Hemi Charger Restoration thread (Updated 5/28/10 - Nearly complete!!!)

[bzabodyn]

Next is the reason for all this... that big, bright orange hunk of a HEMI!  One pic while it's being painted, another one at near completion (always minor details to complete)... Exhaust system on it's way so we'll be setting it up on their engine stand shortly and cranking this baby up!

Moving along!!! We're tired of waiting on the a-pillar trim replacement pieces (we're supposed to be #1 for the prototype ones), so I think we've made the decision to just clean them out and fabricate them from scratch... gotta keep rolling along and get this baby in paint already!

BZ

[TUFCAT]

Wow. I'm speechless. 

[moparstuart]

 

[tan top]

   aww man look at that hemi motor   

[hemi68charger]

Brandon...
Looking good man... I know you're having fun getting that 426 detailed out..... 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Sweet!!

[69 OUR/TEA]

Wow !!!!Been quite the project,coming along great!!!!!!

[bzabodyn]

Thanks guys... it's finally coming together - it's really going to be something in the next few weeks when we can get paint on and start assembly - pretty much EVERYTHING will be done and ready to go in when it gets out of paint... until then just gotta keep chugging along to get all the little things perfect in the mean time...

Probably going to plan a road trip this weekend before they start painting, so I'll get more pics up in the next couple of weeks... thanks again guys!

BZ

[bzabodyn]

Another GREAT picture!  Today, for the first time in at least 25 years, the HEMI has gotten to breathe again!  What a glorious achievement!!!

In addition, the dash is completely assembled and ready to go and several other small assemblies are complete as well... just need to address the a-pillars, final blocking, and we're ready for paint...

Stay tuned!
BZ

[tan top]

Another GREAT picture!  Today, for the first time in at least 25 years, the HEMI has gotten to breathe again!  What a glorious achievement!!!

In addition, the dash is completely assembled and ready to go and several other small assemblies are complete as well... just need to address the a-pillars, final blocking, and we're ready for paint...

Stay tuned!
BZ

  great stuff  BZ     need sound of the Hemi motor running   

[RT/SE]

Hey BZ,

Your resto is looking great!!!!  They sure seem to be doing some nice work for you.  I'm glad you found that shop.  Can't wait to see more pics as things progress 

[bzabodyn]

WOW!!!         

Paint is finally on!!! Three pics - First of the body completed before paint, then a pic of the body painted, last a pic of the excellent paint match to the exact original shade of R4 Charger red.

Enjoy!
BZ

[bzabodyn]

More pics to come!!!

BZ

[hemi68charger]

Looks great Brandon........ BUT, they didn't fill in the seam between the rear lower valance and end caps? I was under the impression from back when this started you wanted it as close to "right" as possible or did you tell them to fill them in? Just looks filled with a crease where the seam is. Now, the end cap to quarter is supposed to be filled with the hint of a seam there........

Troy

[moparstuart]

 

[69*F5*SE]

Congrats on getting it in paint.  It's really come a long way.   

[twodko]

Brandon,

Stunning Buddy!

Tom

[tan top]

More pics to come!!!

BZ

  wow  love red paint on a charger   
  looking forward to seeing more pictures BZ 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Looking very nice You are one lucky guy.

Per

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Looks great Brandon........ BUT, they didn't fill in the seam between the rear lower valance and end caps? I was under the impression from back when this started you wanted it as close to "right" as possible or did you tell them to fill them in? Just looks filled with a crease where the seam is. Now, the end cap to quarter is supposed to be filled with the hint of a seam there........

Troy

Huh?

  looks good to me

[gers1968rt]

Lookin' real nice. You must be stoked. It sure is a long process while you're in it, but it'll be done before you know it. 

[69bronzeT5]

Looks great Brandon........ BUT, they didn't fill in the seam between the rear lower valance and end caps? I was under the impression from back when this started you wanted it as close to "right" as possible or did you tell them to fill them in? Just looks filled with a crease where the seam is. Now, the end cap to quarter is supposed to be filled with the hint of a seam there........

Troy

Huh?

Huh?

[69_500]

I think what Troy was talking about is this piece, but its hard to tell how its mounted in the car in question. Here is a shot of an untouched corner piece. The fender side of the piece is seamed in pretty good where as the back portion of the piece has a slight gap.

[bzabodyn]

More pics... talked about this issue with Jeff and he's done the same treatment on every B-body restoration (filled with seam) - I think it's one of those "better than original" things that they do.  They are extremely happy with how everything has turned out and they have given us a June 1st date for completion, so it's going to be one hell of a summer! 

Should be giving everyone weekly updates from here on out... definitely exciting!!!

(and then I have to still go to court next Wednesday in Conroe to testify in federal court against the shop owners where the car was originally - have to relive all that BS again!)

BZ

[bzabodyn]

Last one - love that reflection!

BZ