Not Just Another 69 Charger Build Thread

[Rolling_Thunder]

hmmmm   if you don't want the car - sell it and get your *ahem* compensation     

If you want to keep it - be prepared to spend a lot more $$$ on it and not have it done for quite some time.

[miller time]

Thanks Forza, I needed that to snap me out of it.
I've been trying to keep everybody happy but that's obviously not working.
And Back N Black, Thanks I take that as a complement from you, and since it will anoy you some more I'm going to keep my car
And thanks 69 and Rolling.

[Foreman72]

if i may...why are you interested in what people on here think? i mean they have more knowledge than i'll ever know but like forza said, its your car man... its impossible to make everyone happy anyways...which you have clearly seen...but when people complain about something they usually have some sort of valid reasoning behind it...for example, doing things half right (esp on an RT SE) the first time which equals making more work in the future

anyways....my thoughts...man being straight with you this quote:

"Illegally but driving, I'm shooting to get just enough done to make her go, because if I dont like how she goes, I'm selling it for a new truck to build"

ithat right there man says this isn't the car for you...if your in a hurry to get it done so you can see if you like how it "goes" (speaking of which, that sound potentially dangerous right there)  and your not in a position do restore it right or have the patience to wait till your in a position to, then i think it would be wise to start looking to sell or trade for a truck you can devote your attention to which will be a cheaper and probably more have more short term rewards than the charger

quick story...buddy of mine senior year had this old beater jeep...amc jeep...old...but it was a bear...we had way way more fun and good times in that thing then we did in our other friend's dinan supercharged BMW M3...point being, it might be wise to get a car or truck that you can just have a good time in with out worries as opposed to a classic (RARE) muscle car...

if you sell it, you'd be able to get quite a bit of $$ from the right guy...you wanted an unbiased level opinion you got it right there...i don't really care one way or another if you keep it or sell it...but if you keep it...i really think you should take the time to do it right...

once again, all one mans opinion...best to you dude

[miller time]

Thamks Foreman

[TheGhost]

Ugh...  Sometimes I think you post just for attention.

Look, trying to completely restore a classic car, especially one as expensive as a 69 Charger, while on a High School student budget, is gonna be hard as hell.  And if you think it's bad now, just wait until you go to College, and have to leave your project behind at mom and dad's house.  You'll be lucky to just look at the car on the weekends.

Frankly, I feel that buying such a project at your age is a mistake, unless you have alot of patience.  It is going to take you a few years before you get it done.  Hell, I bought my Barracuda when I was 20, and out of college, and for the almost 3 years I had her, I could barely afford to keep her.  Eventually, I sold her to someone who did have the time and money, because that's what the car deserved.  Bronzy here has had his Charger since he was, what, 10?  And he's still not ready to drive it.  Project cars are called that for a reason.  They are projects.  They take alot of time, effort, and money.  If you don't have enough of any of those things, you probably shouldn't have a project car.

But...

You already have the car.  An actual R/T no less.  Those are not a dime a dozen.  If you sell it now, who knows when you'll be able to get another one.  If you'll be able to get another one.  If you truly want the car (and you'll have to ask yourself this, honestly), if you truly have your heart set on a Charger, then let it sit in storage for a couple of years.  Save up your money.  Do a little work or buy a part here and there, when you come across a good deal.  Concentrate on school.  Get a good job.  Then come back to the Charger.  It will be alot easier when you are working a full time job to afford the restoration.

If you aren't willing to wait, if you lack the patience, then save yourself alot of headache, and sell the car now.

[Ghoste]

Why do you really want the car anyway?  Be honest with yourself, is it just a prop that you think will make you look cool or is it some intangible fanaticism?  You regret buying it, you don't have the money to get it on the road and you dont want opinions that aren't what you want to hear.  Given all that you should just sell it.  If you think you are going to lose money on it then you paid too much up front and you can chalk it up to a lesson in life.  We all get a round on that one.
Get the truck, I really think you'll be much happier in the short and long term. 

