'68 Starlet : greeting from France !

[JPM]

Hi everybody,
My name is Jean-Paul Milhe, I'm 47 years old and I am French.
I own a 68 Charger that is the one who was showed at the Dodge area of the Salon de l'Automobile of Bruxelles in 68, introducing the model to Europe.
That explains how it is configurated, 318ci V8, automatic trans, power disk brakes, power steering, white bucket seats with center console, woodgrain wheel and a rare optional sunroof that has been badly removed by a precedent owner (the same that put non period perfect rallye wheels on it).

I'm looking for pictures of this car at the Salon de l'Auto in Belgium in 68, this is why my friend Sébastien (the french Daytona project) told me about this forum.

Here is some pictures from the first day I picked it up to my old speed shop, Bullit Racing (my associate was a fan of Mustang). It was in 2002.

[XS29L9B2]

great car for a good guy 

[JPM]

great car for a good guy 

Your english is not so bad... 

[XS29L9B2]

it s very difficult to write for me

[JPM]

it s very difficult to write for me

It doesn't matter, eveyone can understand whith a little effort...  

[charger Downunder]

Wow a 68 sunroof car. Do you have the fender tag. Welcome

[moparnation74]

Interesting story and ride.  What is the story on the white coronet?

[Ghoste]

Welcome to the group.

[XS29L9B2]

welcom to this so cool groupe

[six-tee-nine]

Hello and welcome.
I am one of the few guys here that lives on your side of the atlantic.


I did'nt even know the Charger was offered over here. I know that there are export codes and that there is a original 1970 Charger 500 sold to the Netherlands. But I never figured you could order the Charger over here at a dealership back in the days.

It does make sense tough since there were no European Cryco models around back then You find alot of slant 6 valiants over here.
These days we see Lancia Voyagers on our roads and rebadged Chrysler 300's. Probably the best Lancia's on the road ever, since they could'nt seem to engineer a decent car themselves.

Anyway, great story on the car and probably one of the few original import coded cars still around

[JPM]

Wow a 68 sunroof car. Do you have the fender tag. Welcome

Sure I have !



X - stands for the Charger model line
P- Premium Price class. These are the baseline Chargers
29 - 2 door sports hardtop (fastback Barracuda, Charger or Challenger SE)

41 - 318 2-bbl

5 - 3-speed automatic (most applications)

44 - F70x14 redlines steel belted

112 - january 12, 1968.

*****

5 = drip rail moldings
0 = body belt moldings
8 = wheel lip moldings

A - 4 = 3.23 ratio
X - blank = non sure grip (single spin)

C - Charger
6 - vinyl bucket seats
D - white & green

F - Light Green Metallic (roof)
F - Light Green Metallic  (body)
1 - monotone paint

UBS : W -

***

9 = front disc brakes
1 = power brakes
8 = rear window defogger
1 = AM radio
7 = tachometer

***

a : 6 = console
b : 4 = bucket seats
m : 6 = driver's outside remote operated mirror
w : 7 = build to spec's for Export

[Brock Samson]

welcome! 

[moparnation74]

Do you have a build sheet?

[six-tee-nine]

Cool, the tag below the fender tag shows the Vin # make and model and build date in Dutch. I recon these plates from alot of cars from back in the days. That could mean this particular 68 was put into traffic in Belgium probably trough a dealeship.

The 318 makes sence, they wanted to show the car on display so a 6 cilinder was a no go but a V8 with a large displacement would be also a no go sice the majority of Europe only drove 1200cc Volkswagen Beetles back then

[XS29L9B2]

nice 

[jww426]

En vitesse monsieur!

[charger Downunder]

You should see if you can find some original pics of your car at the motor show.

[Homerr]

UBS : W -

Continuing to the right, there is a grouping of letters "UBS". The "U" is for upper interior door color, "B" for buffed paint and "S" for the stripe or accent color.

http://www.drivinithome.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoding/

So a white upper door frame.

