The LeBaron has been in my family for a long time...about 7 years before I got it. My dad used this car to finish off his midlife crisis (which was interrupted when his `89 LeBaron turbo was totalled...pictures coming someday).
As part of the midlife crisis requirements for a car, it was driven hard and often. Besides racking up a hell of a lot of miles, this tore up the transmission bad. After getting stuck in second gear, my dad replaced the transmission and its only remaining problem was blue smoke from the exhaust. By the time he had the money to fix it, however, it had become a permanent lawn ornament due to a cracked block.
Over the next three years, the LeBaron sat there and rotted away. The engine was cracked, the battery was bad, the top was torn, and the neighbor kid had attempted to hot-wire it. You can't screw a car over too much more than that.
A few months before my birthday...my dad offered me the car. I basically got it for free, as long as I paid to restore it. Even though it was a total piece...I snatched it up for two reasons. First of all, it had new tires and a new transmission. Second, it's a convertible!!! How can any guy turn down a convertible?!?!
So, after throwing in every last cent I owned...I had a beautifulfirst car. It's really quick, enough so that it can shed what little tread is remaining just by stomping the gas. It's incredibly fun to drive...top down, stereo blaring...can't be beat!
