Looking for a shop to build me a General Lee...

[Danacus]

Hello,

I hope my subject does not upset any of the Charger purists. Its just that I fell in love with the 68-70 Charger in 1979 as a kid watching The Dukes. I love these Chargers in stock uniform, but think that the GL paint/graphics make these cars really shine. Anyway...

As the title says, I am looking for someone to build me a GL. Currently I am talking to "General Lee Chargers" on Facebook as well as ScottLea (Professor Patrick). ScottLea seems to have a good reputation, but I have yet to find anyone who owns a GL built by them or any other custom car.

"General Lee Chargers" built this GL:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-R-T-1969-dodge-charger-general-lee-/141295944307?forcerrptr=true&hash=item20e5e50273&item=141295944307&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Which oddly enough the buyer is now trying to flip here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-General-Lee-Replica-1969-Dodge-Charger-General-Lee-Replica-Automatic-2-Door-Coupe-/331253042141?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d20384bdd&item=331253042141&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Does anyone have any comments about either of these business? Anyone else I should look at?

I contacted the Smith Brothers and they are not taking any orders until 2016 because they are "under contract" until then (whatever that means), but it does not matter since they sent me a price list and for thier basic GL replica they want $75k!

THANKS!
Dana

[Charger-Bodie]

Where are you at?

[1965gp]

Halfway through my GL now. I would suggest doing some research on what 'era' GL you want. As a kid I didn't know  there were variations.

What is your budget? Like anything it will probably be cheaper to buy one done but if your like me the build is part of the fun.

If you do your homework there isn't any reason a local quality shop couldn't convert a 69 into a GL- you just need to make sure you go with the right color/decal/interior/ pushbar combo. All of that info is pretty easy to find.

I would use a shop local to you so you can keep tabs on the progress. I've heard horror stories of people sending $$ off to someone they never see and the car never getting done and in some cases the car is never returned.

[Danacus]

Where are you at?

I am in Bangor Maine. Unfortunately, there are neither ay old Chargers or shops I would trust to do the work.

[NHCharger]

I'm in Barrington, NH. I know a real good body guy in Rochester, NH. He painted my 71 Charger. If you want I could ask him if he would be interested.

[MaximRecoil]

Where are you at?

I am in Bangor Maine. Unfortunately, there are neither ay old Chargers or shops I would trust to do the work.

There is a guy in Pittsfield, Maine (just get on I95 South and drive for about a half hour to what used to be exit 38) that runs a restoration shop that specializes in old Mustangs, but this is his personal car:



That was a junkyard car when he started; he completely disassembled it and put it on a rotisserie. The General Lee details on his car are generic and incomplete (graphics from Phoenix Graphix and not much else; his roll cage is real; he doesn't want a push bumper due to the weight it would add to the front), but if you did your homework on the General Lee details that you want, I don't see why he couldn't accommodate you. I don't know him very well; I've been to his shop and seen his General Lee, and traded some stuff with him once, so I can't vouch for him, but as far as I know he has a good reputation. A friend I went to school with, who lives in Corinna, Maine, who is one of the best body and paint guys in the area (his personal car routinely wins the "best paint" category at local shows), knows him better than I do, and he's never said anything bad about him.

[1965gp]

A lot of this will depend what quality car you intend to build. Mine is more on the budget end (non rotisserie) and repro parts instead of NOS to make a nice driver. Like anything you can take this as far as you want.

[MaximRecoil]

Also, keep in mind that a General Lee build is a normal Charger restoration or refurbishment, plus some things that most anyone is qualified to do (i.e., adding bolt-on or stick-on parts; minor wiring skills are required as well if you want a CB and/or Dixie horn). It is practically a given that anyone who is capable of doing a decent restoration or refurbishment of a Charger will also be qualified to then transform it into a General Lee, provided they are given good information on what bolt-on and stick-on parts to get.

[Mike DC]

It's like anything else in the old car hobby - better to buy it already restored (assuming you don't get ripped off) than do it or have it done yourself.  The cost savings will be huge in the long run.  Doing a bodywork resto is a killer and I'm not talking about the price of the orange paint.  It's a Chrysler product, and Chrysler products rust.  Severely.  

There are always some cars out there for sale at stupid-high prices.  But the majority of classic muscle cars, GL/Charger or otherwise, end up selling for much less than they cost to restore to that condition.   


I would encourage you not to go into this with the attitude that you need to start with a regular Charger and convert it to a GL just to "make it yours."  GL or not there will be plenty of things you will end up altering on any car.  These things are never done.  If you find a deal on a finished GL then take it.

