Re: Restoration of my B5 Blue 4Spd Charger 500... Blue Thunder debuts...Finally!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Wow, reply #600... didn't we just have #500... 

Look on the bright side though Allen. Come the Talladega Meet in '09 you will be there with the 500, and I'll be the one asking you if I can go for a ride. However if by the slim chance that the car isn't done by then, you are more than welcome to go for a spin in my car anytime you want.

Sounds like you have more faith in my ability to meet a deadline than I do based on my restoration track record... BUT, I'm gonna try to be there with the car! 

Allen

[69_500]

I held out until someone else posted the #600 too. I'm going to steal number #1,000 though when it comes to that. And on a side note, this is now one of the 10 most posted on threads on the forum.

Ah you'll meet the deadline of fall of 2009, I have that much faith in you. Oh wait, I did make a side note in the last post as well, about if you weren't done by then your more than welcome to take my car out for a spin at that show. Just show up, and you can take it out all you want.



Only thing is mine isn't a 4 speed, so it won't be as much fun. OH and its red, not blue.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I held out until someone else posted the #600 too. I'm going to steal number #1,000 though when it comes to that. And on a side note, this is now one of the 10 most posted on threads on the forum.

Go for the #1,000 Danny... 

I did not know about the thread making the top 10 in replies... kinda scary seeing as the C500 had only reached the point of being media blasted!

Ah you'll meet the deadline of fall of 2009, I have that much faith in you. Oh wait, I did make a side note in the last post as well, about if you weren't done by then your more than welcome to take my car out for a spin at that show. Just show up, and you can take it out all you want.



Only thing is mine isn't a 4 speed, so it won't be as much fun. OH and its red, not blue.

Thanks for the offer Danny... 4-Speed/Automatic... B5 Blue/R4 Red... they are all good!

After all, I probably contracted "Aero Car Fever" from that ride in your C500 at the Monster Mopar Show...

Allen

[69_500]

Glad to be of service. I'm definately glad that you came up to the show, and got the time to talk to you in person. I had no idea who you were though when you came over to the table at Rich's house. I was sitting there looking at the photo album, and making a comment on how I recognized the 500 and the Daytona in the photo's. Then you said "Those are my cars" 

I got the Aero Fever many many many moons ago (okay so probably not as many moons ago as you did), from riding in the cars of my dad. I will never forget those rides from my childhood, and I definatley think that my son has already got the "Aero Fever". Its bad, its definately spreading through the generations of Liebrandt's, and I don't think it can be stopped.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I received an email today from Doug saying that the Charger 500 can be picked up tomorrow... 

More pictures received today... hood & rear window plug

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Deck lid, doors, & fenders... the driver's side fender had more damage than I expected... I'll see what Joe says about it.

I am not sure if I have a better driver's side fender on hand...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Front valance & grille/latch support...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

The Charger 500 was returned to the paint & body shop where I am having the restoration work done this week.  The plastic media blasting work was expertly done, and I am very pleased with the results! 

The media work was done by Doug's Auto Craft in Irving, Texas (near Dallas)... here are links to their websites:

http://www.dacmediablasting.com

http://www.dougsautocraft.com

Here are a few pictures of the C500 ready to be picked up and returned to the body shop...

Allen

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Back at the body shop...

While resizing these pictures, I found what appears to be the letter "P" on the floorboard in the area near the passenger side rear wheelhouse... I will have a better look next time I am at the shop...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I had a better look at the POS "Authentic Restoration" wheelhouse that Goodmark Industries sold me...     

Have a look at the close-up pictures below showing the 1/2 or greater mis-match... one of several major problems with this BTN (Better Than Nothing) part... maybe actually a BBTN... Barely Better Than Nothing waste of sheetmetal

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Here is Joe removing the used wheelhousing that will replace the Goodmark POS... note the much wider forward mounting flange with a tooling alignment hole.  The Goodmark  "repro" part has a narrow constant width flange with no tooling hole... ANOTHER major flaw!!!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Now for some better news... the first Auto Metal Direct reproduction part arrive this week.  The one-piece trunk floor seems to be an excellent part, but the final test will be how it fits in several weeks or so.  However, a CLOSE inspection revealed nothing but good news!  The trunk floor seems to have all of the tiny attaching flanges, and even the body plug holes are pre-cut.  IN FACT, even the screw attaching holes for the fuel filler seal are in the part!!! 

Another pleasant surprise was the metal guage (thickness) seemed correct... or very near at least.  The trunk floor even seemed to have been deburred so you don't slice up your hands by handling the part.

So far, looks great AMD!!!   

Allen

[moparstuart]

looks really nice allen

[Magnumcharger]

You know....if it is at all possible, it would be a great idea to see if the shop you're using could actually use a real resistance spot welder (like the factory did) to put that trunk floor panel in.
You have access from the side to install this trunk panel while the rear quarterpanels are off of the car.

(The above is for the benefit of those people who posted below, wondering how to get that panel in through the trunk opening).

Oh yes, and the end resultant appearance would be totally authentic.

Just a thought.

[69_500]

Ah see what happens when I leave for a day. Allen goes and has progress made on his car. Maybe I need to make more trips out of town, and stay off of here for a couple of days and the car would be finished. 


That trunk floor des look really nice though.  Wonder how it fits?

[69 OUR/TEA]

Looking good Allen,please do some follow up pics with the trunk floor install.Won't this only fit going in thru the tail panel?

[BigBlockSam]

That trunk floor des look really nice though 

thats the nicest trunk floor i've ever seen . very cool but how would you get it in through the trunk openning ?

[Hemidog]

That trunk floor des look really nice though 

thats the nicest trunk floor i've ever seen . very cool but how would you get it in through the trunk openning ?

i think it will have to come from the side, where the quarters used to be, or the underside...

[Magnumcharger]

Obviously, people only read the last post on these threads.

[LeeBoy]

Obviously, people only read the last post on these threads.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

The plan has been to remove the taillight panel and re-install it after the quarter panels are installed.  The trunk opening was left intact for strength & stiffness during shipment to the media blaster and back, but is no longer needed now.  With the taillight panel & rear valance out, the access to install the trunk floor should be good.

Getting the trunk floor installed from the side might be difficult because of the roof & backlight support structure attached to the top of the wheelhousings.  With the driver's side wheelhousing later removed for replacement (Thanks  Goofmark ), it could probably be done.

BTW, I believe the body man plans to spot weld the trunk floor in like the factory did... I'll update this info after I talk to Joe about it.

Allen

[Magnumcharger]

Which would be less work?
Removing the complete tailight panel, or one of the roof & backlight supports?
Count the spot welds!! 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Which would be less work?
Removing the complete tailight panel, or one of the roof & backlight supports?
Count the spot welds!! 

We don't really have a choice... the rear valance & valance corners are heavily rotted out, so they have to be replaced.  The taillight panel will be repaired & re-used, but the valance is toast.  Have a look at the picture below...

Am I wrong on this? 

Allen

[Daytona R/T SE]

Once you get the valance off, the taillight panel will be "floating" several inches above the framerails,held on only by the remnants of the quarter panels-should be plenty of room to slip the trunkfloor in there...

[The70RT]

Which would be less work?
Removing the complete tailight panel, or one of the roof & backlight supports?
Count the spot welds!! 

We don't really have a choice... the rear valance & valance corners are heavily rotted out, so they have to be replaced.  The taillight panel will be repaired & re-used, but the valance is toast.  Have a look at the picture below...

Am I wrong on this? 

Allen

It looks rusty enough. I would replace the valance then you can see how the rear crossmember is. Looking at the valance rust you know there is some rust behind it .....hopefully not through the cross member though.