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Post date: Apr 19, 2015 3:20:53 PM
One of the interesting things about working on Lola has been using the internet to connect with various resources to help us with the project. We have discovered a wide variety of "Mopar" web materials - forums (ie "For ABodies Only"), informational websites (http://www.valiant.org/), used parts suppliers (Mopar-City), and reproduction parts suppliers (Year One). Since Lola has a 225 Slant 6, we have also found quite a number of Slant 6 folks online (Slant 6 Forum). All of this content was very helpful .... but one of the cool things about it was that there was a "human" side to it that helped us out from time to time.
Most recently, we needed a replacement trunk lid. I made a post in "For A Bodies Only" forum ..... and located a possible one ..... 1500 miles south of us , In Goodyear, Arizona. Via pics and emails we came to terms .... but shipping is always a concern. Turns out Mark, the owner of the trunk lid was going up to "Mopar at the Strip" in mid March (2015) and meeting a friend (John) there that was coming down from Yakima, WA. John agreed to bring the trunk lid and a front valance back to Yakima for $50. The good news about the timing of all this, is that I drove over to Yakima and picked up the lid (nice one - thanks Mark) on my way over to the annual Portland Swap Meet (see pic). I had never been to the swap meet, but had heard about it from several Mopar folks in the Spokane area. Was well worth the trip - found some hubcaps, a center console (essential for us coffee enthusiasts in the Pacific NW) and a bunch of interesting folks to talk with. Like the Carlisle Swap Meets, it has been going on for years, it has a family friendly vibe, and is huge/well attended.
Lola is not the easiest car to find body parts for - while there was quite a number of Valiants made, a lot have been crushed, and reproduction body parts are pretty nonexistent. Stumbled into a pair of used fenders up in Colonie, NY that were posted on the local Craigs List. After some back and forth, we found out that Steve Nugent (guy who had posted the the fenders) has been going to the Carlisle events for many years .... including all of the Chrysler National events. When I told Steve about our plan to drive across country for this year's event, he went out of his way to get us the fenders (shipped via Greyhound). Looking forward to meeting Steve there .... he has had vender space for years.
He also says his daughter loves going .... looking forward to having her and Shaelyn meet.
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