70's Era 'Bird Resto...... (!!FINISHED!!)

[66chargerkid]

The personality is not just the paint. It represents an era and shows the history of the car. If you keep it the way it is you are differentiating this car from all the others

[65post]

The personality is not just the paint. It represents an era and shows the history of the car. If you keep it the way it is you are differentiating this car from all the others

Well said.

[Charger_Fan]

I'd leave it the way it is, too. I'd spit-shine the engine bay & underneath, carefully fix the rust issues & leave it like it is.

Oh well, to each his own, I suppose.

[Ghoste]

Another vote for leaving it as it is.

[CornDogsCharger]

Well Guys.... I finally started the long and drawn out process of restoring this historical 'Bird.  As bad as many of you hate it... (I hate to see it go too) it will go back bone stock.  I started "REALLY" looking the car over and taking it apart... and let me tell you, this is an absolute Time Capsule!  Besides the paint and a few add-ons, this is a great "untouched" survivor.  Here locally is a man that use to judge Superbirds and Daytonas at the Mopar Nationals during the 80's-90's.  He siad this is one of the best original cars he has seen.  There are so many original 'bird parts that have never been removed or replaced from the car.  Some of the items include..... orig. H-pipe, ext hangers and tips, skid plate K-frame, tail light covers, original winshield (one small chip), correct date coded seatbelts... heck, it still has the original ballast resistor and voltage regulator!  Honestly, it's like this car was built in 1975 and stored away until now. 

I am taking MANY MANY photos of the car throughout the process.  If there are any reference photos that you would like to see, just ask and I'll get them for you.  I'll post a few from last night.  Last night I just removed and catagorized everything on the interior besides the dash.  I guess that will be my next step.  Enjoy the pictures!

Justin
"CornDog"

[CornDogsCharger]

[A383Wing]

 

[rav440]

is that trunk pan really that bad , that its need replaced ? 

[CornDogsCharger]

I will post better photos of the floor.  The blurry photo was the only one I had at the time.  Even though the car was garage kept most of the last 20+ years, like any other mopar, the trunk seal and rear window leaked.  The trunk has holes throughout the whole center section of the floorpan.  The extensions look to be in nice shape.  Upon further inspection, I found that the dutchman filler panel and the tops pf both quarters have decent size rust holes.  Basically, the entire area below the rear window plug has rust holes.  Since the trunk gutter is rusted on the right side close to the glass... and AMD now offers a nice complete dutchman panel, we will order one of those along with the right side gutter.  I will repair the tops of the quarters. 

Justin
"CornDog"

[BigBlockSam]

keep the pics coming . i really dig watching the resto . Rene

[hotrod98]

Hard to tell the extent of the damage in the photos, but I would strongly consider making patch panels instead of replacing entire panels that may or may not fit correctly. Of course, the trunk floor will have to be replaced. The only problem there is not being able to use the one piece floor since you would have to remove either a quarter panel or tail panel or both to install it. 
With a little patience and careful welding, patches can be installed that are not even noticable. I'm all for keeping original panels whenever possible. Just my 

[tan top]

keep the pics coming . i really dig watching the resto . Rene

         keep the pictures comong    ...........  can't see much rot !!!   

[CornDogsCharger]

If you notice in the pictures above, you will see a brand new tail light panel sitting just below the new trunk pan.  Both parts were ordered from AMD.  They came in on Friday and let me tell you... these are NICE parts.  I have installed the two-piece floors before and this one piece floor is much better by far.  It looks more accurate and is made of a thicker gauge metal.  I know many of you think the floor could be saved but trust me... there are so many holes from one end to the other.  The center section is VERY soft and brittle.  The tail light panel is being replaced because the bondo is so thick on it, a magnet will not stick and plus... there is rust around the edges.  The trunk latch support is in good shape and will be removed and then re-installed.  I am very impressed with the tail panel too.  All of the emblem holes are predrilled and it even includes the wire loops pre-installed.

The decision to replace the dutchman panel is not final.  Once I remove the window plug we will then know the extent of the damage.  The rear section has been rusting for some time now.  After lightly rinsing off the car with water, you can open the decklid and the whole floor is covered.  Since the car was "built" in '75... the rear window channel was filled with silicone and then painted over, I'm sure it was an ongoing battle since the car was new. 

I can promise you that the car will be restored using as many original parts as possible.  If something can be save.... it will.  Will keep the pictures coming. 

