Charger Help!

[cmalnack]

Hello I am fairly new to this site and in need of some help. I have been looking around for a Charger for a while and have finally come across one that I like and seems reasonable. However I am very new to this and am in need of some help. I am not sure what exactly to look for so I could miss something big. So I decided to ask the experts. The car I am looking at is a 1971 Charger, it has a rebuilt 318 with 340 heads, new high rise crank, rebuilt tyranny exhaust with glass packs, they said it runs and drives but it probably shouldn't be driven because it has a leaking radiator, it is probably due for a break job but it isn't bad, the interior is black and all original and is experiencing some cracking due to age, the carpet is torn out, and the exterior is yellow. They are pricing it at $5,000. I just need help on this. I have some pictures of it and will try to post those. But if you guys could help me that would be much appreciated. I am really wanting to get into a classic Charger. Thank you!

[lukedukem]

welcome aboard  ... yes, pics will definitely help

Luke

[71_Charger_R/T]

Yes, Welcome to the forum!  Lot's of knowledgable people on here.  Post (or Email me) some pictures. I'd love to see it!

P.M. sent

[71_Charger_R/T]

[41husk]

I have had other people in the area of a car I was considering, take a look at it for me.  Might be a member close to you?

[cmalnack]

I am in the area of the car and plan to go take a look. The only issue is that I am not really sure what exactly to look at to say, see if the engine has major issue. I plan on taking a look at it this weekend but I was wondering if there are any things you guys see that would be of major concern or if it looks all good.

[Homerr]

The roof under the vinyl top looks horrific.  Can you find a donor car?  Are you handy with sheet metal replacement?

[cmalnack]

I personally am not too handy with sheet metal replacement but I do know of a few people that could help me. How much money am I looking at to do something like that?

[Homerr]

Re-skinning isn't too difficult, it's drilling out spot welds on the car and on the donor roof.  Then swap on the donor roof and weld it.  There is some finesse in alignment and keeping the transition areas smooth which involves some bodywork.  I had a roof replaced like this 20+ years ago and the donor part then was $120 and labor was part of a larger bill that I can't recall the breakdown of.  It was probably $1000-ish back then at a professional shop with a friend of the shop owner discount.

Edit:  If you like the car otherwise it'd be a good bargaining tool to knock the price down.  Call a body shop in your area and ask them.  Also, this is where a project can snowball in to a full $60k restoration.   

[41husk]

I am in the area of the car and plan to go take a look. The only issue is that I am not really sure what exactly to look at to say, see if the engine has major issue. I plan on taking a look at it this weekend but I was wondering if there are any things you guys see that would be of major concern or if it looks all good.

you might see if there is another member close to you that is willing to take a look with you

[cmalnack]

I would definitely be open to having someone come with me. And with regards to the roof I am looking at turning this into a daily driver so could I hypothetically sand it down so it's at least smooth and the drive it around like that. Would that cause any major issues other than not looking as good? I am not looking at it to be perfect right away.

[crj1968]

I'm not sure the roof is anything worse than just shredded material. It's hard to tell......

You'll be able to tell if the roof is all rusty and bubbly under the top easily enough.

Other than that it looks like a pretty solid car.  Even with the bad radiator you should be able to fire it up plenty long enough to listen to the engine....and even drive it a short distance.

I like it. You can pick up an aluminum radiator for under $200 and the rest you just mess with as you go along.

Good luck !   

[41husk]

where are you located?

[cmalnack]

I am located in Nebraska, and I thought it just looked like shredded material as well. I could be wrong though, I certainly hope it's only the material.

[Homerr]

That is A-1 crispy fried roof.

[ralley72]

I could possible help you out, sent you a PM.

Mike

[crj1968]

That is A-1 crispy fried roof.

Yes, yes it is.

I'd say use that crusty roof as a bargaining chip.

[Pete in NH]

Hi,

Welcome to the group!

That 71 looks like a base trim car with what was called the "Topper" package which was offered in the spring of 71. Of the third generation cars the 71's and 72's are the most desirable. The third generation cars are a bit more refined than the earlier Chargers and are very nice highway cruisers. Unfortunately, third generation cars are not valued as high as second generation cars.

If you can get someone more experienced to go along with you to look at the car that would be great. Look very carefully at the rear frame rails, trunk floor drop offs, trunk floor, and lower quarter panels for rust. Frame rail rust out is a major issue if you find it. Also, check the front frame rails as well. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of reproduction replacement metal available for these cars. If there is not a lot of rust in the areas mentioned $5K is probably reasonable but, I would try to bargain it down a bit over that roof. Pictures always make things look better than they are so it's hard to tell about the roof. If the rust is very deep it will need to be replaced. As I'm sure others will tell you, its very easy to sink a lot of money in a car like this very quickly.

[cmalnack]

I am planning on going to view it this weekend and I will make sure to keep all of that in mind. I also have someone I'm taking with me that is a little more familiar with stuff like this. Thank you for all the help and offers I will be sure to keep everyone updated and hopefully I will be in a classic Charger soon.

[cmalnack]

UPDATE: Well I went to go look at it this weekend, and there were some parts I was impressed with, like how the entire undercarriage is completely rust free and the engine looked pretty nice. However, there was a decent sized hole rusted through the roof, one of the quarter panels was bad and in need of replacement, the interior was rougher than the pictures showed, and there were some small rust holes. So sadly I don't think this was the one for me because it would just be too much work for me to handle. So I am back to looking for another one. If anyone has any leads or if any are for sale. I am looking to spend around $5K-$12K I am pretty flexible with what I am looking for anywhere between 68 through 72, numbers matching is not a huge deal to me, engine size is also not a big deal (obviously the bigger the better), I would like to have it where I would have to do little to no body work and that it would be running and driving which I know can be a lot to ask for the price. I would just like to have a nice driver that I can enjoy and do a little work on as I go along. If anyone has any advice feel free to let me know. Any donations would also be gladly accepted.   

[Pete in NH]

Well, sorry to hear that car isn't going to work out for you. But, better to keep looking than be in over your head with a project that is too much for you to handle.

I would say within your budget range you will get more car with a third generation Charger, a 71 to 74. Within that price range any second generation car, 68 to 70 is going to likely require more work than you want to get into.

[cmalnack]

Yeah that's what I am thinking too. However the 2nd gen is my favorite so if by some miracle I can find one then I would gladly accept it. I also really like the 71 and 72 as well so I would not be sad by any means with one of those either. So any help would be great.

[Homerr]

3rd Gens are in an odd spot.  Unrestored/project cars are in your range but can be pretty rough, with the seller getting a good deal.  On restored/refresh examples the buyer is probably getting a very good deal, but your need to spend $15-30k.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5532583723.html

[VegasCharger]

3rd Gens are in an odd spot.  Unrestored/project cars are in your range but can be pretty rough, with the seller getting a good deal.  On restored/refresh examples the buyer is probably getting a very good deal, but your need to spend $15-30k.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5532583723.html

Buyer beware there is no such thing as a 1972 Charger R/T but the seller does claim "R/T Tribute". But some buyers would think it's an R/T and I'm sure the seller would keep quiet about it. I had a guy argue with me once because he had a 1973 Charger R/T listed in a Craigslist ad and I had to explain to him that it wasn't an R/T. He wasn't having any of it however.

Good luck on your search and good job not letting your emotions get in the way on that yellow 71.

[cmalnack]

Thank you for the advice. It is always welcomed and appreciated. Hopefully someday soon I will be in a Charger.