[6bblgt]

Very interesting!!
Do you know the dates of the Salon de l'Automobile of Bruxelles?  I wonder if the location of the sunroof is forward compared to the factory '69-'70 versions - can you share the dimensions & position of the movable panel?

Can you share the full VIN - XP29F8B257xxx? or is it earlier?

WOW!! It would've been stunning when new. 

& it would appear at least 3 sunroof '68 Chargers "factory" built  4-speed w/o console, CAR (center arm rest), auto w/console

[JPM]

Cool, the tag below the fender tag shows the Vin # make and model and build date in Dutch. I recon these plates from alot of cars from back in the days. That could mean this particular 68 was put into traffic in Belgium probably trough a dealeship.

The 318 makes sence, they wanted to show the car on display so a 6 cilinder was a no go but a V8 with a large displacement would be also a no go sice the majority of Europe only drove 1200cc Volkswagen Beetles back then

In 68, some Mustang were assembled in Holland too, in reply to the high demand. They weared special fender tags too, that were screwed on the right inner front fender.
And the Shelbys were sold by Claude Dubois in Belgium, the unique official dealer for Europe.

[kokxville]

Very cool story 
I know that some e-body cars were build back in the day at the Chrysler plant in Rotterdam,but this is new for me.

[JPM]

UBS : W -

Continuing to the right, there is a grouping of letters "UBS". The "U" is for upper interior door color, "B" for buffed paint and "S" for the stripe or accent color.

http://www.drivinithome.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoding/

So a white upper door frame.

"Continuing to the right, there is a grouping of letters "UBS". The "U" is for upper interior door color, "B" for buffed paint and "S" for the stripe or accent color. "

Thanks !  

[Cncguy]

You will never see body lines that sharp on a restored charger. I think it's how thick we make the paint that rounds them up

[JPM]

Very interesting!!
... I wonder if the location of the sunroof is forward compared to the factory '69-'70 versions - can you share the dimensions & position of the movable panel?

How I explained in my first message, the sunroof has been removed by the precedent owner : a flat sheet of metal, too much welding and he ruined all the roof...  
I didn't got the parts to repair and the sunroof was not a priority for me... So, I started to repair it with a '71 Mach One Mustang insert (the new roof panel was not available in 2002)
I will buy a new roof in the future, and will repair mine in the rules of the art (it's one of my businesses)...

[Dino]

Hmmm showing that big hole I wonder what it would look like to have one of those full length tinted glass roofs in there like Mercedes and the likes.

I grew up in Belgium and never knew Chargers were sold over there.  My dad had an old Plymouth before I was born though.

[twodko]

Welcome mon ami!

[JPM]

Welcome mon ami!

Merci my friend !

Some pictures of the work which I realized on the car before selling my parts of the shop...









Today, after sandblast :

[XS29L9B2]

nice topic i love 68 charger too hum hum in few year why not lol

[JPM]

The engine my associate assembled : a 318ci turned into 323ci, flat pistons, balanced crankshaft, funny but reasonnable camshaft, Edelbrock aluminium intake manifold, 4 BBL carb, 4 in 1 exhaust pipes... 326HP@4600rpm.
In the future, I'll probably drop a modern Hemi under the hood, with his automatic trans, an IFS and a 9' Ford rearend on a four links kit...

[tan top]

 not sure how I missed this thread    ,

Hello & welcome  JPM   

  looking good     

[JPM]

not sure how I missed this thread    ,

... that's why I completed the name of this thread recently ! 

[Type14]

Salut ! and Welcome..... Je pensais presque être le seul Français !

Type14

[patcharger]

Mais pas le seule qui parle français lol!!

[bill440rt]

Wow, cool '68! I thought sunroof '68's were also quite scarce, but had no idea one could have been built that early in the model year.
If it truly is only 1 of 3 known to exist, personally I'd be tempted to leave it as stock/correct as possible.    

[JPM]

Salut ! and Welcome..... Je pensais presque être le seul Français !

