New Member, First Charger

[Dano 1]

Hi all, long-time lurker and first time poster now that I actually have a Charger to participate with! Despite never owning one of these cars until recently my history with the Charger goes way back to when I was a kid watching The Dukes reruns on TNT everyday. I'd hurry home from school and rush through homework to click the TV on and catch my favorite orange car.

Fast forward a few (not saying how many) years and I had just about given up on owning anything other than a total rust-bucket '69 Charger. One evening a few weeks back I happened to be browsing Craigslist, checking out Charger prices because I just couldn't help myself. I saw an ad for a '69 that looked promising but also seemed a little off based on the price. I sent it to a few friends who agreed it seemed odd but we are all well enough versed in Craigslist scams to not fall for anything stupid. After going back and forth with the seller a few times I was third in line for the car as of Friday evening. Here's where the story gets good. It was Friday and I was booked on a flight to China for business for 2 weeks the coming Sunday at 9:30am. Later Friday night the seller emailed and informed me that the two other people in line in front of me were starting to change their stories/plans and that if I was serious and wanted the car I could come out Saturday morning and take a look, the only condition was the car had to be gone that weekend.

Saturday morning I borrowed a truck from work, grabbed a trailer and took off. I picked up a buddy for backup and a set of rational eyes, knowing I couldn't be trusted to make a logical decision regardless of the car's condition. We were both still a bit nervous that the deal would go sideways but off we went regardless. Once we get to the house our fears were totally put at ease as the seller was a perfectly normal and really nice guy.

The story of the car was it was the seller's high school car back in the 90's and sometime around 1994 he took it off the road and put it in his parents garage. He/his brother had started working on it and lost interest and just let the car sit. Fast forward to 2008, he relocated and had the car brought with him where it lived under a tarp in his driveway. He never worked on the car or did anything to it besides putting a fresh tarp over it when the previous one deteriorated.

At first, seeing how low the back of the car was sitting, I assumed the whole back end had rusted out and the springs had collapsed into the trunk. On further inspection that couldn't have been further from the truth. The entire car was completely rock solid, with the exception of the very center of the trunk pan. Floorpans, rails, quarters, rockers, all rock solid with the majority still wearing factory undercoat. The low stance was simply due to some hastily installed lowering blocks.

The body was laser straight with the exception of a couple of dings and small dents but the grill, front valance, and front bumper were missing which had me doing some depressing mental math. At that point the seller casually mentioned that he had wrapped the grill and valance in moving blankets when he had the car moved back in '08 and left them sitting in the crawl space. Out come two moving blanket wrapped bundles containing an almost mint condition grill and valance. The grill is in amazing condition besides a few dents the center "I" piece and the fact that someone had fogged the entire thing in rattle-can satin black.

The interior is in really good shape as well with the exception of the front seat covers. The rear seat is almost perfect, the headliner is in great shape and everything appears to be complete, albeit pretty moldy from sitting so long. The odometer and title both show 79k miles which, given the car's condition, I don't have a lot of reason to doubt.

At this point I was pretty well freaking out so money was exchanged, title signed and we started loading it up, all while I was waiting to wake up.  All four tires were totally trashed but nothing was actually locked up or frozen so about 2 hours of wrestling with a crappy come-along and various straps and we were off to the races.

At this point it's around 5pm Saturday evening, we drove an hour back to my buddy's house where we could unload the car with his tractor and I could leave it securely until returning from my business trip. Unloading was much easier with the help of the tractor and the car was tucked in under a cover. It broke my heart but we wrapped the car back up in a tarp and I took off driving the 2 hours back to my house, dropping the trailer, unloading tools and attempting to sleep before my flight the next morning.

Fast forward a few weeks I get back stateside and immediately make plans to get the car. I made a run out to the car, put it up on jack stands, pulled off the wheels and tires and started digging in. I had verified the fender tag/dash VIN before I bought it but I didn't have time to check for the build sheet. I popped the rear seat cushion up and sure enough there was a mint condition build sheet folded up and intact after 49 years. So I have matching dash VIN, fender tag, and build sheet, not too shabby. Here's some highlights:

R4 red
White hat special with black top
A/C
Power brakes (drums)
Power steering
383 2bbl automatic
Bucket seat/console

Engine wise the seller told me he thought it was a 440, definitely not the original engine to the car, and it had sat with the top end torn down since at least '08. Given the condition I wrote it off when first looking at the car and didn't even bother checking the #'s. When I went back to the car I spent some more time cleaning up the top ID pad and checking the #'s. As it turns out it's a 1966 440 block with .001" undersized main bearings. The icing on the cake was finding the original air cleaner tin behind the rear seat when I pulled the cushion to look for the build sheet. An original 1966 Chrysler "TNT" 440, how cool is that? If the block is salvageable I'll probably end up giving the assembly to another buddy who is working on a 1966 Coronet since a '66 TNT 440 just seems more 'right' for his car.

