Wait... I can explain!

[72Charger]

Hey everyone, I just want to thank EVERYONE for all the information they have shared.  This is my first post but I have been reading this forum for quite awhile now and would not have been able to do half the stuff Ive done to my car without the help from all of you.

As for the topic... I just wanted to share my pictures of my car and I have to explain that I'm 19 now and I've been working on this car since I was 17.  Before this car I had NO knowledge about cars but this car has been a great teacher. Now try to bear with me because some of these pictures may be alittle graphic for those who have show cars that are 100% perfect and especially to those who do body work for a living. I've tried my best to do everything to the best of my ability and fit in my budget. I have done everything to this car except for welding the exhaust pipes together but everything else has been done in my driveway. Oh, just as a disclaimer, I know that I didn't do the body work like a professional, but it should last me a few years to give me enough time to win the lottery and let a professional do it.

Just check out this link to my webshots site to see what all of you have helped me build http://community.webshots.com/user/1972DODGECHARGER

BTW.. the car was an original 318/904/8 1/4 rear. Brown with tan vinyl top. Tan interior.  Now it is a 440/727/8 3/4 rear(soon).  It's getting painted this week, inferno red with black vinyl top. Black interior.

I'm rebuilding the front end next week i hope and putting a new rearend with new springs outback sometime soon as well.

well check it out and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.... 

[Brock Samson]

   
  great job '72!
I don't know why your so apologetic, the fact that your doing your own work and learning as you go is nothing to be ashamed of, folks are at all levels of this hobby, some folks just write checks, cause they can afford it and/or don't have the time or ability or even the space to deal with a project taking up all their free time and garage...
  some folks, do what they can, (like me) and leave the rest to professionals as their budget allows...
  sounds like a great color and project... and my hats off to you for tackleing such a labor intensive project... you'r learning and that's nothing to be ashamed of,...

  welcome to the site now that your finally posting, if you want some encouragment look at T.O. he did a convert. Caddy Eldo and now he's doing a '68 Charger... i think he's 17 now...
  i saw some of your pics and they look fine, but I don't know anything except what i look up on google..  

[41husk]

You have nothing to apologize for, keewp working, every time you do a job it will get better than the last, My hat is off to you!

[red72chrgr]

Welcome to the site. You've done a fine job workin with what you have. Keep it up and you'll have a good car to cruise in.

[72Charger]

Thanks guys. I was just afraid that guys would see what I've done and tell me I've done it all wrong.  Well its getting painted soon so I'll keep everyone updated. and once again Thanks to EVERYONE!

[terrible one]

Hey man!

I know where you're coming from. I came into the game at age 14 with my grandfather's '76 Cadillac convertable. I had no prior knowledge and just liked cars for the looks. After digging in a bit and finding out it needed an entire restoration, I decided to take it upon myself when my grandfather passed of cancer and willed the car to me. With the help of internet forums (just as this one has done for me with the Charger) and talking to guys around here to help me, I have built the engine myself, helped on the transmission, ran fuel lines and brake lines, replaced the floor, re-wired the car, done the brakes, suspension, steering, interior, etc. And this is not to brag in the least bit, but to say that anything can be learned!

I am now working on my Charger, and unlike the Cadillac it's very rusty. I know how to weld but know very little about bodywork, but I'm learning! The way I see it, if someone thought up how to design it, then you can think up how to fix it and work with it. Even on the budget of a dishwasher the Charger has come a long way, and as I said I can't thank enough the people on this forum. Hell, I'm painting it with Rustoleum! Glad to hear of another younger guy going all out on a car. 

By the way Dave, e-mail me at me s syw ire s@gma il.com (put it together of course, just don't want spam) about that stuff because every time I've tried to PM you I guess it's full.

[dodgecharger-fan]

Looks like you had some nasty SECW to contend with. You did good. No apologies necessary.
Not everyone wants or needs or can do the "perfect" restoration. There's no one perfect way to do everything - except the way that gets you in the car and having fun.
There's pros and cons to every method. Pick one and go.
If you know the downside of the method you choose, you're just making an informed decision.
If you don't, then you've created an opportunity to learn. Hopefully without a lot of cost involved, but a lesson learned is a lesson learned.
In the meantime, you're driving a Dodge Charger!!

Post up pics when you get it back from paint and keep us posted on your progress.




oh, SECW = someone else's crappy work   

[72Charger]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the encouraging words! Just an update on things, the car was painted and here are some pictures.  http://community.webshots.com/user/1972DODGECHARGER It turned out pretty well but I'm at college so I havent seen it up close yet but my dad says its looks real good.

[41husk]

Looks good now go out and enjoy it!

[red72chrgr]

Car looks really good painted  Who did the painting? Most shops I've talked to won't paint a car if they don't get to do the body work too. Enjoy the car!

[T16]

Turn out great 

You should be proud when cruising the streets in that Charger..

[72Charger]

Thanks guys, the car was painted at Maaco for 620 bucks! For my current (non existent) income, it was the best I could do BUT its a driver and I'm gonna drive it....hard!

[bull]

Your car looks a helluva lot better than the '70 I tried to "restore" at the age of 15.

[hemi-hampton]

Did Maaco paint it in Base coat clear coat or Single Stage? Curious? LEON.

[Nacho-RT74]

the tranny linkage bracket bushing is available at tranny stores I think. Dunno remmeber where but I have seen it on web

[72Charger]

hey the paint is a single stage with an integrated clear coat ... but they said it actually turns out better sometimes that way because the base coat - clear coat method sometimes gets a glaze or something like that. I dont know if that is true or not but if the paint will last me a few years until I win that 100 million dollar lottery ticket that I'm planning on buying next time I'm out at the store, then I'm happy.

Nacho, Ill have to look for that linkage bracket bushing. I'm glad there are people like you guys to help people like me. I tried to explain the "In the mopar world, Fan shares the F of Friend" to a ford guy and he couldnt understand.

Thanks everyone
Ben

[hemi-hampton]

You got what they call the Supreme, One step above the Presidential. All this means is that they add clear to the last coat. Typically it gets 3 coats of single stage Western Synthetic Acrylic Enamel. 3 coats for Presidential & the with the Supreme 2 coats no clear & then last & 3rd coat about a 50/50 mix of the paint with clear. This clear has a Yellow tint to it meaning it's only good for Intergrating it, If you try to use this clear as Base Coat Clear coat the yellow in the clear will definatle change & or darken your color, A big NO NO, Especially if you want to match a color or blend. LEON.

[73ChargerSE]

If you're talking about the tranny linkage bushings for the gear selector linkage, you can most definitely get those at a dealer.  If you have an older parts guy there like I did, he knew exactly where it was and I was in and out in 5 minutes

[Nacho-RT74]

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/headline.asp?hid=117AA82503

[2Gunz]

Nice job!!

Looks a helluva lot better then I could do at 19.

Better than alot of folks can do at 49.

Now go DRIVE that thing!!!!!

[Bob]

That looks awesome. I've seen Maco paint jobs look great after 10 years.
Again great job. I see your in Va. What part? I'm in Pa.
Bob

[fastredx]

Hey Kid,do you hire out? I've got this 72 that needs finishing and I'm getting lazy in my old age( I can't even remember 19!!)  Seriously you have done a great job on your Charger and don't let ANYONE tell you differently!! You have a right to be VERY proud of that car and can take pride in the fact that YOU DID IT!! Not many your age and a lot of older guys can say that!! KEEP IT UP!! Ed.