Picked up my 68 Charger, tons of pics!

[INTMD8]

On Thursday I drove 500 miles to Pittsburgh PA to pick up my 68 Charger and trade in a 95 Porsche.  Other than being very stressed out trying to drive with the truck/trailer setup downtown (took a wrong turn and had to back the thing up 1000ft in the snow ) everything went well and I'm ecstatic about it's condition.

I put it on the lift and looked it over. Needs a pinion seal but everything else looks good.  Found the vin numbers on the block/trans which match the car thanks to 6bblgt.

Only problem with the car aesthetically is it looks like there wasn't enough adhesive under the vinyl top as it's wrinkled in a few spots. Lays down flat if I rub on it but wrinkles up again in a few minutes.

Otherwise she is gorgeous. Body lines, chrome, glass really everything is great. I have no info on when or who restored it but doesn't appear to really have been driven since then as there are no rock chips. There were some old photos of the car along with a ton of car show pics in a binder but no receipts or anything about the work done.

Just going to keep this one as-is and clean up some details (original battery, fix the top, floor mats). Thought about doing body colored steel 15's and hub caps but as strange as it sounds I like the look of it stock so may not even change that.  

[Mopar Nut]

Congrats, gorgeous Charger!

  Welcome aboard!

Nicer than any 95 Porsche!

[birdsandbees]

NICE and clean!!!! Bought someone's hard work... good for you! 

[Mike DC]

 
Ohhh . . . . . pretty!


A gold interior too.  You don't see that too often. 

[68RT440]

Beautiful Charger! I love the look that the hubcaps and whitewalls give these cars

[Reezee]

That thing looks amazingly clean. Congratulations!

Enjoy it!

[Dans 68]

Congratulations!

NICE and clean!!!! Bought someone's hard work... good for you! 

My thoughts also.    Thanks for all the pictures - got my fix for the day!

And hopefully the snow was not very deep.

Dan

[hemi-hampton]

Nice car, looks good. I did see a couple of things that looked poorly done or low budget though. LEON.

[NHCharger]

Wow. That is one clean machine. 

[INTMD8]

Thanks guys. Yes I bought it.  Built a lot of cars and work on them for a living which has allowed me to do so.

Leon, don't hold back, you want to be helpful tell me what I need to fix.

[cdr]

VERY nice Charger !!!!

[chargerboy69]

Wow. . . stunning.  Pay no attention to nit pickers, that is one beautiful car you have there.

[smithenhiven]

Beautiful car, congrats!

[Moparsaver]

Man, that 68' is AWESOME!!!     

[bigdsul]

Damn that is one fine car!

Looks better than new.

Any chance you put some miles on those wheels yet?

[Kern Dog]

The first word that comes to mind looking at the car is.......Clean.
Nicely done.   

[hemi-hampton]

Thanks guys. Yes I bought it.  Built a lot of cars and work on them for a living which has allowed me to do so.

Leon, don't hold back, you want to be helpful tell me what I need to fix.

I could post 2 pics of the 2 areas but I in no way want to insult your nice clean car. No insult is intended. I don't want to get lynched mobbed on here either for stirring up trouble. Being a Mopar restorer just 2 things (pet peeves) I noticed. others probably didn't notice. No insult intended again. LEON.

[Dino]

Damn that's a mighty fine machine! Has all the right options as well. I hope you'll be driving this beast a lot, despite it's exceptional condition.

I wonder why only one headrest, was that an option?

Congrats on your acquisition.   

[Baldwinvette77]

Wow thats pretty 

[71_Charger_R/T]

VERY nice! I would be very proud to own a car that nice! It looks like it was done well. I like it when a car looks like you stepped back in time! Congratulations to you sir!
But, I too am curious what it is Leon has spotted.......

[chargerbr549]

Beautiful car would be have nice to have that one!

I'm not a purist and not always sure whats correct or not but I think I might have spotted one of the areas that Leon was talking about, behind the grill should have been painted black or black undercoating since the lighter colored cars you shouldn't see body color when looking through the grill. I believe the darker colors they didn't worry about?

