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

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I'll see if I can find the link on ebay. As I thought of bidding on it as I'm not exactly sure how well mine is going to look in a few more years. I know it was the one for the tail panel though not for the grille.

Here is the one I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230188562552&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013

Here is the one that I passed on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-MoPar-69-70-Dodge-Coronet-Charger-500-Nameplate_W0QQitemZ230191399104QQihZ013QQcategoryZ80736QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

BTW, looks like I mis-read the P/N... should be 3505338... small text on emblem was hard to read.

Allen

[brianz426]

Hi Allen and everyone,
       I'm new to the sight and your project has inspired me to finish my car. You've made great progress in a short period of time, thanks for sharing the details, they've been very helpful to me in my project. My car was painted over 6 years ago. It was my 1st car (bought it for $500.00 in 1980). Hopefully the pics post. Best of luck to you, keep up the great work.
Happy New Year,
Brian
You may need to reattach any files you attached, such as: C:\Documents and Settings\Brian Znamirowski\My Documents\My Pictures\fall2007\fall2007 033.jpg, C:\Documents and Settings\Brian Znamirowski\My Documents\My Pictures\fall2007\fall2007 031.jpg

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Hi Allen and everyone,
       I'm new to the sight and your project has inspired me to finish my car. You've made great progress in a short period of time, thanks for sharing the details, they've been very helpful to me in my project. My car was painted over 6 years ago. It was my 1st car (bought it for $500.00 in 1980). Hopefully the pics post. Best of luck to you, keep up the great work.
Happy New Year,
Brian
You may need to reattach any files you attached, such as: C:\Documents and Settings\Brian Znamirowski\My Documents\My Pictures\fall2007\fall2007 033.jpg, C:\Documents and Settings\Brian Znamirowski\My Documents\My Pictures\fall2007\fall2007 031.jpg

Hi Brian  ... Welcome to the forum!  This might be the first time that I have been told that I made a lot of progress in a short period of time.  Although I won't be setting any restoration completion records, I am determined not to have this stretch out like most of my projects have!

I am looking forward to seeing your car... looks like you will have to try the picture post again.

Lets see what $500 bought in 1980! 

Allen

[brianz426]

Looks like my pictures are too big, I'm going to check the help area and see if I can figure this out. By the way the $500.00 bought me a '69 Road Runner that I drove everyday. I still have the radial snow tires I used in the winter.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Looks like my pictures are too big, I'm going to check the help area and see if I can figure this out. By the way the $500.00 bought me a '69 Road Runner that I drove everyday. I still have the radial snow tires I used in the winter.

If you want to, email the pictures to me for resizing.  I can email the resized pictures to you or post them for you...

Email to: xs29j8@charter.net

BTW, here is the 1969 Road Runner that I bought in the 1970s for $150... 

Allen

[brianz426]

Thanks Allen
      I just sent the pictures to you. I love the silver interior with the console 4spd. Looks like it was a nice car.  :2thumbs:I really miss the days when these cars were in local papers for what now seems like pennies.
Brian

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Thanks Allen
      I just sent the pictures to you. I love the silver interior with the console 4spd. Looks like it was a nice car.  :2thumbs:I really miss the days when these cars were in local papers for what now seems like pennies.
Brian

Here you go Brian...  Your Road Runner looks GREAT!    Now you are on the spot to Git 'Er Done!    So, you gonna let your kids drive the RR in about 15 years... 

My '69 RR is one of three cars that I cannot imagine ever selling, my triple black '68 Charger R/T & '70 `Cuda 440-6 are the other two... and yes, the '69 C500 may soon join that group!

Allen

BrianZ426's Road Runner pictures:

[brianz426]

Thanks for posting the pictures for me Allen.
        I took that car apart in 1995, My goal is to have it back on the road before the end of the year. The drivetrain , interior and trim are all done. I just need to do the blackout behind the grille ,rebuild the front end and put it all back together. My other 3 cars are:
1968 GTX 440 auto w/AC two tone GG1 gark green top FF1 light green body
1969 GTX 440 4spd B5 Blue (bought in pieces, needs restoration)
1970 Cuda 440-6 FE5 Shaker bench seat auto on the column
        Thanks again Allen & best of luck on your C500.
I'll be watching,
Brian

[69_500]

Hey Allen I see three cars that you have that I'd definately be interested in having, that aren't on that short list of the cars you want to keep? Are you just holding out on me?

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Hey Allen I see three cars that you have that I'd definately be interested in having, that aren't on that short list of the cars you want to keep? Are you just holding out on me?

Two of your three dream cars are available for purchase:  1973 Charger SE 440 & 1968 Polara 2 Dr HT 383...   

... Sorry, couldn't resist! 

Seriously though, are you finally saying you would want a Superbird... or just flip it for another C500 or Daytona? 

Right now there are 7 locked out from being considered for sale... including the 3 untouchables AND the 3 you seek... can you guess the 7th car?  There will probably come a time I have to make some really hard decisions on which to sell, but not yet...

Some of the cars that I would consider selling now are being withheld for various reasons, like not being able to locate all the parts that would go with the car or wanting to further assemble the partially restored cars to increase the value & number of potential buyers.  The only reason I will sell some cars is to fund restoration of others...

