Please help my husband

[mchlharp]

Hello my name is Maxine Harp
      First off let me say that if my husband finds out I did this he would kill me but I would do anything I can for this man .
       We have been married for 13 yrs and all I have ever heard about was his dream car a 1969 dodge charger well last year he found one for little to nothing so I encouraged him to get it. He was the happiest person I have ever seen when it pulled into our yard I actually think he had tears in his eyes. For months he took this car apart piece by piece cataloging ever bolt and nut well after he stripped the car down we saw how bad the car really was.
      Shortly after we got the car my mother passed away which was as hard on him as it was on me so the car got put on the back burner so that we could take care of my father who we moved in with so now it's been six months since he has even walked out to even look at his car he has done every thing he can to help me and my family while putting his dreams on hold due to my fathers health I am unable to work and every penny we get is just enough to keep our heads above water now the car and his dreams just sit there it kills me to see him sit and stear at the car without being able to get it fixed he told me last night that he was going to sell the car because he would rather sell it then let it just sit and rot away , that I just can't let happen to him he has done everything for me and my family so I am asking from a greatful wife to everyone out there who knows what it's like to have a dream come true to please help me make this dream of his a reality

[Cooter]

So.......................What kind of help exactly? I surely will do what I can, bhut if it's money, then I'm afraid you might just be out of luck there.

[JB400]

Welcome to the group   What kind of condition is the car in?  Is it a rust bucket or is it fairly solid?  How complete was the car when you first got it?  What parts have been aquired?  What direction was you wanting to go with the car: resto, resto with custom touches, or full custom?  Is your husband a member here as well?  Pictures help out a bunch

[bull]

Well, the car is 44 years old so it's going to have some issues. Some are worse than others but the fact that yours cost little to nothing says it probably is on the bad end of the scale. That said, I'd say most of them have been neglected and are pretty bad off. There are tons of parts being reproduced, so many that it's unlikely his '69 cannot be restored. It's just a matter of time and money. Take a look at some of these that have been or will be restored: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,98387.0.html

If he would rather just drive one instead of restore one I'd encourage him to sell the one he's got (depending on how bad off it really is) and spend a little more money on the front end to get a driver. But we would really need pics and a more in-depth descrition.

[mchlharp]

This is his account the picture he has as his Avatar is the car it is in ruff shape to me but he says its in great condition but I don't see it I will post some pictures in a few I got to go take some be right back I ain't asking for money

[Dino]

Many of us have been in that same spot, many of us still are.  If he sells it as it sits now then chances are it'll sit just like that in someone else's garage.  It's not like he's letting it rot away in the back yard.

Condition is relative.  You may think it's a rust bucket but it may be okay for a 40+ year old car.  These cars started to rot before they were ten so they all have issues.

Why did he take the car apart?  It takes many thousands to restore a car but it doesn't take all that much to make it a driver.  Maybe he can put it back together and enjoy it for what it is. 

If all he needs is some incentive to work on it then let him read the resto threads here, that should give him a bit more courage to tackle the work.

Family comes first, it's hard to let a car sit but it's just a car.  Dream or not, it can wait until more important matters are dealt with.  That's just my opinion.

[Chargen69]

 

[hemi68charger]

Encourage him to just go out and sit in it once and awhile if it is at home. I understand where you're coming from. We recently put my Mom in a nursing home after living with us for nearly 7 years with stage 7 dementia. My wife baby-sat two babies to earn income so she could stay home with Mom and tend to her needs ( was really a whole lot for the most part ). Just a suggestion for the elder-care provider to earn some income. Your husband needs to understand he needs to take a "breather" once and a while, even if it means to just "hang out" with the car. Heck, put a TV in the garage and watch Sunday games/races next to the Charger.. 

I hope things work out for the best and God bless ya'll for taking care of your parent ( just as a culture should do ).......

