Just got my Rusted/Trash to my house from sitting at the in-laws

[4402tuff4u]

Yeah I have thought of those guys, they are about 3 1/2 hours north of me.  4402tuff4u, when you say pricey, how pricey?  I think I can talk the wife into a few hundred, a little under $1,000 but anything over that and I'd have a fight, litterally 

I purchased a complete set of trim for rear window on a 68 Charger, two door handles (black buttons), two very good shape ashtrays, high beam/low beam switch, two "C" chrome trim for tail panel, some misc. bolts and screws - all for $ 100.00 Built sheet I found on a rear seat for a RR was on the house!
I really did'nt have time to squeeze the guy down in price, but everything I got, was in excallent condition, just dirty. The dessert evironment sure keeps things in good shape. I tell you those Charger's were in good condition for what I could see. Go there and offer them what you think a car is worth.....tell them I'll give you $ 400 for the whole car and you'll load it yourself on a flat bed or trailer with a come along. If you do that, you could come out out of there with many bonus parts!!! Dashboard, lids, fenders, etc... On the other hand, what you dont need, you sell. Go there and make an offer! The only thing you got to loose is gas and time.

[AirborneSilva]

Yeah I have thought of those guys, they are about 3 1/2 hours north of me.  4402tuff4u, when you say pricey, how pricey?  I think I can talk the wife into a few hundred, a little under $1,000 but anything over that and I'd have a fight, litterally 

I purchased a complete set of trim for rear window on a 68 Charger, two door handles (black buttons), two very good shape ashtrays, high beam/low beam switch, two "C" chrome trim for tail panel, some misc. bolts and screws - all for $ 100.00 Built sheet I found on a rear seat for a RR was on the house!
I really did'nt have time to squeeze the guy down in price, but everything I got, was in excallent condition, just dirty. The dessert evironment sure keeps things in good shape. I tell you those Charger's were in good condition for what I could see. Go there and offer them what you think a car is worth.....tell them I'll give you $ 400 for the whole car and you'll load it yourself on a flat bed or trailer with a come along. If you do that, you could come out out of there with many bonus parts!!! Dashboard, lids, fenders, etc... On the other hand, what you dont need, you sell. Go there and make an offer! The only thing you got to loose is gas and time.

Thanks, if I could get a parts car outta them for $400 bucks I would be estatic!!  I think I will see if the commander in cheif wants to go for a road trip (or wouldn't mind letting me go for the day)....

[4402tuff4u]

Start low until you reach your limit. At that point if they don't move, tell them that you need a donor car and you've come from out of state because you heard they were good people to deal with.  Good luck I hope things work out for you, would like to see that Charger saved!

[Orange_Crush]

These are the best guys I've found yet for frame rails

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-70-CHARGER-GTX-B-BODY-P-S-FULL-REAR-FRAME-RAIL-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQihZ002QQitemZ4627743717QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

The best price and they're cleaned and blasted when you get 'em.

But lets be honest here.

The car is a total loss.  It CAN be restored, but, realistically, you're gonna spend 2X more than a similar charger in good shape.  The shop that's doing my Charger recently did a duster for someone, they did some minor rust repair and paint to a disassembled body and then delivered it to the owner as a bare shell for him to put together.  Total charge was 17,000 bucks...yep, thats a 17 with three zeros.  and this shop's hourly rate is half the price of most shops.

I would say that by the time your car is done, you'll be AT LEAST 40 thousand dollars into it.

Part the car for whatever you can get for it and find another one.  I hate it for you, but restoring this car will just be another very costly mistake.

[Mikesmopars01]

That is three(000) reasons right there to attempt the welding yourself.  Do as much as you can to get it done.  I welded in my floor pans and it was not that hard.  It will save you a lot of money in the long run.

[PocketThunder]

I would say that by the time your car is done, you'll be AT LEAST 40 thousand dollars into it.

i am nearing completion on almost the same amount of work with my 68 and i just broke the $20,000 barrier this week and its still not on the road.  And i did everything myself except for the $5000 maaco paint job. (paint and mud work only, i did all metal work).  Now in hind sight, could i have just bought a nice Charger for $20,000 two years ago? yes, would i have, no, because i didnt have $20k then nor do i now.

i guess if you have patience and a little money here and there, i'd say get the rear end welded up so that its stable and get it running and drive it as is....  Dont spend 3, 4, 5 years working on it to finally drive it some day, it will only make you hate the car and then you might sell it down the road with more money into it and you still wont be able to drive it.  Spend $1000 on a running drive train and get it going on the road.  

