3rd Gen discussion- when does a 318 car become a parts car?

[twilt]

Just curious about the opinions of other 3rd Gen enthusiasts. 

[RD]

when there is a combination of any of the below:

• the framerails are totally shot
• there is no title
• badly wrecked on any corner
• the number of parts missing is huge
• the only thing holding it together is RUST

I think that can be applied to any car.

[Old Moparz]

I'll agree that it can apply to any year, not just 3rd generation. I would also add that since most parts aren't reproduced for Chargers, or a lot of other Mopars, that depending on your own needs, any car could be considered a parts car. I know that a lot of people will say that anything can be saved, or they should all be saved, but I disagree. I don't think it's practical, or even feasible in most cases.

Most people in the hobby don't have access to the funds that some of the high roller collectors do. With that said, the expensive restoration shops that will charge you 6 figures to redo a car is out of the question for most people. There are very little, NOS replacement parts around, so it's impossible to say that all the cars can be saved without dismantling a number of them to use as a parts source.

Not long ago I bought a '69 Charger as a parts car. I have a '68 that was only a shell, so any small bracket, fastener, part, & piece of trim was missing. To buy all these things 1 by 1 was impossible, & would cost a small fortune, so dismantling the '69 was the only way for me to get what I needed. Neither car was a rare model, but the '68 was a rust free, 383-2V shell, so taking apart a half stripped, 318 '69 was easy.

I didn't send it to the crusher when I was done & resold it to another person in need of what was left. By current standards, it would be an easy fix. It had an original, perfect & bondo free, driver's side quarter, a decent passenger quarter & roof, 4 good frame rails, & typical rust in the window channels, floors & trunk. I listed it on here for several weeks with almost no interest shown. A local friend got it for $500 & it's now in pieces you can carry.

If I had no Charger & found this first, I may have considered restoring it. That wasn't the case, so I saw it as a parts bin to save 2 other Chargers.

[TruckDriver]

when there is a combination of any of the below:

• the framerails are totally shot
• there is no title
• badly wrecked on any corner
• the number of parts missing is huge
• the only thing holding it together is RUST

I think that can be applied to any car.

Except about the title. Some states don't require you to have one for that old of a car. You thinking about parting the old Stormhammer car Tom?

[doctorpimp]

when there is a combination of any of the below:

• the framerails are totally shot
• there is no title
• badly wrecked on any corner
• the number of parts missing is huge
• the only thing holding it together is RUST

I think that can be applied to any car.

I agree with this, even a 440 car.
Sometimes it depends on what you want in the end...If you want a collectable NOS filled-museum piece then a 318 car isn't the way to go even if it IS rust free etc.  Sell it complete to someone who wants to make it into the car it should have been   unless it fits into RD's exception list above, then it's OK to part out

[Nacho-RT74]

when there is a combination of any of the below:

• the framerails are totally shot
• there is no title
• badly wrecked on any corner
• the number of parts missing is huge
• the only thing holding it together is RUST

I think that can be applied to any car.

I don't think is only to 318 or even /6... I think in fact is to any brand or model with any equipment. But it could be some exceptions:

complete, no missed parts... matching numbers but frame rails damaged... if is that only the damage, I think it could be reparaible and not necesarily parted out.

same situation about wrecked part specially if you know you can find replacement parts.

Extremelly rare VIN/TAG

so as stated a COMBINATIONS of some of that. But I Don't know how tittle could affect on that decission since I don't know what's exactly that up there and how much problematic it could be.

[moparsinbarns]

Well, my 69 WAS a parts car. So anyways, it had a 318 and the only reason the guy used it as a parts was for his 69 that was "abit" nicer. Plus the dummy left all the rare parts like the buddy seat, ticktocktach and the vinyl/cloth seats..I piddy him cuz he dont have any rare parts in his 69

[MassCharger73]

I will throw this unpopular opinion out there. Whenever you hold the title to the car and you want to part it out.