As of today I have a set of roller tires swapped onto the wheels, and a new set of u-bolts to ditch the lowering blocks before I trailer the car again (the spring perches dragged on the u-haul trailer). The plan is to pick the car up this weekend and get it back to my house where work can begin. Right now my plan for the car is to get all the mechanical systems and interior in driver condition, pick an engine, and drive the thing as-is for a while. I really don't have the resources for a nut & bolt restoration at the moment and I'd really like to enjoy the car for a bit while it doesn't have pristine paint or a mint interior that I have to worry about.

I'm sure I'll be asking a million questions but I'm absolutely elated to have my dream car at all, let alone such a solid and well optioned example. Hopefully my first post wasn't too long-winded, it was such a cool experience I just had to share. Since the car is pretty well intact and original hopefully I can help anyone looking for stock reference pictures and details to contribute to the group.

[VegasCharger]

WOW nice story.

Thanks for sharing.

Very nice start to the 2nd gen Charger, you are lucky to find such a solid foundation.

Welcome aboard to DC.com 

[68X426]

Welcome.  Great purchase and great timing. 

[keepat]

Very cool, Congrats!
Pat

[Dano 1]

Thanks guys, I feel SO fortunate to have found the car and have the deal go down the way it did, a few more hours and it probably wouldn't have happened!

In typical newbie fashion I'm having image upload issues but once I sort that out more pics will follow.

[Dano 1]

I think I might have cracked it!

[Lennard]

Nice Charger and welcome to the forum, you came to the right place. 

[BIGBLCK11]

   NICE find!  Looks like a great start. 

[Fred]

  NICE find!  Looks like a great start. 

x2   

[VegasCharger]

Are you kidding me, there isn't a crack on the upper dash pad?? Amazing!!

[Baldwinvette77]

Awesome score man  , but damn, to give up a charger and get stuck with a prius 

[68X426]

Congrats on the build sheet, that's about as clean as it gets. 

[69rtse4spd]

Great find & welcome to the club,  . You just never know on some of the adds out there. 

[Obi Ben Dover]

I love the wheels, those are definitely keepers

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Welcome!  I can't wait to see you get that car back on the road! 

[tan top]

 hello & welcome !!      

[CDN72SE]

Nice story and welcome to the site. Good luck with the build. 

[XH29N0G]

Nice.  Have fun with it.

[zoman440]

I remember the ad and wondered if it was legit... seemed VERY reasonably priced. Glad for you it was real, Enjoy!

[jessejames]

Glad someone like you got this car. Sounds like its going to a good home!!

[lukedukem]

Damn, 3k is a great deal. That would probably go for 15 on eBay.

Luke

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Wow!  Not sure you intended for everyone to know what you paid for it, but that might be the deal of the year so far. 

[Dano 1]

Thank for the warm welcome everyone!

I love the wheels, those are definitely keepers

I'm not attached to the wheels, not my personal style so they may come up for sale at some point. They're 15x7's and 15x8's though so I may end up running them for a bit we'll see.

I remember the ad and wondered if it was legit... seemed VERY reasonably priced. Glad for you it was real, Enjoy!

I guess the cat's out of the bag on price  Funny you saw the same ad and had the same thoughts I did, boy am I glad I decided to go for it anyway!

Glad someone like you got this car. Sounds like its going to a good home!!

Thanks! I had a long conversation with the seller about how he really hated having to sell and really wanted the car to go to someone good and ideally local. I was able to reassure him the car was going to a great home and was not going to be flipped or end up on ebay. This has always been 'the one' car for me so barring any unforeseen circumstances it'll be a life time car for me.

Thanks again for the welcome!

[Lennard]

For 3k you stole that car!

[mightywing7]

Congrats on your new toy! Best of luck in getting it back on the road. 

[Dino]

Deal of the century! Nice one! 

[Bad B-rad]

OH MY!!!!!!!!!!
I think you got a sweet deal.
I can not believe it!!!
I think that may be a deal at double the price!!!!!!
You are a Lucky SOB!!!
How the hell did two idiots ahead of YOU back out of that deal, I would have locked that car down ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That car is ment to be yours!!!!!
LUCKY!!!!!!
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!
Glad someone is winning!!!!

