Survivor 1966 Chrysler Newport is Back on US Roads After 40 Years!

[@lsxmatt]

I never thought about it, but this car hasn't actually been on US roads since 1984 when my grandfather was still driving it. Even when we sold it back in 2010 I didn't get a chance to take it out of the driveway. Enjoy the video!

[@shanehoefer7162]

So? When are you ls swapping it? Turbo 5.3?

[@lsxmatt]

@@shanehoefer7162 Hellcat swap as soon as I find another 30 grand lying around 💀

[@shanehoefer7162]

@@lsxmatt hellcat motors around here go for 8 to 10k. With paperwork.

[@antoniohosino145]

I HAD A 68 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND TRANS . THESE CARS REALLY DON'T LIKE THE CORK GASKETS THAT COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH , THE RUBBER GASKETS SEAL AND LAST SO MUCH BETTER , THE HOLES ON THE TRANS GASKET ARE SLIGHTLY SMALLER SO THE BOLTS CAN BE HELD IN PLACE WHEN STARTING THEM BACK INTO THE TRANS . I WOULD START WITH THE INSIDE BOLTS FIRST , THEN IN A CIRCULAR PATTERN WORK ALL THE REMAINING ONES TORQUE THEM TO SPEC INCH POUNDS OR FOOTPOUNDS WHATEVER IT CALLS FOR IN THE SHOP MANUAL !!! GOODLUCK !!!!

[@stephenhetejr.1596]

She is a beautiful car. Well preserved for its age. My grandfather had a 66 Newport as well when I was a kid. Enjoy cruising around with her.

[@jakereal3604]

Hearing this start brings back so many memories to my teenhood! In the 70s-80s JUST listening to a car start you could tell if it was a Ford, Chrysler, GM etc. Even exhaust notes were distinctive. Sometimes my neighbor would start his car and mom had the windows open and Id say "I wonder where Ken is going?" Mom said how do you know whos car that is? I said I can tell its a Dodge slant six starting. The engine and starter had very distinct sound as did his wifes 74 Torino with a 302 2V.

[@hitchcock1960]

I remember that the parking lights on pre 1968 cars had the headlights alone when on. Parking lights and headlights illuminating together started in ‘68 or ‘69.

[@joes3485]

Watching you work on the brakes reminded me of working on a '68 Dodge Polara I had bought new. It had the 383 engine and automatic transmission but used a 2bbl carburetor. It was equipped with AC and on the highway going 70mph with the AC on delivered 19mpg. It was the best car I ever owned. Your grandfather's car is absolutely beautiful! Enjoy!

[@1575murray]

Your Dodge was basically the same car built on the Chrysler C body platform. These cars were comfortable and rode well and the 383 2 barrel gave good power although gas mileage in city driving was dismal at best.

[@craigbenz4835]

My family had the same car when I was a teenager. I loved everything about it, especially the dash and interior.

[@HarryShover]

Beautiful car love the color. Wish they still made cars this nice.

[@georgewetzel4380]

Good for you; I miss my 66 Nesport.

[@jakereal3604]

The color combination of that car really make it pop and look like a much more expensive model that it is. Looks very "Imperialish" IMO Too bad she didn't have power windows and some other options, but still a great n awesome car as it sits. Best of luck with it and keeping Grandpas memory alive!

[@charlesb7019]

Absolutely beautiful car! When I was a kid my dad drove a 66 Dodge Monaco in the same color. We all loved that car!!!

[@wyattoneable]

I'm glad you spent some time on this car. It's beautiful with a cool history. It would be a stand out car in any show or parking lot.

[@Vaino_Hotti]

Yup, that's a Carter AFB carb you've got. It's pretty good and very common carb, honestly I would've expected something weirder from Chrysler. The light wiring has probably been modified when registered in Germany. Amber parking lights are a no-no, the tiny extra bulbs in the low beams were a replacement parking light. Also quad hi- or low beams might not be allowed.

[@towncoupe]

Absolutely GORGEOUS CHRYSLER and I think the Classiest color Grampa would be VERY PROUD Nice work Cheers from Calgary

[@gocanes1406]

Love the car and that you're keeping the originality. Had a 69 Firebird and would strongly recommend adding disc brakes to the front. Other than that, keep it all original!

