I own a 1970 Chrysler Newport two-door hardtop. When it rolled off the car hauler seven years ago at my home outside Minot, N.D., the numbers “00137” were showing on its odometer. Since becoming wrapped up in old cars and pickups, my goal was to someday own one like the one my mother drove back in 1970. Finding the same year and model as hers as well as the same nylon fabric interior — I had to have it. With so few miles registered since new there also had to be a story. And, there is.
My Chrysler was ordered by Reed Motors in Bellefonte, Pa. Upon delivery, the transport driver managed to do minor damage to the driver’s side unloading it. The customer now did not want the car. Reed Motors in return refused to take delivery, and Chrysler didn’t want the expense of taking it back. So, Chrysler did the next-best thing, it donated the car to the Centre County Vocational Technical School near Bellefonte for use in their automotive studies. The VIN plate was removed as required by the Chrysler Corp. so the school would not sell the car or get any warranty work done on it. At this point, there were 7 miles showing on the odometer.
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