Restomod - need your advice pls

[myk]

Thanks for all feedback guys! I think it might even be cheaper to build from from a 318, since I prob can a good price for my RT which Ill put in this new project. Any tip on shop that build chargers? TY!

I dunno man; now that I think about it, it'd be difficult for even "me," to take a beautiful car like yours and then trade down to a lesser car, even if it was just temporary.  If you can swing it, I'd say keep your current car and modify it as you see fit, originality and value be damned.  If you buy a "project" you're just asking for trouble IMO, because as you take that project car apart you'll find all kinds of gremlins waiting to suck your time, money and sanity; you may end up dead even or maybe LOSE money in the long run.  The car you have now is a healthy foundation for your vision, so start from there if at all possible...

[1974dodgecharger]

do what makes you happy...in the end its your car, but if your thinking of flipping it wont work like a lot of folks have said. Dont let others give you flack for what you want to do your car its yours and do it 'tastefully'.  Even I was given flack for having 20s in the rears....

Ill take a 572 streetable hemi, GV OD, custom rims staggered, and call it good. 

[myk]

do what makes you happy...in the end its your car, but if your thinking of flipping it wont work like a lot of folks have said. Dont let others give you flack for what you want to do your car its yours and do it 'tastefully'.  Even I was given flack for having 20s in the rears....

Ill take a 572 streetable hemi, GV OD, custom rims staggered, and call it good. 

You're running 20's, I thought they were 18's.  Man I can't keep track of everyone's 'mods lol...

[1974dodgecharger]

myk,
lol, I dont think we need to keep track of each others mods.  I usually google some mods I plan to do the car and  usually end up here at DC.com and PM the member some info on it. 

20s in the rear and 18s in front 

reminds me to take newer pics these are now one month old or so...

[Lord Warlock]

think the california reference was just made for the op's place of residence, (and it was a joke, sorry no smiley) I can't blame mother nature for doing what she does best, and causing rust which is the normal life cycle of metal.  But jumping cars over bridges, rivers, cop cars etc are unnatural deaths and needless for entertainment purposes, we'd be just as entertained if they wrecked corvettes....or ugly camaros.  (or imports/tuner cars)

[1974dodgecharger]

I wouldnt...those cars are dead boring to look at on screen.  IMO the 2nd gen charger captures the on screen very well it looks like its going fast even standing there its just photogenic.

[Ghoste]

There was another member a few years ago that stuck a 68 body on a 6th gen car.  I don't think he's been on here in quite a bit and forget the username but there are pics of it here somewhere too.

[Troy]

A new Hemi swap isn't rocket science. A big hurdle used to be the electronics but I'm pretty sure there are sources for "stand alone" computers/wiring now (probably with a factory "crate" engine). Another problem used to be transmissions as finding one that would work with the engine computer meant cutting the floor of the car to make it fit. Not something you want to do on a nice R/T! You'll need an electric fuel pump (including a modified or new tank) and a very clean electrical system to make it all run right. While this isn't incredibly hard, it's not exactly cheap. How about building a 451 stroker with after market EFI? More horsepower, more torque, more forgiving, easier to install, fewer (if any) modifications to the car.

You can bolt on an entire Hotchkis suspension. Several companies make upgraded brake packages. You'll need larger wheels and tires just to clear the brakes. You can upgrade to "hidden" sound systems. If you're careful about speaker placement you shouldn't have to cut any original metal. None of these are permanent modifications to the car.

Suspension mods will work a little better if you stiffened the unibody (torque boxes, subframe connectors, radiator support brace, inner fender braces, etc.). This requires welding and new paint to cover it up. This is generally in hidden areas so if the paint on the outside body is pretty you can keep it. This is one area where costs can spiral out of control!

After upgrading the acceleration, deceleration, and turning capabilities you'll find out that the seats don't do a great job of holding you in place. These are, again, bolt on. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a set that nicely complements a factory interior.

While you might be able to get a good price for your car, you're going to want to buy a fairly nice car as a basis for your restomod. Especially if you're paying someone else for all the work! I'd prefer to see the R/T remain stock but, from a money perspective, I have a hard time believing you'll come out ahead. If you buy a "project" because you want to start building from bare metal you're basically talking about the same costs as a full restoration AND all the modifications. Can you say "giant money pit"?

It's way simpler to modify the car you already have. Unfortunately, depending on how far you take it, I believe it will greatly reduce the resale value. However, if you do some of the things I mentioned above they are reversible. But will you take the time/effort to reverse them when you decide to sell the car? Check out Mike Musto's "Mr Angry" 68 Charger. It is, mostly, built with factory parts like HD springs and torsion bars and a carbureted 440 and 727 automatic transmission that is only slightly more built than stock. It does have big brakes, a rather large wheel/tire package, and after market seats. It hangs right with (or outruns!) exotics and some pretty seriously built cars on the autocross and road courses. It's also a long range touring car that was meant to be driven. It wouldn't take much to duplicate. He also has a much more seriously built Daytona clone in case the 68 ever gets boring. It's not nearly as friendly for every day driving though!

Troy

[WHITE AND RED 69]

think the california reference was just made for the op's place of residence, (and it was a joke, sorry no smiley) I can't blame mother nature for doing what she does best, and causing rust which is the normal life cycle of metal.  But jumping cars over bridges, rivers, cop cars etc are unnatural deaths and needless for entertainment purposes, we'd be just as entertained if they wrecked corvettes....or ugly camaros.  (or imports/tuner cars)

Didn't mean for my comment to seem like an attack, it was meant to be in good fun.    As for the movies, I totally agree that they shouldn't be destroyed for entertainment. But these cars have such a screen presence that other cars just don't have. I just wish they could find that happy medium of showing them off without any damage being done.

There was another member a few years ago that stuck a 68 body on a 6th gen car.  I don't think he's been on here in quite a bit and forget the username but there are pics of it here somewhere too.

There was this one. He sold it a while back.

[Ghoste]

There are a few out there, the one I'm thinking of was black.  He got a feature in a Mopar mag as well, MCG possibly?

[erlendch]

(...)

There was another member a few years ago that stuck a 68 body on a 6th gen car.  I don't think he's been on here in quite a bit and forget the username but there are pics of it here somewhere too.

There was this one. He sold it a while back.
[/quote]

Was there a thread on this car ever? Or articles online?

Edit: Igonre, realized it is right here.. http://www.mopar5150.com/68charger.html