[@brucenichols540]

A) Mopars do NOT use Exhaust Manifolds Gaskets. Clean metal to metal on the Head & Manifold. B) Best Motor Oil for classic cars is 'any' brand of Diesel Oil in 15w40. It has plenty of Zinc, so no need for additives. Also it's high detergent to help keep the old Carbed engines clean inside. C) Transmission issues? Have you adjusted BOTH of the Bands? D) There is a 'Ride Height' specification for the front suspension in the Factory Service manual. That's achieved by adjusting the Torsion Bar preload. They are DEFINITELY not supposed to 'sag' in the rear. I've owned new MoPars since my first in 1970. If you set the front height and the rear is sagging, you should replace the Rear Leaf Springs. E) Brakes... Hopefully, you went for the Raybestos Brake Shoes? Huge difference....

[@1966-Charger]

I owned a pristine 383 1966 Newport in 1981. Solid, well built cars! Congrats! FYI, the gold Chrysler Pentastar on the passenger front fender looks like it was painted over at some point, FYI.

[@jamesmyers9285]

I love the sound of the "Hummingbird" starter. Gorgeous car!

[@BlackTownie999]

Gunk in trans pan is clutch material...Better invest in more parts, the trans is gonna need love

[@davidkenyon5444]

So happy for you that you were able to find your Grandfather's car. Looks beautiful already but can't wait to see it polished up!

[@Dinkymaster7]

Gotta watch part two now as well! In europe it's not allowed with amber parking/marking lights, and they can't be in the same housing as a turn signal. So thats why it was removed.

[@haroldkuykendall9078]

I had a black 65 Newport 2 door Hard Top, A/C 383, red interior with a white headliner, dual exhaust!!!❤

[@joey193650]

I had a 66 Coronet 440 Sedan as my first car in High School back in 1994. The weirdest thing was the left side wheel studs were left hand thread and the right side was right handed threads. I found out that was common back then on Chrysler products.

[@bill90405]

Great to hear the Highland Park Hummingbird(starter) on the Newport.

[@Morgorn1]

What heart-achingly beautiful work of art this car is. Thanks for sharing.

[@heysoos223]

Love the car Matt! So cool you were able to get it back, and she’s beautiful! For that transmission pan gasket, go with a lube locker. They make the best transmission (and rear end) gaskets around. Never leak, and reusable.

[@davidnance-d3n]

my pal todd had one , a fine car for a fact ! the speedo and dash was super cool , it had a 383 2bbl yet it would fly ! it shifted into 3rd at 95 mph ! a fine road car FACT !

[@billbowers268]

Brings back memories . I had the same car in baby blue . That Chrysler air/temp was so cold it would run you out of the car .

[@andydanko7074]

Such a beautiful car, just love that color with the matching interior. Back when cars had so many color choices😊

[@woody95124]

Beatifull color...pretty car.......

[@tstoneami]

That body looks really straight! Nice ride.

[@glenbo2464]

Love a 65 or 66 ! Thats one nice car and the history is way cool !

[@NateEll]

What a gorgeous car

[@stevemehanmusic]

A real car with a real engine! ❤️

[@davidjones5729]

Beautiful car. I would love to take it for a drive. They are so easy to work on too. Great video. Work on the Barracuda next!

[@johnciesielczyk204]

Such a beautiful car. Such an amazing story and how you got it back

[@chipieal]

This is where i live. Mid 60's Mopars Valiant to Imperials are very unique and attractive cars. My dad bought me a '64 Newport as a HS graduation present. When the 65's came out, I begged him to trade the 64 for a 65. I love this Elwood Engle fill the box design. If I had the money, time and space, I would look for a 65 through 68 Newport.

[@williamlovely450]

carter carbs were made in my home town st louis mo the building are still standing but closed for years

[@jasonwesten6031]

Your Grandfathers car is great! Would like to see firebird next I started watch your channel because of that firebird!

[@edweigman9683]

If you're going to drive it and enjoy it, you may want to consider disk brakes, that would make a world of difference for that heavy boat.

[@kemjones9911]

I own a. 66 Newyorker , black 4 dr ht with a 440 TNT . We used it on the Canadian Coast to Coast tour in 2017 towing a. 19947 Cabin Car trailer

[@mikeconnelly7032]

Simply Awesome!!!

[@Alan-lv9rw]

I’m a Ford/Mercury fan, but this car is gorgeous. The color is spectacular. So elegant. The 60’s was best for American cars.

[@laiky71]

We always glued those gaskets to the pan and put a light smear of grease on the tranny side. Never leaked. Still do it the same way

[@KO-pk7df]

Great looking car! I remember how well these cars rode. Smooth and so quiet. I believe helps keep you awake and more alert because you are less fatigued on long drives. I remember our old Chrysler 383 used 30wt and or 10w-30. But we lived in AZ and NM so we used 10w-40. Also on some of those transmissions there was a band adjustment that effected Reverse or Drive but I can't remember which one.

