I need some help you guys!

[Indygenerallee]

Yes please ditch that JC Whitney quarter panel I have seen them in person before and the metal is very pliable I have a feeling the heat from the filler would warp it!!! Looks like a project for sure!

[ACUDANUT]

What does the frame look like.? Any rust holes ?

[DREDILSKI]

Acudanut..... I looked at the frame as best I could and I don't see anything that looks too bad. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for but using common sense, It looks ok. I'll post some pics to be sure. The K-frame does look pretty weak in maybe two spots where it bolts up to the car. My brother pointed them out when we pulled the engine and he said if I was to not change them out, the torque from the engine may cause it to break under pressure. A new one is in the plans somewhere down the road.

I had two guys from a local body shop in frederick come and check the car out today. They said they could give a estimate over the phone and all the said was anywhere from 5k to 8k in labor in person,not including parts. I put the wheels on the car and all the body parts back on. I called the county inspector to come out and inspect the property and I'm hoping that she just tells me to tag the car and I'm good. The quote the two guys gave me made me want to do as much myself as possible.

They suggested that i buy the two quarters, both doors and a trunk lid to cut back on the labor costs. One guy, Danny, said based on how the areas around the windshield look, they will probably have to replace the metal under the windsheild as well.

What do you guys think? I plan on dealing with the county before anything else.

Thanks,
DRE   

[Indygenerallee]

Truthfully, I would find another good rust free shell and transfer the usable parts off this one, You would have a lot less money involved that route especially if you are wanting to keep the car for some time.

[DREDILSKI]

I mentioned this to my brother on Sunday. The main reason I want to restore THIS car is because dad passed it to me. Maybe it would have cost way more than he was willing to put into it but he knew how much I loved it. The thought has crossed my mind that after I fix the body and replace the upholstery, it wont be the same. With the ratted and tattered brown cloth seats that I remember, with house carpets on the floors, but it would be the exact car I road in as a kid. If I had the property to do so, I would buy a 73 to drive now and still restore this one. It took a very long time to pry it out of dad's possession and I would hate to turn it into a parts car.


Another issue I was thinking about is finding a SOLID 73 SE within a few hundred miles of me. That's going to take a lot of patience and playing the waiting game. While I'm waiting to find one, saving up for it, I could have the body work done and move on to the engine. I watched a beautiful gray 73 SE sell on ebay last year for about 8,700. It was in NC and I was in the bidding war but got out bid at the last second. I guess I'll keep on saving and see what happens.

Thanks for the advise Indy.....

DRE   
 

[AirborneSilva]

Dre, I think what some are trying to say is that you should get another Charger and use it as a parts car.  I don't believe that they are saying you should use the Charger you got from your Dad as the parts car. 

[DREDILSKI]

What do you guys think? Doesn't look like anything special but it is close. What is it worth?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-DODGE-CHARGER-SE-SURVIVOR-64K-ACTUAL-MILES-ORIGINAL-COLORADO-CAR-/120894139378?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c25da2bf2

[Indygenerallee]

Looks pretty clean the one pic of the driver rear wheel opening the bodyline that surrounds the wheelhouse looks a little faint in places? Is it just me? could have some filler but it looks pretty original to me. What it's worth? I would say at least $4,500.

[DREDILSKI]

Based on what I've seen in the past and the amount of days left, I'm guessing it will be between 6k - 7k. A little over 4k with 9 days left, it might hit 10k.

[AirborneSilva]

Yeah I'd say it will go for 6K easy, it's in really good shape, just hop in and drive   

[DREDILSKI]

[DREDILSKI]

Bidding will end in about 30 mins and it's $100 away from 10K. I guess thats what a survivor 73 SE is going for these days. I think I'd be a lot more comfortable putting that dough into what I have now. I can customize to my heart's delight and still keep the sentimental value. Nice car but for 10K, they can have it.

[DREDILSKI]

WP29:
Dodge Coronet,Charger
Premium
2 Door Sports Hardtop

G3A: 318 150HP(net) or 170HP(net) 1-2BBL 8 CYL
1973
Lynch Road, MI, USA

115284:   Sequence number

E44:    318 cid 2 barrel V8 230hp
D34:    Light Duty Automatic Transmission
JY9:    Dark Gold Poly Exterior Color
E6X9:    Trim - Unknown, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black
TX9:    Black Diamond Int. Door Frames
918:    Build Date: September 18
065908:   Order number

V1X:    Full Vinyl Top, Black
U:    USA Specifications
H51:    Air Conditioning with Heater

26:    26in Radiator
G11:    Tinted Glass (all)

[ACUDANUT]

That green Charger is a Fake.  That car originally had a 120 mph speedo. NOT 150.

