My new patina'd RR1 burgundy 1968 Charger ("Ribeye")...mostly original paint

[70B5Cuda]

Since my survivor 1969 Charger was totaled in December of 2018, I have been wanting another driver quality Charger to drive while my pro touring 1968 Charger is being built. I spent three months on the couch recovering from surgery so I spent a lot of time looking but I didn't get serious until about 6 months ago. I really wanted a B5 or Q5 Charger, but so does everyone else! We all know, most original paint cars seem to be green....IN January I found and bought a really solid R4 Charger out of Texas. It had a cheap repaint but was complete. Not two weeks after buying the R4 Charger, I came across this RR1 Charger just 30 miles from me. It had mostly original paint (with a few spot ins) and some greats options like black vinyl top, white interior, cruise control, rear defrost, power breaks, power steering, AC, 3 speed wiper, etc. It had great patina and the paint was chalky/oxidized but I knew my paint detail guy could do wonders with it. The grill is perfect!! It had been a Kansas car all its life. It spent inside for the last 5 years but was outside quite a while before that.









It spent one more night outside while I cleaned up and reorganized the shop.

[70B5Cuda]

Step 1...Get it situated in the shop and take picture...check





Step 2...remove seats and remove the nasty carpet so I can see condition...At least the interior is all there!  




The floors are pretty nice. I spent a few hours with a braided wire cup wheel. here is the before picture...



And after....

[70B5Cuda]

Step 3...Call up a buddy who does detailing and ask him to schedule me in. He came over with a bunch of different pads and polishes and did some test patches.

[70B5Cuda]

For some reason, the patina on the hood and decklid remind me of the marbling in a ribeye steak....hence the nickname. I knew it would look cool but I didn't realize HOW COOL. I never thought I'd like burgundy so much. I think that the primer shining through the thin burgundy really brightens up the color.







I will get some pictures of it outside in the sunlight.....with better wheels!

[70B5Cuda]

More to come...saved

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Nice!  

[6pkrtse]

Nice save. Very cool car. Love the patina.

[b5blue]

Sweet ride! 

[Kern Dog]

That is great. I'm impressed with how solid the car seems to be. SCORE !

[6bblgt]

"burgundy" is AWESOME  based on the decklid, it's an early car - what are its other spec's?

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Nice!   Been following the detailing progress on FB as well.

[Birdflu]

Sweet car! Also, congrats on kickin' the "C" word! 

[70B5Cuda]

Sweet car! Also, congrats on kickin' the "C" word! 

Thanks guys! I'm excited to get it on the road!

[CDN72SE]

Nice find and good luck with this one.

[lloyd3]

In remarkably decent condition considering it's a Kansas car (mine started in Nebraska, so I understand the challenges). I'm also surprised by how good the burgundy looks as well. Because so-many of the cars have been repainted and color-changed (either red or black) by now, almost any other original color looks kind-of "fresh" to me now. The fact that it's original paint only makes that seem more "crisp" for lack of a better description. Since I didn't see any mention of the driveline, I'm guessing a 318 auto?

Also, I'll bite. What are the visual clues on the decklid that helps you know it's an early car? Mine's a very late car so I suppose all I really need to do is go and look and compare it to the shot of the bottom of the decklid. Maybe later today.

[70B5Cuda]

In remarkably decent condition considering it's a Kansas car (mine started in Nebraska, so I understand the challenges). I'm also surprised by how good the burgundy looks as well. Because so-many of the cars have been repainted and color-changed (either red or black) by now, almost any other original color looks kind-of "fresh" to me now. The fact that it's original paint only makes that seem more "crisp" for lack of a better description. Since I didn't see any mention of the driveline, I'm guessing a 318 auto?

Also, I'll bite. What are the visual clues on the decklid that helps you know it's an early car? Mine's a very late car so I suppose all I really need to do is go and look and compare it to the shot of the bottom of the decklid. Maybe later today.

Kansas cars are usually pretty solid if they lived south of I-70 and not in the KC metro area. This one was a 383 and auto

[lloyd3]

Ok, so...at least a big block. Frankly, I really like 383s (I've had lots of them). FWIW: I was learning paint correction last summer and found it to be remarkably effective on more modern vehicles. It might very-well be worth you time here to try it on this latest acquisition?

[66FBCharger]

 

[kent]

Wow what a difference! Glad to see you back in the saddle.

So how are you feeling? All good?

[6bblgt]

looks like the '67 steering wheel also, does it have the red/white/blue door pad emblems?  can you post a picture of that tire pressure decal?

[darbgnik]

Wow, I'd say that was quite lucky, but seeing as this isn't your first survivor, I have to conclude you have a skill when it comes to digging these things up!

And amazing how the paint came up.

[jefferson]

Damn impressive on cleaning her up
Sorry if i missed it but does she run/drive?
Obv gonna need a good going over. Brakes. Fluid etc
Good job dude 

[lloyd3]

6bblgt:  Gracious of you Sir. Thank you for the primer on deck lids!  I had to look at it a couple of times before the differences became apparent.

[70B5Cuda]

Damn impressive on cleaning her up
Sorry if i missed it but does she run/drive?
Obv gonna need a good going over. Brakes. Fluid etc
Good job dude 

it does not run. I didn't get a drivetrain but I've got a mild 440 and auto to go through and install

[70B5Cuda]

Wow what a difference! Glad to see you back in the saddle.

So how are you feeling? All good?

I'm feeling really good. I have been working out to build strength. My back, chest, legs, and biceps/triceps all came back fast/strong but since the surgeon unhooked all the back (rotator cuff) muscles that tie into the shoulder and sewed them back into the cadaver's attachments, the geometry/tensions aren't quite right. As a result, I can't lift my right arm above shoulder height and I don't think it's going to come back since i did 9 months of therapy (3 days a weeK) to get this far. To illustrate, I have worked up to being able to do unassisted 4 pull-ups (although left arm does about 60%), but I have to use my left arm to lift my arm up to the bar to grab it. It makes working under a car or under a dash quite difficult as I'm basically one handed.....But I am NOT COMPLAINING!! I'm happy to be alive and to have the range I have. Thanks for asking!