 

[JR]

Not to be rude, but why on earth would anyone go thru the hell of paying a restoration shop 40k of labor plus the cost of the car and parts to spend two years building another general clone when there are ten or more of them at a time advertised on craigslist or eBay? That I'm sure could be bought for less than the cost of a restoration project.

Labor rates for a good shop run around 80-100 bucks an hour minimum. Why pay for two years worth of that when you can find plenty of orange chargers ready to drive right now?

What satisfaction would you even get from paying strangers at an unknown shop a lot of money for 2 years?

Just buy a complete car for less money and save another charger from being converted.

[sanders7981]

I second what has been said regarding "doing your research".  I have been working on mine now since spring of 2010, it's been a slow go because I deploy...a lot.  I have it all done except the drive train and gas tank/fuel lines, and am partially done with wiring.  I have done all the work myself, which has saved me thousands of dollars, and plan on driving the hell out of it instead of making it a trailer/show queen. 

There are a few good shops out there that do  this kind of work or specialize in GL builds.  Smith Bros is probably the most well know, and Scott Lea Hotrods is another that comes to mind.  However... Prepare to pay a lot of cash if you have a shop "properly" build one for you with out taking shortcuts and half-assing it.

If you don't want to or have the disposable income, look into buying one that is already completed.  You can always modify what you don't like later on... Like changing an all black interior to saddle tan or dukes tan.  Would be way cheaper that way. 

Good luck with your search.

[ws23rt]

Not to be rude, but why on earth would anyone go thru the hell of paying a restoration shop 40k of labor plus the cost of the car and parts to spend two years building another general clone when there are ten or more of them at a time advertised on craigslist or eBay? That I'm sure could be bought for less than the cost of a restoration project.

Labor rates for a good shop run around 80-100 bucks an hour minimum. Why pay for two years worth of that when you can find plenty of orange chargers ready to drive right now?

What satisfaction would you even get from paying strangers at an unknown shop a lot of money for 2 years?

Just buy a complete car for less money and save another charger from being converted.

Some may think your being rude but you make perfectly good sense.

From a practical point of view just how personal can a faithfully done GL be?

It is good advice to one that has a charger but wants it to be a GL.  Use the charger you have to maneuver your way to something that has already been done and depreciated.

[Mopar Nut]

  Welcome aboard Danacus!

[GL#10]

All comes down to want you want to spend , and how quick you want it , what's your budget?? How quick do you want it ?? etc etc

I would be looking at one already done , but have it checked out .

Here is one of the Autotrader Gl's, if you want a Gl With some History .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281365238824?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Not to be rude, but why on earth would anyone go thru the hell of paying a restoration shop 40k of labor plus the cost of the car and parts to spend two years building another general clone when there are ten or more of them at a time advertised on craigslist or eBay? That I'm sure could be bought for less than the cost of a restoration project.

Labor rates for a good shop run around 80-100 bucks an hour minimum. Why pay for two years worth of that when you can find plenty of orange chargers ready to drive right now?

What satisfaction would you even get from paying strangers at an unknown shop a lot of money for 2 years?

Just buy a complete car for less money and save another charger from being converted.

Perfect advice 

[myk]

Buy it built.  Anything else will be a pain in the ass and it will drain your finances...

[Danacus]

Where are you at?

I am in Bangor Maine. Unfortunately, there are neither ay old Chargers or shops I would trust to do the work.

There is a guy in Pittsfield, Maine (just get on I95 South and drive for about a half hour to what used to be exit 38) that runs a restoration shop that specializes in old Mustangs, but this is his personal car:



That was a junkyard car when he started; he completely disassembled it and put it on a rotisserie. The General Lee details on his car are generic and incomplete (graphics from Phoenix Graphix and not much else; his roll cage is real; he doesn't want a push bumper due to the weight it would add to the front), but if you did your homework on the General Lee details that you want, I don't see why he couldn't accommodate you. I don't know him very well; I've been to his shop and seen his General Lee, and traded some stuff with him once, so I can't vouch for him, but as far as I know he has a good reputation. A friend I went to school with, who lives in Corinna, Maine, who is one of the best body and paint guys in the area (his personal car routinely wins the "best paint" category at local shows), knows him better than I do, and he's never said anything bad about him.

That's very interesting. I know Pittsfield (I hit a home run in a little league all-star game there about 1000 years ago ). Whats the name of his shop?

[Danacus]

Not to be rude, but why on earth would anyone go thru the hell of paying a restoration shop 40k of labor plus the cost of the car and parts to spend two years building another general clone when there are ten or more of them at a time advertised on craigslist or eBay? That I'm sure could be bought for less than the cost of a restoration project.

