The Project '69 Resto Thread - Uh-Ohh... 10-18-14

[bill440rt]

I know there are a lot of resto threads on this board, so I thought I'd create one thread documenting the progress on my '69 Charger resto. I dubbed the car "Project '69" when I first started it, so most of the threads had that in the title.

I bought the car back around 2004 as a rusty roller, with the intent on building a nice car within a budget with no deadline. With a '68 & a '70 also in the garage, this was my 3rd Charger project.
A buddy of mine had found her, & tipped me off. Turns out, the curent owner was moving in 2 weeks and the car had to GO!! A mere $600 bucks & three trips with the truck & trailer, and the Charger was back at my house.

It was originally a 383 4-speed that was hacked to a 440-auto. No build sheet, fender tag, & original engine/trans was long gone. A nice clean slate to build whatever I wanted. Perfect.
Wifey picked the color, & I got the keep the car. Well, share the car.  
Keep in mind I have done 95% of the work on the car by myself, with a little help from friends when I needed it.

Here's how she looked when I first got her.

[bill440rt]

All the rotten stuff was cut off, and Project '69 was then sandblasted & coated with PPG DP primer. Underside was covered with POR-15.

Here are some of the early bodywork pictures.

[bill440rt]

Now, here are links to the progress threads. Lots of how-to stuff here.

Bodywork:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,14564.0.html


Painting:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,18080.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,18310.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,19314.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,19944.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20149.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20504.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,23081.0.html

[bill440rt]

More threads:

Dash & Heater Box Install:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43059.0.html

Headliner Installation:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,31212.0.html

Vinyl Top:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,30095.0.html

Applying a Rear Stripe:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,29293.0.html

Rear Suspension & Brakes:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,24627.0.html

[bill440rt]

And more threads... 

Door glass & vent windows:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,39415.0.html

Windshield & Back Glass:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43619.0.html

Wheels & Tires:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,38231.0.html

Headrest Resto:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,45307.0.html

Front Suspension & Brakes:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,26781.0.html

[bill440rt]

And more threads:


Interior & Seats:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,52458.0.html

Engine:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,52477.0.html

Engine & Keisler OD Trans Installation:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62840.0.html


That's about where I'm at right now in this project. Keep in mind I have done 95% of the work on the car by myself, with a little help from friends when I needed it.
I'll probably just use this thread here as more work continues, it's easier to keep track when it's in one spot. Lots more to do!

[resq302]

Excellent work Bill.  For those of you that don't know Bill, he is super neat and detailed when it comes to working on his toys.  I have seen this car first hand at various points of progress and each time it blows me away.  I can not wait to see this car finished and hitting the streets.

[tan top]

awesome Job Bill    , good  reading & pictures  all in one thread    good stuff 

[HITMAN 149]

i tooo have met bill ( what a gentelman!!! ) and his car (even though it's a 69 LOL) is frigggggin unbelievable!!!!! esp for the work that he has done it himself!! im soooo jealous!!! lol
great work man!!!! keep it up!!!!!!!

[bill440rt]

Thanks guys.    I just thought it would be easier to have all of the progress threads in one thread.
Part of the reason why I created them was to show how some things are done, so it might help others with their projects. Things like putting on a stripe or installing a headliner, these can get quite expensive if you have to pay someone else to do it.
I'll be posting more pics as progress continues. I find I'm doing a little bit on the car each week, so it's moving right along.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Very good to post all threads in one. Love your car Bill, has been a motivator for me.

Per

[bill440rt]

Here's some more pictures of the progress. Man, it's getting close. A few members here were asking how the 6-pack air cleaner will clear with the A/C. You can see it's really tight, but it does clear.
I've got the front of it pretty much completed. Grille, bumper, lights, & pretty much everything under the hood is done.
A few small details left to do. I gotta install the hood lights to get the signal wires out of the way. I'm waiting for the straps so I can tuck away the heater hoses, too.

I also have to re-route the drain for the A/C box. Classic Auto Air gave me a short length of clear drain hose, turns out it dumps right on top of the passenger header. Not good. The same stuff is available right at the local hardware store, I just need to pick up a longer piece.
A couple of things left to button up under the dash, & install the steering wheel. Seems like it doesn't end.

[bill440rt]

A few more...

[69bronzeT5]

Fantastic! That is one kick ass engine compartment

[kokxville]

Very very very nice  

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Cant wait to see this in person.....gotta ask tho....WTF is up with that washer bottle? 

[bill440rt]

Cant wait to see this in person.....gotta ask tho....WTF is up with that washer bottle? 

Hmmm... I can only assume you're referring to the opposite opening cap as opposed to original?? 
Ooooh... like that's gonna bother me at this point!     I think it looks great, since it was a $20 buck NOS swap meet item. Yep, found it at Carlisle! 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Cant wait to see this in person.....gotta ask tho....WTF is up with that washer bottle?  

Hmmm... I can only assume you're referring to the opposite opening cap as opposed to original??  
Ooooh... like that's gonna bother me at this point!     I think it looks great, since it was a $20 buck NOS swap meet item. Yep, found it at Carlisle!  

I knew that pal.....I was there remember?

[bill440rt]

Cant wait to see this in person.....gotta ask tho....WTF is up with that washer bottle?  

Hmmm... I can only assume you're referring to the opposite opening cap as opposed to original??  
Ooooh... like that's gonna bother me at this point!     I think it looks great, since it was a $20 buck NOS swap meet item. Yep, found it at Carlisle!  

I knew that pal.....I was there remember?

Of COURSE I remember! 
The thing cleaned up like brand-spankin'-new! Definitely was a good score. 

[tan top]

A few more...

dang Bill awesome job    love that color combo    

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Wow! that is nice!  Wish my engine compartment was as clean as that. Great job!

[Back N Black]

Car looks awesome! top notch work! 

[resq302]

comin along nice Bill.  Cant wait to hear that beast fire up and pull into E-town.

[bill440rt]

Here are a few more pictures of some updates & small progress.

Got the dash back together, & installed the new steering wheel. The wires hanging from the dash is the computer cable from the trans CPU. I have to check to make sure the throttle position sensor is reading correctly BEFORE firing up the car. The other red/gray wires is the dual-mode switch for the trans. This toggles between performance mode & cruise mode. I'm planning on hiding it in the console.

Also finally tucked away the remaining hoses under the hood.
Only things that are left is re-routing the A/C drain hose, currently it dumps directly on the passenger header. Then, dump some gas in it, and wait for a warmer day. No heat crossover in the Eddy heads, so there's no choke.
All ready to go, just at the mercy of the damn winter! 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Well Bill, you know I've told you this before: who needs FSM when we have you and your threads.

BTW, nice car.

Per