[VegasCharger]

For 3k you stole that car!

[Fred]

Boy what a bargain. 

[Dano 1]

Thanks again guys. I am under no illusions about how good the deal was, I still can't quite believe it myself. This car will definitely NOT be flipped so let's get that out of the way up front. It was and is so crazy to me on two levels, one to be able to actually afford a car I had assumed was going to be unattainable for the foreseeable future, and two to have scored such a clean example that puts me so far ahead of the game for actually enjoying the car.

I've spent a lot of time going through people's ground-up restoration and rebuild threads on here and am continually in awe of everyone's skill and drive to complete a project. I was always assuming that's the type of project I would be in for and would be lying if I said I wasn't doubting my ability and resolve to finish one but this car should put me in a great starting spot.

Today was the day the car came home. I got my u-bolt/lowering block situation resolved with some PB Blaster, brute force and an impact wrench so the back of the car is sitting correctly again.

Gross.


Much better.


I was also able to verify the core support number as matching the VIN tag, fender tag, and build sheet. The last number to check is on the rear which I should be able to find in the next few days.



At the end of the day the car is home at last. The old Ford wasn't quite sure what this Dodge thing was that followed us home but I think they'll get acquainted soon enough!

[Lennard]

With the help of the knowledgeable people here, you'll get the project finished and have your dream car to enjoy for the rest of your life.

[VegasCharger]

.....Today was the day the car came home. I got my u-bolt/lowering block situation resolved with some PB Blaster, brute force and an impact wrench so the back of the car is sitting correctly again.

Pics didn't appear on my end. 

[Lennard]

.....Today was the day the car came home. I got my u-bolt/lowering block situation resolved with some PB Blaster, brute force and an impact wrench so the back of the car is sitting correctly again.

Pics didn't appear on my end.  

I can see all 5 of them.  

[Fitz73Chrgr]

.....Today was the day the car came home. I got my u-bolt/lowering block situation resolved with some PB Blaster, brute force and an impact wrench so the back of the car is sitting correctly again.

Pics didn't appear on my end. 

I can't see them either.

[Mopar Nut]

Welcome aboard!

Cool story!

[alfaitalia]

No visible images foe me either.....although they have got a lot further to come!!!

[Dano 1]

Man 2018 and I'm still struggling to get images uploaded to the forums Should be fixed now, I was trying to use Google images which I think is a bit glitchy with forums, should be all good now!

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Man 2018 and I'm still struggling to get images uploaded to the forums Should be fixed now, I was trying to use Google images which I think is a bit glitchy with forums, should be all good now!

Yep 

[Reezee]

Awesome! Congrats on this awesome deal!

[BigCE]

Wow what a score for the $$.

Your situation sounds a lot like mine, as the years went by I figured I would never have a 2nd gen charger as the price continues to sky rocket. Like yourself I saw an add and responded 2nd in line first "kid" was just dreaming wasting the sellers time then he phoned me.

[6pkrtse]

Nice score. Heck of a deal. Good to know they are still out there. I still want another "beater" 68-70 Charger, patina & all to drive daily. Rain or shine. Guess I still wouldn't  drive it in the winter though.

[Bronzedodge]

Awesome find.  A/C car too!  Really nice, if you're into that.  Welcome to DC.com

[Kern Dog]

Looks like you did quite well. I'll admit that the price was below the average by a lot...... but it is great to see because it shows the others that try to gouge prospective buyers that there is more to life than making money while screwing others.
Those wheels....I remember when they were really popular, sometime back in the early 90s maybe? A company called "Enkei" made a version of them. I think that they were designed after the Lamborghini Countach wheels.

[68X426]

Those wheels....designed after the Lamborghini Countach wheels.

Very good memory you have.  1989 Countach to be exact.

[68X426]

Really nice, if you're into that. 

Funny.   

[Dano 1]

Nice score. Heck of a deal. Good to know they are still out there. I still want another "beater" 68-70 Charger, patina & all to drive daily. Rain or shine. Guess I still wouldn't  drive it in the winter though.

No kidding, I always dismissed people who said "they're still out there" but I guess I'm one of them now! I like where your heads at on the beater style car, I'm thinking that's what mine will at least look like for a while. No REAL winter to worry about in NC so my goal is maximum year-round enjoyment.

