Advice on buying and restoring a Dodge Charger

[Sabre]

 Hi,

I am hoping within the next couple of years, (after getting my degree) I will have a good paying job that will enable me to purchase and customize my dream car, a 1969 Dodge Charger.  I love the 68-70 Chargers, they are beautiful cars.  I've loved the Charger since I was a little kid watching the Dukes of Hazzard, Diry Mary Crazy Larry, Bullit etc.  My room is filled with Dodge Charger merchandise.

I need some advice from you guys though.  I have a few questions concerning my future project.

I should first explain my plan.  I've seen episodes of "Rides" "Overhaulin" and "Wrecks to Riches".   I really enjoy those cars.  I like the "Super Muscle car" theme, classic muscle with 21 century tech.

I want a 1969 Dodge Charger, particularly a non R/T model. 

I want the car to at least run under its own power, and have very little to no rust problems.  Yet I don't want a car that's been restored. 

My automotive skills are lacking.  I can do the basics, change oil, tires, spark plugs etc.  When it comes to body work, painting, installing motors etc I have no skills in that area or the equipment/facility to do it.

Since I have no skills when it comes to restoring cars I am obvisously going to have to have professionals do the metal work, paint, engine, trans, etc.  That means..$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I want the car to handle well.  I once drove a Chevy II with drum brakes .  I realize that classic muscle cars don't handle as well as todays cars.  So that means more $$$$$$$ on getting the car upgraded with 21st century safety gear.  Upgrades such as disc brakes, sway bars etc.

Next will be the motor, I'm thinking along the lines of 500-700 horsepower.

Custom paint scheme

Rims

Interior I could care less about, just give me a seat to sit in and a basic dash and I'm happy.  It's the rest of the car I want customized.

Now onto my questions....

-Where is the best place to buy a Dodge Charger?  Don't worry I know all about HLPAG so I will never buy from them.  I know many people say look around locally.  With Delaware it's a bit harder to find classic muscle.  Delaware is such a small state and in my 27 years on this earth I've only sean 15 Chargers here.  One 1970 and 14 1969's (no 1968's)

-Since I live in Delaware does anyone knows where I can get info on car restoration shops in the area?  Is there a website that shows car restoration shops in each state?

-What experience have you guys had with having pros restore you car?  Parts and labor costs/time etc?

-I know that this will be pretty expensive but this is what I want.  Once I finish college with my degree I'll be able to have a job that will allow me to achieve this goal.

Thanks

[41husk]

My advice would be pay the 25k-40k to get a turn key car, it will save you money in the long run.  If you have to pay to get everything done your project will easily reach the 50-100k range even with a good project.  Just my 

[Zentelis]

Other places to find Chargers:
cars-for-sale forum on this site, ebay, traderonline, car shows, and networking. You'll establish networking at the car shows. Come to Chryslers at Carlisle (PA) and talk to folks. You'll learn more than you ever bargained for And you may even find a car you want.

oh, and barret-jackson if you get a REALLY awesome job (like CEO of microsoft)


I also recommend against getting a basket-case. I bought a running, partially-restored '68 4 years ago..it's still not finished because I'm a college student.
And even now, with a great job, it's not done and probably won't be for years to come.
I wanted something I could do a little restoration to, so I could learn something..but I simply don't have the time for it..try not to fall into that category You'll be miserable

But, whatever you decide to do, good luck And have patience..you're Charger will come

[AKcharger]

I agree with husk, get a completed car. Rust free, drivable Chargers just needing paint/interior/engine have been bought up by "flippers" long ago  and sold for a quick profit. Yes, there are still some out there I guess but you'll have better luck winning the lottery then "stumbling" across one.

One thing you never hear people talk about is TIME. There are people here on this forum who have had their Chargers for 7+ years and are STILL restoring them and have yet to drive them. Also just because you take it to a shop don't think it will be done right away. If it's a body shop that does restorations too you are assured your car will go to the back of the shop and be worked on "when they have time" which translates into about a year or two. If you have the money to bring it to a shop that ONLY does restorations they'll get it done sooner...but then you'll be on a waiting list to get it in (at least for the good ones)

Also if your not real mechanically savvy a restoration might not be smart. Even with a shop doing the work there are still "bugs" you'll have to deal with, remember these things have had almost 40 years to be molested, butchered and hacked you never know what you'll find or what will go wrong next.

