My 68 Is Finally Home

[LeeBoy]

Well I was finally able to bring my Charger home to begin tear down and the bag and tag process. I bought this in 2001 and posted about it on the old site but not much here. It has been in storage because my old garage was only a one car and that had my Satellite in it. I built a new garage in December of 06 and between that and getting two other project vehicles I was finally able to clear things out and bring the Charger home. It's only a 318 car and needs a ton of work but there are only three other second gen's in my area. I paid $700 for it and it came with a 69 HP 440 and a 23 spline 4 speed which will be repaced with an 18 spline and the 8 3/4 rear will be replaced with a Dana 60. At some point I think someone put in a 4 speed set up, although the pedals and Z bar bracket look factory installed, accept where they hacked up the floor for the shifter. I haven't found a build sheet and the fender tag is MIA. The vin decodes as a 318 2bbl (XP29F8B) and that's all I know. Could it have been a three on the tree? The column has been changed to a floor shift column a some point because it is a different color.
  The car needs everything, although all of the frame accept the right front looks good. I have a good hood, trunk lid, front splash pan and full floor pan. I also have some nice doors but they are from a 69. I will probably get skins for my doors and sell the ones for the 69.
Last night I started to tear the car down. The entire Front grill structure only had five bolt holding it in, the fenders were missing several bolts and they had a ton of fiberglass matting in them! The inner fenders will need some repair but I think I can save them. The right front frame rail has me concerned.
The car was last inspected in July of 1979. I tried to buy the car from my neighbor back in 1988 but he said nah I'm gonna fixer up! Well then his barn started to fall down that it was stored in so I sat outside for several years and filled with water.
I will be getting a rotisserie in a couple months, so teardown should be complete by then and I will be able to get a good look at the underside. I was glad to here of the sheetmetal that AMD and CBD is making cause I need it all.
  Here are the pics. I'm sure I will be asking a lot of questions in the next few years so bear with me.

[terrible one]

Beautiful! Good luck on the restoration!

[LeeBoy]

some of the rust! 

[LeeBoy]

Progress from last night and ready to bag and tag!

[LeeBoy]

more

[The70RT]

Cool. Good luck 

[LeeBoy]

Some one put a nasty orange peel finished black paint job on it. I cleaned up an area in side the door jamb and it looks like the original color was  medium blue metallic. It is peeking through in other areas as well, I don't know for sure because the fender tag is long gone and no build sheet as of yet. Anybody have any guesses?

[LeeBoy]

Inner fender pics.

[LeeBoy]

How do the numbers on the radiator support decode?

[CB]

you got a cool shop to perform the rotisserie resto on the 68 Charger!
another charger saved
CB

[Charger-Bodie]

Lots of metal work to do,but thats fun if you ask me.

Take youre time with the metal work and the rest will be easy.

[Joshua]

$700?
Right on.....
Sure...it's needs alot, but looks fairly complete.
I dig your plans for it....
Looking forward to it's resurrection!

[Hemidog]

Don't loose your motivation and keep up the good work!
oh, and keep us updated, with pictures!

[gordo1968charger]

let the good times roll 

[Dans 68]

How do the numbers on the radiator support decode?

"B" - Hamtrack build
"8" - 1968
"X" - I've always thought of this as a separator, and to denote a body stamping.
"112619" - serial number that matches between the radiator support stamp, trunk lip stamp and fender tag (last 6 numbers). Look at my attachments.

Nice project! It should keep you out of trouble for a good while!

Dan

[69 rt]

It will be a great car when your finished, from experience, I can tell you to be patient, just keep the picture of how it will eventually look in your minds eye and it will get done. You will become great friends with Yearone, The Paddock, and many other vendors.

69 rt

[six-tee-nine]

18 spline.....Dana,......shifter sticks 

But first you gonna have to face some bodywork, but hey lots of knowledge on this site to help ya get trough it.

[LeeBoy]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I restored my Satellite back in 1992 so I know what I'm in for as far as work but $ that's another story. 

[Magnumcharger]

By the looks of it, I'd say offhand that your car was QQ1 Electric Blue Mettalic when it was made.
-Same as mine-!
That frame rail looks pretty nasty though. I would seriously suggest looking to Arizona, or Wildcat Auto Wreckers for a new one.
Other than that, you've got a great car there with a whole lot of potential!

