Intro's... and jumping right in

[Halitosis]

Been lurking for a while.  Now that my son and I are OFFICIALLY starting the restoration project, I figured it was time to introduce myself. 

Bought a 1969 Numbers Matching Charger 383SE Magnum last summer...

(Insert dream project of restoration project with my 13 year old son... )

The car was an inside deal... we are the fifth owners of the vehicle.   The fourth owner has been a long-time friend... and has had the car in garage storage for the last 15+ years.

It took me nearly a year to "slow walk" the purchase out of the hands of the previous owner.  (I think anyone else who has had to work an "emotional" purchase understands what I'm talking about).

It seems from the second owner forward, everyone who possessed this car had a dream of restoring it to it's former glory.  As such, every owner just after purchasing the car also purchased what they thought the car needed to begin the restoration project.  And... each previous owner fizzled just out of the starting gate... As such, we have multitudes of just... STUFF that came with the car.  (Multiple alternators... after market ball joints... oil pans... seat upholstery... etc... )... I think I have about 1.5 cars worth of Dodge Charger in my possession at this time. 

Car has lived in Las Vegas nearly its entire life... with the exception of just a few dime-sized rust patches on the body, the trunk pan looks to be the only thing rusted out. 

Car is parts complete (that part I'm sure of), but was obtained partially disassembled.

Engine has already been rebuilt (15 years ago), and has been sitting under wraps out of the car ever since.  Mechanic at the time said the seals looked to be original, so that leads me to believe the odometer... which reads 64k original miles.

Here's a picture of my son stripping out the components from the rear end, in preparation for sending the shell to the sand blaster.

I can turn a wrench to the right torque specs... and usually in the right direction... but a complete frame-off car restoration is a whole new ball o' wax for me.  My son and I are tackling the challenge together, learning together... and slogging through the experience together.

I'll apologize in advance for all of the idiot questions and "does anyone recognize this part?" posts...

And I'll throw up more pics of our progress. 

Jay

[lukedukem]

One pic, what a tease. 

Welcome to the club. Glad you got the right year. Post more pics and your game plan

Luke

[70 sublime]

Congrats on starting

Make sure you take lots of pictures as you are taking things apart as they will come in handy when going back together

[tan top]

 hello & welcome 

[Mopar Nut]

Welcome aboard Jay!

[keepat]

Congrats and welcome! Father son restoration projects are a great bonding time. Make sure you take a lot of picture of the car with your son working on it, as you will cherish them years later!
Good luck with your Charger!
Pat   

[303 Mopar]

Welcome from CO!

[Halitosis]

One pic, what a tease. 

Welcome to the club. Glad you got the right year. Post more pics and your game plan

Luke

"Game plan" right now is to completely strip the car of all things... down to the bare core/shell.  Hood, doors, trunk, front fenders have all been removed, and for the past few days, we've been going through the tedious task of taking pictures of sub-assemblies on the car prior to removal, (trunk latch w/ screws, tail lights w/ screws, etc etc), bagging them, tagging them, and putting it in boxes. 

Our goal is to get the shell ready for the sandblaster in the next 60 days or so, so it can be returned to us for fall/winter bodywork project... and then on to the painter come spring.

Our target is to have the car ready for his first "junior prom"... so we've got about 2.5 years in front of us to complete the project. 

Jay

[polywideblock]

sounds like you two are going to have "fun" , welcome to the madness 

[keepat]

Our target is to have the car ready for his first "junior prom"... so we've got about 2.5 years in front of us to complete the project. 

Jay
[/quote]




That's about the same time it took for my son and I to restore his 68 Mustang, and he took to his senior prom.
Enjoy the build
Pat

[Johnnymopar]

Welcome Jay from north of 49.  I'm happy for you and envy you - in a good way!  My fav year. 

[Dreamcar]

Welcome. I'm restoring a numbers matching 383 as well. Lot's of rust on mine when I started though.

[green69rt]

Bought a 1969 Numbers Matching Charger 383SE Magnum last summer...

Here's a picture of my son stripping out the components from the rear end, in preparation for sending the shell to the sand blaster.

I'll apologize in advance for all of the idiot questions and "does anyone recognize this part?" posts...

And I'll throw up more pics of our progress. 

Jay

Welcome to the site and good luck on the restoration.  Nice numbers matching car.  Lots of info on this site or just ask a question, no stupid questions although you might get some wierd answers.  One question from me, you say numbers matching so that means the numbers on the trunk gasket rail and the radiator support match the VIN?

[AKcharger]

Welcome! EVERVYTHING you need to know is right here. There's about a million pieces of advice to offer, but where you are now two items:

1) tag/label and pack each items removed so it doesnt get lost or damaged, many items are irreplaceable of wildly expensive

2) Avoid "stockpiling" new parts, buy new parts, install them and move on. You're going to find about 25% of "brand new reproduction parts" dont work or fit. When you install somthing purchased 2 years ago and it doesn't work...youre stuck

cheers!

[Charger_Fan]

I had to look up your screen name definition...bad breath? LOL!

Welcome aboard, glad to have you here.