[69bronzeT5]

Bronzy here has had his Charger since he was, what, 10?  And he's still not ready to drive it. 

6

[twodko]

I have to agree with BacknBlack. Grow up buddy! You don't need opinions from anyone about what you should or shouldn't do with YOUR car. If you're on the fence about it sell it and get the truck. Your age is the biggest stumbling block here and it shows. Accept the opinions offered here with an open mind.....use the ones that make sense to you and discount the others. Its very tough at your age taking on a project like this, 68r/t says your heart isn't in it and I he's right too. You're not thinking long term and that's what your car is about. It take lots of cash and time to resto any car especially Chargers. Much later in your life you'll have the discretionary money and time to resto a great car.....be patient. Lastly, when you include several profane words in any message, your credibility with people goes down the tube. Food for thought.

Tom

[miller time]

Alright guys, I'm going to keep it, try to take it slow, and do it right. And sorry for the cursing.
And then it's a paint color question, they make 4,000+ RT SE's so it's a 16:1 ratio, but with yellow and green paint job, and the drive train combo, should I paint its nasty stock combo or pick a new color?

I'm going to blast and sand off as much or my half-done paint job and do some of it myself for money and pride sake.
I'm not going to listen to anyone just start a poll, because I'm on the fence about it.

[TheGhost]

It's your car, if you don't like the stock colors, don't paint it the stock colors.

Trust me, I'm sure you'll change your mind about what color you want a hundred times before the car's ready for paint.

[Brock Samson]

Miller:
I allways wanted a charger, when the '69s came out and i sat in a triple black R/T in a dealership when I was 12 I knew that was the best car I had seen cruising auto row - something i did every yr.
When i saw the SE option in the Magazine I knew i wanted a '69 R/T SE. Triple Black.
with the stance of Dandy Dicks' Super Stock but with a six-pack...
I had to wait 15 years though,.. finally when I had two good paying jobs and was 24 I got what I wanted.
And I had to rebuild the basket case too.
my stratagy was to buy a 318 drivetrain doner parts car and swap the parts over to my stripped R/T SE.
I ran around in a 318 powered R/T for ten years while I bought up the correct BB parts.
It wasn't 446 powered till '99...
Now, you've had this charger how long?.. 
I know it's hard when your young, but you really will need a decent source of income to get this puppy goin'.
anyhow just my 2 cents.. 

[Ghoste]

And not to keep trying to discourage you, but the money part doesn't end after you get it on the road.  These cars require a lot of maintenance and parts aren't cheap.  They are a tad thirstier for fuel than their modern counterparts too.

[motorcitydak]

Like the guys already said, its your car man. Paint it what ever color you want. If you want it flat black primer, paint it that color. Did you see the stuff I got for buying fiberglass front fenders and hood? Just imagine what guys will be typing when they se that Im also going to use the fiberglass rear quarters. Yes, it is an R/T car, most people here treat them like the holy grail so they get pissed when someone does anything different than what the fender tag says. Paint can be changed. I say paint it with whatever you want and put it back together. Just do not let it rust away (you are in Florida anyways so you are good there) and do not do anything that you can see yourself having a very hard time changing in the future. You said you want it running by next year, you have 3 weeks...

[miller time]

. You said you want it running by next year, you have 3 weeks...

Correction
3 weeks and 264 days

Thanks, I'm going to print pictures and compare how it looks.

[Forza]

If you're not after a numbers matching original setup, paint it whatever you like.

[jb666]

And not to keep trying to discourage you, but the money part doesn't end after you get it on the road.  These cars require a lot of maintenance and parts aren't cheap.  They are a tad thirstier for fuel than their modern counterparts too.

That is a true statement if I've ever seen one...

