"I did nearly all the work myself," Mike says, "with the exception of the bodywork, paint, and transmission overhaul. Terry McCann provided information and parts throughout the restoration."
In spite of the top-quality job Mike managed on his debut restoration, this is one Mopar that will not be called a "trailer queen." "I moved to Windsor, Ontario, in February 1999 to work as an automotive designer," Mike says. "One of the benefits of this move was the incredible cruising action around Detroit. Any time I wanted to cruise, there were always several cruises on any night of the week."
Mike tells us he's been on the Woodward Dream Cruise two years in a row, and last summer he made the trek to the Mopar Nationals. "It was fun cruising at 75 mph. The car drove beautifully and I averaged nearly 20 mpg. The car is primarily for cruising and attending a few car shows each year. I average 2,500 to 3,000 miles each year, and the current mileage is 71,500. Plans are to test the car down a dragstrip once I get my ThermoQuad tuning skills honed." Naturally, now that Mike has started the ball rolling, the restore-it/build-it itch must be continually scratched.
"I haven't forgotten my dream of owning a '70 'Cuda," Mike says. "I'm currently working on a '70 'Cuda clone. This custom-built car will be loaded with lots of options like A/C, cruise, and power seats and windows. And, yes, it will have a Shaker hood!"