[68moparbob]

Gorgeous card.  I noticed the area behind the grill not blacked out and the fenders tag screws are painted.  One should be unpainted.

[hemi-hampton]

The 2 problems mention above was not the 2 I was referring to. The no black out radiator core support is a pet peeve of mine but not one of the problems I noticed on this car. LEON.

[cdr]

the rear valance seams have been filled & then a line cut where the seams are supposed to be. I filled mine with seam sealer to keep water out.

Painted hood latch ?
master cyl ?

[INTMD8]

Again thanks.

Leon, you called it out so man up and say what's on your mind. I didn't restore it, you aren't going to insult me.

[charger Downunder]

Nice car you have done well. I would gladly have it in my garage.    :2thumbs:Chrome se pedal trims.?

[hemi-hampton]

Again thanks.

Leon, you called it out so man up and say what's on your mind. I didn't restore it, you aren't going to insult me.

OK, Here's the 2 things I don't like. #1 is the plug welds left visable & not even ground smooth on the Trunk extension to Trunk, as circled in black in my pic. If possible I use a Spot welder but most shops or restorers do not have one. In that case I grind them smooth, body fill any pin holes or grinder marks, prime & make smooth before paint. Fake the spot welds if customer wants to nit pick. I don't leave the welds like these on your car even one a low budget quicky that gets undercoated. Just seems like why do such a good job painting a under carriage then leave these obvious ugly welds that are not suppose to be there? Also the rust pits in frame nearby I would of filled in before I painted it. LEON.

[hemi-hampton]

#2. Hard to see in pic but sure looks like they did the common amature quicky mistake of putting on the 1/4 panel & totally eliminating the factory looking seam that belongs in jamb by totally filling it all in & smoothing it out with bondo. Good for a low budget job but this car looks 2 nice for that. The 2 peice trunk is obvious &  should of been done better. Still a very nice car you have & besides some very minor flaws a very nice car done pretty nice. Congrats on your purchase. LEON.

[darbgnik]

Too nice to drive!

[RallyeMike]

Holy cow. Is that a garage or an operating room?

[Kern Dog]

I see what Hemi Hampton pointed out. If the OP posted the pictures asking for members to respond with OEM show car scrutiny, I could see cause to point out any flaws they found. It is human nature for some people to find fault in nice things. I've had guys that are three dimes from being homeless point out flaws in my car.
Maybe H/H was just trying to help. He isn't a bad guy.

[TPR]

That's one sharp Dodge.
Enjoy.
TPR

[Dino]

Too nice to drive!

There's no such thing. It's a car, drive it.   

[VegasCharger]

Very nice

So that's what a fresh JJ1 paint job looks like.

Still painting my JJ1 black, whenever that is.

Great 68 

[M5Ivan]

Amazing car!!! Congrats!
Hope you're not afraid to drive it 

[Lennard]

Beautiful clean car.  It would be too clean for me to own.

[hemi-hampton]

I see what Hemi Hampton pointed out. If the OP posted the pictures asking for members to respond with OEM show car scrutiny, I could see cause to point out any flaws they found. It is human nature for some people to find fault in nice things. I've had guys that are three dimes from being homeless point out flaws in my car.
Maybe H/H was just trying to help. He isn't a bad guy.

I posted the pictures because he asked me to, Just trying to help. Plus how would you ever know about things like this unless some one points them out. I said nice car & not trying to insult him. Also said I didn't want to post pics for fear of backlash & lynch mobbing LEON.

[Dino]

I hadn't noticed the welds but I did see the eliminated seam. Very odd to see this. Still an awesome car!

[JR]

Man, that thing is clean.

[INTMD8]

Thanks guys.

Leon, I noticed the spot welds but I didn't notice the lack of seam. Don't think I'm gonna be able to fix that one!

I'll definitely be driving the car. 

[Rolling_Thunder]

i like the options....     

rear defogger....   

driver's headrest only....

cruise control....

[Dino]

i like the options....     

rear defogger....   

driver's headrest only....

cruise control....

  cool stuff.

Personally I'd add the second headrest though. It looks a bit weird like this.

