I'M GONNA FIX IT SOMEDAY. .....................................

[skip68]

OK, fastmark's thread got me thinking.   We've all heard the stories and lots of us have heard it first hand.  The old "I'm gonna fix it SOMEDAY"   

It's got me thinking and wondering has anyone that's heard this from an owner ever checked back years later or found out that the owner truly did fix it up?   Of all the chargers I've found NONE have been fixed or touched.    Actually that's not true, I do know of 2 that were eventually sold. 

[XH29N0G]

Skip,

Just so you don't worry too much.  It can happen.  I kept telling my parents that (from 1987 until 2001) until the point that they made me take it to the first home I owned.  It sat in the garage, slowly being taken apart until I reached a point where I realized I was in over my head.  That was 2009 Then took it to a shop owned by friend of a friend - big mistake, but it got it partly running. Then finally, I got the go ahead from my wife to get it fixed and I started looking for a different type of shop.  The folks I got did a very nice job.  Had the engine rebuilt by MM and brought it home.   Well, the fixing didn't stop, now I am more interested in trying to make changes and to keep it running well.  There have to be others.

 

[Baldwinvette77]

well, i met a guy with 3 68's and a 69, he didnt sell me a 68 i wanted cause "he was gonna fix it up" and he did get it running, primed it black and sold it for way more than i could have afforded at the time, he did give me the first chance to buy it 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

I have known of a 1969 R/T which I "found" in 1998. It's still there, and the guy still thinks he'll fit  it up one day.

It was probably parked in 1990ish  outside

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

This one which I shot in 2004, which hadn't run since the 80's is now under full restoration.  It does happen.





Ryan

[adauto]

I know of a 70 Dart, I looked at it a few years ago. Strange scenario, could not get it done. Now its sitting somewhere else, but within a half mile of my house.   

[Ghoste]

I have seen it happen to a couple but by far most of them never get done.

[Brock Lee]

I have encountered many of these people. Managed to buy cars off four just by maintaining contact (when they come into a financial crisis and need money, they sometimes loosen their grip).

But I knew a guy that was the worst version of this. Last I knew (about 10 years ago) he had collected 8 Chargers, all 1968's and 1969 factory big block cars (half were R/T's). He buys them, drags them home, and stashes them on his property, exposed to the elements. He spends all his "car time" and money chasing down more cars and no time fixing up what he has. Last I heard was a year ago he had around 12, still no progress on restoring them. At this point most people he knows figure he is hoarding them and has no focus on actually restoring them

[GOTWING]

I found a real 66 HEMI Coronet 500 in 1996 The car got finished not quite two years ago, everyone said it will never get done, well 17 years later it's done and done right.

[Troy]

I haven't found too many but the ones I remember specifically were two 68s sitting in a barn yard. One was decent the other was trashed for the most part - but it was a bright blue 383 4speed car and the drive train was in the nicer one! I talked to the guy for a bit and he wasn't interested in selling and I never made an offer. A couple months later both cars were gone. This was when the prices were going nuts and I imagine they went to a flipper who quadrupled his money.

Oh, and I bought my black 68 from someone who had it for 20 years with plans to fix it. I wasn't able to fix it in the time that I had it either but it is now fully restored.

I don't leave my cars out where anyone can see them or there would be stories about me!

Troy

[MxRacer855]

It definitely does happen, but I often say the same thing skip!

It seems more often than not, the dream is what fuels their life, even though the cars rot away...

[fireguyfire]

And I appreciate you moving that project black 68 on Troy!

[Troy]

And I appreciate you moving that project black 68 on Troy!

Troy

[adauto]

To me it always seems these guys who "are gonna" never have 2 nickels to rub together anyway. 

[MxRacer855]

To me it always seems these guys who "are gonna" never have 2 nickels to rub together anyway. 

I feel the same way.
It's like those prison movies that have "characters" in them that only survive mentally, because they fill their days with plans and dreams of escape, even though they may know they would NEVER attempt such a thing. It's what gets them by each day.

I feel that these people somewhat fit that profile.
Regardless of whether or not they know they're going to pursue the pricey and time consuming build, the thought of it being an option since they have the cars is what keeps that smile on their faces... even though the car is deteriorating right in front of their eyes.
Once they sell it, it's a done deal for them and the "dream" is crushed (again, even though many of them already know they will never restore or build it). 

Jeff

[el dub]

look on this forum. they're a lot of guys who've had their cars for a long time without doing anything to them. Probably a reason for it. They get more expensive as they age?

[skip68]

True but most are protecting them and not letting them sit out and rot away. 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

look on this forum. they're a lot of guys who've had their cars for a long time without doing anything to them. Probably a reason for it. They get more expensive as they age?

True. I even have vehicles I haven't driven in years, or more. But they are not outside weathering 

[ACUDANUT]

 I have a 69 318 Charger at my house (he pays rent) It sits under my car port, covered up.  He won't sell, but does have money. I think he is waiting until he retires to fix it back up.  It's been off the road for at least 25 years.  Man I wish it was mine. 

[Bronzedodge]

I'll second what el dub said.  It does get more expensive.  I have a Direct Connection catalog from 1985.  The price list - outboard six pack carbs for $120. - I was in high school and just bought a 72 Duster for $100.-.

[comet_666]

I think this was true years ago especially when there were no parts for these cars. Now you can literally pull a frame out of the junkyard and build a car around it thanks to AMD and the rest.

[white]

I have been watching this car since 1989, has not moved from its spot since then. the only thing that has changed is the dogs!

[skip68]

What a shame.   26 years out unprotected.      

[VegasCharger]

I have been watching this car since 1989, has not moved from its spot since then. the only thing that has changed is the dogs!

So are the two pics you posted are one from 1989 and one recently? Just curious.

Thanks

[skip68]

They're the same.  One just looks zoomed in a bit

[white]

Same car 2 pictures, was going to get out of the car and get closer but the dogs would not let that happen.

[redmist]

I know where a 1968 Coronet R/T 440 4-speed Triple back car is sitting.

I had pictures here posted of it at one point in time, the owner told me "It will rot in place before I ever sell it, and I don't plan to fix it up" 

[Chad L. Magee]

Yes, I know a few that were "Not for sale" Chargers and were gradually fixed up by the owners.  Just because someone does not have deep pockets does not automatically mean that they cannot restore a Charger properly.  It just means that they have a different timeline to work from than most in the hobby.  Patience is a virtue when it come to this restoration method, as it may take twenty years to do.  They may have to trade to get some stuff done on the car.  One of my friends is doing just that (he traded two rough parts car Chargers + a project Nova) to get the body work + paint done on his 1968 Charger that he has had since the early 90s.  It would have taken him a very long time to budget that out with his family in the mix.  If you have big $, then the car can be restored much quicker than if you have to do it the poor man's way (finding/buying parts as you can afford them).  It is easy to judge another person's project car without knowing why it is resting there as it is.  Remember, it is their car to work on as they are the owners of it after all....