69 Charger again

[Mike Carter]

This is my first post on here.  I've been reading the forum and I am impressed and pleased with the level of expertise that shows up here.  I'm still trying to find out how things work here, so be patient if I screw up.

My first new car was a 69 Charger (purchased in Merced, CA for around $2700--does anyone own it now???).  My wife and I traded in our 66 Mustang.  We thought it was the most beautiful car we had ever seen.  It was dark metalic green with a vinyl roof, auto trans, and 383 (I think--might have been 318).  I had a fellow softball team mate who had a 68 and we were impressed with it.  The most standout feature that I can remember was the fuel port--and the overall styling. 

Anyway, I am now 63 years old and I am rebuilding a 69 318 auto.  I will need lots of help and ideas so I hope many of you will answer the miriad of questions that I will have.  I've been buying lots of parts on eBay but have not done much on it yet.  It runs now but needs trim pieces and several items reinstalled.  Due to limited funds I will probably need to do the minor body work myself.  I'm planning to have it soda blasted, bondo the minor dings, and prime it myself.  Does this sound reasonable?  What primer should I use?

I've thought about changing the 318 to a larger engine, but some say that it will ruin the value of the car.  Others say that I should do what I want to the car that makes me happy and not worry about making changes to the original.  It will be a street can and not a show piece.

Any suggestions will be welcomed.

69again

[tecmopar]

Welcome. Only if its a really high optioned 318 car AND your using it as an investment would I leave it that way, otherwise I'd say do what makes YOU happy with the final result, a 318 or a 500 inch stroker or anything in between. As far as the body work goes, if your handy and have the tools then have at it and when you get each panel done cover it with some good epoxy primer/sealer because regular primer is porous and lets the water through. Just about every one I have owned I got it up and running first so I could enjoy it while I restored it, except for a few #'s matching R/T's that didn't come out until finished. Good luck and remember, if you need anything from parts to advice, just ask cause thats what were here for.

[1969chargerrtse]

Welcome.  If it has the original engine just put it to the side, and build it as you please.

[Khyron]

Welcome.  If it has the original engine just put it to the side, and build it as you please.

Thats what I did, the K-Frame is holding up a 440, a cement floor in my garage is holding up my original 318


Welcome to the site 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Welcome to the site

Do you have the VIN # of your original Charger?   If so I can check it against my database.  Also if you haven't registered yet, please take the time

www.1969chargerregistry.com

Chris

[RECHRGD]

Welcome Mike!  Your doing about the same thing I did.  My first new car was a yellow '68 R/T, purchased in Pasadena, California.  The car I found was an original 318 car, but needed very little body work and had a fresh 440 between the fenders.  It was the perfect platform to recreate the car from my youth.  Anyway, the guys on this site have helped me a TON over the years and I can't remember any question that has gone unanswered or problem unsolved.  Old guys rule!!! Bob

[Mike DC]

I agree with the rest.

Musclecars generally hold more value when they keep the original engine if it's a performance engine.  And a 318-inch motor could potentially be large enough to be a performance motor in some musclecars.   But not in the case of a '69 Charger where it was the standard base motor and built with a 2-barrel carb. 

The value books might theoretically say that swapping that motor is a value hit on principle, but in the real world I don't think your sale price wold come out any worse for it at all.

 

[Brock Samson]

welcome to the site...
You can soup up a 318 with various add on parts like intake a carb better spark and headers etc..
My old 318 was pretty strong after being re-built with headers a new LD-4 intake and holly four barrel.
but that's probably not too popular an upgrade, but it worked well for me for 14 years,..  till i finally got my 440 and it's correct drivetrain installed..

[skip68]

Welcome to the site Mike.     The only way it would ruin the value I think is if your car was a 100% original.  I just got done having my 68 painted and it looks good.  I sanded the car down with my son and blocked it (only 4 hrs worth) and should have done more but it looks great for a driver and we saved a ton of money.  I did have the shop fix a few bad spots and my body line but that was it.  Good luck with it and we love pictures.               Chuck.............