Charger, Road Runner, Super Bee Restoration Guide - Herd

[TK73]

Amazon has this book for astronomical asking prices and eBag has one with a high reserve.

What is the deal with this?

[69CoronetRT]

With the bad reputation that book has, I'm surprised it still sells for cover price. You'd think it would be in the bargain bin.

[jaak]

Amazon has this book for astronomical asking prices and eBag has one with a high reserve.

What is the deal with this?

I think it is out of print now....thats why its bringing huge prices. That being said, the book is full of errors....not a true 'restoration' guide. If you need to know anything about 'concours correctness'.... the man here is Jim (Maxwellwedge)!

Jason

[greasyspider]

That book sucks!

[tan top]

yeah lot of mistakes in there  , my parents bought me a copy for christmas when it first come out

[Dans 68]

Yes, out of print, but I don't think it's a horrible book. Lots of good information with mistakes sprinkled throughout. Not a "bible" by any means on the subject but a good introduction.

Dan

[Brock Samson]

 i used it when i did mine got lots of parts numbers from it... i some of the mistakes i caught at the time,.. this was  20 years ago at least,.. early '90s before this site and e-bay...

[BananaDan]

I couldn't believe the prices myself last year when I was looking around for it.  Then, in Carlisle last July, I found it with one of the book/ad/pamphlet vendors for $30, brand new.
  Also, if you have a 1970, there's a book out there that is ok called Project Charger.  However, these forums, and for 70 owners the 1970 Charger Registry forums, are by far the most valuable resource available to anyone.

Dan

[Ghoste]

It has a cool cover photo. 

[tan top]

Yes, out of print, but I don't think it's a horrible book. Lots of good information with mistakes sprinkled throughout. Not a "bible" by any means on the subject but a good introduction.

Dan

yes thats true 

[Brock Samson]

OK: can anyone cite any of the "Mistakes" in the book?.. 

[Dans 68]

OK: can anyone cite any of the "Mistakes" in the book?..  

Good question.    I'd like to see what we find.  

Dan

[Brock Samson]

it's possible that if i look, i will/would be able to find my original computerized list of parts numbers for '69 R/T S.E.s if i can i will post it, though that was at least three computers ago.. i can't comment on any other years though, and the book deals with '68 thru 70s b-bods only. I'm sure the fanatics (ya' you wing car fanatics) will find PLENTY wrong.  still i think it's a damn good way to get up to speed generallee... 

[devilgear]

Wow.Lots of mistakes huh? I have both books.The restoration guide and the history one.Both are cool, with lots of info and pictures. Never knew that it had lots of mistakes though.

[69CoronetRT]

OK: can anyone cite any of the "Mistakes" in the book?..  

Good question.    I'd like to see what we find.  

Dan

Chaper 1 page 6, VIN decodes, first column

68-70 Coronet R/T HT WS29
68-70 Super Bee Hard top WM29 (no 68 super Bee hard tops, and again, the WM29 code)

Colum two:
68-70 GTX hard top, RS29

reference to R in VIN meaning Plymouth insted of Belvedere line of cars.

So we're on page one and there are already errors in how to decode a VIN.
pg 2 first column

"....A 383 4bbl V-8 in a 1969 Charger is coded G...."

1968 and 69  engine VIN decode G= 383-2bbl and 383-4bbl 330 horse engine.
1970 383-2bbl and 383-4bbl 330 horse both code L.

Column 2

"The 1968 Charger was built only at the Hamtramck plant...."

Eight errors in the first two pages of the book. Shall I continue?

Fender tags: column 1

"..tags are usually riveted or attached with Phillips-head screws to the top of the left-hand inner fender but I have seen them on the right-hand inner fender." Two mistakes in one sentence.

Column 2 "...WS29 indicates a Charger R/T." Wait...page 6 said WS29 was a Coronet R/T?

wrong reference to engine code in 68 SBs and RRs


How much more do you want? We've only gone through three pages of the book. The book is FILLED with similar errors to PNs and other restoration facts. If you can't trust a guy to even decode a VIN correctly, do you trust him for crucial restoration details?

[Dans 68]

..."The 1968 Charger was built only at the Hamtramck plant...."....

Yeah, that one made me smile.    Can't disrespect the St. Louis plant, now. 

Dan

[Ghoste]

I think many of the errors have already been documented here.  I can't cite specific threads but I think they have.

[Brock Samson]

Ok, I just checked the parts numbers and my R/T is made with a whole bunch of Camaro stuff..     

[69CoronetRT]

I think many of the errors have already been documented here.  I can't cite specific threads but I think they have.

That's kind of the point. Why spend outrageous money for a book filled with errors when you can get correct information here for free?

[el dub]

Well I got this book in 2000 just for the pics of how things go back together. I thought it was ok for what it was but it seems like no one likes it to much. What book out there is better?  Thanks