Type14

Mais pas le seule qui parle français lol!!

Bon sang, mais c'est les Champs Élysées ici ! Vous êtes d'où ?

Wow, cool '68! I thought sunroof '68's were also quite scarce, but had no idea one could have been built that early in the model year.
If it truly is only 1 of 3 known to exist, personally I'd be tempted to leave it as stock/correct as possible.    

How I already said, I didn't got anything that could allow me to repair the roof : the sunroof and its frame were removed and a flat métal insert has been welded in place...
Chargers were very rare here in France in these years and I had to wait for 5 years to trade this one with my 66 Custom Cab F100...
Personaly, I hate this light green metallic and weight is my enemy, so the car will not be rebuilt in its original shape...  

[patcharger]

Très bon forum JPM j'ai trouver b.c de réponse à mes question je suis du Québec ,beau projet lâche pas!!

[kanadanmajava]

How I already said, I didn't got anything that could allow me to repair the roof : the sunroof and its frame were removed and a flat métal insert has been welded in place...
Chargers were very rare here in France in these years and I had to wait for 5 years to trade this one with my 66 Custom Cab F100...
Personaly, I hate this light green metallic and weight is my enemy, so the car will not be rebuilt in its original shape...  

I do like that shade of green. Usually I'm trying to find green cars but end up having red ones (which I dislike the most as a car color).

[JPM]

... beau projet lâche pas!!

Même si c'est un peu raide en ce moment, lâcher, c'est pas le genre de la maison...  

[XS29L9B2]

 

[patcharger]

 

[JPM]

I will need a lot of parts to complete the work done on my car : what are your favorite dealers ? 

[500Jon]

Hi JPM,

Bonjour mon ami.

Plenty of Chargers and parts in the UK too.
Good work on the 68 Showcar!

I would redo the ROOFSKIN with a new one from AMD.

Best wishes from 500Jon

[MxRacer855]

Cool car! I've NEVER heard of a sunroof on one of these until now...

[JPM]

... I would redo the ROOFSKIN with a new one from AMD.

What is AMD ? A part dealer ?
What do you think about suppliers like Jim's Auto Parts or Year One ? 

[JB400]

AMD is the manufacturer of stamped sheet metal products for our cars, as well as others.

[six-tee-nine]

I bought AMD sheetmetal trough Tamraz' on ebay. Prices were OK, shipping was UPS and affordable compared to others.
If you need real large stuff like a roof prices are insane for international shipping.
Last I got a quote of over $500 for a box that would fit in the trunk of my daily.....

If you want to buy local (I mean our side of the atlantic) then go to :

http://www.moparshop.de/
http://www.six-packspeedshop.nl/
http://www.pedalttmetal.nl/


All of the above guys are familiar with Mopar and know their stuff.

[6bblgt]

Jim's Auto Parts: 3 letters in JIM = BAD & best advice, stay away!
Year One: expensive shipping, most parts can be had elsewhere - but solid reputation for actually getting what you pay for.

[XS29L9B2]

bruno that for you 

[ACUDANUT]

Welcome 
Salute
Keep your Women away from Horn Dog lol

[chamagne]

hello, i'm Bruno i'm french guy,I am 57 years old
I took over JP's project a few months ago, after his accidental death, it was a friend.
I hope to finish this car in the best conditions.
I would need your help to find a sunroof as its origin,and probably need more advice





please excuse my english

[Lennard]

Welcome Bruno,  I'm sorry to hear about your friend. May he rest in peace.

[XS29L9B2]

hello, i'm Bruno i'm french guy,I am 57 years old
I took over JP's project a few months ago, after his accidental death, it was a friend.
I hope to finish this car in the best conditions.
I would need your help to find a sunroof as its origin,and probably need more advice





please excuse my english

Very well english Bruno. Perfect to fine you hère, this is a very good project

[ACUDANUT]

JP BABY FACE SCARED ME.  What happened to him ?