[@ReimundCabel-c8c]

I have our 1967 Chrysler Newport with 383-2 barrel with a 350 horsepower,440 camshaft to do a similar road ready minor restoration on.

[@nemesis851_]

Look for an AM transmitter you can connect to your music source. Then the car (and anyone around listening HA) can grab the signal and come through the factory radio

[@DesertRox]

The best thing about these cars is the foot well air vent, an option that modern cars could benefit from. For the AC I would suggest using R16 instead of trying to use r134a. No need to change oil and it will cool better using the stock components.

[@Htfsik]

My first car was a ‘66 Newport sedan. Bought it with 66,000 miles and put another 100,000 on it over 10 years. Great touring car.

[@BrightHardDay]

My parents had the identical car that I learned to drive in. Great memories; thank you!

[@ronaldwinther477]

😊 yes the lower beam are parking lights, 😊 cool chanel you have,i am follow you from sweden 🇸🇪 and i have a old car 1955 oldsmobile 88 super holiday

[@jakereal3604]

Thanks for putting headlights back to stock. It looks so goofy when people do this if youre a classic car geek. nerd, restorer etc.

[@janrosenbaum9382]

Sealed beams are illegal in Germany, you have to change the whole lighting to Euro spec or it wont be street legal...

[@LlyleHunter]

My brother had one of these when he was finishing up college that he bought for three hundred dollars from a salvage yard and my father’s mechanic got running. It was a great car. One thing that I thought was really ingenious were the counterthread bolts and nuts of the wheels on one side of the car so that if you didn’t tighten the nuts enough when changing the tires they wouldn’t loosen up when driving. Chrysler was an engineering powerhouse in those days.

[@nickhighfill3059]

Beautiful car Matt

[@MuderDrones-FanJunkie]

This is officially a dream car for me. Something about the body style to me just screams "Cruise down the Vegas strip". My main dream car was a 69' 4-door Cadillac Sedan Deville but this car makes me now debate on which one should be on the top of the list. Beautiful car. This is back when cars ACTUALLY had personality unlike today's bubble cars made of 90% soda can and 10% plastic.

[@junkyardigans6197]

I love this! I’m building a turbo 4.8 ls Plymouth valiant right now!

[@jorgejefferson8251]

On cars over 20 years old In Maryland, once you got the title straightened out you could have Historic plates issued no fuss no muss. No state vehicle or emission inspections when you first register it or ever.

[@johnkendrick7304]

I meant to also say that those brakes will lock up in a second. I've driven many of those cars I'm an older guy. So don't give up on those breaks fix them

[@ayryz1]

I agree, it sounds as if they aren't even close to adjusted correctly.

[@ladariusmastin]

Love the car bro 💯👌🏿

[@danswartwood4580]

Thank you for your APPRECIATION to your subscribers 😢

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

I bought a self bleeder at harbor freight to bleed brakes by myself it was the best 49 bucks i spent because i had a difficult brake job too and that did the trick

[@perryelyod4870]

When I do oil changes, I'm not in a rush like a Jiffy Lube, which leaves a litre of dirty oil in engine. Oil cap comes off, oil filter is removed, and drain plug is removed. Then I go for coffee, or go to bed for the night. Let it all drain, you've got time on your hands doing it at home. When I have air, I'll even blow out all the old oil from the top, but put a plastic or cardboard guard near the drain plug, or you'll have a messy spray.

[@LlyleHunter]

I’ve always wondered why Chrysler didn’t employ torsion bar suspensions in the rear instead of leaf springs. Gosh it would have made their cars great.

[@LlyleHunter]

The last real Packards had a torsion bar setup that connected the front and back that worked pretty well.

[@Htfsik]

⁠@@LlyleHunterGood question. Weight? Wouldn’t they need some sort of A arm set up in back to attach a rear torsion bar to? They can’t just tie them to the axel.

[@te71se]

15:30 - it's because in Europe the 'park lamps' and turn signals can't generally occupy the same space - they like to have the turn signals separate from all other lamps, ie they don't like 'dual purpose' lamps like the US style combination park/turn signal. They simply moved the park lamps up to the low beam headlamp housings - these seem to often be called 'city lamps' by US folk, though don't know why.

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

The torsion bar spring is known to unwind faster without the oscillating rebound of a coil spring. This provides a more level driving dynamic. I've driven three different brands of cars with T bars and they all have a level poise going over the bumps. These torsion bar cars like to be a little high in front, it increases the suspension travel, better ride. They get bouncy if lowered. KYB gas shocks really keep things in check at high speeds.

