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1986 Dodge Omni GLH - "Kittyhawk"
#506 of a very short run of Non-turbo GLHs built in 1986 - few with Santa Fe Blue paint!
I saw this car in the used lot of Hallmark Dodge in Overland Park, KS (now under new management with a different name) in 1987. I was then driving a Renault Fuego (and I've gone through therapy for it!), and wanted something reliable. I drove her...she talked to me...we connected. I paid way too much (had to get out from under the Fuego) but it has been worth it.
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Cross-country...to hell and back!
I have logged more miles in this car than any other I have owned - through rain, snow, against many comers, Kittyhawks has held her head high and come through it all a winner. |
The front end - all business |
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Changes/additions:
-Recaro-style leather seats (from an '85 Conquest)
-Daytona-style 1 1/4" front sway bar mounted UPSIDE DOWN (thanks, Brock Yates, Jr.)
-Koni adjustable struts w/modified MP race springs
-KYB GR-2 shocks w/modified Gabriel Comfort Coils
-Manual FULLY ADJUSTABLE rear sway bar package, with VW rabbit U-bar, heim joints, and clamps over the existing sway bar and dead axle
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Latest news:
SOLD - <sob>
Although I took it in the shorts (actually, the wallet), Kittyhawk was alive again in the spring of '01. Here's what was done -
* 'New' G-casting head, milled w/3-angle valve job
* Cam is a possible Lunati, springs/valves are bigger, rockers are not stamped
* Bottom end is in GREAT shape (shows you what regular oil changes will do for an engine)
* NEW EXHAUST - hi-flow cat, 2.5" pipes, Magnaflow turbo muffler
So how did she run? Well, when I started, a bit anemic, to tell the truth. But it's not because of the work - it's due to bad gas, no tuneup, and lack of care on my part (sob). When I put her down back in '00, I put her up with a FULL TANK OF GAS and no stabilizer - so the gas went bad.
I changed the fuel filter, poured some gas dryer in, and refilled the tank. After all that's been done, along with a tuneup, she ran FANTASTIC. A lot of torque, and the power kept on coming and coming.
It re-confirmed my idea of comparing cars to planes - the GLH is much like a support attack fighter, like the A-6 Intruder, whereas the Lancer is like the old Vigilante recon/bomber.
And she ran well, until the intermediate shaft oil seal blew on a drive. After that, I just didn't have the time to get her back running, and she was recently sold to someone who (I hope) will get her back into shape - actually, the same guy who bought the 'vert.
Farewell, my friend... it was a great ride... |
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