Why I'm not restoring to "All-Original"

[AKcharger]

When I did my '70 back in 2003 I went the all-original route. I thought that the proper thing to do but after going to multiple shows I learned two things 1) My car looked "plain" 2) The guys that pull their cars out of enclosed car trailers win

Now I went the same route with my '72 but then went off the reservation and added Cragers, Hide-aways, '71 R/T Stripe and Go Wing...makes it really stand out, I love it. So I'm going to keep all my original stuff and not "hack" but it's going to be exactly what I want.

So for those of you thinking the same question consider:
- Money$$$$ - basically unless you have a TON of money it's not going to look right. You will have to replace/refurbish EVERYTHING even if it's working. Think old wiring in engine bay, trim (both inside and out) and re-chrome EVERYTHING. And repainting do not always make things new, makes it look like a 40 year old part that's been repainted

- You really going to drive it? - Going to chance tarnishing those new zinc plated fasteners? wanna wash the under body after driving in the rain?

- After all that time and $$ it's not really what you want - Who can honestly say they LOVE the look of black steelies and dog dishes over some Mags with fat tires. Or roasting in 95° weather 'cause your car didn't "originally" have A/C...OK, there might be some who like that stuff, bless your hearts!  

- Who cares? - Unless you're shooting for one of those OE Gold certifications no one appreciates that you used the proper hose clamps? really, 90% of us are going to local meets where MOPARS are rare anyway. I spend most of my time at shows with my '72 explaining it's NOT a GTO!

- Comfort - I took a 3000 mile trip with my family in 2005 (VA to KS) and it was brutal. The noise and heat make any long drive fatiguing. A/C and an over drive would have made things much more pleasant. Plus wife is more likely to join you in the future  

Anyway wanted to share  

[daveco]

 
The hide-aways look great!

[Nacho-RT74]

A/C is allways a priority to me. Good luck my car got it factory

[1974dodgecharger]

if not then vintage air will sell a complete kit.

Either way I like the mix of modern technology with old looks etc....to each his own.

[Chargen69]

i my opinion, the purest are really worried about a lot of stuff that I dont give two cents about.  Fact is a lot of cars then were just thrown together. my car is going back nothing like stock. The only stock part of my car that is impressive are the factory disk brakes, my car came with them and that is what it is gonna run on. but, we have filled in most of the holes on the firewall, vintage air with the AC compressor slung low, electric fuel pump, msd everything, mini starter, painless wire harness, hiding as many wires as we can, hiding the vacuum lines for the headlights...

man the body seams had enough seam sealer to do two or three cars, I couldnt imagine recreating that crap.

[charge69]

My Charger is being restored to a very high level but it is not , and I am not concerned that it is not , going back to OE standards. It will be close enough for me with as many original parts , nuts , and bolts that I can use. I will drive and enjoy it like it was meant to be enjoyed. I have no problem with the OE crowd. I just do not want to go to that expense and trouble on mine.

It is gonna please ME , first and foremost ,  but I feel sure it will be a stunning example of a Charger that others will admire also.

[AKcharger]

...It is gonna please ME , first and foremost ,  but I feel sure it will be a stunning example of a Charger that others will admire also.

Here Here!

[TUFCAT]

There's a huge reason why A/C cars are getting more money!  A/C on muscle cars is now considered a selling feature. It used to be a determent.

Whether factory installed or added on....people love to cruise and Be Cool doing it. 

[JB400]

Cool air in a cool car   Cool air in a charger

[General_01]

  to you AK. Do it the way you like it. Love the hideaways. Would like to do that with mine, but just don't have the funds right now.

[UH60L]

The most impotant opinion about your car...is yours. 

I've seen it all at car shows, people walked up to my car (which wasn't restored at all and was in the under construction class) and said "that car wasn't a 440 car, and it didn't have those wheels" and "he's got a lot of work to do" (no duh, it's in "under construction"!!!).  Then they walk up to a perfect OE car and say "eh, it's original, but it's not a "hemi car"" or "it doesn't have a posi" or " it wasn't a very well optioned car...".  Then they walk up to a car that has all those things and bash it for someone adding them instead of keeping it original!

The worst part is that they say some crap within earshot of me about my car, and then try to back-pedal when I say "I'm the owner and none of that crap you just said is correct".

So, in the end, make yourself happy, and hope the judges like what you come up with.

Also, I know what you mean about the trailer queens winning the shows.  It's even worse with a new car, to me, because our '11 challenger is our daily driver, so I usually have one evening to wash and clean the car, and it's all stock.  Guys with superchargers and after-market add-ons up the wazoo usually get the trophy.  It's obvious that they rarely drive their cars too (and some admit to only driving them 3 months a year and mostly to shows...)  In one year of ownership, we've taken 3rd place twice...because at those two shows there were only three new challengers....

At least we drive ours.

[JB400]

make yourself happy.

At least we drive ours.


Two most important things in the car hobby

[Mopar Nut]

Is it just me, I would rather not have A/C in muscle cars.

[Chargen69]

The most impotant opinion about your car...is yours. 

