any advice when looking at a 68?

[motorcitydak]

First post here, Ive been in the off road world for years and boating for a while. Well I just sold my boat and found a guy on craigslist selling my favorite car of all time, a '68 charger. I have loved that car since I was 8 and thought I would never actually be able to own one. Well using the money from the boat I am going to hopefully buy the car of my dreams on tuesday. Now Im buying the car for $3000 (probabily) so its not quiet there yet, in fact it is all torn down and was to be blasted. I was told that it comes with a matching 383 and 727 but the motor is siezed rite now and I have a freshly 60 overed 440 so that will make itself a new home and the 383 will sit by the side. He says he has everything for it except the seats, center console and windshield. Those are no big deal, windshields are $125, I can make a center console if I have to from wood foam and vinyl and Id like some sort of racing seat anyway. What I am asking tho is what should I be looking at that will tell me to get it or run away? I know the grill is important since they run around $1200. Obviously all the sheet metal should be as nice as possible. I can weld, but I will have to get used to welding sheet metal and not thick brackets on my truck. I suck at forming metal tho so anything that needs to be replaced would have to be done with a patch panel, I just dont know how many different patches are available. I know the trunk pan is toast and I believe its cut out. I couldnt find a price for those, what do they cost? Also, what about floor pans and sub frame connectors? Id like the car to be full framed since the 440 has some big potential. Id also like to have an air ride system on it someday with a 4 link in the rear. Ill get some pics and post em up when I see the car, Im just looking for advice from you guys. BTW, I live in just north of Detroit if anyone feels like lending a hand....

[68charger383]

Here's a great thread on the subject. Good Luck

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,52323.0.html

The general consensus to me seems to be:

If you are looking for a two/three year project to keep yourself busy, the $3K charger is the way to go. You get the satisfaction of building the car and knowing it was done right. Other people want a car they can enjoy out of the box so add another $12K min. + to start for a driver that needs some work.

The key is to spend as much money as it takes to get a car with at least a rust free frame and then if lucky rust free body panels. That is the minimum you'll probably want to start with on the car.

They've come along way in the past few years on repops for the car. AMD makes the sheet metal you'll need. Watch the group buy heading on this site for Roseville to have a sale and it can save you some money on buying the sheetmetal. http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,57736.0.html

Great Thread on sub frame connectors
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54645.0.html

[skip68]

   Welcome to the site.   As said above, try to get as complete and rust free car as you can.   

[motorcitydak]

Thanks for that link, Im going thru that and will print off the list to take with me when I go see the car, along with a pair of gloves and a small hammer.

[tan top]

hello & welcome 

[69*F5*SE]

Welcome to the site.    You came to the right place.  I am also just north of Detroit.   

[motorcitydak]

Im getting really excited, Im going to go see the car tomorrow. I dont think I will be sleeping must tonite. Im at work until 2am anyway.