I like this car more and more, just awesome.   

[rodneyramjet]

Very Nice!  Thank you for the great pictures.  I can see why it costs so much time/money to restore these babies.

My goals for the time don't include that level of restoration...I am just working on getting mine roadworthy, take a few drives around town, do a few burnouts; then figure out if I should keep the car as is, try to further restore the car, or let it go to a new owner and use the money for general aviation interests.

[moparnation74]

Nice score and beautiful 68!

The black out behind the grille and painting the sway bar black are easy fixes for a winter project.....Until then enjoy the car for what it is, a nice restoration overall

[INTMD8]

#2. Hard to see in pic but sure looks like they did the common amature quicky mistake of putting on the 1/4 panel & totally eliminating the factory looking seam that belongs in jamb by totally filling it all in & smoothing it out with bondo. Good for a low budget job but this car looks 2 nice for that. The 2 peice trunk is obvious &  should of been done better. Still a very nice car you have & besides some very minor flaws a very nice car done pretty nice. Congrats on your purchase. LEON.

Thanks for the kind words guys    A change of perspective- 

[Dino]

I guess it was just a trick of the light then.   

[hemi-hampton]

I guess it was just a trick of the light then.   

Yes, I guess so. Just ignore my door jamb seam comment. Nice car. Drive it & have fun. LEON.

[tan top]

 

[alfaitalia]

Very nice. Not seen one that colour this side of the puddle. Mine will be that clean.....one day!!

[Rubberduck]

So beautiful. It´s almost a sin to drive it.

[Moparsaver]

Congratulations.      The car is AWESOME!!   Enjoy driving it.   

[qwick68]

Very nice, congrats

[68 RT]

WOW! Very nice 68.

[crj1968]

Looks great ! And I see you have plenty of room for it.      


Drive it... drive it.... drive it

[mightywing7]

Love the color!! (I may be a bit partial though...).

Best of luck with your new toy! 

[moparfan53]

Nice car you have done well. I would gladly have it in my garage.  Chrome se pedal trims.?

AFAIK, the chrome pedal trim was not available in '68. I would have added it also though, I like the looks of it. I added to my '69 which did not have it.

To the OP; Great car!!

A/C and cruise control, very cool (no pun intended  ) .... cannot be a lot of cars with both.

[moparfan53]

Damn that's a mighty fine machine! Has all the right options as well. I hope you'll be driving this beast a lot, despite it's exceptional condition.

I wonder why only one headrest, was that an option?

Congrats on your acquisition.   

Yes, you could order either side or both.

[Dino]

Damn that's a mighty fine machine! Has all the right options as well. I hope you'll be driving this beast a lot, despite it's exceptional condition.

I wonder why only one headrest, was that an option?

Congrats on your acquisition.   

Yes, you could order either side or both.

Did not know that. Thanks!   

[Dans 68]

Interesting that no one has brought this up yet. Being that your car was a May 1968 build (relatively late), it most likely did not come from the factory with the dart emblem behind the "Charger" sail panel emblem. But I have a Dec 26 1967 build date '68 that has it (previous owner installed it) and it looks good to me. Enjoy your gem.    http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,53761.msg594026.html#msg594026

Dan

[Lennard]

Interesting that no one has brought this up yet. Being that your car was a May 1968 build (relatively late), it most likely did not come from the factory with the dart emblem behind the "Charger" sail panel emblem. But I have a Dec 26 1967 build date '68 that has it (previous owner installed it) and it looks good to me. Enjoy your gem.    http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,53761.msg594026.html#msg594026

Dan

It was mentioned in this thread...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,127297.0.html

[Dans 68]

Interesting that no one has brought this up yet. Being that your car was a May 1968 build (relatively late), it most likely did not come from the factory with the dart emblem behind the "Charger" sail panel emblem. But I have a Dec 26 1967 build date '68 that has it (previous owner installed it) and it looks good to me. Enjoy your gem.    http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,53761.msg594026.html#msg594026

Dan

It was mentioned in this thread...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,127297.0.html

Dan

[charge69]

That is a mighty fine '68 Charger ! Really pretty !!  Enjoy driving it and the attention it gets and deserves !!

