getting my charger 68 today

[john.v]

hello there, i am new in the Charger world and yesterday i finally found my Charger. (the only one on the island)
today i am going to get it and i really really need all the help that i can get from you guy's while restoring and getting it back to life.
it's a 68 with no engine and trans. even the guy took out the floors already last year. the body itself looks perfect with no crazy looking rust.
but tomorrow i have a better look when its in my garage. will post pix when i have them.


john

[G-man]

Hope you dont find what I did.

Welcome and all the best with it.

[motorcitydak]

Just try to stop smiling...you will not be able to. Id suggest taking some pics of it with your phone if you can because you will find yourself wanting to see it all the time expecially if you are away from it.

Everything you said that is a problem with the car can be easily be taken care of by a few capable hands and the guys here know maybe a little too much. We all will be able to help you out with whatever comes up with the car. In the mean time, take a sigh of relief that you finally found your car. Have a beer and post up some pics of the car when you get em.

[Dans 68]

Welcome, John! Aruba, hmm? Exotic! Post pictures when you can.  

Dan

[tan top]

hello & welcome John 

[dart3404]

Good luck. You came to the right place for info. These guys know their stuff. Welcome. 

[PocketThunder]

Welcome, John! Aruba, hmm? Exotic! Post pictures when you can.  

Dan

How do you know he's in Aruba?  I was there 10 years ago and i didnt find any Chargers..  Hmmmm 

[skip68]

   Welcome to the site.   Don't forget the pictures.   

[Dans 68]

Welcome, John! Aruba, hmm? Exotic! Post pictures when you can.  

Dan

How do you know he's in Aruba?  I was there 10 years ago and i didnt find any Chargers..  Hmmmm 

...by his email addy. "webastoaruba@hotmail.com" 

Dan 

[john.v]

ok, i got it, payed the guy, got a tow truck (thank you Jossito towing for not charging me  ) and now its at the Shop.
will be taking a inventory for what parts to buy next weekend because this weekend its drag race weekend.
i have taken some pics so i will try to download them.

yes, i am from Aruba and born in Curacao, i am 39 and work at a importeur of BMW, Landrover, Jeep Chrysler Dodge, subaru and Suzuki as Service Manager.
the charger that i purchase is the only Charger now on the island, as i was told that they where 2 1968 on the island but the other one was sold to a dutch guy and he took that one to Holland.
so until now this is the only charger on the island.

[Brock Samson]

  Totally Cool! only one on the Island Huh?! 

[Steelshanks]

 

Gonna be a big job gettin that puppy back in shape.  

[Charger440RDN]

Congrats on the purchase  and good luck on the restoration. Get to know AMD well and you will be in good shape! They make every panel for that car.

Here is the link: http://www.autometaldirect.com/


                     

[mally69]

congrats.. take more pics    we love pics 

[BBKNARF]

Welcome John, you will find plenty of help on the forum, have fun.

[dpm68]

Gonna be a big job gettin that puppy back in shape.

- Si, buena suerte, amigo!

[moparstuart]

  welcome   great find ,  more pictures please   

[Khyron]

congrats.... so I hear it's the only one on the island

[john.v]

ok, i got some more photo's.  and also the vin number XP29F9B245555.  just got a good news that a good friends is donating his 400 ci with transmission to me for my project.
yes i know that the charger didnt come that year with a 400 ci but ok, his giving this to me.....free beeee free beee.
with a good stroker kit i will get more HP out of this engine.
will take pix when i go get it this weekend.

[charge1]

Congrats and good luck with the car

[b5blue]

Welcome and good luck! Save that Charger it needs your help! 

[PocketThunder]

ok, i got some more photo's.  and also the vin number XP29F9B245555. 

Are you sure its a 68?  It sure looks like a 68, but that vin number is for a 1969.   

[john.v]

you are so right PocketThunder, have check that vin number again. have check the plate under the hood and it match the one on the dash. 
so  i need to change this topic line  to
getting my 69 charger today hahaha

[skip68]

The car is a 68 but the dash and fender tag have been changed.   I think that's right but I could be wrong.   Check the numbers on the back of the car on the drivers side were the trunk seal goes.  It should be about were the gas cap is in the trunk seal.   You can check the radiator support for numbers on top to.    I bet they don't match.    Keep those pictures coming.   

