converting 68 to 70

[Troy]

I see. T/A parts are definitely harder to find than 70 Charger parts. However, there are a lot more similarities with a standard 70 Challenger than there are between 68 and 70 Charger. The tail lights, tail panel, tail panel trim, side marker lights (and holes for them), doors, hood, hood turn signals (or delete plates), front fenders, front bumper, grill, front valance, headlight motors and wiring, dash frame, upper dash pad, gauge bezels, some gauges and switches, door panels, upper door pads, front seats, console top, and shifter/handle (if you want a 4-speed) are all different.

At least you are aware of the amount of time, effort, and money you'll be looking at. If it were me, I'd put the money into the T/A and search for a 70 later. Aw, who am I kidding, I'd buy the 68 and stick it in the back of the garage for "some day" (I had 11 cars last year but I'm down to 7 now so I have room). If I were you and had your skills I'd consider making the 68 into a driver and selling it to fund the 70. The 68 is worth more. The market is down right now and will likely stay that way - at least in the near term. There was a numbers matching 70 R/T floating around for about $12k that I think is still available. It's all there, is titled/registered, and is currently drivable (which means you could get a loan if necessary).

Troy

[spoolinhard]

I find it interesting how there were more 68's made yet they are worth more

[Troy]

I find it interesting how there were more 68's made yet they are worth more

So you disagree or you're not sure how something "less rare" could be worth more? Of the second generation cars (68-70) the highest number were made in 68 and the fewest in 70 but, overall, the 69s command the most money. It's personal preference. I know the 70 owners get all bent out of shape when they realize that all those cool options and high impact colors don't really mean much to some people. Don't get them started on Daytona clones either...

Troy

[TK73]

Shock therapy may be the only cure.

One of my fav movies!!!!!!

Just finished the book for the 1st time... good read!!

[six-tee-nine]

Well First of all, if you want a 70 then buy a 70 or wait till you have other funds or better options to buy what you want. The idea of "omg i have to buy this one because tomorrow they will be all gone" is a wrong idea......
Waiting wont kill you and the Chargers are already 40 years on the planet and they will last for several decades (I hope).

The only way I would get into the 68 is when you can do some sort of buisiness. I mean buying it VERY cheap. Then decide if the car is worth saving to pass it along and make a slight profit to buy a better 70.
If the car is too far gone (since it sat in a field) you can always part it out and maybe sell alot of good stuff (trim, grille stuff, glass, maybe even a good roof shell).

Just for fun, try and locate a good and complete 70 grill for your conversion with an undented bumber, as less cracks as possible in the plastic parts and with the correct electric actuators....... good luck and i hope you have deep pockets.

[spoolinhard]

I find it interesting how there were more 68's made yet they are worth more

So you disagree or you're not sure how something "less rare" could be worth more? Of the second generation cars (68-70) the highest number were made in 68 and the fewest in 70 but, overall, the 69s command the most money. It's personal preference. I know the 70 owners get all bent out of shape when they realize that all those cool options and high impact colors don't really mean much to some people. Don't get them started on Daytona clones either...

Troy

No, I agree. I was wandering why the 70's werent selling for as much. I wonder if the general had anything to do with the popularity of the 69's?

[spoolinhard]

Well First of all, if you want a 70 then buy a 70 or wait till you have other funds or better options to buy what you want. The idea of "omg i have to buy this one because tomorrow they will be all gone" is a wrong idea......
Waiting wont kill you and the Chargers are already 40 years on the planet and they will last for several decades (I hope).

The only way I would get into the 68 is when you can do some sort of buisiness. I mean buying it VERY cheap. Then decide if the car is worth saving to pass it along and make a slight profit to buy a better 70.
If the car is too far gone (since it sat in a field) you can always part it out and maybe sell alot of good stuff (trim, grille stuff, glass, maybe even a good roof shell).

Just for fun, try and locate a good and complete 70 grill for your conversion with an undented bumber, as less cracks as possible in the plastic parts and with the correct electric actuators....... good luck and i hope you have deep pockets.

For the most part I agree with what you are saying, and yes, I have noticed what kind of prices the grills command.

[jobbless]

my buddy made his 70 a 68. if that is what you are into, iif i had a 70 i would have made it a 68 also.

[Richard Cranium]

my buddy made his 70 a 68. if that is what you are into, iif i had a 70 i would have made it a 68 also.

Which of you is which?   

[bull]

If you're that impatient go buy a Chevy. Mopar is not the right brand for impatient people.

[69rtse4spd]

Well First of all, if you want a 70 then buy a 70 or wait till you have other funds or better options to buy what you want. The idea of "omg i have to buy this one because tomorrow they will be all gone" is a wrong idea......
Waiting wont kill you and the Chargers are already 40 years on the planet and they will last for several decades (I hope).

The only way I would get into the 68 is when you can do some sort of buisiness. I mean buying it VERY cheap. Then decide if the car is worth saving to pass it along and make a slight profit to buy a better 70.
If the car is too far gone (since it sat in a field) you can always part it out and maybe sell alot of good stuff (trim, grille stuff, glass, maybe even a good roof shell).