Labor rates for a good shop run around 80-100 bucks an hour minimum. Why pay for two years worth of that when you can find plenty of orange chargers ready to drive right now?

What satisfaction would you even get from paying strangers at an unknown shop a lot of money for 2 years?

Just buy a complete car for less money and save another charger from being converted.

I do agree with what you are saying. I have looked at built GL's. Some of them look pretty good, but looks can be deceiving. Some of them are obviously a rust bucket with orange paint. I live in Maine and none of the built GLs are anywhere near me, so I would have to buy it without actually seeing it, therefor, it would have to be built by a reputable shop than I can verify. Also the ones that appear to have been done well are very pricey. I can have a really nice one built by the two business I mentioned for the same money I see the nice ones sell for and I get to pick what motor, paint color, interior, etc. For example, the first auction I posted, that GL sold for $42.5K. I can have that same car built by the same place for the same money (and have some say in what exactly gets done).

[Daytona R/T SE]

Danacus,

You need to do a search for DC.Com member "Cooter".

I believe he is still willing to sell his General Lee.  

Wait...

Here ya go...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,83711.0.html

[MaximRecoil]

That's very interesting. I know Pittsfield (I hit a home run in a little league all-star game there about 1000 years ago ).

I lived and worked there for much of the '90s.

Whats the name of his shop?

Emery Pratt, Central Maine Mustang - link.

Here's a Car Craft article about a Mustang he did - link. And here is a Bangor Daily News article about him - link.

I don't know his rates, whether or not he's taking on any new jobs right now, etc., but it wouldn't hurt to give him a call.

[Mike DC]

 

he doesn't want a push bumper due to the weight it would add to the front

He could do one from aluminum. 

When using the same thickness of metal as the original (rather than making it thicker to recover some lost strength) then aluminum would come out about 1/3rd the weight of steel.  That's a pretty small weight penalty to complete the look. 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

 

he doesn't want a push bumper due to the weight it would add to the front

He could do one from aluminum. 

When using the same thickness of metal as the original (rather than making it thicker to recover some lost strength) then aluminum would come out about 1/3rd the weight of steel.  That's a pretty small weight penalty to complete the look. 

Even in steel, it isn't that heavy 

[Mike DC]

 
You're right, it's not much weight even in steel.  Not in view of a 3800-lb car.    


But the weight is located at one of the worst places on the whole car to add it.  

[ws23rt]

The point about the car being front heavy reminds me of mounting the battery in the trunk.  Battery weight off the front and added to the back. This would offset the weight of the push bar.  And open up storage space under the hood.  

I also read somewhere that these chargers were about 300lbs light in the front at 70 MPH. (I still wonder if that is about right).  If that is the case leaving the weight on the front would help.

Or as some do add a nose and wing to keep things on the level.

[JR]

I guarantee you can buy plane tickets (to go inspect one personally)  and shipping costs for less than the cost of paying for restoration.  

But, if you're hellbent on spending two years or more to have a shop build you a General Lee that looks like every other General Lee, more power to you.

[Mopar Nut]

I can see his point, half the fun of owning a Charger is watching/building the progress of it being built.

[ws23rt]

I can see his point, half the fun of owning a Charger is watching/building the progress of it being built.

It's true -- building or at least supervising a car build to ones plan is a big part of the hobby. For some it is the hobby.

However when one is on a limited budget (as most of us are) we can get to the finish line by making practical decisions.  If what is on hand needs much work or is special enough to cause pause than the next move is to ask for advice. This is the best place I know of for that advice.

I am only one of many that lurk around here and my opinion is just another bit to add to the decision.

Put all the pluses on paper along with the negatives.  Consider your time and place with family etc. as a large part of the mix. (this could and does kill many projects).

If money or family issues are not high on the --hold on-- list than I say move on with what you have.

If every thing is tight than take advantage of the thousands of dollars that someone else spent and find what is very close to what you want and your task then will be to make it like your vision for thousands of dollars less and the finish likely to be much sooner.

[dyslexic teddybear]

A big plus......with a shop you can trust......you would know exactly what was done. No nasty surprises. No matter how close you look when inspecting......things can be missed.

I do get the reasoning, cheaper to buy it done. Seems you pay one way or another.

Either way.....good luck.

[1965gp]

That I think is part of the point- for some it is the ' hunt' of the car (my dad is this way- once the car is bought it doesn't matter if it is completed), for some it is the build, others it is the cruise and finally for some it is the concourse shows.

