HEMI68CHARGER Press Release #614 426 HEMI Charger 500 Restoration

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang..

Thought I'd start the "official" thread on the restoration of the Press Release 1969 Hemi Charger 500, car #614, built in the 1st batch of Charger 500's for Press Release action at Creative...  The car has been off the radar for an extremely long time. but now it will shine again. Of the 6 original PR C500's, this is the only known-whereabouts 727 auto car. The 1st 6 consisted of 3 manuals and 3 727's. The most famous of the cars, and best preserved, is Richard's #610 PR C500 seen in many publications. All 6 where pretty much built identical except for the tranny's of course (and with that the differentials). I believe all were destined to get the W23 "Recall" Wheel, but none apparently left Creative Industries. The evidence for this is the examples of the photos of the cars in publications and none had the W23 wheels. They had instead either the Monoco/Polara full wheel cover or black steelies with hub caps. It is with confidence that Rchards's #610 and my #614 car were at the Bud Lindemann C500 video and it was my car in the action videos, the 727 center console is obvious. And, another cool fact is the broadcast sheets for #610 and #614 were swapped into the other car when the technicians reinstalled the rear seat cushions in the conversion process, 50 years later, they were reunited !!!

Here is the thread when I bought and brought home the #614. Link to buying thread and Bud Lindermann new Charger 500 video

Here, I and my friend Dave, undertake pulling the drivetrain and front suspension out from under the car in preparation for paint & body..

1. snapshot of the Lindermann video
2-5. various process shots
6. front bumper and lower valance removed..

Enough for a hot & humid Texas weekend..

[taxspeaker]

Very cool Troy. Thanks for the pictures and will watch the story!
Bob

[hemi68charger]

Very cool Troy. Thanks for the pictures and will watch the story!
Bob

See your future issues of Mopar Collector's Guide... hint hint.....

[tan top]

good stuff  , looking forward to seeing pictures & up dates  etc 

[Mytur Binsdirti]

It's not done yet?   

[hemi68charger]

It's not done yet?   

You said you were coming over this weekend to do your magic,,,, you were a no-show....... What gives? 

[chargervert]

You know that he only travels up and down Troy.

[C500]

Will be following this with interest  ... I thought you concluded your 500 was not the one in the action shots from the Bud video because of the 6 way seat?

[hemi68charger]

Will be following this with interest  ... I thought you concluded your 500 was not the one in the action shots from the Bud video because of the 6 way seat?

When I said that, and can't place when/where I did, it wasn't from the Lindemann video. It doesn't show that part of the front seat. Spoke to Richard who owns #610 and both our cars were at the photoshoot/video. I am on the hunt for some really nice Monoco/Polara wheel covers.. I have one nice one now. The 4 that are with the car, well, they have seen better days.. As you can see here, #614 didn't lead the pampered life like Richard's #610 car ( which is all survivor )... I asked him if wanted to trade back seats to get his ( which is in mine ) back in his car ( which mine is in )..... 

[Dragon Slayer]

I see the MC was off, what was casting number on bottom? 

[hemi68charger]

I see the MC was off, what was casting number on bottom? 

Off the top of my head I don't recall the complete number, but it started with something like 34******, so it is a later-model master cylinder and not proper.. So, there will be a hunt for that one....

[Dragon Slayer]

I have one if you want to PM me.  Already SS Sleeved, with correct cap.  Just needs the kit to complete the rebuild. 

[nascarxx29]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,97282.0.html

[hemi68charger]

Big benchmark reached today, car totally on rollers... Drivetrain AND rear axle out.... I believe I will tackle the engine compartment next...

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Before you strip the paint off, how much are you going to be asking for all that barn-find dust?

[hemi68charger]

Before you strip the paint off, how much are you going to be asking for all that barn-find dust?

Not going to sell.. May try to up-trade Presss-Release-Hemi-C500 dust for Hemi-Daytona dust.... Or,  I'll sweep into a ziplock and submit to the Smithsonian Institute or US National Archives...   

[hemi68charger]

Mo parts off, mo parts in..

Thanks to Clint for the great parts at a great price:

1. Complete jack with current decal
2. K-member to rad. support bracket
3. Felt that is often forgotten or unknown on the jack anchor in the interior wheel well.

Collecting missing items and taking parts off for the paint job.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I hope you have a big place to lay everything out. As many of us know, a completely disassembled car takes up a lot of real estate.

[hemi68charger]

I hope you have a big place to lay everything out. As many of us know, a completely disassembled car takes up a lot of real estate.

I have a 4-car garage with just the Daytona occupying space now...... So, have the shelves up to store things, will separate the motor and tranny soon and put the motor on the engine stand to start detailing it and the suspension components...

[gtx6970]

Troy,
I gotta ask.
You going to keep this one I hope. Makes a nice garage mate for the other one

[hemi68charger]

Troy,
I gotta ask.
You going to keep this one I hope. Makes a nice garage mate for the other one

As people who really understand what I'm doing and have actually seen my "Troy-trades" from the over time, I have always increased the rarity and/or pedigree of my "next" car(s)..... Regarding Chargers, don't think I can go much higher than this one...... So, unless there was some bada** Superbird in my future, this one will share the garage with the Daytona for a very long time..........

[gtx6970]

Troy,
I gotta ask.
You going to keep this one I hope. Makes a nice garage mate for the other one

As people who really understand what I'm doing and have actually seen my "Troy-trades" from the over time, I have always increased the rarity and/or pedigree of my "next" car(s)..... Regarding Chargers, don't think I can go much higher than this one...... So, unless there was some bada** Superbird in my future, this one will share the garage with the Daytona for a very long time..........

Cool,
To me the only step up would be an original  Hemi wing car

[hemi68charger]

Charger 500 disassembly continues..
Thanks to Dave Points, was able to tackle getting more parts off the 500 in prep for paint/body. Front doors are shells, all glass out along with molding.. Good Saturday.. Also got some NOS parts for the endeavor.. Thanks Allen Vasut for the solenoids.  I have a correct one on my current Daytona 426 Hemi... I will replace the cover on it and use it on this original j-code 500. I will use one of these on the Daytona with the correct bracket that Scott Smith reproduces for the 426 Hemi......  
The car is turning out to be much more solid than I anticipated.. 👍

[hemi68charger]

Couldn't help buy polish up some of that original R4 red under the back glass.. The rear plug and front  window area looks great...

May have to be out on the look out for a service company for the power window motors....

[Mytur Binsdirti]