate of 1 qt per tank-full, I
just can't see driving my '97 Dodge much anymore. I've put 14,000 miles on the Scamp
since I bought it last summer, including long commutes and a trip to Florida. As this
story goes to print, That Little Scamp is out there braving the New England winter. Boy
we can't wait for spring. 
|
|
 |
