Ok Guys I need replies quickly

[teamroth]

even better, you can buy my car thats for sale for 10k, and its only a small 3-4k worth of restoration work to being in amazingly perfect condition..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220500993300

Yeah but that's a 73, eww!  

Just messin with you, it is a nice car, but he has a 68, quite a difference.

G-man, it does seem high, but you are in australia. Is that 32k US money, or pounds? 32k pounds would be a (edited for nevermind) bit crazy. Listen, it all comes down to this, it's your car and if you have the money and are ok with spending it then by all means. Lots of guys do this stuff piece by piece when/if they have money, so your sitution may be different.

[G-man]

Here is the entire parts List of everything baught to this stage so that you all understand perfectly without getting lost in all my trying to explain talk. This includes the car cost and everything...

1968 Dodge Charger                     
Truck Freight MN-LA                  
Boat Shipping to Sydney                  
GST         
Keith Picking car up                  
Stamp Duty                        
Import Approval                     
Seat Belt Set, Exterior Mirror Set               
Shipping Seat belts and mirrors            
Carburetor, timing, oil                     
Petrol Filter                        
Holley Vacuum Secondary springs               
Power Steering Box Leak Fix                  
Stainless steel wiring Lead Set for 383ci            
Inner Right Hand Headlight                  
Fuel sender Unit soldered                  
Fuel Filter inside Fuel Tank                  
4 Door Stoppers                     
Rubber Trunk Seal                     
Contact Cement                     
Fuel Line 1 foot long with clamps               
Emission hose PCV valve                  
Vent Tube                        
Reverse Light Globes                     
Radiator Overflow Bottle                  
Radiator Service                     
Clutch Plate, Pressure plate, Grind Flywheel, Release Bearing   
Wieand Action Plus Dual Plane Manifold            
Holley HP 750cfm Double Pumper Carburetor         
Braided Holley Hose                  
Pro-Comp Coil                     
Starter Motor                     
Manifold Stud Kit                     
Nulon Radiator Coolant                  
Air Cleaner Nut                     
Turpentine                     
300mm long 5/16" Air Cleaner Stud               
Superwash CT18 – 5L               
Penrite HPR 30 Engine Oil – 5L               
5/16" Fuel Filter                     
Z9 Oil Filter                     
Heavy Duty Engine Degrease x12               
Fuel Hose 5/16 – 2 foot                  
NGK Iridium Spark Plugs x8                  
Fuel Hose Clamps x2               
Radiator Hose Clamps x4                  
Power Steering Belt and Fan Belt            
Spigot Bush                        
Reverse Light Switch                  
Clutch Pushrod                  

383ci Sump Seal Gasket                  
18" Electric Fan                     
1.125 Front Sway bar with Polygraphite Bushing         
Front End Kit (2 Upper Ball Joints, 2 Lower Ball Joints,         
2 Strut Rod Bushings, 2 Outer Tie Rod Ends,
2 Stabilizer Links (Bolt and sleeve type links only),
2 Inner Tie Rod Ends, 1 Idler Arm,
4 Polygraphite(r) Upper Inner Control Arm Bushings,
2 Polygraphite(r) Lower Inner Control Arm Bushings(OEM rubber supplied),
2 Polygraphite(r) Sway Bar Bushings,
Control Arm Bumpers, 2 Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves,
4 Upper Cam and Bolt Kits )
U-Bolts                                    
Front Leaf Spring Hangers
Super Stock Springs 3800lbs   
0.960" Torsion Bars      
Pitman Arm                        
18" Radiator Fan Shroud
4 C10 Bolts, 8 C11 bolts for interior seatbelts
NOS 68 Charger Mirrors
Aluminium Super Stock Spring Bushes (front and rear Eye and Shackle Busings)

TOTAL ROUNDED OFF: $38 000AU

with the Labour to fit all that - $42 000AU.

So my car should have been good to drive (perfect infact considering the above) for 42 000 with a 383ci and a A833-4speed (now thats a hell of a deal considering you get rust buckets here for 30 000 and just the 4 speed and big block saved me spending 10 000AU for those 2 things).

Now with this 35 000 dollar WHAT THE issue (frame rail repairs etc)... is over 70 000AU drivable.