Now the good side is it is a Ball driving one, turns heads where ever you go and if you go to a local show with hundreds of cameros/mustangs/chevelles you be sure to be the only Charger there...nice feeling.

BTW I did my own restoration, The restoration consumed 14 months and $15K and that with ME and Friends doing all the work!!!

Good Luck!

[Skued]

Let me guess you where looking for a broadcast sheet and found that instead... J/J

Steve

[70 Charger RT]

I found my 69 on craigslist.com.  It was a great deal after a few emails back and forth.  I just picked it up a few weeks ago.  If you go to crazedlist.org, you can do a global craigslist search.

[Chatt69chgr]

I agree with 41 Husk.  What you are talking about is buying a real nice body and completely replacing the drivetrain, brake system, instrumentation, ac/heater, and interior.  This assumes that everything is there otherwise----grille, taillights, all trim, etc.  And then hiring a shop to sort it all out and put it all together.  A local resto shop here gets $25/hour.  That's $200/day.  Not sure what they get in Delaware.  There is literally hours of detective work chasing parts which you would have to do.  Parts that seem to be disappearing as we speak----and I mean stuff that you used to be able to buy with no problem.  Unless you enjoy this sort of thing, you would be much better off buying a completed car.  I bet there are members on here that live in your area that would be more than happy to look at any cars you run across and help you evaluate them.  Just takes money and lots of it.  Live like a hermit for a year and save every dime.  Start your search as soon as you get your job.  You might actually run across a deal.  Stranger things have happened.  And don't buy a new car.  Drive a used car to save money for the Charger.  If you want one bad enough, you will make the necessary sacrifices to get one.  Unfortunately, they are rapidly escalating in price but for $30 to $40k you should be able to find a nice car.  Are you sure you want one of these and not a new Challenger?  Two years from now would probably be the perfect time to get one of those.  They come out next year and that would give a year for the dust to settle and the new to wear off.  Will probably be some deals by then.  Good luck.

[moparguy01]

-Since I live in Delaware does anyone knows where I can get info on car restoration shops in the area?  Is there a website that shows car restoration shops in each state?

I have a good friend I went to college with for automotive restoration who is moving back up to New Jersey. I think thats relatively close to where you would be. he'll be there I think this coming fall and he does excellent work.  I also used to work for him.

-What experience have you guys had with having pros restore you car?  Parts and labor costs/time etc?[/b]

I am one of the pros who restores peoples cars. if there is alot of sheet metal work needed, plus doing paint and bodywork and interior, its not unheard of to hit 500-600 hours. and our rate is 47 an hour. bear in mind this is LABOR only on pretty much a complete restoration. parts is another thing which can get expensive. you can easily drop 20-30 grand on parts alone. add that to labor and you get an idea. now this is a complete restoration. new drivetrain (original stuff rebuilt) a real straight body with real nice paint, new interior, new glass, etc. It is more or less a completely new car when we're done. unfortunately it can easily cost as much as a new car. You can also do it in parts however, just to not have to spend as much money up front as doing it entirely.

With this in mind i tell you this, Buy the BEST car you can afford. Dont buy a turd that needs everything because you can save 5 grand. if it is between buying a nice driver for 15-20k or a rough non running car for 8-10k like ive seen some sell for, I'd wait until i can spend the 15-20k.

I hope this helps some. feel free to PM me with other questions if you would like.

[h76]

Buy something you can enjoy right away.If you have to spend a lot of money for a car-you might as well be able to enjoy it right away!

[chargerboy69]

My advice would be pay the 25k-40k to get a turn key car, it will save you money in the long run.  If you have to pay to get everything done your project will easily reach the 50-100k range even with a good project.  Just my 

I agree. Buy something done already. It will save you in the long run since you can not do the work yourself. My best friend just had his Charger painted. The body was done already. The paint job alone was $5000.00. And that is cheep for a show paint job. I had quotes to paint my car, paint only, no body work, just paint for up to $12000.00. That was for a standered show quality black paint job. I ended up taking it to a guy I know for $5000.00. And I did all the body work and frame rail work myself. If I would have had the body shop do it all, my bill would have been around $20,000.00.