[motorcitydak]

Yeah that VIN had to be changed. Everything on that car is a '68 so unless someone changed the front sheet metal, rear quarters and tail panel, it is a 68 car with a 69 VIN

[moparstuart]

 I would imagine in aruba they could care less about the vin .  Wow  good luck with that one look like you have your work cut out for you.   Good thing BE&A and AMD are around .
 

[OneofNoneRT]

That engine compartment shot looks odd.. Not like my 68.. big round plate? Rectangular above that?  Heater delete?? But what about AC?? 

[OneofNoneRT]

Ok.. Next thread I looked at showed it on a 69  ..

[BLUE68RT4ME]

Congrats on the purchase, no matter what year it is.  And that 400 can be built to about anything you want it to be... just look up Firefighter (Ron) for his wealth of knowledge.

Considering you live in Aruba, if you need help you may find a lot of us volunteering to come down and lend a hand!  lol   

We look forward to seeing the progress!   

[c00nhunterjoe]

looks like a factory ac car...... nice

[john.v]

I would imagine in Aruba they could care less about the Vin .  Wow  good luck with that one look like you have your work cut out for you.   Good thing BE&A and AMD are around .
 

yes, cars with this age they do not care that much about the Vin until it completely restored, i know that AMD will be very glad with me 

[john.v]

Congrats on the purchase, no matter what year it is.  And that 400 can be built to about anything you want it to be... just look up Firefighter (Ron) for his wealth of knowledge.

Considering you live in Aruba, if you need help you may find a lot of us volunteering to come down and lend a hand!  lol   

We look forward to seeing the progress!   

pass by anytime any day 
all you guys and girls are welcome 

[skip68]

Now let the fun begin John.        Time to start cleaning it up and see what you got.       Are you doing the work yourself or taking it to a shop ?

[john.v]

Now let the fun begin John.        Time to start cleaning it up and see what you got.       Are you doing the work yourself or taking it to a shop ?

the fun started de day i got the car, happy with the car. just need to figur out if it is a 68 or 69 but never the less i will start on it.
yes , will do most myself. friends here tell me i am crazy but that pushes me more to get the car done 
will start from the ground up. need to order floor pans and trunk or do i need to soda blast the compleet car first?
at this point there is no floor in the car.

[skip68]

After watching Jeff's (jb666) car, I would say blast or strip that car first and see how much you need.      AMD is great stuff and you can get every panel now.   Roof, fenders, hood, door skins, full quarters, tail panel, floors, trunks, trunk lid and deck panel....  And a few more I think.    You will have the best ride on the island in time.       

[john.v]

After watching Jeff's (jb666) car, I would say blast or strip that car first and see how much you need.      AMD is great stuff and you can get every panel now.   Roof, fenders, hood, door skins, full quarters, tail panel, floors, trunks, trunk lid and deck panel....  And a few more I think.    You will have the best ride on the island in time.       

thanks for the tip, stripping and blasting it will be first. 

[john.v]

Just made contact by mail with Stefan from ""Elite Custom Body & Paint "" ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60901.0.html )  ho is a AMD Dealer in Florida.

until now everything is going smooth. 1. have my Charger 2. found this great website ""dodgecharger.com"" 3. have some great friends like you guy's to help me out giving me tips ect ect 4. found Elite custom to deliver my Metall.

so, like Skip68 told me .....let the fun beginnnnnnnn..

  oops,, needed to put on number one, that my wife let me do this project..  Thank you honey 

today i am going to ask the soda blaster for a quotation for blasting or to see if he rents the machine to me.

[tan top]

thats some project you got going there   ,  do you know any history on the Charger !! was  it a export car ??    , long way off i know !! but what are your plans , stock type rebuild  ?? color etc etc
keep the pictures & updates coming     

[Belgium R/T -68]

Welcome to the club. Always nice with another restothread.

Per

[PocketThunder]

thats some project you got going there   ,  do you know any history on the Charger !! was  it a export car ??    , long way off i know !! but what are your plans , stock type rebuild  ?? color etc etc
keep the pictures & updates coming     

Ya do you know when it came to the island and how it got there? 

[4forty]

good luck....nice little project you got there, only one on island is very cool

[john.v]

    OK, have salvage the left fender tage and decode it on the internet ( http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoder.php )
really looks like its a 69 model but it has 68 front and rear, have taken a good look at the rear quarterpanel and these have been change but can not imagine myself of why change the model from a 69 back to a 68.
can it be that this car is build in 68 (see code C18 ) model year 69 and they where still using the 68 front and back because of an EXPORT ??( see code 8 )

also have replace the right front tire because it was flat, so the car is now a easy roller 


-------------------------------------------------------------   
Decoding of Fender Tag: Bottom to Top, Left to Right

Code Description
E44 318-2 Barrel
D31 Light Duty 904 Automatic Transmission TorqueFlite
XP29 X = Dodge Charger
P = Premium
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
F98 F = 318 230HP 1-2BBL 8 CYL
9 = 1969
8 = Export
245555 Sequence Number '245555'
B3 Paint Code: Light Blue Metallic
C6W Trim Grade/Style/Color
C = Charger
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
W = White and Black
W1 Upper Door Frame: Unknown At This Time
C18 Date Built: 12 / 18 / 1968
026240 Order Number: 026240
B41 Roof Type OR Color:  Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C21 Center Seat Foldown Armrest
C55 Bucket Seats
G11 Tinted Glass All
H51 Single Air /w Heater
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31 Belt Molding 69-70
R22 AM w/ 8-Track
V1X Full Vinyl Top - Black
Y09 Built to Export Specifications
26 26 in. Radiator
END End of Codes
-------------------------------------------------------------

regards

john

[Dans 68]

 ...can it be that this car is build in 68 (see code C18 ) model year 69 and they where still using the 68 front and back because of an EXPORT ??( see code 8 )

No. It is a 69 Charger, with a build date of December 18th, 1968, and with the front and back changed out sometime after it left the dealer to the best looking year ( ) Don't change a thing (except to fix everything, or course  )

Dan

[john.v]

 ...can it be that this car is build in 68 (see code C18 ) model year 69 and they where still using the 68 front and back because of an EXPORT ??( see code 8 )

No. It is a 69 Charger, with a build date of December 18th, 1968, and with the front and back changed out sometime after it left the dealer to the best looking year ( ) Don't change a thing (except to fix everything, or course  )

Dan

i must agree, i really like the look of the rear tail lights and complete black front grill, it makes it a more aggressive looking charger.
but ho the h*ll changes a Dukes of hazard looking car and go to a older looking car 
so you can call my car a undercover celebrity 

just search on line some more and it looks like this car was not manufactured in the us but on a Dodge assembly plant outside the US??

7 digit (assembly plant) of the Vin is #8 EXPORT. mmm, more research for me to do at night 

but nevertheless the car will be build as a 68 

[john.v]

OK, i must really go to sleep now, i now see that my charger was build in ""Hamtrack=B"" 
Fender plate and Vin number is getting me confused 
its time to leave the vin alone and start on the car..

[b5blue]

Cool!! Got a sway bar?

[john.v]

Cool!! Got a sway bar?

yep, i have seen something like a rusted sway bar underneed the car.

[challenger70]

Just made contact by mail with Stefan from ""Elite Custom Body & Paint "" ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60901.0.html )  ho is a AMD Dealer in Florida.

until now everything is going smooth. 1. have my Charger 2. found this great website ""dodgecharger.com"" 3. have some great friends like you guy's to help me out giving me tips ect ect 4. found Elite custom to deliver my Metall.

Stefan is a good guy, he sold me 1/2 a Charger 1 piece at a time.

[john.v]

Just made contact by mail with Stefan from ""Elite Custom Body & Paint "" ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60901.0.html )  ho is a AMD Dealer in Florida.

until now everything is going smooth. 1. have my Charger 2. found this great website ""dodgecharger.com"" 3. have some great friends like you guy's to help me out giving me tips ect ect 4. found Elite custom to deliver my Metall.