I've seen it all at car shows, people walked up to my car (which wasn't restored at all and was in the under construction class) and said "that car wasn't a 440 car, and it didn't have those wheels" and "he's got a lot of work to do" (no duh, it's in "under construction"!!!).  Then they walk up to a perfect OE car and say "eh, it's original, but it's not a "hemi car"" or "it doesn't have a posi" or " it wasn't a very well optioned car...".  Then they walk up to a car that has all those things and bash it for someone adding them instead of keeping it original!

The worst part is that they say some crap within earshot of me about my car, and then try to back-pedal when I say "I'm the owner and none of that crap you just said is correct".

So, in the end, make yourself happy, and hope the judges like what you come up with.

Also, I know what you mean about the trailer queens winning the shows.  It's even worse with a new car, to me, because our '11 challenger is our daily driver, so I usually have one evening to wash and clean the car, and it's all stock.  Guys with superchargers and after-market add-ons up the wazoo usually get the trophy.  It's obvious that they rarely drive their cars too (and some admit to only driving them 3 months a year and mostly to shows...)  In one year of ownership, we've taken 3rd place twice...because at those two shows there were only three new challengers....

At least we drive ours.

i cant wait to hear BS crap like that when i get to show my car.  I think i am gonna have a water gun to shoot people that trash on it not being original

[NHCharger]

There's a huge reason why A/C cars are getting more money!  A/C on muscle cars is now considered a selling feature. It used to be a determent.

Whether factory installed or added on....people love to cruise and Be Cool doing it. 

It also depends on where you live. I don't have A/C in any car I own (my wife's has A/C). I won't go cruising in the Charger with out the window being down.
Besides, I'm driving an old Charger, I'm already cool 

[74bluecharger440]

Love the look   of the hideaways, cragars too...i do have factory air and do not use it  I love  having the windows down and cruising  but then  I don't live in Florida although it does get stinking hot and humid here.

[hemi68charger]

Ahh. Chief..............

I would add a front spoiler................  

But to answer your question, I'd do exactly what you're doing, "What you want".. The only thing for the most part that isn't an "undoable" mod is the spoilers..

I think she looks great........ Add the front spoiler......  

[Cooter]

I too used to be one of those guys who thought A/C in a musclecar kinda "Old, spoiled guy'd" the damn thing all up too....until this past summer when we had record temps of 100 plus. Sure, I guess one could argue how in the world the guys/gals that bought these cars originally, ever even lived without A/C, but that's another thread. I tend to want to leave the A/C if the car came originally with it, adding however is a bunch of BS IMHO. To much money.

I do believe in building it my way. Of course, I get the same comments about not being original. Most times I simply ask those types "Where's YOUR Charger to compare?I mean afterall, you must have a 100% perfect one right"?

[cdr]

my 68 has rack & pinion steering ,sanden ac compressor,efi ,a 518 overdrive,& lots of other non oem stuff ,but everything i am doing could be put back stock,i want my car the way I want it,not the way someone else thinks it should be,look at my signature ,aka THE BUTCHER 

[twodko]

I think the whole concourse level restorations are fine if that's what someone's wants to do and has the money.
When I restored our 69 R/T I did replace some of the missing decals etc but didn't go the correct hoses or reapply the yellow stamp on the heater box route. I like it the way it is and its prolly 98% correct but I drive it too....i didn't buy it to make a museum piece. The fact is this car is mostly likely the last car I'll restore.
If I had the opportunity/money to get 70 RR I'd build it to be a sweet and fast streetable car.  

[AKcharger]

But to answer your question, I'd do exactly what you're doing, "What you want".. The only thing for the most part that isn't an "undoable" mod is the spoilers..

I think she looks great........ Add the front spoiler......  

Thanks for the kind words, and I have another truck lid, did that before I drilled the holes. Front Spoiler is next on the list!

[hemi68charger]

... Front Spoiler is next on the list!

Sweet !!   

[HeavyFuel]

I think the whole concourse level restorations are fine if that's what someone's wants to do and has the money.
When I restored our 69 R/T I did replace some of the missing decals etc but didn't go the correct hoses or reapply the yellow stamp on the heater box route. I like it the way it is and its prolly 98% correct but I drive it too....i didn't buy it to make a museum piece. The fact is this car is mostly likely the last car I'll restore.
If I had the opportunity/money to get 70 RR I'd build it to be a sweet and fast streetable car.  

[thedodgeboys]

  my hero    build what you like and enjoy it let somebody else be responsible for the factory corect cars. If they were all restored as day one cars what would be the fun in that. 

maybe it's time to build one with that 70s look slotted mags, n50 15's skyjackers and slapper bars 


But I can't do the shag carpet or that fuzzy stuff 

[HeavyFuel]

My Charger is being restored to a very high level but it is not , and I am not concerned that it is not , going back to OE standards. It will be close enough for me with as many original parts , nuts , and bolts that I can use. I will drive and enjoy it like it was meant to be enjoyed. I have no problem with the OE crowd. I just do not want to go to that expense and trouble on mine.

