Wolfie's 71 restoration

[Wolfie12B]

I purchased a 1971 Charger hardtop. Originally a 318. Doesnt have the engine or trans. Paid 600 for it. Needs work. I know it aint gonna be easy. But I want to work on a piece of history. And i would much rather try my hand on it then let it sit and rust. It needs 1 quarter panel replaced for sure. The other, if i can, i want to try and patch maybe. It has all the parts, minus the engine and trans. And a full axle thats not just a tube  . Any way. I have 1 picture of it at the moment. It doesnt have the grill in it at the moment. It doesnt have all the head light bulbs. But i have pretty much all the parts for the front end. But yeah. Needs an axle. And a mirror.

Heres my only picture

[JB400]

First and foremost, welcome to the group   It looks to be a decent project.  What's your build plans?  Your 73/4 RR looks to be a decent project car as well, or is it your daily driver?

[tan top]

First and foremost, welcome to the group   It looks to be a decent project.  What's your build plans?  Your 73/4 RR looks to be a decent project car as well, or is it your daily driver?

   

[Wolfie12B]

The RR isnt mine. The Charger is still at the house of the guy I bought it from. I plan on restoring it to original. So seeing it had a 318 auto. Im going to try and put a 318 with an auto transmission back into it.The only thing i might do different from original is the paint. I am going to put a vinyl canopy top on it again. I would prefer a full top but I am my fine with a canopy top.

I dont plan on doing anything crazy with it. Im tempted to put a sixpak hood scoop on it. Change the interior color. And paint it a color I like. Thats what I want to do. Not trying to put a big engine in it or anything. Just a warm nice weather driver I can enjoy working on. And have my Cherokee be my crummy weather vehicle.

[Wolfie12B]

I have a question for you guys. Would getting 2 half quarter panels instead of patching my 1 panel and getting a full panel for the other side. (which i dont really need). Or what would you guys suggest? Im having a master welder friend help me weld it up. I dont have a great amount of body work experience. I have some yeah. But I dont think im to the point of being able to do a full or half quarter panel... Or 2 for that part. But I can replace the fenders. And the 1 rocker that might need to be replaced. Oh and the floor. I can do that... Yeah I might need some advice from the people on here who are much more knowledgeable then i am on my journey to restore this nice 71.

[tan top]

I have a question for you guys. Would getting 2 half quarter panels instead of patching my 1 panel and getting a full panel for the other side. (which i dont really need). Or what would you guys suggest? Im having a master welder friend help me weld it up. I dont have a great amount of body work experience. I have some yeah. But I dont think im to the point of being able to do a full or half quarter panel... Or 2 for that part. But I can replace the fenders. And the 1 rocker that might need to be replaced. Oh and the floor. I can do that... Yeah I might need some advice from the people on here who are much more knowledgeable then i am on my journey to restore this nice 71.

to be honest ,  need to see  close up pictures , whats surrounding metal like  etcetc  even strip the quarters to bare metal , to see whats what ,  then make the call full / half or patch panel  

[Wolfie12B]

Alright when i get the chance to do such things. I will take pictures after i strip it. Will post more pics of the entire car soon.

[Ghoste]

Looking forward to them.

[Wolfie12B]

So today I took the spare tire from Charger. I also took a boat load of pictures. So give me some suggestions/opinions on how much of a pain i have in store for me. Hope I dont get ragged on too bad for my $600 purchase.

[Wolfie12B]

More

[Wolfie12B]

Last post

Drivers side front fender/door




Trail gate lid. I dont know why it wont close...



What is this weird thing here? little indent kinda thing?



The spare tire from the Charger fits on the C 8 1/4.

[Wolfie12B]

Ok fixed all the pictures.

So im really curious now if the C8 1/4 will work. I know that the pinion angles might not be right. But i kinda want to try. Because if itll work. I got me a axle i can use. Which saves me a bit of money.

Anyway the Charger his a good amount of rust... sadly... But Its saveable. Might just take me awhile... and a good amount of cash. What do all of you think?

[Ghoste]

Well you've assessed it properly, it has a lof of rust and will take a lot of cash but it can be done if you're determined.

[Cooter]

The "Recess" area you refer to is where the factory welded the roof on. There's a longer version at the rear quarter top, behind quart glass filled with lead. That one WAS filled with lead, but rust has popped it out.
Trunk lid looks to have been moved too far forward in adjustment, and then closed causing the lid to "Crimp" like that. Either that, or the hinges are bent.
Nice project. ALOT of that rust you can tackle yourself.
Rust is a time breaker...not a deal breaker.

