After 2 years.....finally found my 1968 Charger to build

[70B5Cuda]

I've been looking for a solid 1968 Charger (to restomod/drive) for the past 2 years. I've come across and bought about 8 other 68's, but each one had some major flaw I couldn't live with. A couple were solid candidates but they were R/T's and I just could't bring myself to modify an R/T. Some needed more frame rail work then I wanted to mess with. I also have been holding out for finding something that's one color and patina'd evenly but that didn't happen. Tonight I finally closed the deal on a solid 1968 Charger, that I've been working on for 2 years and it's the one! At first glance it looks really terrible, but it's quite solid. It's at least three colors, but the top 2 colors are pealing off in sheets, so if I'm lucky and patient, I may be able to strip the top two coats off with a power washer and preserve the red paint. It's a big if, but time will tell. Originally it was a 383/4bbl with auto trans and air conditioning, but I didn't get an engine or trans with it. My early plans are a fuel injected 6.1L hemi, 727 auto, and a Dana 60. I may consider a gear vendors overdrive at some point.

[70B5Cuda]

All 4 subframe rails and the torsion bar crossmember are super solid. The car spent most of its life in central Kansas. I love Kansas Mopars....

The one spot that does need attention is the driver's side rocker. Having just replaced a rocker in my 68 Roadrunner pro-touring project, I know what work is waiting ahead.

[70B5Cuda]

Even the rear window corners look decent. I'm sure they don't look so good under the trim, but it will be great for a driver.

[BDF]

Enjoy your project! 

[lukedukem]

  Love that steering wheel.

Luke

[cdr]

Love that steering wheel.

Luke

thats so you can drive with handcuffs on.

[70B5Cuda]

Love that steering wheel.

Luke

Yeah-it's hard to believe that steering wheel was ever cool!

[Kern Dog]

Good luck with the project.
One question...A Dana 60 behind a 727 and a later Hemi? Seems like overkill. Maybe more for appearances rather than durability?

[70B5Cuda]

Good luck with the project.
One question...A Dana 60 behind a 727 and a later Hemi? Seems like overkill. Maybe more for appearances rather than durability?

The 6.1L is making between 475 and 500 naturally aspirated but I have 3 superchargers sitting on the shelf so I may install one at some point. I also have a D60 sitting in the garage that's ready to go. And yes, I prefer the look of the Dana!

[lukedukem]

Can the 727 be made to handle that much power. Why not do the a518. Get the overdrive with it.

Luke

[70B5Cuda]

Can the 727 be made to handle that much power. Why not do the a518. Get the overdrive with it.

Luke

A built 727 can easily handle that power and I have a good buddy that can build a stout 727 for almost nothing. He's running a 727 behind his 505" stroker that's running a consistent 11.19 quarter. The a518 is a good idea though since it's a 727 variant. I'll have to research that. My biggest concern is is the fit of the a518 in the b body. I have two snowballed projects already so I don't want a third.

[Rolling_Thunder]

the 518 fits pretty easy in a B-body - the most complicated part would be making a crossmember - but there is a member over on cuda-challenger that makes a sweet piece. The 518 will bolt right up to the 6.1 and gives a great overdrive ratio... .     Also it is a lot cheaper than some of the other generic OD automatic swaps on the market.

Your buddy should be able to build the 518 just as easily as the 727 since most of the parts are the same.

When I did my 6.1L swap 9 years ago - there wasnt many of the swaps done (Autodynamics was the only one on the road at the time) - but there is a ton of information out there now - if you have any questions feel free to ask away   

[70B5Cuda]

I'm not opposed to cutting and modifying the crossmember but I don't want to rework the floor pans completely.

[Kern Dog]

A Dana peeking out from the back does look cool. 

[PlainfieldCharger]

Love that steering wheel.

Luke

Wow, I thought I would never see one of those again. I had that on my 69 charger I got when I was 19 back in 83. I power steering on that car.I could steer the front wheels super quick... 

[Fred]

Great news. Enjoy the journey.