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Hello my name is Maxine Harp
      First off let me say that if my husband finds out I did this he would kill me but I would do anything I can for this man .
       We have been married for 13 yrs and all I have ever heard about was his dream car a 1969 dodge charger well last year he found one for little to nothing so I encouraged him to get it. He was the happiest person I have ever seen when it pulled into our yard I actually think he had tears in his eyes. For months he took this car apart piece by piece cataloging ever bolt and nut well after he stripped the car down we saw how bad the car really was.
      Shortly after we got the car my mother passed away which was as hard on him as it was on me so the car got put on the back burner so that we could take care of my father who we moved in with so now it's been six months since he has even walked out to even look at his car he has done every thing he can to help me and my family while putting his dreams on hold due to my fathers health I am unable to work and every penny we get is just enough to keep our heads above water now the car and his dreams just sit there it kills me to see him sit and stear at the car without being able to get it fixed he told me last night that he was going to sell the car because he would rather sell it then let it just sit and rot away , that I just can't let happen to him he has done everything for me and my family so I am asking from a greatful wife to everyone out there who knows what it's like to have a dream come true to please help me make this dream of his a reality

Sounds like y'all might want to consider selling the car and buying another one down the road, if the timing is better 

[areibel]

Where are you located?  I think the first thing you need to do is find another Mopar guy or two for moral support and maybe even a little hands on help.  Go to a car show, swap meet or cruise and check out the Mopars, we're almost everywhere!  Maybe it scared you husband a little getting it apart and seeing all that needs done at one can be a lot- been there, done that!  It looks like that thing will never run again, you start wondering if you know enough to do it all, and that's before you start thinking about prices!
Encourage him to look at these pages and pick one project to do.  If you can find a couple Mopar buddies then they can probably help him out too.  And a lot of nice cars aren't perfect, don' t think they have to be.  Can't afford a new quarter panel or fender?  If it's all you got you make do- weld some patches, use some filler, whatever it takes.  Can't afford to rebuild the 383 or 440? Drop in a 318 or 360 right now to get it running.  You can probably buy a running one for a couple hundred bucks to get it on the road.  And lots of the work is plain old elbow grease stuff- take it apart, clean it up and put it back together.  Stop the rust that's there, lots of sanding, scraping, wire wheels, whatever.  Get a couple rattle cans of good primer and cover it up.  Get it to where you can drive it and enjoy it, and save money for the big resto to make it perfect.  LOts of guys do it that way, we can't all lay out a couple thousand here or there every couple weeks.  Put the money away, buy the parts you'll need and store them out of the way, eventually you'll get there!

[JB400]

I think what needs to be done, is you need to get him excited again.  Is there a friend that has a muscle car that could come over and work on it, or just give your husband a ride?

Have you personally done anything to it?  A car is nothing more than a bunch of small projects put into one.  It isn't nothing to take a few small pieces, clean them up, and slap on a coat of paint.  Then, just put them together again.

When was the last time something was bought for the car?  Depending on how your planning on rebuilding the car, shiny stuff makes for a nice motivator.  It doesn't have to be expensive.  Just something like a chrome aircleaner or order something like an emblem. You can get reproduction emblems for around $45 or so.  Just seeing that word Charger written in cursive polished in chrome is enough to make any Charger owner  at least a little.  Plus, buying something for the car helps make a person want to put it on the car just to see how it looks.

Showing interest in the car will help motivate him.  Or, convince him to log on here.  Just seeing everyone else's ride will help.  If your looking for moral support from us, you have it as long as you log on.  Just seeing this thread shows how much you care about the car.

                                                                              Best of luck getting your car back on the road, and don't give up on it

                                                                                                                                   JB


Sorry, about Cooters' comment.   Some of us have been hit up for financial assistance and then burned enough times that at times, that a simple request for some moral support can be misinterpreted and misconstrued.

[CDN72SE]

Life has had my car on driveways, storage, in underground parking lots and in garages. I've not driven my car since 1992 (21yrs) so I can understand what it is like, the money I could have used to restore it has had to go to other places that in the big scheme of things is more important. So you are saying, "...and every penny we get is just enough to keep our heads above water...", sounds like the car should be sold if the money will make a difference or a dent in your finances.

So what kind of help does your husband need if it's not money? Is it parts or just words of encouragement. Hope things work out for your family.

[F8-4life]

Maybe he could use a perspective change? A torn-apart charger is better then a running Camaro

[mchlharp]

I can't seem to get my computer to upload the pictures of the car sorry I will see if I can get them to load on my desk top

[mchlharp]

I have seen him sit in front of the computer for hours looking at this site and just looking at other chargers or he will call me to the computer room and ask me about the color of others cars and ask if I like that one or this one . I don't really know what I am asking for because I really don't know what he needs. I know that the floor to the trunk is rusted out and the rear fenders on the bottoms are rusted too I pick on him by saying he can fuel the car by opening the truck lol but he don't find that funny lol if any one has a extra part for sale kinda cheap or just some moral support we live in laurel ms and there really aren't any good body shops I know he doesn't know how to weld or replace the body metal I know he took the engine to a machine shop and had something to it but its back now and looks shinny but I don't know what was done I will talk with him tonight and see what info I can squeez out of him thank you all for all your comments and your support

[TUFCAT]

Sounds like the project should stay on the back burner until funds are available for the really big stuff.  

Luckilly, right now is a great time to tackle "all those little things" that don't cost much to fix ....such as degreasing, de-rusting, polishing, and detailing many small components on the car.

I've found my cleaning and detailing jobs to be rewarding, and it usually just costs time instead of money.  

[tan top]

  
  likes been mentioned  , love to see more pictures    , what was the plan stock type resto or  

[CDN72SE]

Agreed, working on the little components will keep his head in the game and will show some progress. Do a little at a time, so he won't feel the disconnect.

[RallyeMike]

First off let me say that if my husband finds out I did this he would kill me

I have seen him sit in front of the computer for hours looking at this site 

I suppose someone should call the sheriff.

[74Rallye]

Light him up up verbally. Tell him you want to go for a ride in it and he better get it on the road. It doesn't have to be restored to drive it and your words may go a long way. Then put a 6 pack of beer in the car and lock him out of the house!

[skip68]

I'd say let the car sit for a bit.   Getting the car is the hard part and he's lucky to already have one.       It may take several years (4-5 years) before he can have it on the road but that's normal.     Far as needing help, there may be a member here that's close to you to give him a hand.   Glad you posted because guys sometimes won't ask for help.................or directions.          

Chuck.............

[mchlharp]

First of all let me say thank y'all for all the comments
Second no need to call the law I am not going I kill her , I can't believe she got on here and asked for help I can't be mad at her for that I am actually very moved by my beautiful wife for even thinking about doing something like this I do love this woman with all my heart
Third I am glad to see that there are still real people in this world again thank all of y'all
And ur right guys don't ask for help its the pride thing in us
Please don't think that I have givin up I just don't have the money or time to work it the car now and yes it does get to me that I can't work on it right now I would just rather sell it than watch it sit and maybe with any luck buy another down the road
Thanks again for all the positive and motivational comments makes me want to be driving her down the road even more than before y'all really are kind people and thanks for talking to my wife like a person

[mchlharp]

Here's some info on my charger
1969 dodge charger rt all numbers matching
440 bb bored 60 over shaved .030 off the heads with new springs and valves
Was going to go back all stock except for the motor and tranny
Original color was ivy green was going back with triple black
4 link suspension in rear

[skip68]

   No problem.       Since pictures of the car seems hard to get, any chance we could have a few pictures of the wife?       Come on guys, you were all thinking it.  I just said it.       Hang in there mchlharp.   Sounds like you've got a great project.  Hope you can keep it. 

[areibel]

No Problem Michael!
You kow your situation better than us, but unless you really need the money from selling hang onto it!  My current 69 has been sitting for about 5 years.  I bought it thinking I could get it going in a year or two, but it didn't happen.  No big reason, just a lot of little ones- kids going to college is the biggest.  I sold my 70 Coronet vert to buy it, I wanted a convertible too but it was one or the other.  
If you have it, it's in your name, sitting a little longer won't hurt it.  You've started on it, you know what it will take to get it running if not completely restored, let that help you decide.  This is about the time someone will come on and say "they're going up in value every day", well bargains will be found but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!   Give it a lot of thought before you sell, I sold my first 69 (in 1981) and I've regretted it ever since.  If you don't know how to do everything, that's not a huge problem either.  There's a lot of help here, and 99% of what I used to be afraid of I can do now because I tried.  OK, I'm still afraid to to the finish coats of paint but that's almost an art compared to a skill.  I know a couple painters that I can call on for that.  
Find a few Mopar buds, stop the rust, preserve now and fix later - It'll be worth it!