Need buying advice from the experts.

[jeryst]

I'm going to look at a 69 Charger tomorrow. Numbers matching 383/727. Inspected, licensed, running driver. All original except for paint.
Has power steering and disc brakes. Not an RT. Just a plain Charger.

The guy told me it is a Florida car. All sheet metal is original. Frame, floors, trunk all solid. Price is $10k.

He sent me a couple of pics, and there are a lot of large bubbles (assuming rust) along the roof line right above the passenger side windows.
Is that something easily fixed, or should I stay away from the car? A few other bubbles here and there. Interior not cracked or torn up,
although will need new carpeting, kick panels, and maybe some console parts. The only other thing I noticed from the pictures, is that
the front valence pan is very crooked. It looks like it is an inch or two higher on the passenger side (Maybe hit something. Doesnt look damaged.
just looks crooked).

What should I look out for on a 69, when I go look at it?

Chargers are rare around here, and they go pretty quick when they come up for sale. He just posted this today, so I am hoping to be the first to
look at it tomorrow. If I dont make an offer then, I'll probably lose it, so I need some quick advice, so any opinions or comments would be appreciated,
especially regarding the price.

[mally69]

hey let me gues this car is in PA and its lime green cause if it is its only about 5 min form my house i seen this car in person i even have pics of it

[jeryst]

I sent you a PM.

[mally69]

i sent you a pm also

[charger_cody]

I think it alllll depends on how much work your wanting/can afford. Look at the 1/4 panels, trunk, rockers, the frame, floorpans, and anything else you might have a "feeling" has rust. Is it on cl?

Cody

[Dans 68]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,52323.msg574221.html#msg574221

Dan

[jeryst]

That is a great thread. Thank you.

My situation is this.

I have $10k to spend. Thats it.
I like 68's the best, but just cant find one, so the 69 is next.
I've always wanted a Charger, and for me, its getting late in life, so its something I want to do.

I'm not a perfectionist, or a car-show type of guy, so the car doesnt have to be anywhere near to perfect. I'm just looking for a driver that I can take out every weekend to the local cruise in with a minimal amount of trouble. I'll work on the car as much as I can myself, but I've had a couple of project cars, and wound up selling them because I just dont have the knowledge, time, or ambition to tackle that sort of thing. I have friends that paint and do body work, so I can get some deals there. The main thing, is that I can drive it and enjoy it while I am working on it, but I dont want to wind up with something that has so much hidden problems that everything will need to be redone before it is safe.

BTW, if someone has a car for sale in my price range, and you are in or near western PA, send me a PM.

[jeryst]

i sent you a pm also

PM'd you my number.

[AKcharger]

Would need more data but a nice looking running car for $10K ain't bad but bubbles on the roof are VERY suspect, that is not a normal place for rust unless there was a vinyl top and it had a previous repair...and a poor one. A Fla car isn't anything to be proud of, the salt air and constant rain/sand is a reciepe for corrosion and took it's toll on my cars when I lived there.

[68charger383]

Not what you might want to hear, but try and save another $5K. Unless you want the project, the difference between a $10K car and a $15K car is night and day. I bet you'll be able to save the $5K and buy a running car quicker than to buy a $10K car and spend the time and money required to get the car on the street.   

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62558.0.html

[jeryst]

Well, I went and looked it over. Made an offer, and wound up buying it.

The car is an inspected driver. Tranny slips, but thats no big deal. May just need some type of adjustment, modulator, etc. If not, I have a friend that will rebuild it for me for $50 plus parts.

The bad: Originally a vinyl top car. Has some problems there. Also has some rust bubbles on lower quarters, and has some rust in the tail panel around the lights.

The good: The interior of the car is very nice. Seats, dash, door panels, and console are all beautiful. No rips, tears, cracks. Headliner is sagging a little in the back corners. Carpet is crusty, and kick panels are a little rough, but not bad considering they are 40 years old. Everything works, and it only has 74k original miles. Starts right up. Sounds great, and doesnt smoke. Pretty much all original, including drive train. Even has the original intake, carb, and cast iron exhaust manifolds, which to me, means that it was never hot rodded. Wiring and other stuff in engine compartment look original. Fender tag is there. Looks to me like it has all of its original sheet metal. Looks like the only thing done to it was the vinly top was removed, and it was repainted. Doors open and close nicely. What really impressed me, was the undercarriage. It is really clean and solid. Doesnt even have any scale rust on it. Floors, frame rails, trunk, extensions, fender wells, radiator core support are all solid as new. Has the original spare and jack. All of the original vinyl top chrome is there and in really nice shape. Glass is all in excellent shape. Bumpers are somewhat discolored, but otherwise very presentable. Grill is nice and not broken. Car has auto on floor, disc brakes, and power steering. Original 383 and 727 with auto on the floor. I could see no signs of the car ever being wrecked.

All in all, I would rather buy a survivor like this than a project, and a restored vehicle is just not in my budget. I've had very good luck with such cars over the years. They have had very little problems, and have always been very dependable.

So guess what? I'm a Charger owner! Yeah!

[skip68]

      We need to see some pictures now.       

[BigBlackDodge]

Congrats!

Has the secret hand shake been taught to you yet?



BBD

[268RTs4ME]

You need to post the data tag so we can check out what you have, and some pics.

[Dans 68]

Congratulations, and welcome to the Charger fraternity (or sorority depending where they're swinging....)!   After the '68's the 69's are generally regarded as most desirable to own. This perception amongst '68 owners is diagrammed below:

'68 owners     all other years)   
           

Post pictures when you can as we all love to look. 

Dan

[twodko]

Glad you're here Jeryst and congrats on your Charger! Pix are a must and along with the secret hand shake, there will be hazing. Cheers

Tom

[jeryst]

Cant get a trailer until Saturday, so I wont be picking it up until then.
I'll get some pics, but here is one that the owner sent to me.
Not good quality, but better than nothing.

[skip68]

Looks great.   

[Charger440RDN]

Congrats on the purchase! I'm still looking for a 68 charger, I hope to have one before the end of winter.

[68charger383]

I retract my previous post, looks like a great buy for the money! 

[charger_cody]

Cant get a trailer until Saturday, so I wont be picking it up until then.
I'll get some pics, but here is one that the owner sent to me.
Not good quality, but better than nothing.

Reminds me of pers charger.

Cody

[Finn]

 

[jeryst]

Well, the Charger arrived at itw new home on Saturday.

Sorry, I havent gotten more pics yet. Every time I go up to the garage I forget my camera.

I've been tinkering with some small things, but everything seems to be fine. Sounds great. Everything works except for the Tach and clock.
Has an aftermarket radio, so I'll have to find a stock thumbwheel and a faceplate. I'll also need to find the very front part of the console, (the
piece that extends under the dash), because mine is covered in duct tape.

The tranny was slipping so badly that the car barely moved until you revved it up quite a bit. I checked the tranny fluid with it in park, and it was ok.
Then I noticed that the stick said to check when in neutral. I did, and the level didnt even show on the stick.
I put a quart of Transx and a quart of fluid in it to bring it up to the correct level.
Now it moves as soon as you put it in gear. Maybe it doesnt need rebuilt.
I'll have to give it a quick road test to see what happens.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.

BTW. Now I'm REALLY pi55ed off that winters coming.