Justin
"CornDog"

[hotrod98]

I ordered a tail panel for a 69 runner that I have on the rotisserie and I hope it's as nice as the 70 panel that you have. It's also an AMD panel.
I'm trying to locate a real bird project now before starting on my wife's bird clone. I figure the amount of work and cost will be roughly the same and would rather spend the time and dollars on a real one even though the final investment will be much more.

I'll be watching and taking notes as you progress. 

[moparstuart]

 

[CornDogsCharger]

Monday night I tore into the 'Bird a little more.  Honestly, so far the owner and I have only worked on this car three evenings after work.  I feel like we have gotten a lot done.  The owner is mostly helping during the initial tear down of the vehicle and I'll take it from there.  We completly disassembled the doors.  They look to be very nice and solid.  Next were the fenders.  Once I removed the fenders I noticed that the passenger fender had been replaced within the first 5 years of it's life.  It was replaced with an original Mopar piece from the dealership.  There was very minor damage to the front edge of the inner apron.  Nothing that a hammer and dolly wouldn't fix. 




 
After removing the passenger side fender I also noticed that the car apparently had a water leak from the get-go.  If you noticed the hinge pillar was covers with seam sealer.  I chiseled out some of it and found a few rust holes in the lower portion of the pillar. 





We removed the front and rear glass.  Believe it or not, the windshield was the original and was actually is really nice shape with the exception of a rock chip which we will repair.  The front channel looked awesome!  The rear channel was a different story.  It was nice for the most part but had some scaly rust just under the lip.  I also started to dig out some of the bondo that was used to cover up rust in the trunk gutter.  It's a sad sight. 





The hood and decklid have signs of rust too.  The decklid was nice for the most part with rust on the rear lip.  The hood appeared to be nice but bondo was hiding more rust on the front lip.  On the driver side the hood framing is cracked and will need repair. 







All in all, there were no major suprises.  The next step will be to remove the dash assembly.  I will do that Thurs night.  Before too long, this thing will be on rotisorie!





Justin
"CornDog"

[justin1987]

You are making some serious progress on the bird!

[MoParMetal]

you have any pics of how the brackets mount to the nose and the car?
i've never seen it.

[Magnumcharger]

That Superbird obviously needed some TLC. Goes to show that appearances can be deceiving....

[The70RT]

Good luck on the resto

[pettybird]

That Superbird obviously needed some TLC. Goes to show that appearances can be deceiving....

you're not kidding!  it looked 100X better than my cars but I don't have rust like that...  weird...

[CornDogsCharger]

you have any pics of how the brackets mount to the nose and the car?
i've never seen it.

I have not disassembled the nost yet.  I might start on that tonight after I remove the dash.... just depends on how long it takes me   I did notice that there was some rust in one of the headlight buckets.  So I'll have to repair that.  If you look at one of the previous photos you will see the nose.  There are two c-channels that mount in the same spot where the original bumper brackets would have mounted.  Besides those brackets, the only thing holding the nose to the vehicle was the upper and lower plates.  When I take apart the nose I will take many detailed photos.

Justin
"CornDog"

[hemi68charger]

Wow.. busy busy busy............

[Hemi_tyme]

you have any pics of how the brackets mount to the nose and the car?
i've never seen it.

I have not disassembled the nost yet.  I might start on that tonight after I remove the dash.... just depends on how long it takes me   I did notice that there was some rust in one of the headlight buckets.  So I'll have to repair that.  If you look at one of the previous photos you will see the nose.  There are two c-channels that mount in the same spot where the original bumper brackets would have mounted.  Besides those brackets, the only thing holding the nose to the vehicle was the upper and lower plates.  When I take apart the nose I will take many detailed photos.

Justin
"CornDog"

Justin, looks like your doing a fine job, BUT leave the nose together and leave it to the last part of the restoration........Don't ask me how I know. But if you do, I have the picture the help you out. As for the rust in the buckets thats common and a ez repair as you can tell
Ken
Ken

[CornDogsCharger]

Well, it's time for an update again.  Lets see..... Last Thursday (5-15) I removed the dash.  Monday evening (5-19) the engine, k-frame, transmission, front and rear suspension, gas tank, and exhaust were all removed.  More rust was discovered in both lower quarters and trunk floor extensions.  Tuesday (5-20) the body was placed on a rotissorie.  Tonight (5-22) I finished removing the remaining items on the inner firewall and engine bay.  I also started sanding areas of the body where a magnet would not stick.  Before the body goes to the dipper I will replace the trunk floor, trunk extensions, tail light panel, dutchman panel, right trunk gutter, and whatever quarter panel repair will be needed.  Once the body is dipped it will then be e-coated.  Now I'm getting way ahead of myself.  Are we having fun yet??

Justin
"CornDog"