dilemna (again) how far do I go with the resto...

[Pistolpete]

Ok, here's the dilemna(s) guys (again) ,

1) I managed to pick up that  69 R/T 440 4 spd (see the yeeehhaaa thread) originally from arizona, it is in great condition bodywise, floors are solid a  little rust around the rear window and in the trunk but otherwise great, because its such a great starting point. I'm getting 2 schools of thought - go for the complete resto right up front and get it overwith or do the drivetrain and a "restification" and have some fun with it first, then do a full resto down the road....... (I originally like the restification idea)

2) I'm getting a lot of flak for wanting to change the factory colour (T3) I really like a copper/orange colour or maybe hemi orange? I'm being told that the T3 "light metallic bronze"   is actually quite nice when its new, anyone got any pics of it?? I've attached a pic (that I got from this site) of the metallic copper/orange I like
to dip or not to dip ??

opinions please........

[bull]

These are tough questions that I think about every day on my own car. Couple questions for you. Do you have enough money for the bodywork and paint or will you be doing it yourself? For that you'll need $5k to $10k easy. If you don't have that kind of cash the decision has been made for you. Do you have $2k to $5k? If so you can take on the drivetrain and ejoy it until you have the money for paint. If you have the money for all of this right now, drop everything and get 'er done.

[Pistolpete]

I dont have an endless supply but I could probably swing 10-20 k to bring her back right now (dont have the skills to do it myself but I am helping the guys doing it) over the next 6 months of course.

any opinions on changing stock colours??

[hemi68charger]

Personally, I would leave it the stock color. You will still have all the original color in places you may not normally paint.. Changing colors on a car and it to look right take alot of work... If the body's as solid as you say, there'll be minimal work needed and that'll hopefully keep the cost down... Other thing, the T3 isn't a very common color, so you'll have a not-seen-too-much color...... How's the interior of the car?

Troy

[Steve P.]

It's hard to say without actually being there and tripping over things and having a few beers and dreaming a bit.. And a few more beers!!    

I think a good way to go is to put the car completely together and know you have everything and know everything you will need to replace, restore and rebuild. Then take it all apart marking everything and do your restoration. The factory color is NOT on every street corner.. I would stay with it 100%..

Of course this is just my .02 .........

[Old Moparz]

I like the "restification" concept myself, & would never worry about the color. If I liked one color more than the other, I'd go with it whether the car was rare or not. I have a '71 Barracuda that's "Tawny Gold" & that is not a common color on anything except skidmarks in diapers. I wouldn't care if it's desirable or not, I don't care for it & will paint the car something that makes me happy. Doing a car one way & planning to do it over again later another way seems counterproductive & expensive. I'd go one way from the start & see how you like it. You can always change things later if you can't live with it though.

[694spdRT]

Unfortunately, 10Kis not going to do a complete resto on the car. My guess is 20K will still leave you short. This is especially true if you don't do a lot of the work yourself.  Keep in mind you will have the interior, drivetain, paint and body, chrome, exhaust, brakes and lines, fuel lines, and all the factory detail pieces(these items really add up fast, trust me I know on this one) I can't tell you how many little boxes I ordered that had $300 or $400 worth of stuff in them.

So you need to decide if you will really be happy getting it up and running and wait for a while to do it completely. IMO, as long as you have a guy willing to help you with getting it painted now you better take advantage of it. Things can change in life and if he has other things come up you are stuck. Then it WILL be 10K for paint etc. I don't know what you all intend to do in a "restification" because you will find that things tend to snowball whether you plan it or not. I was going to do mine as a driver at one time too.

It is up to you on the color choice but, keep in mind an original 440 4 speed R/T will be worth quite a bit when completed. People always say they don't care about their car's value....well that changes a lot if you need to sell it for some reason and for the most part collectors want rare car's left original.

The other thing is I see you mentioned 6 months to complete it...I wish you all the luck but, don't beat yourself up if it is not done in that time. Very few complete restos get done that quickly. 

[Ghoste]

I like the T3 myself but you should always go with whatever color you want.  It isn't like back halving it or something like that.

[Pistolpete]

interesting........anyone got any pics of a T3 car ??