That said, I've read how you'll decide once you see how your car handles.. That reminded me of the day I told one of my Corvette buds that I was buying a '69 Charger. He says "How can you go from a Z06 to a '69 Charger, it'll handle like a bowling ball!!". He was dead wrong.. Everyone that's been in my car said they can't believe it (and it could have something to do with the SF connnectors and cage, but..) but the car is tight, doesn't have a single rattle, and handles great!! It rides VERY smooth. I couldn't be happier with it..

Give it a chance before you decide you want to get rid of it.. It might just surprise you.

[miller time]

Ok, my buddy wants to help me paint the car over christmas break, so I need to decide on the color and what I want under the car, should I do a colored 3m undercoating? Because the car will see shellrock roads and kcik up its share of dirt (everything around here does).
Also I'm haveing a hard time with colors, I'm going to try to find some cars to look at in person but what do you guys think?
It's really down to Grey, White, Black (not so much), nasty stock colors , and a GL clone. If the car matched numbers I would do it stock but it doesn't so why bother?
Vynil roof would be a question later on.
Thanks yall.

[Foreman72]

Ok, my buddy wants to help me paint the car over christmas break, so I need to decide on the color and what I want under the car, should I do a colored 3m undercoating? Because the car will see shellrock roads and kcik up its share of dirt (everything around here does).
Also I'm haveing a hard time with colors, I'm going to try to find some cars to look at in person but what do you guys think?
It's really down to Grey, White, Black (not so much), nasty stock colors , and a GL clone. If the car matched numbers I would do it stock but it doesn't so why bother?
Vynil roof would be a question later on.
Thanks yall.

if you don't mind...this is based on the assumption that your painting the entire car

1) are you planning on doing an official mopar color or just any red, black etc?
2) is the body in good enough shape to be painted (straight, etched, primed etc)
3) have you looked into the cost of paint/supplies? just so you know what your going to funnel into this
4) do you have the space/tools needed to do a solid job? takes a real beefy compressor, high quality hvlp gun, adequate space/room to hang stuff...
5) have you done the research on the proper techniques, time needed for hardening, how to tape everything off etc...

now don't think i'm trying to slam you or talk down to you in any way...i just wanna make sure your butt is covered and that you don't run into further headaches...

as far as the 3m undercoating...i would paint the body the color you want and black the chassis using the undercoating...i don't know much about the 3m one but eastwood makes a real nice undercoating/rust preventor called chassis black...you can get whatever grade you feel you need...

my vote for color choice...i think grey would be a great option...not white (it'll get real dirty real fast) not black (hard color to paint)

all just my

[miller time]

Yeah my buddy wants to do even though I have $50 and thats it, he wants to paint the car, and do the bodywork and all , I'm not going to turn him down . Also I kind of like the grey chevy uses on their trucks, the nice flake one.
And white hides everything but mud, I have a white truck and the only way you know that I go down dirt roads is the chrome, tires and windows, white really hides everthing. But I really like the grey out of them all.
thanks

[69bronzeT5]

Don't do a General Lee clone. I like white....

[WHITE AND RED 69]

My car is white and its not all that bad to keep it clean.

[miller time]

My car is white and its not all that bad to keep it clean.

I think I was using your car as an option, very nice
Thanks bronzy.
I'm really leaning towards grey, I'm thinking of using Chevy grey. the color they put on the trucks with the glitter stuff in it any feeback on that idea?

[motorcitydak]

Im leaning heavily toward this color for my car

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-UP333/

[miller time]

Im leaning heavily toward this color for my car

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-UP333/

Yeah that looks pretty good,
Any feedback for the bottom of the car?

[miller time]

So undercoating or not???
I was told not to but I dont know, the car's for me not the guy asking if its forsale, and it will see dirt roads and lost of rain (being a southern car)
I can always say it was a northern car which came optional underlining?

And I think it's going to be a Chevy grey, black vynil top, interior and r/t stripe.
(even though it's a delete stripe car)