Allen

[69_500]

Well granted I do prefer the Daytona's and 500's over the Superbirds. That isn't hard to see is it? But I still do like the superbirds, but to answer the question no I wouldn't flip a Bird if I already had the other 2. Its like a set, you need all three for it to be half complete right?

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I called the paint shop today, and they said that the production job was almost done.  Sooooo, they are expecting to start the major surgery on the C500 tomorrow... i.e. cutting the quarter panels, trunk floor, etc out of the car.     

Well... here we go... its gonna really get started... if not tomorrow, very soon!    

After I take post-surgery pictures of the Charger 500, the paint shop will take it to the plastic media blaster as soon as they have an opening... probably within a couple of days of contacting them.

I will post pictures as soon as I have them...

Allen

[LeeBoy]

Can't wait to see the photo's. 

[tan top]

Can't wait to see the photo's.

                going to be some good progress going on now   .........

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Can't wait to see the photo's.

                going to be some good progress going on now   .........

Hopefully, but AMD's delay on the one piece trunk floor & extensions may end up being the "long pole in the tent"...

Heres hoping the next prototype test fitting goes well, and that there are no future delays...   

Allen

[69_500]

I always thought that delays in a process like this were to be expected? Hence the reason I haven't started going through this kind of a process yet.

I think that if I ever get around to something like this, I'll drive myself nuts with trying to get every little piece perfect.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I always thought that delays in a process like this were to be expected? Hence the reason I haven't started going through this kind of a process yet.

Expected... Yes  *  Understood...  Yes   *  Tolerated... Yes  *   Not get annoying... No

I would suggest to wait until you have a second Aero Car before starting restoration on one...  a lot of enthusiasts get burnt out and sell their car halfway through restoration... especially if it is their first one.  Collect the parts while they are available... especially some of the high quality repro parts just coming available, and store them carefully!

I think that if I ever get around to something like this, I'll drive myself nuts with trying to get every little piece perfect.

Your C500 is a great future project... but enjoy the heck out of it NOW!  BTW, it is nicer than you claim!    Seen it, rode in it... Thanks again! 

Allen

[moparchris]

Allen, Just my  :Twocents:on the door handle button question.  My 68 Hemi charger has a SPD of 5/16/68 making it a fairly late 68 and it had the chrome buttons on it.  My hemi 500 has a SPD of 11-14-68 which really isn't that long after the 68 was built and to the best of my knowledge it has always had the chrome buttons also.  I bought the 500 from my friend who bought it in 1986 and I know he never changed the handles as well as theperson he bought it from and he never changed them either.  Like I said just my  and I'm not trying to be a mr. know-it-all.
Keep the pictures coming.  Thery're great.

[learical1]

Allen, Just my  :Twocents:on the door handle button question.  My 68 Hemi charger has a SPD of 5/16/68 making it a fairly late 68 and it had the chrome buttons on it.  My hemi 500 has a SPD of 11-14-68 which really isn't that long after the 68 was built and to the best of my knowledge it has always had the chrome buttons also.  I bought the 500 from my friend who bought it in 1986 and I know he never changed the handles as well as theperson he bought it from and he never changed them either.  Like I said just my  and I'm not trying to be a mr. know-it-all.
Keep the pictures coming.  Thery're great.

Can't swear to it, but I believe they were chrome when my brother and I had it, Chris.

[69_500]

Well Allen you hit the nail on the head with the comment about restoring my 500. I'm already collecting the parts that I know that I need to replace on the car. Have been doing that since I bought the car, and actually had a small collection of AERO specific parts even before I bought the car. And yeah I would love to have another aero car before I start doing any restoration, and we both know that I'd prefer a Daytona. However if it meant getting a project Daytona, and keep driving the 500 for now, that wouldn't be so bad now would it? Or getting another driveable 500 and restore this one, not a bad choice either. My only stipulation would be if I was to go after another 500 it would either have to be a HEMI car or a 4 speed car, no exceptions. Now a Daytona, I don't care what it is, but to be honest I'd prefer a 4 speed car there too.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

OMG! ... She's Nekkid!... My poor Charger 500...    [/size][/color]


Well... The good news is that the C500 is now virtually rust free. 

The Charger 500 is almost ready to go to the plastic media blaster.  The removal of the quarter panels, trunk floor, trunk floor extensions, and front floorboard sections was completed today.  As I mentioned in earlier posts, the quarter panels were "picture framed", leaving a 1-2 inch strip at the attached edges.  This provides added strength during transport & allows the final removal of the remaining strip in a way that best preserves the other parts that remain on the car.  The strips can be "peeled" off, sacrificing the edge strip of the quarter panel to protect the mounting flanges of parts like the door jams, roof panel, dutchman panel, etc.  Some parts like the rear valance was left in place for structural strength during transport, but will be removed after media blasting.

Here come the pictures...

Allen

[xs29j8Bullitt]

More pictures...

[69bronzeT5]

LOOKS GREAT Allen!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

And again...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Last pictures for tonight... floorboard sections removed