It is gonna please ME , first and foremost ,  but I feel sure it will be a stunning example of a Charger that others will admire also.

I think you said it best.  No bias.

Seems SOME of the other posts have an axe to grind with folks that are trying to make a car as original as possible.  Before declaring that "Everyone should build it the way they want", and then bashing someone that strives very hard make there car original, maybe realize that an original restoration is what makes some people happy.

Anyone know where I can get four more of these?

[JB400]

14's or 15's?

[Ghoste]

If I had the money I would love to do a restoration to oem standards but I'd need enough money to do that car plus have one I can drive and enjoy.  And after the oem party was over, it would be the car I was more likely to sell.

[HeavyFuel]

14's or 15's?

JK on needing more steelies.  

I've got the original 500's to put on.  They are too nice not to use, at least for a while.  

I'm kicking around putting on narrow whites with the magnums.  My bro thinks I'm nuts.....could be.

[charge69]

I bought a set, from Coker Tire, of their repoped F70-15 Redline Firestone Wide Ovals that are on my original wheels now as that is what it came with and I have a set of new NOS wheelcovers like originally came on the car to put on the wheels. Aretro look for sure and I am not sure about the "look" . That said, this look is only for the very few carshows I enter (not much of a carshow person) and it will have either Cragar SS or some old-school slots for most of my driving around. I will put some big , street-legal , drag radials on the back (Nitto) and not sure yet of the front but it will be blackwall whatever it is.

Been following your rebuild , HeavyFuel , and your Charger will be BadAzz ! Using the original 500's is never a bad idea! Your choice on the narrow whiewalls but I probably would not. Raised white letter tires always look great on 500's.

[HeavyFuel]

Thanks.

I think you're right about the narrows....just a passing thought.   As others have pointed out, there's only so much dough to throw at these cars we love, and it sucks to waste any of it.

[bakerhillpins]

Each to his own. I think you have quite a st of rides there and I would be happy to own such cars.  Me personally, I plan to go back to n OEM config for no other reason than that's what I want and that's what I think is cool about these cars.  I also think all the go fast goodies are cool too and maybe one day I will have a second car to do that to. A 70 Cuda would be nice! 

When I did my '70 back in 2003 I went the all-original route. I thought that the proper thing to do but after going to multiple shows I learned two things 1) My car looked "plain" 2) The guys that pull their cars out of enclosed car trailers win

Plain, smain.. It's what I want so WTFC.  Funny thing about that is you have to care about winning for that to be an issue. 

Now I went the same route with my '72 but then went off the reservation and added Cragers, Hide-aways, '71 R/T Stripe and Go Wing...makes it really stand out, I love it. So I'm going to keep all my original stuff and not "hack" but it's going to be exactly what I want.

I think that  sounds like a great plan. The best of both worlds and easy to move to one format or the other.

So for those of you thinking the same question consider:
- Money$$$$ - basically unless you have a TON of money it's not going to look right. You will have to replace/refurbish EVERYTHING even if it's working. Think old wiring in engine bay, trim (both inside and out) and re-chrome EVERYTHING. And repainting do not always make things new, makes it look like a 40 year old part that's been repainted

We could get into an academic argument over this but I guess all I have to say is that you can get dam close without spending that much. I believe the old 80/20 rule applies here. 80% of the effort/money goes to 20% of the end result.

- You really going to drive it? - Going to chance tarnishing those new zinc plated fasteners? wanna wash the under body after driving in the rain?

Dam straight I am. I can't fathom spending that kind of money to sit and look at the dam thing. My time in this life is too short to not enjoy the hell out of it.

- After all that time and $$ it's not really what you want - Who can honestly say they LOVE the look of black steelies and dog dishes over some Mags with fat tires. Or roasting in 95° weather 'cause your car didn't "originally" have A/C...OK, there might be some who like that stuff, bless your hearts! 

I freakin LOVE steelies with dog dishes.    My car came with AC so I get a bye on that one. 

- Who cares? - Unless you're shooting for one of those OE Gold certifications no one appreciates that you used the proper hose clamps? really, 90% of us are going to local meets where MOPARS are rare anyway. I spend most of my time at shows with my '72 explaining it's NOT a GTO!

- Comfort - I took a 3000 mile trip with my family in 2005 (VA to KS) and it was brutal. The noise and heat make any long drive fatiguing. A/C and an over drive would have made things much more pleasant. Plus wife is more likely to join you in the future 

Not doing it for the sheepskin or the mantle fodder. Doin it because I enjoy the hell out of it.    I have actually been impressed with how many recognize it as a Charger. At least in these parts anyhow. Not many around so it always gets checked out.  Have to say that highway gears and overdrive would be a nice addition though.

[bill440rt]

Seems SOME of the other posts have an axe to grind with folks that are trying to make a car as original as possible.  Before declaring that "Everyone should build it the way they want", and then bashing someone that strives very hard make there car original, maybe realize that an original restoration is what makes some people happy.

Exactly.

[Lennard]

Short and simple... it's my car, I build it the way I want it and I don't care what anybody else thinks about it.