Awesome find.  A/C car too!  Really nice, if you're into that.  Welcome to DC.com

Being a New England guy who migrated south I can confidently say I'm INTO A/C 

Looks like you did quite well. I'll admit that the price was below the average by a lot...... but it is great to see because it shows the others that try to gouge prospective buyers that there is more to life than making money while screwing others.
Those wheels....I remember when they were really popular, sometime back in the early 90s maybe? A company called "Enkei" made a version of them. I think that they were designed after the Lamborghini Countach wheels.

I think you nailed it there, Kern Dog, the price was absolutely below average and a result of circumstance, conscience, and a lack of familiarity with the current market. The seller genuinely did want the car to go to the right person, not the top dollar which I respected immensely and am just so thankful I was that right person.

Good call on the wheels too, your early 90's thinking lines up with the car's timeline as well with it last being on the road in the early 90's as a high school car. If anyone is jonesing to relive the 90's just let me know, those wheels are only on the car to keep it a roller!

[VegasCharger]

.....Should be fixed now,

Yep now I see them. 

[Charger_Fan]

Those wheels....designed after the Lamborghini Countach wheels.

Very good memory you have.  1989 Countach to be exact.

I didn't know that, great memory to both of you! 

Dano, congrats on landing your Charger, and thanks for taking the time to fix the pics.

[375instroke]

I see people asking $3,000 on eBay for just the grill.

[BDF]

Hello Dano 1, That's a great story and a nice car to start with, enjoy it! 

[SS350]

It's like the car wanted to come home with you! Great knowing they are still out there.

[Q5XX29]

Wow, that was well-bought! Congratulations! Cool old Ford pickup, too. Please keep us posted on your progress.

[NHCharger]

Nice score. I would have driven down from NH to score that deal.

[nvrbdn]

Congrats on the find. What a great starting point.

[Challenger340]

That's a great find and even better starting point, IMO, you did very well !

That said,
your example is easy to say that about, and qualify it as just that, a good deal !
when,
others trying to acquire are finding far lesser examples for FAR more $ dough !

[Dano 1]

Time for an update! I've been chipping away on the car a bit in the evenings as daylight allows and have managed to get all of the crappy interior/exterior carpet out of the interior and pulled the front seats, console, and rear seat bottom. I vacuumed out the 15 years worth of cigarette butts, change, and mouse turds and was rewarded with nearly rust-free floors. The only major spot of cancer is under the pedals on the driver's side and is really only ~10" x 10" worth of serious holes.







The trunk floor on the other hand is pretty crunchy but really only terminal on the section between the frame rails and up to the spare tire bracket.



Up underneath the rear-end things start to get interesting. From what I can tell there was rust in the bottom of the quarters and a PO cut out the vertical piece of the trunk extensions and fabricated a new drop-off piece to attach to the bottom of the quarter. On one side the fabricated piece has no flange on the bottom but on the other it looks like they took the time to bend a flange to attach the bottom of the quarter too. It's a little tricky to figure out the extent of the repair because from inside the trunk I see no evidence of welding or patching, and the lip on the bottom of both quarters and up around the wheel well looks to be in one piece. It just seems odd that there would be that much rust in the extensions/drop-offs but not enough to consume the lips of the quarters. I'd be curious to see what those of you who are more knowledgeable about how these cars are put together think.

Passenger's side:
Note two layers at the bottom quarter joint




Driver's side:
Notes single layer at the bottom where the quarter should join extension






Back up top things are looking decent. I swept the entire car with a magnet and confirmed significant filler in the quarters rear of the wheel wells and around the valance extensions. Around the rear window there's significant pitting but not major holes that I can see. There is evidence of bondo in the passenger's side rear window corner but that's the only sign. Around the cowl/windshield area is much the same with pitting but no obvious holes...keyword being obvious.









I also managed to get the engine un-stuck after just a 24hr soak with PD Blaster in the bores and a 12" breaker bar. I'm still undecided about whether to rebuild this engine now or try and find something closer to running condition.

Next steps are really to formulate a plan for the body. I have a feeling the rear of the car will be a pandora's box situation and I'm really not sure I'm ready or have the resources to do the job to a standard I would be happy with at the moment. I believe my basic skill level is there having done a decent amount of fabrication work and being a fairly proficient welder, my garage is just very cramped and part storage is limited. 

The good news is the rails and structure are completely rust free and sound so I have no structural concerns about the car whatsoever. Ideally I would like to get the car running and driving ASAP and preserve the body to ensure it doesn't get significantly worse but at the same time not handicapping myself for when I do fully restore the car down the road. Am I completely off base here? What do you guys think is a realistic plan being far more familiar with these cars and with much more actual experience restoring them? Thanks everyone!