[@Bigchet1223]

Oldest car I ever drove was a 52 buick. I drove a 64 Ford galaxy once from.south Carolina to pa. It scared me to death. Touchy power steering.Drum brakes. I used to own a 76 omega and a 75 cutlass. I find cars before the 1970s much more difficult to drive.

[@d1mennis]

I had a white 66 Newport in 1973. Had to sell it during the gas crisis. My dad had a 66 New Yorker light green. They both floated down the road. I had mine up to 110 mph! You should have primed the master cylinder before attaching the brake line and also I noticed you still don't have parking lights. Not being critical, just informative. I also lived in Staten Island so I know what roads you were on. Be careful with the cameras!!

[@KO-pk7df]

I really believe that high beams are added to low beam. Low beam stays on when high beams are selected. The extra lights are for PARKING as in on the side of road the parking lights are supposed to be on. That's the way our cars were in Germany.

[@jennyloughry896]

Trans Am then Barracuda also want to know if that 383 will roast the tires before you put the new rubber on.

[@mindfornication4funn]

When i watch old movies, it trips me out, when the driver of the car gets out of the passenger door !! try doing that in a C8 Vette, see what happens.......

[@ClayBonics]

Holley makes glass sealed beam LEDs that look like old lights, you can get them in the right temperature to look like the old lights. People seem to like them.

[@Alan-lv9rw]

My first car was a 1966 VW Beetle with a very similar color.

[@JITISH1]

A good detail on this will have it popping. It looks sooooo good already.

[@janrosenbaum9382]

Sealed beams are illegal to use in Germany. You have to convert at least the headlamps to a different spec. with parking lights etc... You wont get the car street legal otherwise. The front turn signals are not allowed as marker lights.

[@TaylorZ2]

That is awesome! Grandpa would be proud. Does it have the "cold" light? Those cars had outstanding A/C when working properly.

[@lsxmatt]

Yes it does, still works great.

[@jewllake]

I think as far as the head lights they changed them so the refractor prism was up to European MOT standards. Also the wiring appears to be modded so only two bulbs are on for high beam. From the factory the low beam would go high beam as well as the inners.

[@BamaMark]

Try a Motorcraft FL-1 oil filter. It’s correct. No Fram!

[@jewllake]

You live in Staten Island? I was there last month. I spent a week in Manhattan - very beautiful city.

[@lsxmatt]

Yes I do

[@craigbenz4835]

The converter should also have a drain plug on that year.

[@hitchcock1960]

Be nice to get some good drone video of the Newport for the next video.

[@jamespn]

Use a cork gasket on the transmission pan.

[@stevebauer6293]

I order a lot of trans parts from TSR Racing. They’re in New Jersey I believe and I get parts to upstate NY next day.

[@steves9905]

unusual for a Newport to have the 4 barrel engine. Very cool. 65-68 c body Chryslers are the best

[@SandraOrminski]

i hope you adjusted the low reverse and kickdown bands. its acually very easy. the torque convertor from factory has a small drain plug. it should hold aprox with the 11 3/4" std torque convertor about 9.5 quarts. 12 btdc timing and about 500 rpm at idle. the carter afb is a 580 cfm. when they are tunned they go like hell. and when you take it out for a ride and run a full tank of 90= octane feul it will get aprox 15-16 mpg. average in city 12-13.

[@lsxmatt]

Yea the carb needs work. I tried to floor it from a dig and it just coughs and won’t go. Looks like the accelerator pump is a little leaky. I’ll probably rebuild the carb over the winter.

[@appleimacdude]

A bit confused, are you sure this is a 66? I thought it was a 65 - we had a 66 Newport 4 door - 383, 2 barrel I think - great car - pretty good gas mileage on the hwy 22 or so - noticed had to use the right power steering fluid in it for older Mopars or it felt too loose - loved the ride, long car trips- how many miles on yours when you sold it, and now? Trans ever been rebuilt? Ours was bought in St. Louis MO area, driven to San Diego Ca where it spent the rest of its life -

[@lsxmatt]

Yea it’s a 66, the most notable thing being the grill. It was sold with almost 94,000 miles, rolled over to 8,000 now so in total it has close to 108,000 on it. Don’t think the trans was ever touched. Engine was rebuilt back in 2011 by the new owner.

[@KM_59]

Please put a Dakota starter on that beautiful car !!

[@freedomsound4469]

Reminds me of my grandmothers New Yorker with a square steering wheel and push-button transmission.

[@DaveTurnerBassGuitar]

It’s correct for parking lights to be OFF when headlights are on for ‘66 models.

