After having owned a 1960 Pioneer as a teenager in 1976,  Al earnestly desired to have another  1960 Dodge.     His dream finally came true when he spoted this Phoenix for sale outside of Winnipeg.  Here is his story:

 Here was a top of the line '60 Dodge Phoenix 2 door hardtop looking for a new home. This was  the car I'd been hoping to find but never held up much hope. This is what  I wanted to sink some cash into. There are a number of things which  attract me to this car. Firstly there's the teenage history thing and the  fact that I had put some much of my creative energy into it. Secondly,   there's the uniqueness factor which had grown on me. While there were  still 1000's of the Mustangs, Novas, Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars around, very few 60's had been kept. Finally, and most importantly, I  liked the car itself - the last year to flaunt the wings, the jet fighter  speedo pod, the huge rear window, the "square" steering wheel, the push  button automatic, the bubble windshield . .  Needless to say, I bought  the car.

 Planning began in earnest. I wanted a car that kept the special features  of the year but was a little more modern in other ways. 1960 was the first  year of the slant 6 (12.5 million slant 6's were produced) and the matching 904 Torque-flite tranny so they were going to stay but not in  stock condition. My connections with the Slant 6 club helped me out tremendously. It was bored  0.030". Compression was upped from 8.4 to  around 9.1 by shaving 0.090" off the head. Using post '76 head allows the   safe use of unleaded fuel. The cam lifts higher and longer than stock.
 Electronic ignition from an early 70's Dodge was added. A Holley 350 2  barrel with custom intake to allow barrels to run parallel to cylinders  was created and Doug Dutra's dual exhaust manifold carries away exhaust. A
few vanes were removed from the converter to increase stall speed.   Mechanically, the front spindles and disks were donated by a 79 Diplomat   and basically bolted in place. The master brake cylinder and booster came
from a 76 Dart and also bolted into place. The 8 3/4" rear axle comes from  69 Polara along with the front stabilizer bar. A customized 67 Dart drive   shaft connects everything. The whole car has been lowered 2 couple of
inches and Monroe shocks with overloads help keep the back end up. New  wheels from American Eagle finish off the drive train.   I asked Brent Burch in Manitoba to do the body and paint. He had redone  his 60 Fury, Christine III a few years before and I liked what I saw. I have not been disappointed with his workmanship.

The interior has a custom red fabric/foam headliner instead of the  factory hardboard. Seats have been redone with some original fabrics but  the door panels have been replaced with my custom design as has the rear  deck.  Seatbelts add to safety. A new sound system again provides the tunes  but remains hidden from site.    This is now my summer driver. In my mind, a car must be driven to be   enjoyed. I enjoy driving my Acura Legend - its well engineered, responsive  comfortable, etc - a great blend of practicality and performance. But when  it comes to style, in my books, nothing beats "Big Red"!