[Back N Black]

I agree with buying a complete turn key car for 40 grand,but the seller must have lots of pics and receipts of the restoration and a link to the shop that did the work. It might look good,but you don't want to end up with a bondo buggy.
Thats why i started from scratch,at least i know what i got and its done to my standards,Oh! yeah i don't have 30-40 G to buy one.

[JimShine]

Great advice above. You will not save money paying to have a car restored. A turn key car is by far the better deal.

[moparjohn]

Hey Jim, nice photo! I am to the right just off camera!

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

I have to agree also. It is much better to buy a car that has already been restored or mostly restored and the owner possibly lost interest and only needs a few things finished. Will save you thousands in the long run.

[Brock Samson]

these cars arn't affordable projects anymore so i'd have to agree with the above comments,.  ie: prepare to spend more cash up front to get a better car is also my suggestion.. a year or so ago i was thinking 8 - 10 k for a good project today it's more than $ 15!

[JimShine]

Hey Jim, nice photo! I am to the right just off camera!

Cool! That is my brother next to John. Ya know, John and I spent lots of time talking about how great your car looks. It kept coming up. It ended up in some video we shot as well.

[AKcharger]

Let me guess you where looking for a broadcast sheet and found that instead... J/J

Steve

LOL ...the things you find in old cars!

[Finoke]

Well, I have to agree with the Delaware part. I live in Delaware and there are not to many mopar sitings. I"ve been back in the hobby about 10 years and I still only know of a couple dozen cars. And of them, only 5 Chargers (All not for sale).

I'm North of Wilmington. Feel free to email if you ever need any advice. I've restored 5 mopars over the years. I'm pretty good at evaluating cars, if you end up looking at one locally.

Its hard buying your first one. Only experience helps you to know when to pass up one and when to buy one in a hurry!

Tom
Sunocchio@comcast.net

[Charger-Bodie]

dont be afraid to pay a little xtra for a good one it will be cheaper in the long run , and take someone who knows what there looking at with cause even if you know what to look for its sometimes hard to see what it really looks like when youre excited to get a charger take youre time and find a good car .....by the way its getting harder and harder to find a good one so be carful and good luck

[Shakey]

Here is a link to a fellow that has company that deals in Mopar parts that is in Delaware.

Contact him and see if he knows of any cars for sale and who he would recomend to do the restoration.

http://tonysparts.com/

Good luck.

[JMF]

Agreed, get one that is already finished, I too am not that mechanically minded so getting one that needs little to no work was a must for me, if you buy a project it will cost you more in the long run and it will probably be off the road for a good few years

[Sabre]

Well, I have to agree with the Delaware part. I live in Delaware and there are not to many mopar sitings. I"ve been back in the hobby about 10 years and I still only know of a couple dozen cars. And of them, only 5 Chargers (All not for sale).

I'm North of Wilmington. Feel free to email if you ever need any advice. I've restored 5 mopars over the years. I'm pretty good at evaluating cars, if you end up looking at one locally.

Its hard buying your first one. Only experience helps you to know when to pass up one and when to buy one in a hurry!

Tom
Sunocchio@comcast.net

I live about 12 mins south west of Lewes

Thanks for the offer

[Sabre]

Thanks to everyone who replied.  The advice you gave has definitely helped.

[Brock Samson]

PS: I wouldn't want one that was "Finished" I'd look for one that was in the prossess of being restored but where the owner had to recoup some of hi investment in the paint prep or in other words one YOU can finish...
I see them on e-pray once inna a while ussually saying all the parts are there,.. but who knows? cause when ya buy someone's project ya inherit their problems too.
be careful but i'd wait for one that was ready for primer.
So welcome! your in the right place.
  Good luck!
Just wait till your ready to turn the key...
oh what a feeling!