New guy here needing your opinions

[marshallfry01]

Hello everyone,

I have been a member on here for a few months and I can't stop looking at all of the awesome cars yall have on here.  Lots of time and money were put into them!  Anyways, I have wanted a 68-70 charger since I was 4.  I graduated last week and I can't believe it has been 14 years and still no charger.  One reason is because you cant afford a charger making $9.00 an hour part time during school. Another reason is because there are NONE around here!   It is nothing but chevy land around here.  I have found a 1970 500 for $2,500 about 45 minutes away from me.  It is missing the motor and tranny, and the hood.  The quarters need replaced but the floors, trunk, frame, and roof are supposed to be solid.  I know these cars well, and I won't be the guy who was young and dumb and bought a car that was full of bondo.  I'll definitly take a magnet.  Anyway I want all of you to tell me if it is a good deal or not.  I want your HONEST opinion!
Thank you all for the great site and for your time.  Ill post some pictures of it.

Thank you,
Marshall Fry

[charger chris]

if it was me it is but that is just me. is that door sagging or is the car bent in the center?

[marshallfry01]

I'm pretty sure it is just sagging. I'll see it in person tomorrow though. I just want to make sure that you guys don't think that $2,500 is a rip off for it. I just saw a 1970 500 4 speed car in same or worse shape that sold for $7,500.

[hatersaurusrex]

The prices on these cars vary wildly.   If there really isn't much in your area, then it might be worth it to keep from driving all over the place and shipping/towing something back across the country.   I bought mine for probably a little more than most would have given but it was 30 mins away from my brother's house and he's doing the resto work.   Cost me a 60 buck tow job and I had him to go look it over for me and give me an honest assessment, so that saved me a ton of money and hassle.   If this thing is close to you it might be worth the money.   Offer the guy 2K and see what he says.  Worst he can say is no

Also, it depends on what you want out of it.   Back in 92 or so I gave $850 for an IH Scout Traveller that ran and drove but was rusted to high heaven.    I had a part time job and believed I could restore it slowly on the cheap.  $3500 bucks later I needed to pay college tuition and sold it for $1200.   I had done quite a bit of work to it, new motor, rebuilt tranny, new 4WD, rattle can paint job and new sets, and a custom built soft top.

Might not sound odd, but I'd have needed to put at least another $10K into the truck to make it anything other than a beater that I loved, and I didn't have the tools or know-how to do the body work.    I still miss that truck and didn't have the time or money to put into it so I cashed out quickly when times got tight.

Not trying to discourage you, but these projects take a lot of elbow grease and most of all a lot of $$$.    I say if you want to build it long term and have a place to store it and are willing to do the work, then go for it.   Don't sit around and regret it for 20 years if this is really your dream car.   I waited until I had a good job and the money to restore it and finally took the plunge this year.    Just be realistic upfront.

That said these cars are hard to find, and if they're nonexistent in your area then that car is probably worht the money if the frame rails aren't completely shot and you've got a restorable shell $2500 isn't ridiculous.

Big questions:  

-  What's the interior like?  How many of the parts are actually there that are restorable?   You could easily spend $5-10K on building back a completely gutted interior just  to get it to driver condition, not even show quality.   All the little trim parts and pieces add up quickly, as do seat covers, foam, carpeting, door panels, carpeting, dash pads, etc.    

- What's the underbelly like?   These cars tend to rust badly due to leakiness in the trunk pan and in the interior floorpans, and pretty badly over the inner fenderwells etc.   There is metal available, but it also can go way up into the thousands.

In that condition it might be 'worth it' for 2 or 3K, but to get that car back on the road again if the interior is gone and the floorpans are gone will require probably another 15 grand just to get it driveable.    Again not being discouraging, just being realistic.   If you want to build it slowly and over time and watch it come to life then go for it.   If you're planning on going off to school and won't have the time to hunt down parts and do the work you might want to find something a little more complete.

Just my two cents.   I wish I was 18 again and had a shot at a Charger... I probably wouldn't have gotten that old Scout

[Kern Dog]

if u as me it is but that is just me.

What the heck??

[Fred]

if u as me it is but that is just me.

What the heck??

try reading it backwards. 

[hatersaurusrex]

sense make didn't still it and backwards it read I, Fred.

[Fred]

sense make didn't still it and backwards it read I, Fred.

Did you put your special glasses on?

Old MacDonald was dyslexic. E,I,O,I,E 

[hatersaurusrex]

No no, I just have Yoda's Disease.  It's like Dyslexia, but if you say everything backwards and in the same voice as Miss Piggy.  I mean Yoda.

"Hrrrmph!  Same voices I do for Yoda, Grover, and Miss Piggy! Talent I do not have!"  -Frank Oz

[Dino]

So you're 18 and still don't have a charger?  

Most people don't get one until they're in their 30's so you're fine.

It looks like you're a typical 18 yo that would love a Charger but the lousy job won't support one.  Been there, done that as have many of us.

You can do as so many do and buy whatever you can afford, put it in the garage and probably sell it for a few hundred bucks a few years from now OR you can play it smart and wait, save your dough and buy something that is complete.  I'm not going to tell you to get something that runs, but at least get something that has all the parts on it.  

That '70 will end up costing you thousands and thousands just to get it to run and look half decent.  The more complete the car, the less you will spend and the less chance of it sitting under a tarp for a few decades.  

I know you want a Charger and I know why, as I said been there done that but think this through.  If you buy a project like that, will you be able to sink money into it to get it running?  Not just a bit of money, lots of money.  


EDIT:  Where are my manners?  Welcome to the site!   

[Homerr]

Looks like a near vertical dent about 8" behind the door seam.

[charger_fan_4ever]

When looking at a 70 just realize there are many 1 year only parts and costs more to restore than a 68-9. Ask me how i know  

First off you can't buy repro fenders,hood for a 70. Your looking at north of $1500 for those 3 parts in good condition with not rot.

Dash frame and steering column are 1 year only. Key was in the dash on 68-9's
rear tail trim piece 1 year only
bucket seat tracks 1 year only
marker lights are white metal that is chrome there goes $400 on new ones
front bumper is not made repro, so rechroming is the only option $$$
Woodgrain dash fascia $600
headlight motor is electric vs vacuum for 68-9

Those are just some of the differences off the top of my head on the 70's. Doing in over from starting with a project in a box I would have got a 68-9 just for the ease of parts hunting.

When looking for a 70 keep in mind its a slightly different animal than the 2 previous years. 70s are cool just a lil more $$ required to restore and some cases time ability to find parts. I didn't relize all the above when I bought mine. I knew fenders and hood were not out, but figure for sure they would be on their way. Wrong.

[Dino]

When looking for a 70 keep in mind its a slightly different animal than the 2 previous years.

Not to mention much uglier.   

I'm kidding I'm kidding!   

[marshallfry01]

Thanks for everyone's advice! To be honest I don't like the 70s that much. My favorite is a 69 because I want a general lee. I want mine to be show accurate like it is on the later seasons. I knew there were a lot of one year only parts for the 70s, so I'll prolly be better off finding a 69 so I'll have an accurate car and a car that doesn't have one year only parts. I'm going to college in the fall to be a commercial airlines pilot. After doing that for a few years I should be able to afford a nice 69.  Thanks again for yalls advice!

[tan top]

hello & welcome 

[Cooter]

Welcome. Too bad you can't get ahold of some of that Fanny Mae money and buy my General lee...

[charger_fan_4ever]

When looking for a 70 keep in mind its a slightly different animal than the 2 previous years.

Not to mention much uglier.   

I'm kidding I'm kidding!   

The bling front bumper grew on me after awhile

The high back buckets will help ease the pain lol 

[Dino]

Pilot huh?  Yeah the GL will be right up your alley, just be aware the landing in the car will be a bit more severe to the spine than landing a jumbo jet!    
 
69's do have year only parts as well, but not as many.  

I think it's a smart decidsion to focus on college and a career instead of wasting this crucial time on cars.  Ask me how I know that one...  

There's always time for cars, and chargers will still be around when you're ready for one so don't rush and buy the first one you find.

Work your ass off in college, get a high paying job and enjoy the road ahead of you.  

[Dino]

When looking for a 70 keep in mind its a slightly different animal than the 2 previous years.

Not to mention much uglier.   

I'm kidding I'm kidding!   

The bling front bumper grew on me after awhile

The high back buckets will help ease the pain lol 

No question, the high buckets are more comfy than the low buckets.  Nothing wrong with the bumper either although I probably would consider painting it bodycolor if it would have worn chrome.  I like that look.

[marshallfry01]

Cooter if I had the money I prolly would look into buying yours. It would make an awesome driver. Was yours the one with the 440 5-speed?

[TUFCAT]

Welcome!

My advise (I tell everybody) is to save money until you can afford a complete car.  

A project like this can drain cash very fast - and might actually cause you to hate the hobby while the car sits.  

[hemi-hampton]

Welcome!

My advise (I tell everybody) is to save money until you can afford a complete car.  

A project like this can drain cash very fast - and might actually cause you to hate the hobby while the car sits.  



I agree, buying something complete & rustfree will save you thousands in my opinion. LEON.

[nvrbdn]

so first of all, welcome to the site. a great place to learn.now that thats over, if you choose not to purchase the 70, spill the beans and tell us where its sitting so one of us can get it for our next project.