[DREDILSKI]

Based on what? Not the fender tag above I hope cause thats mine.

[ACUDANUT]

In 1973 all Chryslers car came with a 120 speedo.  Gone were the 150 speedo's.

[DREDILSKI]

So I'm getting closer to getting the bodywork started on my baby. I'm moving to a new house with more yard space and a driveway from the street to the back fence. In the backyard, at the end of the driveway is a nice sized shed with a 2-car carport which I'll probably convert to a garage later on down the road. Now that I'll have room to do with what I want, I can learn how to cut and weld whatever needs to be replaced on the car. My first step with be to have the car media blasted and sealed/primed.

I'm still in need of help of course, so my questions are:

#1-Since the car will still be "outside" and affected by the elements, what should I prime/seal it with?
#2-I plan on getting a compressor and tools to do bodywork on the car, what should I be looking for? (Grinder, cutting wheel, etc.)
#3-What MIG welder should I look for to do a decent job?

I'll be looking to find most of the tools on craigslist, ebay or pawn shops to save as much coin as possible. If any of you guys have tools your selling or willing to part with and your near the DC/MD/VA area, PM me.

I'm sure I'll have more questions to come, thanks for the help in advanced.    

[JB400]

Epoxy primer is one of the best.



As far as mig welders, I here 220 are the best.  Dunno, I bought a 110 and haven't tried it yet.  I'm still a rookie when it comes to welding.  You need to be careful about buying used tools.  Most people sell their worn out stuff or because it's junk.

[skip68]

A nice lincoln 130-140A 120v wirefeed will work just fine.  I had one and now I've got a miller 140 and love it.   Practice on some old junk fender or door panels and get the feel of it.     Pawn shops are a great place for tools most the time.      

[DREDILSKI]

How about the compressor? I would like to find one that I could eventually do some painting with.
What size tank, PSI, HP, amp or wattage, etc.?

What about this one...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/3433995741.html

[DREDILSKI]

Looks like I can get a deal worked out with my company on a MIG welder just not sure which on to choose. My options are:
MILLERMATIC 180 with Auto-SetTM
MILLERMATIC ® 212
MILLERMATIC® 252

[VegasCharger]

Hello DRE. Well I've read your story and I like your enthusiam about restoring a classic with sentimental value. It's a shame that car is in rough shape because I've been trying to sell my '73 SE to fund my '68 Charger. The '73 is totally rust free and was considering parting it out even though it's a complete running car. I live way on the other side of country in Las Vegas, NV. Shipping would be costly but you'll have cost one way or another. I can sell it as a shell or complete. Heck I was also considering cutting the quarters because no one sells complete full quarters for those cars (at least I don't think they do).  Not sure how far you are along with the body work if this may suit your needs. And I'm not trying to use your thread to advertise my car for sale, I am in NO desperate need to sell my car. Just trying to see if this would help you. Either way good luck on your project. Love those '73 SE's (especially triple black) but it's time for me to go with my all time dream car, 1968 Charger.

- Bryan

[PocketThunder]

Hello DRE. Well I've read your story and I like your enthusiam about restoring a classic with sentimental value. It's a shame that car is in rough shape because I've been trying to sell my '73 SE to fund my '68 Charger. The '73 is totally rust free and was considering parting it out even though it's a complete running car. I live way on the other side of country in Las Vegas, NV. Shipping would be costly but you'll have cost one way or another. I can sell it as a shell or complete. Heck I was also considering cutting the quarters because no one sells complete full quarters for those cars (at least I don't think they do).  Not sure how far you are along with the body work if this may suit your needs. And I'm not trying to use your thread to advertise my car for sale, I am in NO desperate need to sell my car. Just trying to see if this would help you. Either way good luck on your project. Love those '73 SE's (especially triple black) but it's time for me to go with my all time dream car, 1968 Charger.

- Bryan

   DRE, I was you 10-15 years ago, I had the passion to fix up a car because it was "family", then after years and years of rust repair and endless hours of work, I could have just bought a running Charger for the same amount of money I had stuck into this one.  In the end, it was a learning experience that maybe every guy needs to go through, but if I can add my 2 cents,  I would suggest you make a road trip out west and find another car to use.  I took that big leap of faith when I bought my current Charger and I'll never buy another rust bucket ever again.   

[ACUDANUT]

 I would be calling Vegas. 

[ralley72]

In 1973 all Chryslers car came with a 120 speedo.  Gone were the 150 speedo's.

Some did, My 73 Rallye Charger and my 73 Road Runner both came from the factory with the 150 speedo. I also had another 73 Road Runner with a 318 that had the 150 speedo.

Mike