Can I find a 440 (possibly) 4 speed for $30 000US with no chasis damage/rust with a good body?

That will mean $48 000 AU (by the time i get it here and add all those parts to it) RAtHER THAN...

the current $38 000AU + 35 000AU more to go in repairs - total $70 000 complete with a 383 4 speed COMPARE TO $48 000 440ci 4-speed (if u can find 1 good for $30 000US)

Understand?

Whole thing is I cant afford what I cant afford... thats pretty much all I own, a car. That 35 000 issue has hit me in the face pretty much so a new 1 is an option if I can be guranteed it wont be 30k... to arrive - to then 3 months down the track when it arrives find out it has the same issue as the 1 I currently have. It needs to be 100% definate like if you were selling your own car that you know for sure is good.

G-

[Dans 68]

G-man,

Hard to believe that Minnesota car had so many issues! It sure looked like a 20k Charger in the photos! My take is that you seem to have looked very hard at the labor and material costs, and are comfortable with the shop, so go do it if you can afford it. Just take or have the shop take lots of pictures of every replacement and/or repair they do. That will save you asking a lot of questions later.

No thanks.

Its gotta be a 68 Charger with a A833 on the floor and a big block!

Good man. Now I know why I like you.     

Dan

[472 R/T SE]

IMO, a 4 gear big block non R/T '68 that's rust free or has had all the rust repaired should be easily attained for $30k.  For that matter I think you should be able to spend what you spent the first time in today's market.

Don't know what you have for patience right now.  Not trying to steer you from the path you're on, just an observation.

[Dans 68]

...IMO, a 4 gear big block non R/T '68 that's rust free or has had all the rust repaired should be easily attained for $30k....

I think "should" is the operative word. I spent 20k to get mine going on two years now, and thought I got a great deal. There are "issues" with it, and it will need work in the future, but overall I am very satisfied.    I do think a rust free big block 4-speed '68 is not easily found for 30K. I'm always on the prowl for these cars and they don't seem to come around very often. Just my  .   

Dan

[472 R/T SE]

...IMO, a 4 gear big block non R/T '68 that's rust free or has had all the rust repaired should be easily attained for $30k....

I think "should" is the operative word. I spent 20k to get mine going on two years now, and thought I got a great deal. There are "issues" with it, and it will need work in the future, but overall I am very satisfied.    I do think a rust free big block 4-speed '68 is not easily found for 30K. I'm always on the prowl for these cars and they don't seem to come around very often. Just my  .  

Dan

Right off the top of my head Allen's car is for sale.  He could get someone to put a 4 gear in it for him.  For that matter Allen may even be able to help him out.  What would that cost with labor?  I wouldn't think more than $4k.

G-man didn't say any thing about whether it needed to be an original 4 gear or not.  And with that I stand by my original statements.  Remember he's customizing it so originality isn't key here.

[Dans 68]

No, not original (G-man's car was a 318 originally). Just for laughs (and edification) what would Allen's car sell for with a 4-speed installed? Always willing to be proven incorrect (o.k., wrong. )

Dan

[G-man]

Ok guys this is how it is.

Cars gotta sell.

I dont have 30 000 to fix all this.

Originality is definately not what I want as I want to customize the car dash and other things down the track (this includes mini tub for 15" wide hoosiers on the rear... may not.... I will see...)

Gotta break even.

Well... I know I can save on parts if someone who (allen?) or w/e has the car... by buying all the parts i baught for this charger and fitting it all in the states... then I dont have to spend $$$ on parts shipping.

30 000US is what id be looking at for a 440-4 speed... (is it possiblke to be a A833 OD or not? if yes do it, if not, whocares as long as its A833)

Mines getting fitted with everything then put on market.

Hope you guys find something.

I wanted my car for my wedding (22 november) looks like that just went out the window

G-

[Charger440RDN]

Here is a cheap non-R/T 68 Charger on craigslist for $7,500 but it looks like you would have to add the 4 speed to it though, body looks good. Not sure if it's an original rust free California car which would be a plus.

