The Story of The Land Ark

Until recently:

So, this basically sums it up...

Yeah, that's mouse poop. A few months ago, I all but gutted the interior because it was obvious it had mice in it. I found the nest in the cushion of the back seat complete with dead mouse.

I have recently purchased a new front bumper. Check out the gaps on the current one:

The interior is still okay. I have it apart right now because I am trying to put an original radio back in it. I cannot figure out how it was in there before. The reason for the change is that I want a CD player, but I want to put it in the glove box so it is hidden and doesn't ruin the stock look of the dash.


The trunk is where the mice may still be living. I have it filled with stereo stuff that I hoped to one day make show quality. I got tired of the old set-up which was a box strapped to the floor with bungee chords.
Right now, I have some nice looking amps, but I still need new subs and box that will stay put.

The wheels are rotting. They are discolored and pitted. It has been sitting so long that there are now cobwebs.

The worst part of the car is the engine. I think it has had it. There seems to be a cylinder out and it just will not run right. It'll still start right up, but it chugs and ticks. All the chrome dress-up items are now pitted and rusted. The new carb I put on looked great for a few months, and now looks awful. I need a new motor, basically.



So there you have it. My passion, my life, my identity is rotting again, in the same place it was 15 years ago when I complained about my step-dad letting it rot.
I know, one day, when I have a home with a garage, I'll be able to take better care of it and bring it back to life. But right now, I am sort of stuck.

Got a full tank of gas though!

Some things I plan to do with it:
Get disk brakes on it.
New crate motor (LS1?) and trans.
Air ride suspension (or just lower the front a couple inches).
Redo interior with modern front seats with shoulder belts built in.
18 inch wheels and tires.
Finish the stereo.

Yeah, basically redo the car. Man, I really wish I had a garage.

I have had many other cars, many I have loved, many I have not. But, nothing has come close to replacing my Land Ark in my heart, and I doubt anything will.

Progress!!!
At least it is out of the elements now.

Today!

As on July 20th 2009 the Land Ark has come back to life. Changing the plugs was all it took for it to roar back like it was 10 years ago.

There is a lifter tap and a lot of smoke and fumes. But I was able to drive it around the block. All for less than $100. And I was just about to buy a new engine. It will come, but for now, I can at least drive it around to get worked on.

Page 1: Before
Page 2: Heyday
Page 3: Current (current)
Page 4: Land Ark Narrative
Page 5: My day at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety