SURVIVOR vs. GROUND-UP RESTORATION!

[ECS]

Hi Everybody,
It is a pleasure to be a new member here!!  I wanted to post a link to a thread that is covering the recent restoration of our 1970 Valiant Project. It was the Black 4 Door that was entered in the OE class at the 2010 MOPAR Nationals. The link will cover every aspect of the vehicle and can hopefully assist anyone who is currently working on their project.  Please feel free to offer any comments or ask questions. Below is the link for those who want to follow along.  We will be updating it on a daily basis with new "Before/After" photos and related commentary.  Thanks!

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84614.0

Dave Walden
ECS Automotive Concepts, LLC

[hemigeno]

Hi Dave   

Thanks for posting up over here, and I'll look forward to watching the progress of that thread.  I just THINK I'm detail oriented, compared to what you, Tom, Dave and Steve did with the Valiant.  Incredible stuff...

As for the thread on C-C.com, maybe you can occasionally post up a picture or two while it's being developed to give us a little taste of the action.  I'm also REALLY looking forward hearing some (more) of your tales of Carl Cameron and his connection to the Charger program ('66-7 taillights??), as well as if/when a Chrysler-sanctioned concours judging program emerges.  Speaking of which, I was watching this thread with some interest until it was locked.

[DC_1]

Looks great!

[69_500]

Welcome to the site Dave. I too like Gene am a bit detail oriented

[ECS]

Welcome to the site Dave. I too like Gene am a bit detail oriented

Thanks Guys!  I will try to get some pictures posted here periodically but will have a daily update to the link I first posted.  That should help to limit the redundancy of posting on different sites.  There are 4 other Mopar forums that are tied in with the thread on Cuda-Challenger.  We continue to add others on a daily basis.  If anyone would like to see areas that are not thoroughly covered, please let me know.  We have about 10,000 pictures that documented the restoration so chances are we will have something to accommodate everyone!

[TUFCAT]

Thanks for posting Dave!  You're well known and admired around here.

I saw Gene's Daytona @Carlisle and it was looked exactly like a car shipped to a dealer in 1969.  You guys definately need to "do lunch"!

[resq302]

Dave, after all these years I finally got you onto this site!  Welcome my friend!  Can't wait to see and read more of your stories and pics on here!

[tan top]

hello & welcome  Dave     

[ECS]

hello & welcome  Dave     

Thanks Everyone!!   After the underside of the car is completed in the "mini seminar" what is next section of the restoration you would like to see featured?  The Engine Compartment?  Body & Paint?  Interior?  Thanks for your input.

[472 R/T SE]

Right on.  Glad you could make it over here.

You won't be chastised like some forums over your restorations.  I've found with Ma Mopar that even if 2 cars are ordered identical they'll both come out very differently & the only way to restore your car is to replicate what was there previously, even if it doesn't fall within what others' perceive as correct.

I've done a lot of "save as" with your threads over the years.

[ECS]

.....even if it doesn't fall within what others' perceive as correct.

Thank you VERY much for the kind sentiments.  One of the purposes for the mini seminar is to help refresh the reality of how these cars were built before the historic facts are conveniently re-written.  Every detail will be documented with original "before" photos to illustrate the process.

[68 Bullitt Charger]

Hello and Welcome Dave!!!

[hemi68charger]

Hey Dave..
Looking forward in seeing more of your "handy" work...... Survivor, Survivor, Survivor.........

Troy

[tan top]

Hey Dave..
Looking forward in seeing more of your "handy" work...... Survivor, Survivor, Survivor.........

Troy

 surivivor survivor survivor    survivvor    

ground up restoration    

   

[ECS]

I saw Gene's Daytona @Carlisle and it was looked exactly like a car shipped to a dealer in 1969.

I agree!  Gene is as detail orientated as they come.  Our Industry is starting to accept things that no longer represent assembly line appearance and/or procedures.  Guys like Gene are true assets at keeping things factual and real.  I have said many times that the History of how these cars were built will never change.  It is our knowledge and perception that consistently evolves.  We hope to keep those variables moving in the right direction.  

[69_500]

If your asking which car I would prefer to look at it would be a survivor car hands down. Having driven 15 hours just to get a viewing of an unrestored Aero car is what I call a good day. Does not happen often but they are my favorite cars to view. Restored cars are great too, but there is just something about a survivor that I personally prefer.

[rarefish]

If your asking which car I would prefer to look at it would be a survivor car hands down. Having driven 15 hours just to get a viewing of an unrestored Aero car is what I call a good day. Does not happen often but they are my favorite cars to view. Restored cars are great too, but there is just something about a survivor that I personally prefer.

  There are so few true survivor cars left out there. You need to appreciate them for what they are.

[hemigeno]

I think the issue Dave's thread (on C-C.com) addresses is that the '70 Valiant project his team completed almost two years ago has been inadvertently or otherwise referred to as a Survivor which was essentially cleaned up and submitted for concours judging.  By providing more photographic evidence, it'll be clear to anyone that the car has been completely restored - just to an extremely high standard.  The fact that it could be confused with a Survivor, to me, is both a compliment and a testament to the incredible level of detail they went to with the restoration effort.

Before I get labelled or dismissed as simply part of the ECS bandwagon & PR machine, I'll say that there are a number of people who do awesome concours restorations and I have a HUGE amount of respect for anyone who tackles the daunting task of restoring a car to factory-new condition.  Because I've seen Dave's car up close and in person, I can say it's an herculean feat of workmanship.  Oh, and his Challenger is no slouch either.

In general I'm a sucker for an unrestored car too (especially of the Aero variety), but would oogle most any concours-level car just as much.  Other folks are into resto-modding or cars built for the drag strip, so there's a niche in the hobby for everyone.