Sorry this link expired, I think it is in other California cities on CL though

[loudmouthaussie]

hey g-man!
where in Oz are you? Im brisbane w/ '70 model (500)
sounds like you got alot of work to get done whatever the cost.
shopping it around aint a bad idea. someone might charge $32K and do a shit job while another will put in time and charge alot less i guess.
finding a good/honest panel shop is half the battle.
good luck 

[Troy]

Ok, so if you're modifying the heck out of it why mess with a rare car to start with? Buy a 318 base model that's had a 440 and 4-speed installed (or at least a 440 and have a 4-speed conversion shipped with it). Way cheaper than finding an original 4-speed car and it will likely be in better shape (not beat on all its life). I think the money to fix yours is ridiculous - especially if you're going to modify it later. I know importing another car is not a great solution but it seems like a better deal in the long run. If your car is still complete you should be able to recover a large portion of what you paid correct? Didn't you sell a Challenger for like $60k? It seems like it'd make more sense to have the car built here and shipped complete. Those labor rates are awfully high and shipping a ton of parts means you'll pay more than double.

Troy

[PocketThunder]

Maybe skip the wedding and put that money into your Charger?...?  I'm just saying...    

[twodko]

G-Man, short and sweet, don't do this. Unless you have sentimental attachment to this car or light cigars with $100 bills, sell it off. $32k will buy you a beautifully finished car. Think hard about this but get the car out of the shop while you're pondering your next move.
Come on buddy, that's way too much money.

Tom

[aone415]

I would like to see in writting what there planning to do.....I own a body and resto shop and know how much it can take to do a job right. If they are doing 33k worth of work and you fell fine about having that in the car then I say go for it! If your plan is to flip it or even be in it for less than its value,then Id say no.


This thing people say about a rare or valuable car being the only ones worthy of doing right is bull in my opinion.......These things are personal toys just like hot rods custom bikes ...whatever and they are worth any amount of money a given individual is willing to spend.period

Agreed... I know for a fact that my dad's ride was NOT a high value/rare car but he dropped major coin into it because it has value to HIM.  so the question you should have for yourself is, how much does the car mean to you.  If it means a lot and money isnt a huge issue... forge ahead. However if you;re looking for something to flip, I'd pass as you'd never get your money out of it 

[G-man]

Its getting fitted with the parts attained and then sold.

30k to fix.. I rang up a different body/resto place... 25k (its still more than I can afford - 25k for frame rail repair... that could have been spent on a 528 Hemi!)

SO where can I get a 68 Charger for 30k US 440 - 4speed that hasnt got some 30k issue lieing underneath it? (or 25k 440-auto and then that leaves me 5k to get a 4-speed)

[Dans 68]

We'll keep an eye or two out.  And as others have said, think about having any needed modifications done here. What does a round trip ticket cost you? 

Dan

[G-man]

No clue what it costs for me to go over there + then where to stay etc... cant see it happening any less than 4000.

The only work id need done (if this car could go with a new front end suspension kit etc)

PST - Polygraphite front end kit
0.92" T-bars (had the 0.96 on mine but i am trying to get street/drag - and when i get an alloy motor, it wont need the harder t bar as its less weight up front so i figure 0.92 is good)
1 1/8th F/sway bar
4 -speed if it was an auto car (if possible A833 OD rather than non OD -depending on what the extra $$ would be)
(oil leaks if any... for 30k.. i dont see why it would have especially if its something you guys know/own)

Bilstein Shocks il get here
Super stock springs I have here saved - not putting them in - keeping them for new 1

Pretty much the mechanical side of stuff minus a few things... and maybe it wont even need all that done as it may be good already... thats just an example of what can be done over there...

On the other hand... can source all the parts, put them in the boot (trunk) and send with the car so i save on shipping parts after. Then when it gets here I can get it all assembeled in.

[loudmouthaussie]

spending 'charger money' id go to the states and see it for yourself. have bought on ebay and been dissappointed in the past.

i bought my 70 from a dealer on gold coast. if i went to states i might have gotten it 10K cheaper but i wasnt that keen and i had an impala to trade in.

depends how much you got to spend too. plenty of fixer uppers already in the country if you look at places like dodge city conversions in melb or a couple of the mustang & chevy dealers that advertise in just cars   

[PocketThunder]

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1439078219.html

Here is a nice 68 automatic car.  Take this over to RollingThunder's shop and have him put a manual tranny in for you then ship it home...?..  