Just for fun, try and locate a good and complete 70 grill for your conversion with an undented bumber, as less cracks as possible in the plastic parts and with the correct electric actuators....... good luck and i hope you have deep pockets.

Know where there is a perfect grill, but you have to buy the car to get it, 5500.00 firm. The rest of the car is not worth it. .

[jobbless]

I always wanted a 68. when I was 17, 16 years ago. I traded my real solid one owner 70 satellite for a 69 charger. i ended up selling it, because I wanted a 68. If I had the chance to go back, I would have made the 69 a 68. It took me 15  more years to get a 68.

[Mike DC]

     

If you're that impatient go buy a Chevy. Mopar is not the right brand for impatient people.

Very true.  Dealing with Mopars always means waiting and searching for things.   

[Old Moparz]

I always wanted a 68. when I was 17, 16 years ago. I traded my real solid one owner 70 satellite for a 69 charger. i ended up selling it, because I wanted a 68. If I had the chance to go back, I would have made the 69 a 68. It took me 15  more years to get a 68.

That's fairly the same situation I am in currently. I've always figured it was best to work with what you already own, or have easy access to, or what you can truly afford. For me the budget plays the biggest part, which is the reason I have a '68 instead of the '69 I would really rather have. I was in the process of gathering '69 Charger parts to convert my '68 Coronet convertible into a Charger convertible, when I decided I needed a complete Charger shell to work from to save time & work.

I watched ebay & other sites for months, & the only car that was within my budget & worth buying, was the '68 Charger that I own now. It turned out that I changed plans after getting the car since it's 100% rust free with all new sheet metal & way too nice to cut up. It did need the entire nose since it was missing, so I bought '70 fenders, a nose cone with the rest of the Daytona parts to turn it into a Charger Daytona. A lot of people will tell me to find a '69 to do it & to leave the '68 alone, but I don't care, it's what I already have.

It was a no brainer, the price of the rust free '68 when I got it, was less than what most parts cars go for that aren't even worth buying in the first place.

[spoolinhard]

If you're that impatient go buy a Chevy. Mopar is not the right brand for impatient people.

Maybe you are being sarcastic, I honestly dont know. MOPAR to the core, I can't help but get a little ticked at a comment like this. It makes me think that you have read nothing else that I have posted.

I come from a mopar or no car family. Born and raised. There will be no brand x consideration. I am envious as hell, and have wanted a chager ever since I sold (and regretted selling) my 68 r/t. I have wanted one back ever since. Can't blame a guy for that can you?  I also own a Neon srt-4, an 88 shelby z daytona, an 87 shelby charger, a 69 roadrunner, and my afforemention 70 challenger T/A, which if you read anything of my post on the car (with my experience) perhaps you would not have asserted yourself so strongly.

Regardless, to keep this from turning into a flame thread please stay on topic as this seems a silly thing to argue over. Just had to speak my peace.

[stripedelete]

If you're that impatient go buy a Chevy. Mopar is not the right brand for impatient people.

Maybe you are being sarcastic, I honestly dont know. MOPAR to the core, I can't help but get a little ticked at a comment like this. It makes me think that you have read nothing else that I have posted.

I come from a mopar or no car family. Born and raised. There will be no brand x consideration. I am envious as hell, and have wanted a chager ever since I sold (and regretted selling) my 68 r/t. I have wanted one back ever since. Can't blame a guy for that can you?  I also own a Neon srt-4, an 88 shelby z daytona, an 87 shelby charger, a 69 roadrunner, and my afforemention 70 challenger T/A, which if you read anything of my post on the car (with my experience) perhaps you would not have asserted yourself so strongly.

Regardless, to keep this from turning into a flame thread please stay on topic as this seems a silly thing to argue over. Just had to speak my peace.

And you're going to call yourself a "Mopar Guy"?  Sorry, but in order to that we are going to need 1) at least 500 words on running a slant six under impossible conditions.  2) proof that you owned at least one Dart with a torn torsion bar mount.  ( can also be included in slant six story) 3) a story about your uncle's cousin's brother's friend's dad going the dealership to buy a Polara wagon only to have the dealer try to sell them a Daytona or Superbird for $1,200. 

Then maybe........

[bull]

If you're that impatient go buy a Chevy. Mopar is not the right brand for impatient people.

Maybe you are being sarcastic, I honestly dont know. MOPAR to the core, I can't help but get a little ticked at a comment like this. It makes me think that you have read nothing else that I have posted.

I come from a mopar or no car family. Born and raised. There will be no brand x consideration. I am envious as hell, and have wanted a chager ever since I sold (and regretted selling) my 68 r/t. I have wanted one back ever since. Can't blame a guy for that can you?  I also own a Neon srt-4, an 88 shelby z daytona, an 87 shelby charger, a 69 roadrunner, and my afforemention 70 challenger T/A, which if you read anything of my post on the car (with my experience) perhaps you would not have asserted yourself so strongly.

Regardless, to keep this from turning into a flame thread please stay on topic as this seems a silly thing to argue over. Just had to speak my peace.

