[poecker]

Hi to all,

I'm new here and I'm on this forum as I'm he owner of a 1983 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition, 318 2-bbl, Slate Grey, grey leather. It's mine since May 2012. The built sheet gives week 1, 1983 as the manufacturing date and the car was delivered in July 1983 through Perkins Dodge, Colorado Springs and stayed there with the first owners until November 2010, when it was sold to Germany. The second owner soon discovered that it's hard t keep a historic car if you've got no space, so he sold it on to me in May 2012.

Mileage is around 78.ooo now and the trip to bring it home through Germany was without the slightest problem (500 miles). It gets a lot of attention here, looking like a palace on wheels. I will keep it in original condition and I really enjoy driving it, it's totally different to my daily car. Luckily, it's quite maneuverable in a country full of winding narrow roads and roundabouts everywhere. Roadholding is "unique" compared to a modern car, but that's what I bought it for.
I really wanted one of those Reagan-era US luxury cars since seeing them as a child, driven by US army soldiers around Mannheim and Heidelberg. And with the A-999 lockup transmission, it's reasonably economical rolling on the Autobahn at 120 km/h (70 mph).

Everything works, including Lean Burn, air condition, cruise control and all those funny warning chimes. What it does need is another oil change as it had some carbon buildup and maybe a radiator flush. Shift from front to reverse is hard when the engine is on cold idle, but having read the service bulletins, I'll simply have the idle adjusted and let it warm up properly before driving.

Now for the "need help" part:

- front disc brake rotors. What should I buy - no name or Bendix discs?
- turn signal switch needs replacement. Does anyone have a used one (tilt wheel)?
- right valve cover leaks a little, will have that replaced and the valve guide seals also. Any ideas for a good source for engine seals?

Tanks so far

Gunther
[sharedmedia=garage:vehicles:2799]

 

[poecker]

Thanks for the advice. Rockauto seem fine, they even have their site in german ;-)

One more, though:

I need the key for the wire wheel covers for my NY. Tires are new, but the key was lost by the first german owner. Would like to have that... anyone with a spare?

Thanks

Gunther

 

[poecker]

To TWX: The road feel is perfect... this is a toy, purely recreational, so it has to be as far as possible from the feel of my regular car as possible. The steering has a bit of road feel, so it is ok. The brakes are soft, but it does stop after all. Wheel alignment seems to be fine (no uneven tyre wear and front end hasn't sagged). I'll get good discs and new pads anyway. Won't turn it into a luxury squad car, I want that big car ride (well, 1980s big car).

After all, the car passed the german motor vehicle inspection.

Then, I was able to get some not-so-fine photos of the wheelcover lock. Hope they are fine and maybe someone has one to spare.

 

[poecker]

So, with better lighting, photos of my wire wheel cover lock turned out clear.

By the way, how many different keys are there for these covers? And are the keys available at Chrysler dealers? If yes, maybe someone can go to a dealer and just buy a set for me and mail them to Germany, instant Paypal payment for sure.

Changing brakes on the front axle won't be any good without the key ;-)