You can blame this one on my recent fixation of converting a Dodge Intrepid into a rear-drive, V8-powered hide-in-plain-sight kind of machine. I’ve shown you before just what that can look like, but there’s more appreciation for the stranger 1970s selections from Chrysler’s catalogs than there are for any kind of LH-platform work. I’m pretty sure between a rotted Aspen and an Eagle Vision sitting next to a ready-to-go 5.7L swap, half of you readers would tell me to shitcan the later-model car and to enjoy the natural body lightening of the Aspen. Ah, well…everybody’s sickness is different, right?

The thing is, Intrepids and their stablemates were everywhere…and then were nowhere. They looked the part and were a great big part of Chrysler’s prosperity in the 1990s, but electrical issues and the transaxles from Hell (not to mention the gloriously awful 2.7L V6 and it’s self-destructive ways) didn’t do much to keep the Intrepid popular with most folks. Yeah, I like ’em…but until I get to built a north-south pre-Charger example like I want, I have to enjoy other people’s use. And this first-gen is used, alright. Used, abused, and somehow still coming back for more. One of the best lines I’ve ever seen is for racing, and was shared with me after I took my old Dodge Mirada autocrossing: “Never race a car you aren’t willing to push off of a cliff.” Fair enough. But if you’re willing to drive it off a cliff and it still comes back for more, does that mean it’s a keeper?