You asked for opinions and I gave you mine. If you want a '70 then I would exert some patience and find/buy a '70; leave the '68 alone. That's my opinion.

[spoolinhard]

If you're that impatient go buy a Chevy. Mopar is not the right brand for impatient people.

Maybe you are being sarcastic, I honestly dont know. MOPAR to the core, I can't help but get a little ticked at a comment like this. It makes me think that you have read nothing else that I have posted.

I come from a mopar or no car family. Born and raised. There will be no brand x consideration. I am envious as hell, and have wanted a chager ever since I sold (and regretted selling) my 68 r/t. I have wanted one back ever since. Can't blame a guy for that can you?  I also own a Neon srt-4, an 88 shelby z daytona, an 87 shelby charger, a 69 roadrunner, and my afforemention 70 challenger T/A, which if you read anything of my post on the car (with my experience) perhaps you would not have asserted yourself so strongly.

Regardless, to keep this from turning into a flame thread please stay on topic as this seems a silly thing to argue over. Just had to speak my peace.

And you're going to call yourself a "Mopar Guy"?  Sorry, but in order to that we are going to need 1) at least 500 words on running a slant six under impossible conditions.  2) proof that you owned at least one Dart with a torn torsion bar mount.  ( can also be included in slant six story) 3) a story about your uncle's cousin's brother's friend's dad going the dealership to buy a Polara wagon only to have the dealer try to sell them a Daytona or Superbird for $1,200.  

Then maybe........

haha!
Well I'll do my best.
1. We inherited a volare that had a gas tank full of varnish smelling gas, and a slant 6 in it. We dropped a battery in it and it chugged to life.

2.No dart but we had a 318 Scamp back in the day. My dad did a burnout with me and my friend in the car. My friend said "my dads vette can't do that"

3. My dad passed up  a trade with his aspen r/t for a wrecked superbird. Can't blame him though, he loved that R/T. And I probbably wouldnt have been born if he had. Thats how my parents met. They were both cruising, my dad in his aspen r/t, and my mom in her roadrunner volare Does it get any more mopar than that? I am a mopar child!

[TX9H6E4CUDA]

Some of the posts here make me..

[Patronus]

I cant say what your budget actually is, but seriously, these cars just aren't that much $$. If you have the skillz you say then your a professional. And skilled professionals usually tend to make money. Score and flip the '68 and make a few pesos, you'll save a Charger and make someone else's Mopar dream. Im a firm believer in what goes around comes around.. and you'll have your '70.. 

[BrianShaughnessy]

I find it interesting how there were more 68's made yet they are worth more

So you disagree or you're not sure how something "less rare" could be worth more? Of the second generation cars (68-70) the highest number were made in 68 and the fewest in 70 but, overall, the 69s command the most money. It's personal preference. I know the 70 owners get all bent out of shape when they realize that all those cool options and high impact colors don't really mean much to some people. Don't get them started on Daytona clones either...

Troy

FWIW...     finding '70 front sheetmetal, grill and all the rest would be a giant expensive PITA.     
The selection of 70 fenders and hoods decreases with every Daytona clone created.     To repeat what I was told by an AMD rep,  there's no plans to do 70 fenders or hoods.

If you really want a 70...   just be patient and be vigilant checking out all the sources.

[G-man]

GROUP E is still waiting on THOSE pictures.

Otherwise, Group B: Ur car do whatever you want to it, however, there is sense in just buying a 70 cause it will save u the $

[spoolinhard]

I cant say what your budget actually is, but seriously, these cars just aren't that much $$. If you have the skillz you say then your a professional. And skilled professionals usually tend to make money. Score and flip the '68 and make a few pesos, you'll save a Charger and make someone else's Mopar dream. Im a firm believer in what goes around comes around.. and you'll have your '70.. 

My parents use to run a family owned body shop. When I was very young I remember BOTH of my parents doing autobody work. My mom was better than my dad from what I remember, although she hated it. We closed our doors when I was an early teen, we still have our shop, we just operate it as a hobby shop. I have been around this kind of stuff all my life. My skills with body and paint work were handed down from my grandfather, through both of my parents. After I got out of college(not for autobody) I worked professionally in autobody for 2 days. Hated it so much that I quit on the 2nd. Im a dreamer and when Im workin on someone elses car, I just can't envision the end product, and me driving it . So I only do work for myself, no big budget. I actually just graduated with my 2nd degree in may, so money is a little tight at the moment.


For all who are concerned, I will still go after the 68 but will leave it a 68. You have won me over.

[spoolinhard]

GROUP E is still waiting on THOSE pictures.

Otherwise, Group B: Ur car do whatever you want to it, however, there is sense in just buying a 70 cause it will save u the $

I can't promise when that will be, but when I get them, they will be posted here. Best I can do.

[1969chargerrtse]

  When I had my 68 charger I changed the tail light panel to a 69. I mean no offence to the 68 charger lovers. I really love the car but I just don't like the tailights. Again no offence meant, but the tailights remind me of the signal lights  used sometimes on the back of towed vehicles.