[Wolfie12B]

So how SOL am I with this ol thing? I kinda think the drivers side fender might be saveable? The drivers side rear quarter needs replacing. The passengers side patchable? Drivers side needs to be replaced. I think the passengers side door might need to be. Might replace both doors if I find both forsale.

Why wouldnt the trunk be able to close? And i dont think the bench is saveable. So if there are any buckets for sale i might just put those in.

In your or anyone elses personal opinion. What should i tackle first? The interior? Body? Or Engine/trans/axle if the C8 1/4 wont work?

[skip68]

   I've got to be honest with you..... It can be fixed but I'd use that car as a parts car I think.       Sorry to be blunt but that's my thoughts.  The first thing I would do is strip the car to metal and see how bad it really is.  Good luck no matter what you decide to do.   

[Wolfie12B]

Every Charger ive tried to buy ends up getting sold before I get there to look at it. Ive called and had the cash in hand and it was gone. This is honestly the closest thing I could get my hands on. I understand its rusty. I understand it aint gonna be cheap. But I dont want to give up already.

Would 73 fenders work? Or would it mess up the body lines? Are fiberglass fenders a bad idea?

[Back N Black]

Its a lot of work, but if you can stay the course it can be done. What's you plan WRT finish product? a good driver or everything looking pretty? What condition is the frame and floors?

[Wolfie12B]

Driver. Frame is good. I physically got under the car looked it over. Tapped it with a hammer. Did a bunch of stuff to make sure the frame was good. And it is. Its actually alot better then my 95 Jeep Cherokee's body. The drivers side floor needs a patch. other then that the floor is solid.

So the passengers side quarter panel patchable? Or do i need a half/full panel? Drivers side panel fixable or do i need a new 1 also?

Thank you about the trunk lid. Ill look at it later.

[Wolfie12B]

So a 73 fender wont work? or will it?

[skip68]

Wolfie's, can you do all the welding yourself?  If you can do most all the work then you'll be fine. 

[Wolfie12B]

Whatever i cant do. I have many friends who can help me for a 24 pack. Thank you very much for giving me some hope n confidence.

[chargd72]

73 fenders will not work. Only 71/72 will work for your car.

[Wolfie12B]

73 fenders will not work. Only 71/72 will work for your car.

Thank you for the answer. Why will it not work may I ask? Is it the body liners or what? If you don't mind educating me.

[JB400]

It can be done, but it's going to take some dedication and a healthy income even if labor is cheap.  You might want to continue checking for a better car, but if this is what you have to go with, don't give up on it.  Right now, I'd get a catalog and find out what parts run new, then start looking for used replacement parts so you get an idea of prices.  Then make your own conclusions on your car.  Best of luck

[chargd72]

73 fenders will not work. Only 71/72 will work for your car.

Thank you for the answer. Why will it not work may I ask? Is it the body liners or what? If you don't mind educating me.

Yes, body lines will not line up correctly unless you have a front quarter, rear quarter and door off a 73/74.

[NHCharger]

I have many friends who can help me for a 24 pack.

Love to see the beer budget at the end of this build.
Don't want to sound like a dickhead but I agree with Skippy. I parted out a better looking 72 five years ago. You should try to make a list of all the missing and rusted parts and get a total cost together.Then double that and that will be what all the parts will cost you.
Where are you located?? I still have pieces from my 72 parts car kickin' around. I have a front bench seat, 904A tranny and a 8.25/2.71 open rear end you can have.

[billfury]

I would pull the car apart and see were your sitting. There might be a lot more rust that the eye can't see now. Cowls on these things love to rot under where the fenders bolt to. Hood hinge arias like to rot as well. You also need to check the t-bar cross member and make sure that's solid. I can tell you just from looking at the pictures that you are going to find more things that might discourage you. Tackle one thing at a time. Start with the body after you strip it down & take it from there. Good luck.

[Wolfie12B]

Wisconsin. Ok if i strip this thing down. And i discover it aint worth it. Do you think i might be able to make the money back? I paid 600 for it. And if scraping it out is better. Then ill scrap it/part it/do whatever. I dont want to. But if i have to i will.

The only things its missing is an engine, trans, and 1 side marker. Parts it needs so far is 1 quarter panel for sure. A engine trans and axle if the one i have wont work. A new seat. driver side floor pan. And thats really it. As I went through everything and as far as i can tell thats all its actually missing.