[bull]

My rule when choosing a color is stick to the chart for that year. I don't think you should force yourself to paint it the original color but I would choose something that was offered that particular year. But that's just my rule. I think purple '68s look pretty good but purple was not offered in '68. I think as long as the bodywork is done right just paint it whatever color you want. Let the next guy worry about originality, if there is a next guy.

[RT/SE]

Pistol Pete.........I faced the same dilemma you did when I picked up my car a 69 RT/SE 4 speed.   The car is extremely solid with no rust but it has 30+ years of little dings here and there.   Also, the engine compartment looks like it was painted with a brush and the former owner drilled lots of holes there for different things.   The wiring on the car had issues and there were mechanical issues.   My brother kept telling me to just square everything away and just drive the car for awhile.   The more I thought about it, I decided to go all out and do a complete resto.   The main reason was I didn't want to have to go back and do things twice (such as pulling the drivetrain or detailing various components).   Also, knowing myself I wouldn't be happy with the car the way it currently is so I'm taking the longer road.   Complete restos are certainly a challenge and not for the meek.   However, I keep thinking of the day the car will be done exactly as I want it to look and it keeps me motivated.    Also, I didn't want the thought of having to do a complete resto down the road hanging over my head. I guess you just have to do what you feel works best for you.

[ScottW]

I always swing back and forth with my two cars. I'll keep them as stock looking as possible with just a change of wheel/tire and some under hood items.

Here are a few links of T3 R/T's:

http://www.andy440.com/69rt5.htm

http://www.andy440.com/69rt6.htm

And a Bee:

http://www.andy440.com/69B_3.htm

Had a double copy - now it's fixed.

[Shakey]

Restore it comepletely and keep it the same colour as it came from the factory.

It looks like you got a good car to start with Pete!

Do it right the first time.

 

[Blown70]

Do what you want it is your car.

Do you like the color, or not.  I say have what you want you will be much happier in the end.

That would look good its stock color but after all it is yours.....

[cudaken]

 My self Andy, I would do one part of the Charger at a time. Think in advances so you don't do the same work twices. Do what bugs you the most first. I saw you where looking for a 440 so I had to guess yours does not run.

I would do the engine, while it is out have the engine compartment painted, replaces wiring etc, and front end work. That will eat up right at $10,000.00 depending on the cost of the 440 bulid. Say you send $5,000 US on the 440 then total would be right around $8000.00. Be like the Joe Drit Daytona, not great on the out side but think of the looks you would get when you poop the hood

Then I would have the body and paint done on the out side, that will eat up around $10,000.00 as well. Reason I said out side, trunk can be done later and will not cost anymore later.

You have $18,000 in the Charger but will be a good looking car. You might have a spring up your butt if seats are bad but people will think that funny look on your faces is just be cause you are grinning so hard

I am not a bid fan of taking them a part to the point they are just ART, not a Charger any longer. Easy to get to the point you feel it will never be together again and sell it. You more than likely saw more than one on E-bay that way.

                                      Cuda Ken

[BigBlockSam]

howdy
   I would leave it the stock color, thats a very cool color, that you don't see  that often. i would restore the engine compartment. drop in the drive train and enjoy the car car while you make your decisions.  Rene

[Afturhrz]

Do the resto and drive it the same time. If you dont have all the skills or tools to do it yourself, again do it over time and learn as you go. I think you should go with the color you like. What color it was makes no difference to you if you dont like it.
Good luck

[Pistolpete]

uuummmmmmmm.........too late, pulled out all the interior including dash, engines going next, guess there's no turning back now?? figured screw it, do it once, do it right, as far as the colour goes...I must admit the original T3 has grown on me but DAMN...I do like that copper orange!!! Sorry guys, I think I see a colour change in the cards for this baby!

[Blakcharger440]

Is this a numbers matching car (engine & trans)? If not then i say go with the restification and build it like ya want it. I have a 70 Charger RT 440 4spd car and am building it my way. I can always change little things down the road to make it look stock if I wanted to.
Bottom line build it so you are happy with it. Make a trailer queen out of it and the joy of driving it will not be so great.

[hemi68charger]

Here's a T3 '69 Charger 500......... 

[Pistolpete]

Wow, that does look good.............hhhhmmmmm

[hemi68charger]

Wow, that does look good.............hhhhmmmmm

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my dog dishes, but that T3 would look great with a set of chrome Magnum 500's.........  Hence, that's why I changed mine out on my T7..

Troy