[twilt]

You thinking about parting the old Stormhammer car Tom?

It has momentarily crossed my mind a time or two but i haven't seriously thought about it. It is a good example of what i am talking about though. I have the advantage of having plenty of spare parts. If someonewho did not, it would be an unwise time/money investment as the back 1/2 of the car is basically fubar.  My current  plan for it  is to patch it up with what i already have. If i were to find and buy a 2nd 72 Rallye........that plan could change very quickly .

[Daytona R/T SE]

I took a whole lot of shit from  the "Save all chargers at any cost" idiots on the old DC.com when I cut this one up several years ago... Triple green, rusty, no title, no engine or trans...anything that was any good is now safely stored away, the rest of it went to the crusher, where it rightfully belonged...

[twilt]

I think there is an accepted different standard for the 3rd Gen cars. Primarily because they are more plentiful, lower priced, and have fewer available reproduction body parts. For starters, there is no reproduction rear floor pans or trunk floors.(someone reading this will likely provide a link to a company that advertises these items but doesnt really have them )  unfortunately, the lack of available parts in many cases causes a "1 must die to save 2 or 3"  situation. 

10-12 years ago, i wouldnt think of fixing up a 3rd Gen 318 car that had floorboard issues, rotted trunk pan, or in need of anything more than small patches in the quarters.  I`d buy it for parts, strip it down and look for a better body. No second thoughts, no guilt, no worries that i had just killed a fixable car.

On a more personal level........... my 72 Rallye 340 N96 car needs drivers front floorpan, 1 quarter (probably), and quite possibly a roof replacement.  Its a fairly rare/unique car so i dont have any problem with repairing those items. On the flip side.... another 72 that i have (DCG previously mentioned) is a plain jane 318 bench/column shift car.It does run/drive and has a awesome front clip but the rear 1/2 is in sad shape. pass 1/4 panel will need a complete replacement as well as the dutchman panel, and the trunk pan. drivers 1/4 can possibly be salvaged but has collision (not rust) damage. Is the car fixable? sure it is.  Do i have the parts to fix it? yes i do. should it be saved? good question. Another 72 that i will be getting (for free )  later this week    is in about the same shape except it isnt a runner/driver.It also is a 318 bench/column topper car. That one will be used for parts. At this point in time I dont have the space for another lawn ornament.     

[twilt]

I took a whole lot of shit from  the "Save all chargers at any cost" idiots on the old DC.com when I cut this one up several years ago...     

[twilt]

I will throw this unpopular opinion out there. Whenever you hold the title to the car and you want to part it out.

I`ve parted out 15-20 3rd Gens without a title.  seriously though, i was just looking for intelligent input from other 3rd Gen owners as to how far they would go to fix a 318 car and at what point would they just scrap it for parts.

[moparsinbarns]

I think there is an accepted different standard for the 3rd Gen cars. Primarily because they are more plentiful, lower priced, and have fewer available reproduction body parts. For starters, there is no reproduction rear floor pans or trunk floors.(someone reading this will likely provide a link to a company that advertises these items but doesnt really have them )  unfortunately, the lack of available parts in many cases causes a "1 must die to save 2 or 3"  situation. 

10-12 years ago, i wouldnt think of fixing up a 3rd Gen 318 car that had floorboard issues, rotted trunk pan, or in need of anything more than small patches in the quarters.  I`d buy it for parts, strip it down and look for a better body. No second thoughts, no guilt, no worries that i had just killed a fixable car.

On a more personal level........... my 72 Rallye 340 N96 carr needs drivers front floorpan, 1 quarter (probably), and quite possibly a roof replacement.  Its a fairly rare/unique car so i dont have any problem with repairing those items. On the flip side.... another 72 that i have (DCG previously mentioned) is a plain jane 318 bench/column shift car.It does run/drive and has a awesome front clip but the rear 1/2 is in sad shape. pass 1/4 panel will need a complete replacement as well as the dutchman panel, and the trunk pan. drivers 1/4 can possibly be salvaged but has collision (not rust) damage. Is the car fixable? sure it is.  Do i have the parts to fix it? yes i do. should it be saved? good question. Another 72 that i will be getting (for free )  later this week    is in about the same shape except it isnt a runner/driver.It also is a 318 bench/column topper car. That one will be used for parts. At this point in time I dont have the space for another lawn ornament.     