[INTMD8]

Appreciate the kind words, I can't wait to drive it! 

Strange that it has the emblem on the sail panel. Hard to see but in the vintage photos I have of the car it appears to be there as well but probably was just added on sometime early in it's life.

I'm going to tackle the wrinkles in the top this weekend. Plan is to remove the roof rail and 1/4 window moldings, peel back the vinyl and re-glue.

Also tried the 8-track player. It works but plays slower than it should so I'll need to send it out for repair.

[alfaitalia]

I realise you already have a plan but getting it to re-stick flat (i.e. without blobs of the old stretched snot like glue leaving bumps under the vinyl) can be very difficult after you peel the top off. I have had luck in the past by using thin glue in a hypodermic needle and syringe and injecting it into the bubbles. Work the glue around in the air pocket with your fingers and then work to the centre.....excess glue and any remaining air will purge through the tiny hole made by the needle and the glue seals the hole.....just a thought!  

[INTMD8]

Doing that would be much easier! Really wasn't looking forward to getting the trim off.

It's just that there are several spots so didn't know if that method would work. Are the needle holes noticable? I think it would take several and don't want her ending up looking like a heroin addict   

Do you remember what kind of glue you used?   Thanks

[alfaitalia]

It was an impact adhesive....a polyurethane based one....cant remember which brand but they are all much of a muchness. Could not see holes at all ....just like when you have an injection ...its so fine that the hole closes as the needle is withdrawn.

[INTMD8]

Thanks I will give it a try 

[CDN72SE]

Beautiful car, enjoy it.

[INTMD8]

 

Well after looking at it some more I took a chance and removed the trim to peel the top back and re-glue. Taped around the perimeter of the area that needed to come up for a guide. After re-gluing I flattened it all down with a plastic body filler spreader.  Also put strong magnets on the trouble areas overnight.

So far it seems good, guess time will tell if it stays down.

[Baldwinvette77]

Nice 

[Dino]

Great job!   

Nice caddy back there. 

Never thought about putting a pool table in my garage...makes sense though...

[Homerr]

Nice repair!

[tan top]

    clever idea with magnets 

[INTMD8]

Thanks guys.

Took it for a drive last night. Runs and drives great! A few issues however.

Seems I have no heat and the blower motor is weak. Heater hoses at the firewall are hot. Temp control slide doesn't seem to do anything. I can see the cable is attached and moving at the slide but not sure where it connects to on the other end. Any help here before my repair manual comes in?

Other than that the dash creaks a lot and no instrument cluster lights.

I guess for a 49 year old car not too long of a repair list

[Dino]

No that's nothing major for the old girl!

So either the heater valve won't open, or the heater core is plugged up. The heater cable goes from the slider to the heater valve on the firewall. When you remove the 3 screws from the valve you can pull it away from the firewall and see the cable. The FSW explains how to fine tune it. There's a turnbuckle on the cable to fine tune it as well. Be careful removing the valve as there's a capillary tube attached to it. When you stick your head under the dash on the passenger side, you'll see a small oval plate attached with two screws. Remove it and you can guide it through he hole in the firewall. Check the plunger in the heater valve and make sure it moves freely. With the valve out you can also test the seal on the plunger to ensure it not only moves but actually seals the tube as well. If not, the seal is available on ebay. The seal needs to block the flow of water completely or you won't be able to turn the heater off.

If the core is blocked you can try to flush it but if that fails you're going to have to remove the entire box.

Blower can be a resistor issue or a problem with the switch. And likely other things I can't think of right now. Disconnect it at the firewall and put a battery on it, it should spin quickly. If it doesn't maybe the fan itself needs cleaning. Remove the 3 screws on the edge of the blower and pull it out into the engine bay.

Dash lights are controlled by a single fuse but the tail lights should be on the same fuse. Check there first at least. Fuse box is behind the glove box. Maybe it's a wire or bulb issue. No idea why the dash is creaking!

[INTMD8]

Thanks Dino!!!  I will check everything you mentioned. That is a very good description of how it works, much appreciated.