Where are you located?

[hemi-hampton]

68 core support #'s are different then 69+. The X is for Charger & the next set of #'s are the SO (Shipping order#) or VON (vehicle order #) unlike 69's & up that used the Serial # from Vin.  LEON.

[LeeBoy]

By the looks of it, I'd say offhand that your car was QQ1 Electric Blue Mettalic when it was made.
-Same as mine-!
That frame rail looks pretty nasty though. I would seriously suggest looking to Arizona, or Wildcat Auto Wreckers for a new one.
Other than that, you've got a great car there with a whole lot of potential!

Where are you located?

QQ-1, Thanks. I'm in north central Pennsylvania about 30 miles south of the NY state border. I got a look at the rear frame rails today as well and they look soft in a couple spots.

[dodgecharger-fan]

I stared at this picture for about 10 seconds trying to figure out what kind of car the hood was from.. the one leaning up against the wall looking like a cobra front end, or some sort of British roadster bonnet...



Then , I leaned in a little closer.... two fenders botton to bottom!   Ah! Got it! Is there a prize?

[LeeBoy]

When I bought the car back in 2001 I took the bottom of the back seat out and found nothing so I put it back together. Today I took the top of the back seat out during the tear down and BINGO  there it was. Its faded quite bad but I scanned it and magnified it and was able to see the numbers faintly. a lot of the vin # was chewed off but the first few #s match my vin and the shipping# matches my radiator support number. Very few options on it. Hopefully I can get a fender tag made now, even though I am making an R/T clone I want all the right info on the car.

[Dans 68]

Good news! Congratulations!   

Dan

[LeeBoy]

Starting to decode the build sheet. There is a 1 in the trans block and what looks like 208 in the steering column block. I believe that the 1 means 3-speed manual column shift and 208 I don't know. Anybody know production figures on a 318 three on the tree? This explains the stock installation look of the clutch peddle and Z bar bracket.
There is also a 1 in the sold car block what does it mean. I've tried to do a search on this site and on the web to help decode the build sheet without any luck. Does anyone know where I can find that info?

[LeeBoy]

I stared at this picture for about 10 seconds trying to figure out what kind of car the hood was from.. the one leaning up against the wall looking like a cobra front end, or some sort of British roadster bonnet...



Then , I leaned in a little closer.... two fenders botton to bottom!   Ah! Got it! Is there a prize?

Sorry no prize.

[Magnumcharger]

Check this out...QQ1
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,12822.0.html

[JimsSE]

LeeBoy,

You must be just up the road from me.  I'm in Williamsport.

Jim

[LeeBoy]

LeeBoy,

You must be just up the road from me.  I'm in Williamsport.

Jim

Yep I PM'd you awhile back about cruising the circuit in Williamsport.

[hemi-hampton]

The trans code should be 3 digits, like 391 for 3 speed manual on coumn, look again. LEON.

[472 R/T SE]

According to Galen's book there's only one known to exist three speed and it's in a six cylinder but your broadcast sheet clearly shows 391,   
The only other three pedal cars are big block.

Possible blue on blue car?, gotta love that.

[LeeBoy]

Do I have a one of none then?

[hemi-hampton]

My Updated info sez 3 known 318 3 speed cars. Rare car but everybody prefers a 440 4 speed. LEON.

[bull]

I think most of us would have a one of one if we broke the options down far enough.

[JimShine]

Doesn't Galen base this period numbers off of what he has logged and not what was actually produced?

[472 R/T SE]

My books' are March '97 so who knows?  I do know I read the numbers over and over again to make sure I wasn't missing something.

If it is a rare one, I'd be half tempted to restore it back to original.  Just to be different.

[LeeBoy]

My books' are March '97 so who knows?  I do know I read the numbers over and over again to make sure I wasn't missing something.

If it is a rare one, I'd be half tempted to restore it back to original.  Just to be different.

Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it greatly. It would be cool to do an original resto but since 2001 when I bought the car I have dreamed of an R/T clone. I will keep the original colors and since the original motor and three speed column are gone I'm gonna build it with the 440 (or 426 Hemi crate motor) 4 speed set up. Everything will be done in a way that it can be reversed if it becomes worth more than a Hemi Charger . I have all the original stuff for my Sattellite if It becomes valuable someday.
Is the info you guys are using out of Galen's white book? I'm gonna have him make a fender tag for me so I may find out if the car is in fact a 1 of 1 then.
On a lighter note I took a pic in 2001 when I got the car of my first son in the Charger when he was 2. I took a pic the other night now that it's seven years later with him in it. What a change. 
I also had a skilled mechanic working with me on the Charger. My youngest son who is five was in the garage with me asking questions about the car so I thought he might like to help. I was very proud! 