Here is a guy on moparts.com who often ships cars to Australia   http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showprofile.php?Cat=0&User=5923&Board=Test&what=ubbthreads&page=0

[moparstuart]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,61012.msg702922.html#new


  buy alan's car a member here  nice nice car  on ebay now .   only 20 k  gives you 10 k to put a 440 and 4 speed in it .   

[PocketThunder]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,61012.msg702922.html#new


  buy alan's car a member here  nice nice car  on ebay now .   only 20 k  gives you 10 k to put a 440 and 4 speed in it .   

Yes, it is a nice car.  and you can have moparstuart put a 440 and 4-speed in it!   

(stu i think i remember him always wanting a black Charger, it'd be a crime to repaint Alans car)

[G-man]

[/quote]

Yes, it is a nice car.  and you can have moparstuart put a 440 and 4-speed in it!   

(stu i think i remember him always wanting a black Charger, it'd be a crime to repaint Alans car)
[/quote]

Yeah but considering everything I doubt id ever have the $ to do it cause id do a hemi first and wheels and breaks.. so paint... dont see that happening. 

[G-man]

Ok

Heres the list of work needed I got from them.

OSF outside Chassis Rail Has 4" x 6" plate welded on - what is this hiding?

Trans X member replaced - welded over original at sills, O/S inner sill rusted where welded (1 1/2" hole) & rest off sill is paper

NSF rail to inner guard pannel cracked near firewall

Seat mount studs missing load spreading plates under floor

Both rear quarter panels not secured to sills inner rear quarters.

Severly rusted inner rear wheel arches on both sides - some places have bee completely cut out

Boot floor & lower inner quarters replaced (poor job)

Rear leaf spring mounts have been removed & refitted - poor quality welds, parts of mounts are missing

Spring mounts not welded to inner beaver pannel

Beaver pannel severely rusted & sections missings

OSR rail has large visible rust bubble

NSR rail has cracks & rust holes around rear spring mount. ALso has areas of very thin metal (OSR already patched at this place)

Rear shock X member pop rivetted to chasis rails

1 1/2" x 1 1/4" hole in floorpan at front of NSR wheel housing near spring mount

Bumper bar mount brackets cut out during boot floor replacement and not refitted

NSR exhaust hanger bracket rusted & not propperly secured

Rear spring shackles twisted & damaged

NS rear axle seal leaking

G/box imput shaft welded up & not propperly machined causing binding with crankshaft.


Thats the list of stuff to do/buy + repainting rear quarters... masking up the inside... that means taking all interior out also (all added stuff to do the above)

25-35k

Also car may be twisted as its clearly been in a rear end hit and possibly a side hit cause the driver door where it closes (that pannel that has the lock for door to close on) is all stuffed... also has an incorrect passenger door (69) and was hacked up to fit/close and can not be opened from outside (missing the latch mechanism inside that locks it up)

so thats basicaly it.

[bull]

There's a couple different theories at play in this thread. One is the simple cost of things and while everyone agrees that $42k is a higher number than $30k there are other factors to consider. For one, I've lost count of how many times I've read threads on this site about the guy who got a great deal on a Charger for $20k-$30k before finding duct tape and chicken wire under three inches of bondo. By the time they get done fixing the mess they've spent way more had they purchased a rust bucket for $5k and spent $30k restoring it. So, if you decide to sell this car and buy another one you had better be very sure you know what you're getting so you don't become another member who starts a chicken wire and duct tape thread. In that sense the extra $12k is cheap insurance in my book, so long as the resto shop you're going with is reputable. I'm sort of in that $5k + $30k boat, and while I often bemoan that fact there is something to be said about knowing what has gone into a car as opposed to gambling on a $30k car that could be a chicken wire bondo mobile. And that gamble comes with even worse odds when shopping overseas. FWIW

[69bronzeT5]

Quick question, not sure if you've said this or not but did you properly check out the car before you bought it? Or atleast got someone to do that? How could somebody miss all that hackjob stuff on the underside. When I bought my Duster, the FIRST thing I checked was the underside.