[sharpspike]

hey airborne.

when you go to  Desert Valley Parts keep in mind " re-body " when your looking at the charger bodies. i dont remember if you got the fender tag with the car, but that might be a better and cheaper way to go if you can get one with better rails, why cut them off and weld them back on. replacing the frame would be the trickest part of your repair, next would be quarters, floor pans pretty easy. so if you can get lucky try to find one you can strip parts off your hlpag to complete. something to think about.

ok guys, i know " re-body " can be a naughty word, but i think airborne should get a pass on this one if he can get lucky.

good luck bud, wish you lived closer so i could help.

[dodgecharger-fan]

Now in hind sight, could i have just bought a nice Charger for $20,000 two years ago? yes, would i have, no, because i didnt have $20k then nor do i now.

Same here. Besides, I'd probably want to tear it apart and check for rust anyway. Now, I know exactly what's in it.

i guess if you have patience and a little money here and there, i'd say get the rear end welded up so that its stable and get it running and drive it as is....  Dont spend 3, 4, 5 years working on it to finally drive it some day, it will only make you hate the car and then you might sell it down the road with more money into it and you still wont be able to drive it.  Spend $1000 on a running drive train and get it going on the road. 

Hmmm. I'm in my 4th year with this thing now... haven't really touched it in a year.

BACK OFF! It' snot for sale!

minor rust repair and paint to a disassembled body and then delivered it to the owner as a bare shell for him to put together.  Total charge was 17,000 bucks...

Youch! I got a lot more (I think) done for 6000 less (and in Canadian dollars).
Major rust repair.
both rear frame rails.
trunk pan and extensions
quarter skins
rear cross member
rear valence and end caps
front right fram rail
both front floor pans
some rocker work
some major dent repair


I got it back in primer, though. That suited my plans at the time. Now, I wish I had put the extra bucks into it to get into paint.



Airborne, I promised you some fender lower patch panels. I still have them and they're still your if and when you need them.

I know I will have some other spare parts, too. I just don't know what yet.

[Charger Aficionado]

How far are you from Vegas?  I sold the Mgr. of THE Large Ford Dealership's bodyshop there a bunch of Chargers/Hulls and he said he had a big collection...  I believe his name was Mike Lucas. 

[Charger Aficionado]

Youch! I got a lot more (I think) done for 6000 less (and in Canadian dollars).

Yeah but you Canadians are used to some rust no?

[Highbanked Hauler]

 If you noticed the two blue cars in the center of the picture have had the trunk floor and rails cut out.You need the same thing and I am quite sure a 4 door car has the same floor as a 2 door.If you get a one peice floor it is easier to get it aligned to the rest of the body than if  you do it in peices

[dodgecharger-fan]

Youch! I got a lot more (I think) done for 6000 less (and in Canadian dollars).

Yeah but you Canadians are used to some rust no?

True that. However, the car was from Hartford, Conne... oh, nevermind. Same issue, different coordinates. 

[AirborneSilva]

These are the best guys I've found yet for frame rails

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-70-CHARGER-GTX-B-BODY-P-S-FULL-REAR-FRAME-RAIL-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQihZ002QQitemZ4627743717QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

The best price and they're cleaned and blasted when you get 'em.

But lets be honest here.

The car is a total loss.  It CAN be restored, but, realistically, you're gonna spend 2X more than a similar charger in good shape.  The shop that's doing my Charger recently did a duster for someone, they did some minor rust repair and paint to a disassembled body and then delivered it to the owner as a bare shell for him to put together.  Total charge was 17,000 bucks...yep, thats a 17 with three zeros.  and this shop's hourly rate is half the price of most shops.

I would say that by the time your car is done, you'll be AT LEAST 40 thousand dollars into it.

Part the car for whatever you can get for it and find another one.  I hate it for you, but restoring this car will just be another very costly mistake.

I will be doing all the welding myself.  I do hear what you are saying but the cost of the parts will be my only outlay since I plan to do all the work myself.  I know I will still have a good deal of money into it which is why I would dearly love to find a donor car, that would save me a bundle.

[bull]

So you either spend $40k fixing the one you have or $35k on one that's finished. At least you'll know what's been done to the $40k car.

[AirborneSilva]

So you either spend $40k fixing the one you have or $35k on one that's finished. At least you'll know what's been done to the $40k car.

That has entered into my thinking, also the fact that by the time I'm finished with it the way prices are going on our chargers it will be worth well over the $40k mark...

[AirborneSilva]

Well I about have the commander in cheif (wife), talked into letting me have the money for a donor car, keep happy thoughts for me guys 

[dkn1997]

Hey man, I know you probably dont want to hear this, but get out while you can.  It sounds like you are like most of us, meaning you lack the skill to completely repair this car yourself.  from what you said, you also lack the money to pay someone to do it.  I would part this car out, take the cash, plus the cash your wife said you could use for a donor, and start out with something better.  look for a car, when you find one, get someone from the site here to help you look at it.

in my opinion, that car is too far gone for the average guy to save without bending over and emptying his wallet completely.  leave that one for the experts.   

you could probably have a decent driver for 15k whether you bought one outright for that much, or started with a much more solid donor and slowly put some cash into it.