[The70RT]

It must be nice to have help 

[gordo1968charger]

i have 2 sons(2 daughters as well)there help has been invaluable,the eldest will be learning to drive in a couple of years
maybe thats why!

[PocketThunder]

Nice Shop!  Do you have pictures of that build also?   

[LeeBoy]

Nice Shop!  Do you have pictures of that build also?   

Thanks PocketThunder. I waited a long time for it. Here is a link to the build. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6228&&showall=1

[LeeBoy]

Over the weekend I was trying to get the windshield out to remove the dash. I read up on the removal subject in a few posts around here. I unlocked the seal strip on the outside of the gasket and the window wouldn't budge. So back here to read up some more. So I learn that it might be a waste of time saving the gasket, a new one is like $70 so what the heck right? Last night I get home from work around 8 o'clock and decide to go in the garage to draw off a nice cold beer. Well I'm anxious to get the windshield out so I grab a utility knife and start to cut the gasket. The next thing I know the knife slips and whamo! I have a utility knife stuck in the side of my gut, first thing I think is boy the wife's gonna be impressed. So I take a look, YEP it's gonna call for a trip to the emergency room. Lucky for me I have some extra padding so I didn't hit anything vital but it was about a half inch deep and needed a couple stitch's and a nice tetanus shot. My wife works at the hospital so I was quite  . So now after 14 hour work days I don't think I'll be working in the garage much!   I'm very lucky, I think someone was looking out for me at that moment.

[69bronzeT5]

Ouch man. I hope all is good for you now! I've cut and gashed myself a few times while working on my Charger.

[LeeBoy]

Ouch man. I hope all is good for you now! I've cut and gashed myself a few times while working on my Charger.

Thanks. I'm good, I think the spot on my arm from the damn shot hurts worse than the cut though.

[MoParMetal]

did you know that the seal the distributor sits on is sharp enough to slice your finger? i didn't. now i do.   

[The70RT]

Ouch............glad your ok.....I hope you didin't spill the beer 

[LeeBoy]

Well my gut has healed and the windshield was removed without incident. I finally got the car appart accept the front and rear suspension. That will come out once I get my rotisserie built. While taking out the taillights and quarter end caps I found some old accident damage on the passenger side corner of the quarter panel. I started to knock out the bondo and found what looked like an R/T stripe under all the bondo  at some point in the cars life someone put R/T stripes on it. The stripes are vinyl and not painted. Interesting none the less though. The third pic is of the damage once the bondo was knocked off. No matter, the entire back half of the car will be replaced with AMD sheet metal.

[LeeBoy]

Here are some pics of the rust damage. The rear frame rails appear to be good accept for the rear spring hangers. No pics of these areas until I get the car on the rotisserie.
I will have to fix the lower section of the firewall behind the clutch peddle, It's FUBAR'ed. I have a full floor pan I got at Carlisle a few years ago. The trunk is shot as well. It annoys me that I tried to buy this car back in 1987 while it was sitting in my neighbors barn nice and dry with no floor pan rust but he wouldn't part with it. Then in the 1990's the barn started to fall down so the car got put outside to leak and let the carpet hold all that water until 2001 when I finally was able to get him to part with it.
Are Charger Specialties rocker panels better than the rest as they claim? I will need those as well.

[LeeBoy]

Here is the trunk floor.

[LeeBoy]

A couple stickers from the cars past. The first is a Williamsport Area Community college parking sticker, the pic doesnt show the faded lettering well. This school is about 50 miles south of me. The other sticker says "Score International" anyone have any idea what this is or was?

[LeeBoy]

Nice Shop!  Do you have pictures of that build also?   

Here are some pics of the build. Radiant heat, 12ft ceiling for using a 4 post lift (have that hopefully this summer). The lights are 96" with High Output magnetic ballast and T-12 bulbs. R-19 insulation in the walls and R-38 in the ceiling. Nice and toasty in the winter.

