Officially Driving My 68 R/T

[4402tuff4u]

I can finally say that I'm finally driving my 68 Charger. I've had it back home for the past few months and was trying to finish it and juggling my time between family responsibilities and the my two jobs. I have to personally thank Chryco Psyco (Neil) for his generous help in assisting me with building this awesome 440 that propels the Charger through the gears very nicely and smoke the tires at my command (I should say tire - it's a one legged)!! Anyway, the cam was broken in three weeks ago, but I haven't had the time to drive the car. The engine is running a bit on the hot side at 200*, but I've been told that it will cool off a bit once the engine becomes a bit more "broken-in". I had this annoying small leak around the oil pan cause the engine builder installed cork gaskets and with my torquing up the bolts, I pushed the gasket out.
This was actually a positive thing. Since then I have upgraded the gaskets with a steel core type as suggested by Neil and Ron 

I also want to actually thank the whole message board and it's members cause it sure made things allot easier to restore the Charger with each members suggestions, recommendations and basically the "know how". Also thanks to the members here that provided parts - you know who you are, many below market price and some even free - the best kind! .....oh, and also the members here that were in the same stage in the restoration as I was, but manage to complete their Charger before I did - it sure kept the motivation going! Right PT?  

I know the rims have to go, I don't care for them since I day the Charger came home. But I don't have the money to buy rims at this stage, so I'll keep them until I have the bucks to upgrade. The car also came with the original steel rims and hub caps that the Charger rolled out of the factory. I have them in the attic. I have located four correct date coded polished 14" rims and redline tires for this Charger and the guy who has them will sell them to me once I have the $$. I have to make up my mind first. I'm also planning on upgrading the brake system and installing a sure grip rear. I also wanted the black spark plug wires, but I would of had to wait for 4 days and my mechanic was actually waiting for me at his shop to get them wires to him, my bad, I should of planned that one better - they only had red ones!

[4402tuff4u]

Some more...............

[41husk]

Great job! That's a sweet ride.

[NYCMille]

Way to go Mike! The car came out wonderful and you should be proud of all the work that went into it. We definitely have to get together for a cruise in the next couple weeks with the cars, maybe a nice ride out east or something.

Cheers and congrats on finishing your new toy.

Mike

[Hemidog]

That is one sharp '68 
Personally, i liked those wheels.
Congratiulations!

[4402tuff4u]

Way to go Mike! The car came out wonderful and you should be proud of all the work that went into it. We definitely have to get together for a cruise in the next couple weeks with the cars, maybe a nice ride out east or something.

Cheers and congrats on finishing your new toy.

Mike

That's a big 10-4 Mike!! Take a nice cruise to the eastend of LI this fall would be nice!! Be nice to see two 68 R/T moving along on Ocean Parkway! Hey, I met Pete (Autodynamics) where his 69 is being done and that Charger is going to be a killer!! It's going to be an awesome looking masterpiece! He showed me the color and the different details he's going with. I'm exited for him. Can't wait to see it finished!  

[hemi68charger]

Man,,, Mike,,,,, she looks awesome !!!!!!   

Troy

[tan top]

looks awesome dude  ,  black wheels look real good with your color combination 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Great job Mike  she looks sweet

[4402tuff4u]

Thanks for the compliments guys! yes, I've been told that the rims look good with the Charger, but I actually like them better on the Charger when I bought the Charger and was delivered in black prime. The black rims seem to look good on black cars and silver cars too. I also think they would look much better if the tires had larger white lettering - NASCARish if you will.

I wonder if the spark plug wires would take paint well if I decide to paint them. Wires were to expensive to replace just because of color!! Oh, yes that battery will go as soon as I have the $$ to replace it with Mopar red top type.

[PocketThunder]

Right!    I think you caught up and passed me actually.  My 68 took a back seat to my house addition right after i got it running back in June.  I've still got a punch list of thing to finish up.  But i can drive it for now.  its just not "wife" ready yet.  hehe

But damn dude. your 68 is top notch   And i agree with you on the wheels, they look good on black, silver and white cars.

Paul
in St. Paul

PS: that tinted side glass looks nice 

[4402tuff4u]

Right!    I think you caught up and passed me actually.  My 68 took a back seat to my house addition right after i got it running back in June.  I've still got a punch list of thing to finish up.  But i can drive it for now.  its just not "wife" ready yet.  hehe

But damn dude. your 68 is top notch   And i agree with you on the wheels, they look good on black, silver and white cars.

Paul
in St. Paul

PS: that tinted side glass looks nice 

Thanks for your help Paul and glass! Now I can see whom I'm flying by!!      I now have to re-route the spark plug wires through the engine compartment the way they are supposed to be.

[Charger_Fan]

Congratulations Mike, that's gotta be a pretty damned great feeling cruising around in that beauty.

Have you caused any wrecks yet from people rubber necking as you go by?

[Brock Samson]

awsome looking R/T why dont you work a trade with someone regarding the wheels?... what kind you invisioning?..

i see you got the rare rear seat paper towel option... 
nice ride man really really nice, you aint got far to go now if the wheels plug wires and battery are all you got to worry 'bout.. 

[Manfred318]

Beau-ti-ful!!!
P.S. Those wheels actually look rather nice on there.

[OttawaCharger]

Congratulations!
That is one sharp looking 68! 

