A dream realized

[Hessian]

Like a lot of us I grew up watching the Duke of Hazzard and it's what started my love for all things MoPar.  My dad brought home a gold/black 1968 with a 440 when I was 11 years old because I loved the show so much.  He picked it up at an auto auction for 1200 if I remember.  It was in pretty good shape.  
We had it for several years but just before I turned 16 we fell on some tough times and had to sell it.  I remember shooting knife eyes at the guy who came to buy it.  It was a bad day.  I've often wondered if someone on this forum owns it today.  

In any event, fast forward 30 years, I retired from he military in 2011 and bought a 1969 Charger R/T that had been made into a Deathproof movie tribute car.  I had it and enjoyed it for several years and just recently sold it here to another member because I had planned to get a Hellcat.  Well, the day it rolled away on the flatbed I had instant sellers remorse.  I waited a few weeks before I went to put the downpayment on the Hellcat just to be sure that's what I wanted to do.  In the meantime, I started thinking hard about the 1969 Charger and decided I'd rather have that than a Hellcat.

I found one for sale not 30 miles from my house.  I'll let the pics do the rest of the talking.  

Here is me, aged 10 at the 1982 Denver Colorado Auto show.  This was an actual car from the TV series that was making the rounds at the auto shows that year.  Check out the moonshine bottles near the tires.  I don't know how my dad pulled it off but he got me behind the rope and actually sitting in the car.  

[Hessian]

Here are pics of the Charger I took yesterday.  It's definitely a different experience than driving my last 69... not only from the reaction of people but also mechanically.  My last 69 was a restomod with a 5.7 hemi and upgraded suspension.  This one is mostly stock with a rebuilt 440.  I think I like this one better 

[moparnation74]

Beautiful ride my friend!!  Great pics! keep them coming!

I am originally from VA, Do you know Bubba Williams?  He is a good friend of mine.

BTW, thank you for the service to our country

[Ghoste]

Congratulations brother!  And thanks for your service too.

(if it isn't in the 69 registry don't forget us  )

[Cncguy]

Nice Ride. I'd Pick it over a Hellcat Too!

[tan top]

 

nice looking , GL charger

[cdr]

great lookin GL

[jessejames]

Hessian!!!
This is so cool!! In '82 I have pictures of the same car!! Reason I remember the car so well is because of that little steering wheel in your pictures. And I remember the roll bar looked huge in the car. I do remember a beautiful girl going over the ropes at the show and hitting the general lee horn. She reached down by the emergency brake release for the horn. These pics are so cool!! And congrats on your new charger!!! Wonder if that car is still around??

[charge69]

Welcome Hessian !  You have a beautiful example of a General Lee!  Gotta be proud and I know which one I would have chosen!  You did the right thing!  AND, thanks for your service also !! Stick round here and post more pictures!

[Hessian]

Thanks everybody!  I'm pretty happy with it.  If there is any interest I can post some pics of how it looked when it was plucked from a North Carolina field... Hard to believe it is the same car. 

I know the GL isn't everyone's cup of tea but I think this one was done very well. 

[Mopar Nut]

Awesome, do post pictures of when it was plucked from a North Carolina field, that would be cool.

[JB400]

We enjoy pix   Your GL looks great.  Seeing well done GL's keeps them on my wish list.

[marshallfry01]

That is one fine example!! I wanna see more pics!! 

[Hessian]

Thanks everybody.  Here are a few pics of it being restored.  Sorry for the poor quality but it gives you an idea of how far it came.  New AMD quarters.  Surprisingly when the vinyl was pulled off the roof was in great shape.  The restorer POR15'ed the whole thing. 

[Hessian]

Here are a few more.  The original car had a 383 and was numbers matching... The guy who had it restored opted for a 440 which the restorer put in. 

I have the orig fender tag, and broadcast sheet. 

[1965gp]

Love it!

[Hessian]

Undercarriage and wheels....

And the final product at the end of the Resto

[marshallfry01]

That is one fine example!! I wanna see more pics!! 

[marshallfry01]

That is one fine example!! I wanna see more pics!! 

Oops! Double post. My bad!

[myk]

Solid looking car.  Here's to living the dream...   

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Nice ride!  You chose wisely

[Mopar Nut]

Very nice!

[Godsmack635]

They did a  great job on your GL.  I'm glad you picked that over the Hellcat as well. 

[Redmanf1]

Hessian, nice looking car you have..

A big Thank You for your service to our country.........



Nelson