Modern Performance
A good friend of ours named Alex Lopez has been looking for a first gen Neon to buy over the last few months. Alex worked for Modern Performance from 2002-2006, he’s a US Army, two tour veteran of Iraq, as well as a Neon enthusiast, and hes owned 2 previous Neons.
About a week ago, while browsing ads on craigslist.com, I came across a Platinum 98 Plymouth Neon Coupe. It had the 5 spoke sport wheels, no spoiler, no side molding, and no fog lights. It also had the Dohc bulge hood and was listed as a manual. With some further checking, I found out it was a ACR ! For those of you not familiar with the ACR, its a special factory package that deleted the spoiler, side moldings, fog lights, and put in a tighter steering rack than regular Neons. On the suspension side, it had Koni adjustable struts, and higher rate springs than a normal Neon.
The 98 ACR was listed like this: Neon, Manual, AC works well, 124k, $1700.
After seeing the ad, I was tempted to buy the car myself JUST so that it wouldnt be bought by someone who couldnt appreciate it. After showing it to several employees, and our good friend Alex, he immediately went, test drove the car, and bought it !
Anyways, onto the photos.
Here it is, with steel wheels on the front, ACR/SPORT wheels on the rear.
The leather wrapped steering wheel is covered by a AutoZone plastic ribbed cover. Otherwise, bone stock.
I LOVE THIS PHOTO. Koni Adjustment knob in a sealed factory package. Amazing that, after 11 years, this was not thrown away, or even opened once to adjust the Konis.
At this time, Alex wants to install coilovers, new wheels and do some maintenance. As time goes on, we will post updates in this blog on Alex’s new 98 Neon ACR.