[@erneststrickland4846]

When u turn on high beams all for light should come on at the same time

[@lsxmatt]

They do now after I put the wiring back to stock

[@davebarron5939]

Great story and family histrionics. Neat how you are the third generation moving on with it, great car love the color. Appears from your last video the Germans did your Gramp's car a solid, only correcting what really needed it. Nothing like cars to bring people together, Great stuff.

[@michaelgorman4229]

I have been to Europe and the European people love the Americans cars

[@tonikollmann7342]

What a beauty

[@BillS-u1q]

I have a '66 New Yorker four door hardtop with every factory option with the exception of power vent windows.

[@notchbackgta]

Did you adjust the shoes after you got the drum on? The brakes on my suburban were so much better after I adjusted them. They were too far from the drum before

[@lsxmatt]

Yea but the backs were still a little too loose. Have them adjusted now and stopping fine.

[@greglinarelli9401]

when you turn on the hi beams all four bulbs should be on

[@lsxmatt]

They do now after putting the stock lights back in

[@Htfsik]

Re brakes: I’d be tempted to install a dual master cylinder and disc breaks at least in front.

[@John-b5e3e]

beautiful car

[@deepfreezevideo]

It's almost 2025, please just mod it for dual pot master cylinder and front discs, you'll be glad you did.

[@roycervantes1341]

Yeee Yeee 😊

[@georgewetzel4380]

One note, you will enjoy it more with correct tires; those cars do not respond well to radials.

[@americanrambler4972]

I owned a 71 New Yorker. The owners manual recommended NOT to use radial tires. It stated that the suspension was not ‘tuned’ for radial tires. It had Michelin radial X tires on it when I bought it. The ride and noise were very smooth and quiet. But the steering response and overall handling was a bit squishy due to sidewall flex. The solution I came up with was to move to a Les Schwab Arizonan HD load range C tire with stiffer sidewalls and a wider more square shoulder on the tread in the original tire size. (The New Yorker came with a beefy tire size, don’t remember what it was.) they improved the steering feel and responsiveness quite a bit and got rid of the squishy feel. The ride also improved overall too. Oh by the way, on a certified scale, that big boat 440 motored Chrysler with a full tank of gas only weighed 4260 pounds. It was definitely lighter and considerably quicker and faster than my 91 Chevrolet caprice wagon. I miss both those cars.

[@americanrambler4972]

I owned a 71 New Yorker. The owners manual recommended NOT to use radial tires. It stated that the suspension was not ‘tuned’ for radial tires. It had Michelin radial X tires on it when I bought it. The ride and noise were very smooth and quiet. But the steering response and overall handling was a bit squishy due to sidewall flex. The solution I came up with was to move to a Les Schwab Arizonan HD load range C tire with stiffer sidewalls and a wider more square shoulder on the tread in the original tire size. (The New Yorker came with a beefy tire size, don’t remember what it was.) they improved the steering feel and responsiveness quite a bit and got rid of the squishy feel. The ride also improved overall too. Oh by the way, on a certified scale, that big boat 440 motored Chrysler with a full tank of gas only weighed 4260 pounds. It was definitely lighter and considerably quicker and faster than my 91 Chevrolet caprice wagon. I miss both those cars.

[@americanrambler4972]

The light arrangement on the car was as follows for US spec is as follows. High beams - all 4 headlights on in high long distance beam. Bumper parking lights off. Low beam headlights - outside headlights only, low beam shorter distance pattern, parking lights off. Parking light position. Bumper parking lights only. Turn signal. Bumper parking lights light up only. Activate turn signal. Parking light in bumper and amber light on top of fender blinks. There are 2 filaments in the bumper lights. When parking lights are on, you will have bumper light on, then the turn signal flashes brighter. 4 way flashers, turn signals on both sides flash along with the amber fender top indicators.

[@americanrambler4972]

Boy, I am glad my 71 New Yorker had those big Kelsey Haze disk brakes on the front verses this little drum brakes! Those big front and big rear brakes could haul that car down in a hurry! (My car was equipped with the factory tow package. I got the original window sticker with the car.)

[@Johnnyvette383]

Thermoquad carb I believe Mopar called it. But what do I know I'm a GM guy.

[@craigbenz4835]

The Thermoquad was a spreadbore like the Q-jet. It came out in the 70's.

[@TheOcculus]

Cheap line wrenches are worse than box-end wrenches. New Snap On are crappy too but better than Craftsman etc. New flare wrenches are beveled so they lack the grip surface of the old tools. I have 45 year old OTC and 60 year old SK SAE line wrenches that work great.