Stefan is a good guy, he sold me 1/2 a Charger 1 piece at a time.

wel i will be needing all 1/2 a charger in 1 time because of shipping cost.
need to work extra hours to make some extra money 
have spoken with the person today for to soda blasting about a quotation and he told me that it will cost me $30 per bag to blast the charger, he also calculate the car will use like around 4 to 5 bags of soda.
but............ they are out of soda and are waiting for the soda bags to come from the states, told me that they are already on the island but still at the customs to be cleared.
that will take another week before they get it.  ok, i must wait for the phone call.

today in my break i have remove the front bumper and rear bumper and also the front grill.  wow do that front grill needs work. the bumpers only need a shine. the front Valance is a trow away and the radiator suport also.

in the weekend i will do some more and will post more pix.

[b5blue]

How will you protect the steel after blasting?

[Charger440RDN]

How will you protect the steel after blasting?

I'm no body work expert but I believe a lot of people coat the bare metal in Epoxy primer.

[john.v]

How will you protect the steel after blasting?

now THAT will be my question also  , i have a good friend here that owns a Bodyshop and i haven't ask him yet.
but he is doing mostly accident cars repair for insurance companies, and paint with SIKKENS
any ideas - tips from you guys ho has more experienced ??

also i have read that after sodablasting you must clean the car with ""Hold Tight 102 "", is this true? is there anything else that i can clean it up after blasting if i can not get Hold Tight 102 ?

[b5blue]

Try using "search" feature and see what comes up. 

[BLUE68RT4ME]

also i have read that after sodablasting you must clean the car with ""Hold Tight 102 "", is this true? is there anything else that i can clean it up after blasting if i can not get Hold Tight 102 ?

I've been told vinegar works too.  I believe it neutralizes the sodium.

[john.v]

Thanks for the tips,

also, have someone put a four link kit in there Charger or do i need to remove that from my head?
if so, please send some pic, and how do it ride on the road?

many thanks.

today i am going to remove the dash, front and door to prep the charger for soda blasting next week 

[elitecustombody]

Just made contact by mail with Stefan from ""Elite Custom Body & Paint "" ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60901.0.html )  ho is a AMD Dealer in Florida.

until now everything is going smooth. 1. have my Charger 2. found this great website ""dodgecharger.com"" 3. have some great friends like you guy's to help me out giving me tips ect ect 4. found Elite custom to deliver my Metall.

Stefan is a good guy, he sold me 1/2 a Charger 1 piece at a time.

Ron, thank you for kind words.  ,I'm glad I was able to help ,

Stefan

[john.v]

Just made contact by mail with Stefan from ""Elite Custom Body & Paint "" ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60901.0.html )  ho is a AMD Dealer in Florida.

until now everything is going smooth. 1. have my Charger 2. found this great website ""dodgecharger.com"" 3. have some great friends like you guy's to help me out giving me tips ect ect 4. found Elite custom to deliver my Metall.

Stefan is a good guy, he sold me 1/2 a Charger 1 piece at a time.

Ron, thank you for kind words.  ,I'm glad I was able to help ,

Stefan

hey stefan, just send you a order yesterday. 

[john.v]

Thanks for the tips,

also, have someone put a four link kit in there Charger or do i need to remove that from my head?
if so, please send some pic, and how do it ride on the road?

many thanks.

today i am going to remove the dash, front and door to prep the charger for soda blasting next week 

mmmmmmmmmmm, still waiting to get a appointment for the soda blasting      will call up the guy monday and    hahaha

[Brock Samson]

 I know your anxious to get her painted and all,..  but If you take your time to line everything up properly it'll last longer and avoid problems,.. good luck. 

[elitecustombody]

Just made contact by mail with Stefan from ""Elite Custom Body & Paint "" ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60901.0.html )  ho is a AMD Dealer in Florida.

until now everything is going smooth. 1. have my Charger 2. found this great website ""dodgecharger.com"" 3. have some great friends like you guy's to help me out giving me tips ect ect 4. found Elite custom to deliver my Metall.

Stefan is a good guy, he sold me 1/2 a Charger 1 piece at a time.

Ron, thank you for kind words.  ,I'm glad I was able to help ,

Stefan

hey stefan, just send you a order yesterday. 

replied

[moparstuart]

still workin on it   any updates