True- it will cost less to buy a completed car but for all we know the build may be the part Danacus is looking forward to.

I am the worst about actually enjoying the cars- I really have the most fun during the build and at the end looking at the before/after pics... I have a bad habit of getting a car 95% done to where It looks nice and I can drive it a few times but then get distracted by a new build.  Honestly I do not know if I have driven my 69 Trans Am clone more than 15 times since I've owned it.

[ws23rt]

That I think is part of the point- for some it is the ' hunt' of the car (my dad is this way- once the car is bought it doesn't matter if it is completed), for some it is the build, others it is the cruise and finally for some it is the concourse shows.

True- it will cost less to buy a completed car but for all we know the build may be the part Danacus is looking forward to.

I am the worst about actually enjoying the cars- I really have the most fun during the build and at the end looking at the before/after pics... I have a bad habit of getting a car 95% done to where It looks nice and I can drive it a few times but then get distracted by a new build.  Honestly I do not know if I have driven my 69 Trans Am clone more than 15 times since I've owned it.

I am like you in that I can't seem to get to the end of a project. At 95% or so I lose the drive to do things.

For me it is all about finding a diamond in the rough and the road to making it live again.   

[Mike DC]

  
I would be more likely to agree if most projects were still "diamonds in the rough".  


But it's not 1987 anymore.  
These days most projects are one of about 3 ways:

1. Totally done & expensive.

2.  $1000 basket cases.

3.  About 50% done, but priced at 75% done, and still need another 75% invested to really finish. 

 

[sanders7981]

^Facts right there! 

And I agree with JR, you can buy a plane ticket to go see the car if it's really something you want and end up cheaper than paying some shop $50k to restore one. 

Smith Bros used to post their pricing options, but it appears that they don't anymore.  I recall them having about 3 or 4 different stages of builds to choose from... I think the cheapest one started at 35k plus the cost of the car. 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

I can see his point, half the fun of owning a Charger is watching/building the progress of it being built.

Not for me. At this point in my life, half the fun is turning the key and driving the car. The other 1/2 is keeping my wife on her toes as to what I might bring home next 

[GL#10]

I guarantee you can buy plane tickets (to go inspect one personally)  and shipping costs for less than the cost of paying for restoration. 

But, if you're hellbent on spending two years or more to have a shop build you a General Lee that looks like every other General Lee, more power to you

[Danacus]

Smith Bros used to post their pricing options, but it appears that they don't anymore.  I recall them having about 3 or 4 different stages of builds to choose from... I think the cheapest one started at 35k plus the cost of the car. 

I sent them an email and got a pretty quick reply from Bob Smith. The price list showed (2) levels of build. Their basic level GL build was $75K ! The second was $85K ! And they can't take an order until  late 2016 becuase they are "currently under contract" until then.

[nvrbdn]

you also have the option of finding a car anywhere, then asking members if someone would go look at the car. we are able to check it out and give you a real evaluation for the price of lunch and a couple gallons of gas. even take pic's of the entire car.


   just another option that happens on here.

[Danacus]

you also have the option of finding a car anywhere, then asking members if someone would go look at the car. we are able to check it out and give you a real evaluation for the price of lunch and a couple gallons of gas. even take pic's of the entire car.


   just another option that happens on here.

That would be cool 

[Mike DC]

 


Bob & Jamie Smith are good guys.  These days they don't consult Warner Bros about building GLs right, Warner Bros consults them.  They're very expensive but they do a very thorough job for all that money.

[Homerr]

Maybe you're not looking hard enough?  Here's a bunch of 68-70 GL's from $13,500 to $150,000.  Next week there will be more.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4560681974.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4557670451.html
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/4557798425.html
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/4557717702.html
http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/4534132585.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-General-Lee-Replica-1969-Dodge-Charger-General-Lee-Replica-Automatic-2-Door-Coupe-/331253042141?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d20384bdd&item=331253042141&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-Chrome-1969-Charger-General-Lee-Screen-Used-TV-Auto-Trader-Commercial-/281365238824?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4182acd428&item=281365238824&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://classiccars.com/listings/view/534875/1969-dodge-charger-for-sale-in-hickory-north-carolina-28602

http://www.volocars.com/1969-dodge-charger-general-lee-c-836.htm#sthash.EPLtYJBl.dpbs

http://us.sellsgood.com/vehicules/cars/dodge/1969-dodge-charger-834086

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.ad/id.1t1H1s1k1KJX1i/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/pos.5/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/page.1/pop.1

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.ad/id.1O1E1VS1VRej/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/pos.11/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/page.1/pop.1