[472 R/T SE]

Looks great.  I really like the color combo.  How 'bout some magnums?  Here's a pic I stole from Troy's thread.

[4402tuff4u]

Looks great.  I really like the color combo.  How 'bout some magnums?  Here's a pic I stole from Troy's thread.

Now those are nice wheels!!!  I think that's what the 68's rims suppose to look like. I believe those are the rims my friend has ready for me. He has to email me the photo's. Nice Charger too! Love that color, oh! same as mine 

yes there are always little few details to finish up. I also want to install new the backside piece of the bucket seats. The ones I have on now are the originals and the cardboard is kind of bent. I have a signature and number of someone on the driver side one. I wonder if it was the assembler or the inspector. Yes Strat! you know you have to carry the roll of paper towel for the unexpected smear or bird caca falling from the sky!

[JW69]

4402tuff4u thats one nice looking 68, it really needs 15x8 magnums to finish it off.

[cudacharger]

Just Awesome!  Very nice 68 r/t

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Please NO paper towels on the paint!!!!  Especially on a dark color like yours......can you say scratch city?

Only 100% USA cotton!!!

[Beep Beep Dave]

Wow that car looks great. I agree the chrome magnums would look great!
Dave

[BigBlockSam]

sweeeeeeeeeeet car! you did a hell of a job.   

enjoy her now. Rene

[69 OUR/TEA]

looking good!!!!

[Charger Aficionado]

OUTSTANDING.  Color is excellent.  I think the rims make it look MEAN, but I also thing the Magnums are a beautifier.  Great job!

[Chris G.]

WOW Mike, the ride looks amazing!!    I know you have been waiting for this day for quite some time now. There's no excuses for Carlisle now buddy.    Quality Inn in Carlisle...make your reservations today. 

Really great color. Get a correct battery and I will like it even more. 

[blackcharger]

4402tuff4u thats one nice looking 68, it really needs 15x8 magnums to finish it off.

or a nice set of Cragar SS. Looks awsome, now drive the wheels off of it.

[694spdRT]

Beautiful car!  

Congratulations!  

[Dave22443]

Very nice job Mike!

When you decide to dump those wheels, can I have first dibs on them?  I'm building a car for my son and I think those would work really well on it for what I have in mind.  We're in no hurry, so take your time.  Oh, and feel free to burn the rubber off'em.  I only want the wheels   

[Dennis K]

Looks great! Mine is going to be the same color, hopefully soon. I was just wondering to myself what it would look like if I were to put a white bumblebee stripe on it instead of the black that it's coded for, now I know. It looks really cool. Is yours coded for a white stripe? I'm also going to put Magnum 500 wheels on it, or torque thrust Ds, I haven't decided yet, but it definitely won't be body colored rims with dog dish hub caps, even though that's what it probably came with from the factory.

[Silver R/T]

Charger looks nice!

[8WHEELER]

Great job on the resto    that is beautiful for sure. I have to admit I would put a set of Magnums on it myself.

Oh and you need one of these for the new 440     both tires    keep up the good work.

Dan

[Red Ram]

Beautiful car! Great color.

[4402tuff4u]

Looks great! Mine is going to be the same color, hopefully soon. I was just wondering to myself what it would look like if I were to put a white bumblebee stripe on it instead of the black that it's coded for, now I know. It looks really cool. Is yours coded for a white stripe? I'm also going to put Magnum 500 wheels on it, or torque thrust Ds, I haven't decided yet, but it definitely won't be body colored rims with dog dish hub caps, even though that's what it probably came with from the factory.

It's a stripe delete Charger R/T and that's why I went with the decals, so they can be more easily removed if need be. I went with the white stripes cause I think the black stripe get lost with the black vinyl top and that particular bronze color. My steele rims from factory were black with the dog dish hub caps. I had my body guy paint them bronze. I can always paint them black at home easier than the bronze color. I have them in storage in case I ever want to change the look.

I've always wondered why would someone order an R/T without the stripes (I can see the reason on a 69) and without a sure grip rear end!! I know it has to do with $$$, but man the extra $ 100 a month, I would think it would be worth it!! just my two cents.

[4402tuff4u]

WOW Mike, the ride looks amazing!!    I know you have been waiting for this day for quite some time now. There's no excuses for Carlisle now buddy.    Quality Inn in Carlisle...make your reservations today. 

Really great color. Get a correct battery and I will like it even more. 

I'm planing on going! I have some time to buy the rims, possibly different plug wires and the battery!

thanks guys for the compliments!

[Shakey]

Beautiful Mike - well done!   

These types of threads (finished car) are rare around here.  Pat yourself on the back.   

[autodynamics]

my car has some paint on it ....... looking killa should have it back within a week or so

[autodynamics]

another one its hard to tell the color but if you look near the shock tower u can tell .... 4402tuff, if u wanna stop by let me know and we can take a look and you can tell me what u think.

[4402tuff4u]

Definetly Pete!! I want to see it how she's coming along. Maybe Friday or next time you are heading out there give me a call. That's a killer Charger in the making my friends! 

[Brock Samson]

yeah know,..  those wheels n tires might be just what i need on the BSG,..
still got em?..

[autodynamics]

what wheesl?

[4402tuff4u]

what wheesl?

Strat is talking about my steelie's that I want to get rid of.

[Brock Samson]

lotta bucks from the right coast to the left though,..
hey Tootuff,.. move closer...