CHRGR SE's 1973 Charger SE restoration thread

[CHRGR SE]

The day it left for the shop, 8/29/07:

[CHRGR SE]

Disassembly, 5/10/08:

[CHRGR SE]

The Donor cars and parts:

Left front fender from Wildcat:




Power bulge hood from Stephens:




Right fender from Turner's:

[CHRGR SE]

Back from blasting and primer, 7/08/08:

[ChargerSG]

Looks like its getting the Tlc that she need, keep the good work up

[HKCharger]

nice job!!

[tan top]

good start getting it blasted ...... whats the plan return it to stockish  or ... 

[Charged]

Due to all the pictures, this is an excellent reference thread for those of us that "thought" we would remember where shit went and where shit goes when it comes time to put it all back together.  LOL

[Paul G]

You will be so glad you did this one day. Sometimes at car shows people will display a picture book of the restoration process in chronological order. It is really neat to see the before, during, and after process.

[Dans 68]

Wow! I had to check to see if mine was still here! Almost a twin. Thanks for the photos and what I'm sure to be a great thread!

Dan

[konigcharger]

Due to all the pictures, this is an excellent reference thread for those of us that "thought" we would remember where shit went and where shit goes when it comes time to put it all back together.  LOL

so true, so very true..


car looks pretty rust free nice 

[BMOTOXSTAR]

 

[ViperRedCharger]

Nice Start.  Keep it going.

[CHRGR SE]

good start getting it blasted ...... whats the plan return it to stockish  or ... 

or ... 

You'll see... 

I'll be posting every detail as the car reconstructs. The bodyshop manager is excited to be doing the project as it is so different from the typical resale-red camaro and will be such a sleeper. The car belonged to my grandparents. It will retain the opera windows, original paint color, and sport a new black vinyl top. There will be many changes, some subtle, some very different. 

[tan top]

good start getting it blasted ...... whats the plan return it to stockish  or ... 

or ... 

You'll see... 

I'll be posting every detail as the car reconstructs. The bodyshop manager is excited to be doing the project as it is so different from the typical resale-red camaro and will be such a sleeper. The car belonged to my grandparents. It will retain the opera windows, original paint color, and sport a new black vinyl top. There will be many changes, some subtle, some very different. 

            ................

[hutch]

 

great work, more phots please.

[CHRGR SE]

AMD trunk floor standing by and front mods shaping up, 8/15/08:

[KMPX2]

   man I hate my work computer

[WingCharger]

Oh man! Just noticed the B-Pillar!

Do they make patch panels fo that area? Your car sounds like it is going to be awesome!

[CHRGR SE]

Oh man! Just noticed the B-Pillar!

Do they make patch panels fo that area? Your car sounds like it is going to be awesome!

The only new patch on this car will be the rt. trunk floor section. No others except for the rear valance are being made currrently. It is being repaired with used replacements (R/T hood, trunk, R/T rear valance, both fenders, rt qtr, pieces of left qtr, rt. trunk drop, rt door) or fabrication pieces. The rt door and qtrs are being done as we speak.  My grandparents owned the car, hence the insanity of restoring this particular car.

[skip68]

   That's the way to do it.   

[FLG]

Looking good.

Both sides of my B pillar are bubbling because of rust  But you can give em a good hit and it still feels solid underneath so when i start the resto looks like im just going to have to cross my fingers.

BTW, Tabco makes new quarter panels....dont know how they fit though

[CHRGR SE]

Looking good.

Both sides of my B pillar are bubbling because of rust  But you can give em a good hit and it still feels solid underneath so when i start the resto looks like im just going to have to cross my fingers.

BTW, Tabco makes new quarter panels....dont know how they fit though

Thanks for the info. I'll have to see what the gauge is and if the body guy needs one for patches.

[CHRGR SE]

Awaiting the replacement door and more progress, 8/26/08:

[FLG]

Looking good.

Can you post up where you order (ed) the replacement parts your going to install and how they fit? Would be good for future reference when us 3rd gen guys are looking for replacement panels.

[CHRGR SE]

Looking good.

Can you post up where you order (ed) the replacement parts your going to install and how they fit? Would be good for future reference when us 3rd gen guys are looking for replacement panels.

Certainly.  The trunk floor is by AMD. The front portion (about 6 inches) can be seen sitting in the back seat area. The main bodyman chopped it from the AMD trunk floor because the contour in that section is different from the original in my car. I would have ordered the RT repair panel for the trunk floor but AMD only has prototypes. Thanks to your info, a replacement left quarter skin from Tabco ships tomorrow bound for Barry's in Corona. I'll post info after they section the left side.

[CHRGR SE]

"New" door installed, patches being worked in, 9/05/08:

Looking good.

Can you post up where you order (ed) the replacement parts your going to install and how they fit? Would be good for future reference when us 3rd gen guys are looking for replacement panels.

The tip you gave me with the quarter skins netted a "beautiful part" in the way of a left quarter skin from Tabco. The bodyshop owner said the lines were good and it welded into the car nicely last week. The right trunk drop from Jim's (Mopar Authentic Restoration) fit perfectly and was also welded in last week. I'll have more pics tomorrow after checking out the progress for myself. The basic bodywork will be done in approx. two weeks and then it makes a trip down the street for a few more mods before ready for paint.

[no318]

Can you post or email some pics of the firewall and inner fenders now?  I am trying to fill the holes that are not factory in mine, but am not positive of which ones need to stay and which need to go.  THANKS.

[CHRGR SE]

Tabco left quarter skin and M.A.P. right trunk drop now installed, 9/19/08:

Can you post or email some pics of the firewall and inner fenders now?  I am trying to fill the holes that are not factory in mine, but am not positive of which ones need to stay and which need to go.  THANKS.

Snapped a couple of shots and emailed em to ya. Lemme know if you need any other specific shots.

[CHRGR SE]

December 15, 2008 ~ 9 donor cars later...

[charger_cody]

Did you get that bulge hood out of a junk yard?

Cody

[69bronzeT5]

December 15, 2008 ~ 9 donor cars later...

9 donor cars!!! Did they all end up being junked after?

[69*F5*SE]

Looks like some good work being done there.   

[Fitz73Chrgr]

December!?!? Oh come on! We need more recent pics than that!

[CHRGR SE]

Did you get that bulge hood out of a junk yard?

Cody

Stephens Performance brought it to me at last year's Spring Fling.

[CHRGR SE]

December!?!? Oh come on! We need more recent pics than that!

It's chillin' while they finish another car. It should be in final primer soon.

[CHRGR SE]

December 15, 2008 ~ 9 donor cars later...

9 donor cars!!! Did they all end up being junked after?

Actually, they were all junked prior to me pirating parts. 9 donors and 3 new sheet metal parts went into reconstructing mine.

[CHRGR SE]

Looks like some good work being done there.   

They have won many awards for their work so I am hoping for gold once it starts being shown. If anyone wants the spreadsheet of the parts and sources for the buildup, drop me an email.

[Death1970Proof]

Looks great! Looks like you are doing away with the marker lights, good call! The marker lights are cheesy looking after '71.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Update?

[irish_in_ny]

Yeah, any update on this Charger?