[LeeBoy]

More.

[LeeBoy]

the last ones

[PocketThunder]

Nice Shop!  Do you have pictures of that build also?   

Here are some pics of the build. Radiant heat, 12ft ceiling for using a 4 post lift (have that hopefully this summer). The lights are 96" with High Output magnetic ballast and T-12 bulbs. R-19 insulation in the walls and R-38 in the ceiling. Nice and toasty in the winter.

Ya, i just went and signed up at garagejournal to view the pics.  Very nice!  I did the same thing at my last house, then moved    http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,154.msg3362.html#msg3362

[speedfreak68]

I hope when you go to bolt your 4 post to the floor you don't hit one of those tubes with the drill...that could b bad...

[LeeBoy]

I hope when you go to bolt your 4 post to the floor you don't hit one of those tubes with the drill...that could b bad...

The style I am getting doesn't bolt to the floor it has wheels on it so you can roll it anywhere you want.

[speedfreak68]

ok good deal, I was a little worried for you. lol

[gasoline_24]

Where the braces next to the tail light cutouts standard on all 68s?  Mine does not have them and I cannot see where it appears they were ever there.  Does anyone know the answer to this?

[Brock Samson]

score international is an offroad racing org. that sticker is from approx. 30 years ago..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCORE_International

[LeeBoy]

Where the braces next to the tail light cutouts standard on all 68s?  Mine does not have them and I cannot see where it appears they were ever there.  Does anyone know the answer to this?

Here are a few threads where it is discussed but there are no real answers. It looks like the braces might be early production or it might be assembly plant oriented. No one in these threads gives a definite answer. My trunk lid has the closed bracing as apposed to the open bracing associated with the taillight braces as disscused in the other threads. It is possible that my trunk lid has been replaced at some point. Otherwise this theory doesn't jive. Does anyone else have any idea?

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,32704.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,22149.msg242263.html#msg242263

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,22899.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,22899.msg248707.html#msg248707

[LeeBoy]

score international is an offroad racing org. that sticker is from approx. 30 years ago..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCORE_International

Thanks for the info. It would be interesting to know the history behind this since there is no Baja racing here in Pennsylvania that I am aware of.

[gordo1968charger]

love your garage
your ram is pretty sweet as well.

[LeeBoy]

love your garage
your ram is pretty sweet as well.

Thanks. 

[Joshs68]

this is my qq1 blue 68 3spd on the column 318 car!!

[LeeBoy]

this is my qq1 blue 68 3spd on the column 318 car!!

Thats nice! Do you have more pics?

[JoeyGowdy]

Looking good 

Any more progress pictures?

Are you going to Duke it?

[The70RT]

Looking good 

Any more progress pictures?

Are you going to Duke it?

Why would anyone "Duke" a nice 68 like that? It looks done to me anyway 

[Arizona Dave]

this is my qq1 blue 68 3spd on the column 318 car!!

Looks great the way the tires fill out the wheel wells.  What size are you running?  Do they ruib at all?

[SkiJogg]

Have you put any metal on yet? Im glad I am at the stage I am some pictures of the Satellite I had before this one

[LeeBoy]

No metal yet. The car is sitting on my lift waiting patiently. Unfortunately a house remodel took all the funds and now my wife and I are starting up a small business so who knows when I'll be able to get to it. My neighbor is working on a 69 Formula S Barracuda so maybe that will get me motivated.

[6pkrtse]

Awesome project car you have there. I still want to find another 68' again someday. I know where 2 are that have been sitting for over 10 years that I know of. One I can not fond out who owns the prorperty to find out what they want to do with the car. The other the guy wants alot of money for it but it is a solid car. I just don't have that kind of extra cash laying aroud.

[LeeBoy]

Awesome project car you have there. I still want to find another 68' again someday. I know where 2 are that have been sitting for over 10 years that I know of. One I can not fond out who owns the prorperty to find out what they want to do with the car. The other the guy wants alot of money for it but it is a solid car. I just don't have that kind of extra cash laying aroud.

Thanks. I love you're 70. I would like to have one of those. You wanna do an even trade?

[6pkrtse]

Thanks. Not my Red 70'. But I did just pick up another 70' Charger project car kind of on accident over the summer. I thought about using it to trade for another 68 Charger but I would so love to do my Daytona clone out of it one of these days. Decisions, decisions.