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.frame/url.http%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldride.com%252Fclassic_cars%252F646788.html/id_ad.AE1nRlx1fk/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/pop.1

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.frame/url.http%253A%252F%252Fclassiccars.com%252Flistings%252Fview%252F538770%252F1969-dodge-charger-for-sale-in-san-luis-obispo-california-93491/id_ad.1Y2w1S1aD1Ky/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/pop.1

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=163390&Year=1969&Make=DODGE&Model=CHARGER

[Danacus]

Maybe you're not looking hard enough?  Here's a bunch of 68-70 GL's from $13,500 to $150,000.  Next week there will be more.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4560681974.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4557670451.html
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/4557798425.html
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/4557717702.html
http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/4534132585.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-General-Lee-Replica-1969-Dodge-Charger-General-Lee-Replica-Automatic-2-Door-Coupe-/331253042141?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d20384bdd&item=331253042141&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-Chrome-1969-Charger-General-Lee-Screen-Used-TV-Auto-Trader-Commercial-/281365238824?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4182acd428&item=281365238824&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://classiccars.com/listings/view/534875/1969-dodge-charger-for-sale-in-hickory-north-carolina-28602

http://www.volocars.com/1969-dodge-charger-general-lee-c-836.htm#sthash.EPLtYJBl.dpbs

http://us.sellsgood.com/vehicules/cars/dodge/1969-dodge-charger-834086

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.ad/id.1t1H1s1k1KJX1i/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/pos.5/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/page.1/pop.1

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.ad/id.1O1E1VS1VRej/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/pos.11/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/page.1/pop.1

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.frame/url.http%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldride.com%252Fclassic_cars%252F646788.html/id_ad.AE1nRlx1fk/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/pop.1

http://cars.trovit.com/index.php/cod.frame/url.http%253A%252F%252Fclassiccars.com%252Flistings%252Fview%252F538770%252F1969-dodge-charger-for-sale-in-san-luis-obispo-california-93491/id_ad.1Y2w1S1aD1Ky/what_d.dodge%20charger%20general%20lee/origin.2/section.1/section_type.1/pop.1

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=163390&Year=1969&Make=DODGE&Model=CHARGER

Yeah, I have seen most of those. The thing is, I want a really nice one that was built by someone who really knows what they are doing and did not cut corners. I also want a 440 (most I see are 383). I am leaning toward having ScotLea build me what I want.

[myk]

Smith Bros used to post their pricing options, but it appears that they don't anymore.  I recall them having about 3 or 4 different stages of builds to choose from... I think the cheapest one started at 35k plus the cost of the car. 

I sent them an email and got a pretty quick reply from Bob Smith. The price list showed (2) levels of build. Their basic level GL build was $75K ! The second was $85K ! And they can't take an order until  late 2016 becuase they are "currently under contract" until then.

Well if you've got that kind of coin, then more power to you.  Then again, they're not building any for years so what's the point?  You will have to compromise unless you're truly willing to pay and wait what you posted...

[sanders7981]

Smith Bros used to post their pricing options, but it appears that they don't anymore.  I recall them having about 3 or 4 different stages of builds to choose from... I think the cheapest one started at 35k plus the cost of the car. 

I sent them an email and got a pretty quick reply from Bob Smith. The price list showed (2) levels of build. Their basic level GL build was $75K ! The second was $85K ! And they can't take an order until  late 2016 becuase they are "currently under contract" until then.

Damn!!!  Those prices are quite higher then what they were a few years back!

[Mike DC]

Yeah, I have seen most of those. The thing is, I want a really nice one that was built by someone who really knows what they are doing and did not cut corners. I also want a 440 (most I see are 383). I am leaning toward having ScotLea build me what I want.

Choose a (complete) car for the bodywork/fit/finish.  Finding, buying, and installing different mechanical stuff is child's play in comparison.  

Drivetrain swaps don't become a major financial obstacle unless you want to spend a ton on it by choice.  A near stock 440/auto is not too high on the price chart in this hobby.  You'll spend several grand on it, but . . . well, you can a hell of a lot more trying to make even a moderate improvement on the body's overall condition.  

Mechanical parts swapping is also much more "controllable" in the budget sense.  For example if you set out to improve the steering then you aren't likely to get trapped into doing much beyond the steering.  You won't find out the engine, brakes, and tranny are all going to crumble apart and need ground-up rebuilds as soon as you turn a wrench on the steering system.  That is VERY MUCH what can happen in other areas of a car resto.  

[Mr. Lee]

I am leaning toward having ScotLea build me what I want.

PM sent.