I know you have a lot of money into this already, but what's the sense of throwing good money after bad?  you can still recoup some of your money from this car, probably not what you paid, but it would not be a total loss.  again, I agree that the car is probably saveable, but for guys like us, who are not welders/fabricators and who don't have unlimited funds, it's just too rough.

[AirborneSilva]

Hey man, I know you probably dont want to hear this, but get out while you can.  It sounds like you are like most of us, meaning you lack the skill to completely repair this car yourself.  from what you said, you also lack the money to pay someone to do it.  I would part this car out, take the cash, plus the cash your wife said you could use for a donor, and start out with something better.  look for a car, when you find one, get someone from the site here to help you look at it.

in my opinion, that car is too far gone for the average guy to save without bending over and emptying his wallet completely.  leave that one for the experts.   

you could probably have a decent driver for 15k whether you bought one outright for that much, or started with a much more solid donor and slowly put some cash into it.

I know you have a lot of money into this already, but what's the sense of throwing good money after bad?  you can still recoup some of your money from this car, probably not what you paid, but it would not be a total loss.  again, I agree that the car is probably saveable, but for guys like us, who are not welders/fabricators and who don't have unlimited funds, it's just too rough.

I hear what you are saying, BUT, I do know how to weld and I do know someting about fabrication since I do a bit of that for my jeep (and have done some fabrication for others jeeps too).  I will be doing all the work myself and know a guy who is in the 4 wheel club I belong to who onws a body shop and has told me that he will help to answer any questions I may have and will come over to give me direction at whatever stage I may be in at the time (but I will also be asking questions from guys like Doc too since they have done quite a few chargers).  As I see it, and I could really F*ck the whole thing up but doubt it, I will be putting out money for parts then there is my labor which it will be a labor of love so I personally don't count that (and yes I know my time is valuable and has a price but it goes back to the labor of love thing).  I know you and others don't want to see me get in over my head and I appreciate that, but if I do the work myself (and I will), I just don't see it happening. 

[73 Charger 440]

I havent posted here much since the old site, some guys (Troy, Nacho) should remember me from back then.

If I can give you some advice. Dont tackle the whole car at once... Seperate it into projects (for example: rear metal, floor pans, drivetrain, interior, exterior) as obvious as it may seem - dont move onto the next project until the current is done.

I would start with the metal work and go from there...

Some of the guys brought up how much it is going to cost etc... Set a budget and try to be realistic, do you want a show wining car or do you want something that looks pretty good and is fun to drive?

[dkn1997]

hey silva.  I totally respect what you are setting out to do, though.  I started with a pretty good solid car, did all the work except the bodywork myself, and it was still a  chore staying fired up and motivated to finish.  Me and the other guys who are saying to get out now just don't want to see you get in over your head.

with that said, I totally wish you the best of luck and wish for the hlpag scumbags to burn in hell for what they did to you.  I suppose the best way for you to get back at them would be to make that car beautiful once more!!

[AirborneSilva]

Thanks guys, 73 Charger 440 great advice - thank you.  I will try to keep focused and not get a head of myself or the current project.

dkn1997, yeah I know there will be times when I don't even want to look at it but I am pretty self motivated so hopefully I can keep myself on track.  I know I will not lose interest, I have wanted another charger since I sold mine when I was in the Army, a very long time ago!

My plan for the car - I know it will never give Chris a run for his money, well I don't think with me doing the work it would, I do however want to make it a head turner and with a 440 in it make it fun as hell to drive.  I do want to build it as factory correct as I can but may add some things that it didn't get from the factory - like A/C.

[bullit68]

hi silva.my advise to you,if you are going to go ahead with it,is to get a parts car.factory parts are a lot easier to fit than crappy reproduction parts.btw you dont have to have a charger for a parts car.any 68-69 2 dr OR 4dr have the same floor pans.be it a satelite,belvedere,coronet etc.thay all have the same frame and floor sections.it should be a lot easier and cheaper to find one of those for parts,especially in az.just drill out all of the factory spot welds along the perimeter of the floor(leaving the frame attached),then reweld it to the charger upper body shell.i think that would be the easiest and most economical way to go,just very labor intensive.use a spot weld drill bit to do this.it can and has been done before.good luck.

[SeattleCharger]

Anyone looked at chargers on ebay lately?  I was surprised at the number of '68's in the 4-7K price range, what is going on?  They weren't perfect of course, but they weren't that bad to start with, I don't know if maybe the bidding had just started maybe, I am not that familiar with ebay, perhaps they sold for a lot more than when I saw them.     Maybe might be worth it to spend the money on a better car to start with, might save money overall in the long run.  I don't know.  Good luck whatever you do.