FREEE? Does the owner have anymore free Chargers to give away?

[twilt]

     

FREEE? Does the owner have anymore free Chargers to give away?

Yeah,  he has a whole pile of them to give away. all you have to do is ask. call him at 867-5309

[TruckDriver]

 

[Old Moparz]

Without trying too hard, I can think of at least a half dozen people on here who have been calling that number non stop with a different area code each time since it was posted.

[hemihead]

I think as far as a 3rd gen goes with a being a 318 car I would not have a problem parting it.Especially if not a car with a weird option list.318 cars were not musclecars like everyone seems to think nowadays.

[RD]

Without trying too hard, I can think of at least a half dozen people on here who have been calling that number non stop with a different area code each time since it was posted.

LOL!!! yeah no kiddin, that is hilarious.... I love that song btw.

[doctorpimp]

     

FREEE? Does the owner have anymore free Chargers to give away?

Yeah,  he has a whole pile of them to give away. all you have to do is ask. call him at 867-5309

[mridolfo]

     

FREEE? Does the owner have anymore free Chargers to give away?

Yeah,  he has a whole pile of them to give away. all you have to do is ask. call him at 867-5309

What area code ?

[doctorpimp]

It's from a song dude
8,6,7,5,3 oh niiiine
I think it was by "Tommy Tutone" and called "Jenny" from the early '80s.

[twilt]

 

here is a liitle more info
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/8675309.asp

[69charger2002]

i got a busy signal ....      
trav

[chargerkid]

Sawzall or torches?  Cut it up. 

On a serious note.  If its a 318 car with no cool options...I would cut it up.  Even if it is solid with a title.  If you need the car for the parts or others can benefit...why not?

I drove all the way to New York this past weekend to get frame rails, quarter panels, trunk floor, and cowl.  Just think of how many cars were sent to the junk yard with good frame rails, quarters, and such.  Now cars have rotted out frame rails.  I am not afraid to replace them.

By the way,  I am looking for a nice cowl area section where the brake booster mounts.

[Arthu®]

http://www.danstheman.com/Jenny.htm The guy surely needs a life but it was fun.

Arthur

[Brock Samson]

i agree thanks... 

but speaking of parts cars...
I used two, a '70 charger 500, for it's slightly modded 318 drivetrain and a '69 SE for it's interior and misc. parts... I've found about three other various B-bods which i took the useful parts off of too...
I once drove a '69 318 that was so rusted that it had compleatly oxidised from living out at Ocean Beach at the Cliff house, I drove it around the block (it crabbed badly) as i recall the guy wanted 500 bucks for it and i thought the money much better spent... it was really unsafe, even the windshield surrounds had big gaps that air blew through... i do belive the window stainlesss was all that was left. wish i had pics... it was this really pretty color orange,.. like the golden gate...


is anyone running a 318 anymore?...
this might be a good pic topic...

[bull]

Getting back to the question, I don't know for sure but it happens much sooner than it does with a Hemi car. You can save anything but there comes a point when it just not worth the effort to save certain cars with certain engine combinations. This concept changes over time though. Twenty years from now, when you literally can't find anything that's restorable or not, a 318 Charger in any condition might be a gold mine.

