Pictures of my R/T, Almost finished. Thanks for all the help, Everyone!

[71 RT]

I have been reading posts on this website for over 5 years now.  I always enjoyed looking at the pictures of peoples projects as they finished up their long hard work.  I always thought, "Someday I can do that".  It has taken me over 4 years, I could only work as fast as the money would hold out.  Everytime I got frustrated, or mad about something, I would go to this site and find the answer.  The members were always so encouraging, even when you wanted to quit, they would urge you to hang in there, or "try this one more time".  I appreciate all of the help.   So after 4 years of banging my knuckles, and getting grime out from my fingernails.  Here she is, almost done.  I still have a few emblems to put on the fenders, small stuff like that.  But with any luck I can have it in her first show this weekend.  It is far from perfect, because I did most of it myself.  It not a hemi car, and it does not have any strange high dollar options.  Just a plain old, factory original FC-7 Plum Crazy 71 R/T,  numbers matching 440 with an automatic, but I still love the old girl.  Thanks to all who helped me over the years, I love this site!  The first picture is where I started, after soda blasting the shell after I stripped the entire car.  The others are from this past weekend. 
 

[41husk]

sweet car! Great job.

[plum500]

Very nice work!! Looks awesome, and seeing both unfinished and finished pics is an inspiration.

[terrible one]

That looks amazing man! Looks like you definitly put in the time and money to do it right.

[ramit]

Awesome 

[Brock Samson]

  Simply Fantastic! 

What a Great 'ol Gal!

More pics when ya' can please.. 

[Lowprofile]

Wow! Great Job Bro! Love that color combo. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Great job!   I have a serious soft spot for the 71's when done nicely.

[tan top]

looks awesome   good job 

[RD]

3rd GEN's RULE!!!!

great job!!!!!!!!!

[burningman]

Awesome awesome!
Love the hood!!!!

[chargerkid]

Nice job.  Very nice looking R/T.  Not sure about the rear spoiler.

[Blackdog]

I know it's been along time since my last post... been busy... Anyways, may I ask where and how much you paid to get your car blasted with soda? I've been looking for someone in the Southern Minnesota area for awhile now. I'm wanting to get some parts cleaned up and primed so it will stop the surface rust. Also, did it take all the paint and rust off like sand without the warpage? Thanks.

[1972Rallye]

 I Like!

[hemihead]

Too Sweet!!! 

[71 RT]

Thanks for all of the kind words, fellas!
As far as the soda blasting, yes, it does a good job, in my opinion.  It has the ability to remove paint, rust, whatever, very close to the properties of sand, but without the heat.  Another cool thing is it kind of "preserves" the metal.  You have a few weeks before you have to work it or prime it.  It may not be for everyone, but it is certainly a good way to consider on a full restoration.  As far as cost, it depends on if you want the door jams done, and inside of the trunk and inside the car done.  If not, it is a little cheaper.  I had the whole car done, top to bottom, jams, trunk, everything for $675.  That included a the guy picking up the car and delivering back to me when he was done.  I don't know if that is high or low, but that is what I paid.  

[bull]

Congratulations. Now you're officially an inspiration the the guys who are where you once were.

[TruckDriver]

Wow! Great Job Bro! Love that color combo. 

[4402tuff4u]

Wow! Great Job Bro! Love that color combo. 

Ditto. You did a nice job!! Hope mine comes out as good as yours!

[19Charger68]

Excellent!  What a wonderful transformation!  Love it!!  Great job!!!

[ChargerRob]

Very Nice! 

[Goldfinger71]

Hey 71RT!
Nice job!The car looks great!
NEVER doubt your car.You stated that the car is JUST a FC7 car with a number's matching engine and tranny! :oTRUST ME there are a few 71 R/T guys(like me even! )who wishes that they had their  number's matching engine and tranny's! .....and a FC7 car at that!.........PLEASE!.......You did a GREAT job buddy! ...Don't sell yourself or your R/T short.Keep up the good work!

[rare69]

im not really a third gen guy, but after looking at your car i just might be. it looks great, wouldnt mind parking that next to the 69!

[mikepmcs]

man that car is incredible looking.. the more i am on this site the more i get an appreciation for the 3rd gen's.  wow that's nice and a great color too.
i've only given it once before but you get the 4 metal salute.
v/r
Mike
actually i could give the 4 metal salute to a ton of cars on this site, it was just appropriate right now.

[Dave22443]

Like Rare69, I'm not really a third gen guy either, but man, that car is beutiful and you have every right to be proud of her. 

I just picked up a new fater son project, a 1970 Satellite with 78,000 original miles that currently looks pretty much like you did after the soda blast.  And like you, I too am looking at a multiple year restoration, but seeing your car... well... I think it will be worth it.  Thanks for the insperation and congratulations on a very fine job!

[BigBlockSam]

wow! nice work . now enjoy 

[472 R/T SE]

Beautiful Job.  You'll have everyone switched over to 3rd generations rides with work like that. 

[NHCharger]

Nice job. Sweet looking car.

[Silver R/T]

nice Charger man

[RallyeMike]

Congrats. 4 years paid off as it looks great. Enjoy it!

[topduarte]

As said before, starting to like more and more of the third gens!!!

Great job!!!

[Brock Samson]

any more pics?. 

[71 RT]

Thanks for all of the nice comments, especially from the 1st and 2nd generation guys! I have always felt that there are too few of us old charger guys to sub-divide into smaller groups.  I have always liked the 3rd generation cars, but I dig the 1st and 2nd just as well.
Since the pictures were taken, I have added emblems on the fenders and the trunk.  Should have her ready by Saturday for a show.  I will post a couple more pictures, just because some folks asked.  Thanks again for all of the support over the years!

[71 RT]

By the way, the plate on the back "1 of 203" refers to the number of 1971 Charger R/T's that were factory painted FC-7 Plum Crazy (according to Galen G.). 

[Brock Samson]

Spendid! BRAVO!