[Homerr]

Thanks for everyone's advice! To be honest I don't like the 70s that much. My favorite is a 69 because I want a general lee. I want mine to be show accurate like it is on the later seasons. I knew there were a lot of one year only parts for the 70s, so I'll prolly be better off finding a 69 so I'll have an accurate car and a car that doesn't have one year only parts. I'm going to college in the fall to be a commercial airlines pilot. After doing that for a few years I should be able to afford a nice 69.  Thanks again for yalls advice!

Buy what you want!  There are plenty of GL clones out there.  They'd be a better starting point for you.

http://us.yakaz.com/results.php?what=1969+charger+general+lee&cc=US&gbin=&zm=&v=txt&gid=QAjP&from=form&match=msg

[nvrbdn]

i agree, buy whatever suits your likings. build it whatever way you want to. if a 70 is available go for it, if its too much work, sit back and wait on what fits your skills and budget. whichever way you decide, just pick the car that fits what you want. there are lees built out of 68 and 70 models. thats what the owner wants. the 70 front end can be swapped for a 69 making it closer to right. but if you want a lee, do it. the closer to complete you find, the less searching for parts you will do. good luck.

[Ants]

If you perfer the 69 I say wait and get what you want.

This is what i got for $2500 Not to many in my area and the ones i found didn't have paperwork or had mixed matched vin and body stampings.


A year later and 10k payed to AMD for just about everything they make this is were I'm at. and a link to what i have done. http://s1109.photobucket.com/albums/h437/Ants6812/68%20Project/

[marshallfry01]

Well I just got through looking at the car. It was not near as solid as he said. Frame, quarters, floors, trunk pan, roof, and area right under battery tray was rusted very badly. I came home with an empty trailer even though he dropped the price to $1,500. It was way to big of a job for me to complete. There was prolly 50 pounds of rat crap in the dash, floors, and trunk. Oh well, I'll wait and get a running/driving 69 to restore when I complete college! Thanks again for everyone's advice!

[440]

I've got one tip, don't say General Lee around here  

It's likely to cause WWIII on the forum.....



I agree 100% that buying a fairly solid complete car will save you thousands in the long run.

[marshallfry01]

Lol I know some people hate dukes of hazzard, but there is just something about an orange 69 charger.

[doctor4766]

...but there is just something about an orange 69 charger.

You can say THAT again  

[Fred]

...but there is just something about an orange 69 charger.

You can say THAT again  

WHAT? I didn't hear you. The battery's run low on my hearing aid and I'm not going to replace it until after this conversation is over. 

[doctor4766]

Borrow some out of one of your OTHER battery operated devices Fred

[Fred]

Borrow some out of one of your OTHER battery operated devices Fred

The only other battery operated device in this household belongs to my wife and she refuses to hand it over!! 

[440]

Or she just hasn't caught you yet 

[marshallfry01]

Doctor that is one beautiful charger!

[wingcar]

It's hard to pass on what you feel at the time maybe your only shot at buying your "dream" car......but, you will find that if you use more patience and planning and less emotion in the decision making you will be a lot happier down the road.  Don't buy the first thing you see just because you feel as if it's your only option....it's not.  There will be others, so if it's not what you really want, don't buy it as you will never be 100% happy with it.  Plus, you will be way ahead of the game if you buy as complete a car as you can.  This is very important if you lack either skill or money since a project WILL suck-up your money very quickly.
I also agree with what someone else already stated...that at your age, look towards finishing college and getting a good job first.  Then with a good job and the income it will produce you can buy something you truly want at a price that you can afford.     

[myk]

I feel bad for you whipper snappers that are walking into the classic car hobby and are faced with 5 digit price tags on cars that don't run, are missing body panels, missing the frame, etc.  Back in the day, 1994 that is, I picked up my Charger that didn't have a scratch on it and ran like its name for $2500-I drove that thing daily for 4 years.  Also, in the 90's NO ONE wanted these cars and anyone who heard about the Charger as my first car told me I threw my money away.  A car that would cost in the high teens heading up towards $20K today would have cost about $5K back then.

'OP you're going to have to be VERY patient on this one.  Save, save, save up for as much as you can, and as long as you can, to buy the best possible car you can buy for what you can afford-trust me the headache and cost of "restoring" or fixing up a car will easily triple if you're going to farm the work out like I and most others have to do.  Good luck!  

[hatersaurusrex]

...but there is just something about an orange 69 charger.

You can say THAT again  

In terms of General Lee-ness, doctor has the best of both worlds.   Drive it like it is, and if you really want a GL then slap some magnetic stickers on it for a while

[440]

He just needs a magnetic push bar. 

[doctor4766]

He just needs a magnetic push bar. 

LMAO that'd be easier than bolting the heavy bastard of a thing that I have on.
Just as well it only happens once a year. I get sick of re-striping it too.