[chamagne]

hello

rupture of aneurysm(I am not sure of the translation of the term medical), he was found at home more days after, 10 -15 days information to the rescue.
I was very affected by this news, to die alone it must be terrible...

I must restore this task in the rules of art in his memory

but let's stop crying, he will not like that 

I'm counting on you all the forum to help me in this reconstruction

[chamagne]

in first i'm cherche a sunroof, to restore it to the original configuration

the patches on the front are done, I found an original roof that I must refold and the bottom of the trunk must be replaced

[XS29L9B2]

very nice 

[chamagne]

I want to know if roof sky whales are the same for models with sunroof and hardtop

[Lennard]

I want to know if roof sky whales are the same for models with sunroof and hardtop

Say what?  You mean roof skin? The aftermarket AMD roof skins for second generation Chargers are all the same.

[nvrbdn]

Welcome to the group Bruno. Sorry to hear of your friend. Good of you to take on the build.

[djcarguy]

DAY CLONA ,    a member here,   DAY CLONA -   had a stash or supplyer for sunroofs some time back. best too PM him here?  he is the guy that did the watermelon Daytona an the 3rd gen wingcars.look up G series wingcars,they installed sunroof in lots of his builds.   

     not big fan of green, but sounds like this car needs to be green with the sunroof .Very  sorry to hear about JP. all the best on finding parts and the rebuild.DJ        

[69rtse4spd]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I am sure he his smiling watching you from above.

[chamagne]

I want to know if roof sky whales are the same for models with sunroof and hardtop

Say what?  You mean roof skin? The aftermarket AMD roof skins for second generation Chargers are all the same.

no the headliner bow

[Lennard]

I want to know if roof sky whales are the same for models with sunroof and hardtop

Say what?  You mean roof skin? The aftermarket AMD roof skins for second generation Chargers are all the same.

no the headliner bow

I don't know the answer to that.

[Homerr]

Hi Bruno, sorry to hear about the passing of JPM. 

I have taken the liberty to add the Charger to the registry in my signature.

[djcarguy]

DAY CLONA ,    a member here,   DAY CLONA -   had a stash or supplyer for sunroofs some time back. best too PM him here?  he is the guy that did the watermelon Daytona an the 3rd gen wingcars.look up G series wingcars,they installed sunroof in lots of his builds.   

      not big fan of green, but sounds like this car needs to be green with the sunroof .Very  sorry to hear about JP. all the best on finding parts and the rebuild.DJ        

[chamagne]

I sent an email to DAY CLONA, ​​but no answer   

[chamagne]

Hi Bruno, sorry to hear about the passing of JPM. 

I have taken the liberty to add the Charger to the registry in my signature.

OK you are right

[chamagne]

I sent an email to DAY CLONA, ​​but no answer   

Someone could help me to contact  DAY CLONA

[Kern Dog]

I want to know if roof sky whales are the same for models with sunroof and hardtop

I think there is a problem in the language translation.

[chamagne]

I know, I would have to work better in school

[chamagne]

little pics

[chamagne]

one other

[XS29L9B2]

very nice

[chamagne]

after research, the sunroof from american sunroof corp was mounted on other brands than chrysler. can you confirm?


the model is rare enough to restore it as originally..


I'm looking everywhere, I've already found a photo in Belgium

[djcarguy]

  PM  personal message DAY CLONA HERE  on site.. he mostly post in the aero secsion here.


   might check web for Wildcat mopar parts an projects  ,, in sandy Oregon.  . they had 3 sunroof project cars awhile back ,for sale??


    place a wanted add here an mopar sites for a sunroof ??   

[XS29L9B2]

nice new 

[djcarguy]

I sent a PM to DAY CLONA 2 1/2 days ago ,bout thread and your member name an sunroof car need. good luck finding your sunroof an the build.

    :        Dj very west usa   

[chamagne]

I sent a PM to DAY CLONA 2 1/2 days ago ,bout thread and your member name an sunroof car need. good luck finding your sunroof an the build.

    :        Dj very west usa   

thank you very much