Geez, they restore a car in an hour on TV!! This is a lot of work!!

[chapel40]

I knew it would be a lot of work to fix up my charger but the further I take it apart the more problems I find and becomes overwhelming sometimes.  

Most everyone is skilled in some parts of the build but not others, guess I will have more bodywork done by a shop than expected. Thats what I know the least about.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,128999.0.html

[72Charger-SE]

Yes, I agree.   I have been 'surprised' more times than not when I look behind or underneath something on my car.  Well.. that is why I am six years into a five year restoration plan.     I am making progress, building skills I did not previously have, and learning a lot along the way.  I truly am having a great time restoring my car.  Someone once told me that the journey is more fun than the destination.  I tend to agree with them until I get to the destination then I may change my mind.     Keep on Keeping On...  One part at a time...

GOD Bless!

[71_Charger_R/T]

I am one of those who have reached the destination...........   I can truly say I enjoyed the journey much more! I do still enjoy the car immensely, but enjoyed the build even more!

[chapel40]

I am enjoying the work, it just seems no light at the end of the tunnel. Worked on it more after the first post and was feeling a little better about it. Just a little discouraging sometimes. Just have to jump back in..... I believe I will enjoy and respect the car more if I do the work.

[alfaitalia]

I hear you brother....! I really enjoy the engineering parts (I'm on a restomod/pro tour type of build) such as making parts fit in/on a Charger that were never meant to be there such as gearbox, seats, blower, electric sunroof etc. I really love engines so putting that together is great fun....obviously I cant cast a block/grind cams etc. so I bought all the parts required over the last few years....and she's nearly together....she will run soon I hope....on a stand first. I don't enjoy the bodywork side so much. There was quite a bit of rust but I've only replaced one panel...trunk floor which took three months to get and cost more than double what it would in the US ! The rest have been patched, welded filled etc. It looks pretty good. The shell was dipped and coated before I started so hopefully none of the dreaded golden body lightener should return ! Once everything fits and works....I will have to completely disassemble the car again to paint here. I just cant risk doing that before everything fits/works and it drives without anything touching where it shouldn't or not functioning as it should. Its not ideal but I don't see another way around it. The only part I'm paying for is the paint....which is slightly annoying as I used to paint cars as part of my job years ago.....but these days I don't have access to a spray booth etc...so les hassle to get a pro in.

I think its only natural that any job that takes this long will have its emotional ups and downs(I'm in year three.....mainly limited funds and a 6 days a week job have slowed me down!).....but I know it will be worth it to have something unique. Full respect to the paint blobs and date coded tyres crew.....I would never have the patience for that !! Stick with it Mopar brother!!!

[green69rt]

I am enjoying the work, it just seems no light at the end of the tunnel. Worked on it more after the first post and was feeling a little better about it. Just a little discouraging sometimes. Just have to jump back in..... I believe I will enjoy and respect the car more if I do the work.

It can be easy to get discouraged.  My solution is that I don't think about the amount of work/time it's going to take for the total job.  I just look at one small piece.  Currently I'm working on polishing and test fitting all the trim pieces and getting the right mounting hardware.  Next will be the dash rebuild.  Probably can't piecemeal the metal work as it all has to be fit together but a lot of other things can be done as a dedicated project.  Examples are suspension, brakes, dash, window and door mechanisms, etc.   Doing smaller tasks makes it easy to have small victories and keeps me interested.  But it may take longer, probably because I'm really slow.  I'm year 9 on a 4 year restoration.

[Charger-Bodie]

You just need to play montage music in the background. Then time will fly by and the car will be finished.

[Kern Dog]

That is funny. Don't forget to do while sporting a beard, several tattoos and piercings as well.

[Harper]

I am enjoying the work, it just seems no light at the end of the tunnel. Worked on it more after the first post and was feeling a little better about it. Just a little discouraging sometimes. Just have to jump back in..... Tongue I believe I will enjoy and respect the car more if I do the work.

i am with ya, I have ADHD, so its very hard for me to Focus...find the money and the time to do all i need to do. So I make punch list, i intentionally put small items that are easy to complete and Larger items that are more expensive and take longer to complete. That way when i am able to mark off an item, its encouraging! 

[chapel40]

That's a good idea, going to make and start following a hit list. Music sounds good too

I am enjoying the work, it just seems no light at the end of the tunnel. Worked on it more after the first post and was feeling a little better about it. Just a little discouraging sometimes. Just have to jump back in.....  I believe I will enjoy and respect the car more if I do the work.

i am with ya, I have ADHD, so its very hard for me to Focus...find the money and the time to do all i need to do. So I make punch list, i intentionally put small items that are easy to complete and Larger items that are more expensive and take longer to complete. That way when i am able to mark off an item, its encouraging!  

[72Charger-SE]

As far as 'music' I prefer to listen to old NASCAR classic races '70s & 80s.  Each race takes 3+ hours and I never remember who won so I don't spoil the race.  It took the 84 Daytona 500, as well as the 81, 82 & 83 Darlington Southern 500s to install all four windows and get them 'mostly' aligned.    During one of the races I installed the wiper motor as well. 

[Harper]

As far as 'music' I prefer to listen to old NASCAR classic races '70s & 80s.

where the heck do you find that? that sounds like a really good plan. I have most of the races taped from 89 up to about 95-96 on VHS but i have no VHS...

[72Charger-SE]

As far as 'music' I prefer to listen to old NASCAR classic races '70s & 80s.

where the heck do you find that? that sounds like a really good plan. I have most of the races taped from 89 up to about 95-96 on VHS but i have no VHS...

YouTube...  lots of 'full races' are recorded and available to watch. 

[spfury]

I have started listening to the old Dragnet Radio Series when I am in the garage.  Pretty nice to work too, great stories and something different, going to start using the old Death Valley Radio series too.

[chapel40]

Well I have some AC/DC and Rush. Gunna mix it up!!

[six-tee-nine]

I kinda like restoring cars too. But if I ever start on another one it will be after I retire or so. I can tell you restoring a car in your late 20's to late 30's like me is a burden sometimes.
Raising kids, getting your career on track, buying and refurbishing a house asks alot of time. The forward progress of my 69 goes ridiculously slow because I need some sleep also from time to time. I really wish I could do with 4hrs of sleep every night, but sadly I cant.

Restoring is fun for me, but sometimes when I think about the fact that my Charger is in boxes for over a decade now, I wish I could just snap my fingers and be done with it just to have a drive in it...

[chapel40]

I know what you mean, kids are gone but working and have a small business. Time is valuable!!