[teddy1500]

I have a 318 se, pulled it out of a junkyard, with a title. its a triple green car, when I got it, it was complete, just missing the front bumper, its a bucket and console car , I am giving it a blue and white interior, b-7 exterior, and a white vinyl top. will it be original? no, will the car live on and be enjoyed again, yes. the 318 cars do offer parts for the upper end cars, While I would love to have a 6 pack car, or hemi, I would probably not enjoy as much, too valuable to drive

[Charger1973]

I bought 2 73s at the same time (different places) with intentions of restoring both.  The 318 SE is alot rustier than my hardtop 400 car...  and after I got a chance to really look them over, found that the SE had TONS of parts I could use on my other car, and would save me lots of money if I parted it.   As much as I hate to do it, the rust on that car and the fact that an old man owned it and it is all original makes it a great parts car.  It even has a perfect dashpad. 

[twilt]

Sawzall or torches?  Cut it up. 

On a serious note.  If its a 318 car with no cool options...I would cut it up.  Even if it is solid with a title.  If you need the car for the parts or others can benefit...why not?

I drove all the way to New York this past weekend to get frame rails, quarter panels, trunk floor, and cowl.  Just think of how many cars were sent to the junk yard with good frame rails, quarters, and such.  Now cars have rotted out frame rails.  I am not afraid to replace them.

By the way,  I am looking for a nice cowl area section where the brake booster mounts.

I go the sawzall route. stopped by Home Depot and got myself 3 ten packs of blades today.  The first time i cut up a car, i went thru about 50 blades. That gets a liitle expensive as they are about $13 for a ten pack. Last car i hacked up, i only used about a dozen. found out the hard way that rear end u bolts are a sob to cut. 1 cut=1 new blade.
The car i will be cutting tommorow is the 72 that my best friend gave me. He is in Iraq right now and i just finished moving his 2 72 Chargers and a 26 ft truck full of parts and tools to Tennessee for him.
As far as cutting up the 318 car that i bought from Stormhammer, i dont have a need to do that and do have all the parts to fix it. For right now it will stay in one peice. If i were to find another interesting 72............................It would have to be a BB and or 4 speed......maybe. 
You are 100% correct about all the cars that have been scrapped with good 1/4s, rails, cowls, roofs  and such. 10-12 years ago, I never even considered saving those parts. I generally unbolted anything that would unbolt and scrapped the rest. Now when i part out a car, there is actually very little to dispose of. The only probelm i have is storage space.  k frames, roofs, cowls, and frame rails etc etc arent always easy to sell and they sure do take up lots and lots of space.

[TruckDriver]

If that trunk floor is any good in the new cutup car, remember, I need one

[twilt]

  Hhmmmm....... sounds like you need to find yourself a parts car. Oh, wait a minute. You let that gem slip thru your fingers a couple of months ago. 

I`m sure that once you become a  southerner, we can "fix you up" with something suitable.

[chrisII]

IMO a good solid 318 car is just as good as a big block car. no i dont want one with the lil 318 in it , but i like to DRIVE my cars. with gas at $3 a gallon for reg i just dont see myself spending much time behind the wheel of that 440 car with 3.91s and a 4 speed. i would much rather have my soild (for the most part) 318 car that is upgraded to a 360. it has enough gutts to make it fun to drive, it gets as many looks as your big block car on the street, and with 2.76s still gets around 18mpg on the highway....with the current gas prices 318 cars are gaining value pretty darn quick guys!

      If its junk, be it a 318 or a 440 junk it and save all you can..a couple weeks ago i had to quickly dispose of a 71 that i was holding on to for several years. i wish i could have saved more but did not have time.

[hemihead]

I like my ex 318 car(I have a 360 being built for it) and when I'm done I know it will take it's share of BB's.Besides it's not the car as much as it's
THE DRIVER!

[48chebbie]

i had a 73 rallye (340 car,minus engine) that was a 99.9% rust free texas car,that i bought,cheap as dirt,for the sole purpose of parting out. i have 1- 73 charger,and had no desire to have another,and it was a highly optioned car,with all it's equiptment in place,except the engine. and i gutted it like a pig,and i had the rolling shell listed on here for sale a few months ago(blue-black stripe). went to a gentleman in canada. glad to see it go.