[RallyeMike]

Ok Wolfie, here it is straight as I think you suspect: Unless you have some sentimental attachment to a generic rusty 318 car, find another car with less rust to start with. Be patient. It will come.

[Wolfie12B]

Ok. Ill take your advice. But for the time being. Im going to take it apart and try and access how bad it is. If its not as bad as is thought. Then I think im going to try my hand at it. The guy im buying it from said he had the fenders off and that besides the rust thats visible now. Its solid. The guy i bought it from restores Road Runners. If i remember correctly he is on his 7th RR.

I understand its a POS. But I mean... Its a serious pain in my arse to try and get a Charger. But thank you for the advice. When i get it home, stripped down, and have the fenders and such off Ill take pictures and ask for your opinions again. Thank you.

[Dino]

The way I see it, the car is worth very little and that's what you paid, so you're good so far.   

Bringing it back to stock specs will make it about 10 times more expensive than what it is worth so restoring it is not going to be lucrative BUT that sucker is a prime candidate not only to save another but to do one hell of a restomod as well.  318 3rd gens are plentiful and I wouldn't hesitate to drop a big block in there.

You're looking at extensive work on anything below the door handles.  Rockers, quarters, fenders, wheel wells.  They will all need work and lots of patches but that's exactly the stuff I like to do.

It is extremely rewarding to take a pos like that and make it look better than new but it is going to take an immens amount of time and money to do it right. 

What is the goal for the car?  What is the product you want to end up with?

[billfury]

This was my first Charger I started to restore. I was to excite to take the time to go over everything. When I got it home I noticed a few more things wrong with it. This car was rotting from the inside out. I had nothing to weld to. The metal was so rusty that it was to thin to weld. This was the cowl and door hinge area. I had to buy another car for the body parts. Well when that parts car came in, I used that car and cut mine up. I didn't listen to what people said when they told me to junk it and find another. I wasted a lot of time on polishing a turd. When you're done polishing a turd, you still have a turd.

[Ghoste]

What Dino said (and you), you're not out a lot of money so strip it down and see what you've got.  It's the only way you'll know the next step.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I've fixed worse.

And will again.

There is no better way to learn than by tearing into some worthless piece of junk and trying.

At $600 invested so far, you've got nothing to lose.

Some people will blow $600 on a night out,

and have nothing but a hangover to show for it the next day...

If, after you tear it down it's too far gone, junk it and move on.

It might not be too bad...

[71_Charger_R/T]

73 fenders will not work. Only 71/72 will work for your car.

Thank you for the answer. Why will it not work may I ask? Is it the body liners or what? If you don't mind educating me.

Yes, body lines will not line up correctly unless you have a front quarter, rear quarter and door off a 73/74.

That is absolutely wrong! They WILL line up!  the difference is that the wheel well opening is taller and the bolt holes in by the radiator saddle are different. if you hang a 73-4 fender on a 72, most people would never know it. If you put a 73-4 fender on a '71 people would notice the different marker light but probably nothing else. Now I do agree the 73-4 doors and quarters are vastly different and don't line up with the 71-2s.

[Ghoste]

and have nothing but a hangover to show for it the next day...

If, after you tear it down it's too far gone, junk it and move on.

It might not be too bad...

But remember, you can get a car hangover and they can be much worse than a booze one.

[skip68]

I've made mistakes building my car that were well over $600.       I bet I've wasted around $2,000 or more that didn't need to be wasted.   

[JB400]

I've made mistakes building my car that were well over $600.       I bet I've wasted around $2,000 or more that didn't need to be wasted.   

No kidding.  I had quarter skins put on and now I need to buy whole quarters because the guy that put skins on f ed up and rust has formed where his screw ups are at.

[Daytona R/T SE]

and have nothing but a hangover to show for it the next day...

If, after you tear it down it's too far gone, junk it and move on.

It might not be too bad...

But remember, you can get a car hangover and they can be much worse than a booze one.

Yes, but...

I've never woken up after an all night drunk with a fat, ugly car in my bed.

[Ghoste]

    Touche.

[Daytona R/T SE]

 

[1973rallye]

 Not to discourage you from wanting to build your dream charger, but alas if all you have in it is $600 I agree that it will be a lot of work and money to get it to where you want it. I am sure you can get something back by parting out what it useable. ie glass Whatever you decide will be the right decision.

[Ghoste]

But all considered, for 600 continue stripping it and if it is too far to reasonably save, it will be an excellent learning platform on tearing one down and there have to still be at least 600 dollars worth of parts on it.

[Wolfie12B]

Holy cow! Gone for drill (in the National Guard) and I get alot of feed back! Any ways thanks for the encouragement. I will hopefully get the Charger home today. I will strip it. I will take the fenders off. I will take pictures. I will ask for opinions again. BUT! I will not give up just yet. I know its only a 318 car. But I dont see it like that.  Its a piece of history. And it might take me forever to restore. BUT! I will not give up just yet.

[skip68]

    Right on! strip that bad boy down.   

[Wolfie12B]

Got her home the other day. Havent started stripping because at the moment shes sitting outside under a tarp... Working on getting a place to put her thats in doors. I will post pics of progress later.

[Patronus]

I like to start from the inside out. So floor and trunk, then the main body and roof, and finally the bolt on body pieces. $600 is pretty cheap, I'd probably buy it all day for that. I think it needs a bi-wing and nosecone. 

http://www.71wingcars.com/page.aspx?id=1

[Wolfie12B]

Got a friend who does body work for a living. I supply the stuff it needs. Hes gonna do it free. So I got the quarters covered. Im going to look at an 318 and 727 soon. Im redoing the brakes on my 8.25. Then im going to see if itll fit. I was reading of using a Dakota axle for a Charger. As far as i know the Charger and Dakota axles can be swapped. So im gonna see what happens sometime soon. When its not super cold.

To start im taking the trunk lid off and figuring out why it doesnt close. I did alittle bit of taking apart the interior. It needs a new set of seats. The front bench is crap. Not saveable. The rear seat im not sure about. I might have a set of buckets for the front. I just need to see if they will bolt in.

[billfury]

Go to Costco and buy the big box of Ziploc bags. Buy a bunch of sharpies and bag & tag everything. Make a list of what you have and another list of what you need. Try to use one of those notebooks that the pages don't fall out. Check out all venders for the parts you need to get the cheapest price. The forum sometimes has discounts that will save you some money you just need a code. Good luck and have some fun.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Go to Costco and buy the big box of Ziploc bags. Buy a bunch of sharpies and bag & tag everything. Make a list of what you have and another list of what you need. Try to use one of those notebooks that the pages don't fall out. Check out all venders for the parts you need to get the cheapest price. The forum sometimes has discounts that will save you some money you just need a code. Good luck and have some fun.

Take pictures as you're disassembling as well. 

[ACUDANUT]

IMO, I would just put a Craigslist add out.  Put it in the cars for sale section and put wanted in there...i.e.  Find a better one to fix up. I love 71/72 Chargers, but that thing is roached.

[Wolfie12B]

So. Im selling it. Anyone in Wisconsin want a parts 71? Otherwise Im just going to sell it for what I paid for it. Ive got some nicer parts for it that I got free. I think I will be putting up an Ad on here and Craigslist too.

[NHCharger]

The song Another bites the Dusts comes to mind here. Glad you realized what a money pit you had there, and this is coming from a 3rd gen luver.
I saw you post that you are looking for a 73/74 for 3k. That should buy you a decent driver that you can work on as you drive it

[ACUDANUT]

 Yea, sell it as is and find a better candidate to fix up.  Parting it out ain't gonna give you 600.00 IMO.

[Wolfie12B]

Well I the other parts might. Im gonna sell it they way it is with some more parts I got free and hope to get what i paid for it. Or if i am extremely luck more then i paid. But I doubt that highly

[GreatPumpkin]

Just saw your thread.
And I am going to add my 2 cents for whatever its worth.
You are in way over your head on this one at your skill level.

Your best possible choice is to strip anything off that you could possibly sell for a few bucks at a swap meet or craigs list and try that ( there is very little that I can see that would be useful.) and sell the carcass at scrap metal prices. You may get close to recouping your money, but dont count on it. You will be very lucky to break even at this point.

Probably will have to take a bit of a loss, but at least you didnt stick 1000 frustrating man hours and another 5K into it first.

Its a lesson learned..walk away.

[GreatPumpkin]

Saw that you are in Wisconsin.
Where are you located, what is your realistic budget, I'll help you find a better charger body, can you transport?

[Wolfie12B]

Saw that you are in Wisconsin.
Where are you located, what is your realistic budget, I'll help you find a better charger body, can you transport?

Elkhart Lake. Near Road America. I have 2 grand in my bank account right now. I should have another grand soon (why on my wanted thread I said 3 grand). I really dont want another body right now. I would much rather (if I can find one) get a 73/74 with a small block that can be driven and worked on. Instead of sitting and being stuck in the snow and all that other crap. Plus i will be moving soon. Another reason why I am selling the money pit.