68 Minor Restore Advice!

[carsnguitars]

Well found a 68 XP I call it a tarp find as it sat under a tarp in backyard for 12 years.
Doing some minor restore work for my winter project (car is in real good shape even original glass looks like!), and going to probably sell it in spring.
Going through the car everything is original expect motor (383 was diched in favor of 440), wheels are custom rims (rusted now), and white vinyl top is MIA.

Since no original engine, thinking bout changing couple items:
Car is dark gree, had white vinyl top, but thinking putting black Vinyl top on it (think it would look better)
It also came with side stripping, which is chrome piece with white rubber runs along side of the car (which would match white top of course). I am planning to remove it and plug the holes, think it look better for selling.

Looking for feedback if should change it up a bit or put it back sans engine to original. I was figuring without the engine original stuff is kinda mute. What think experts!

Btw cool to go through these cars, see orignal stickers on car, like in glove box deealer number, deleivery date etc, tire pressure sticker still on door loks good, some in engine bay etc.
I probably think about keeping it, but need to finish my chally.

[Dans 68]

Welcome to the site.  Being some what of a purist, I would say restore it to what it was. But do what you prefer to do...a 440 would be the preferred motor for most of us, but the white top with the white body belt moldings would be nice to see. Post some pics if you can, along with some of the original paperwork...we all love that stuff.    And keep posting. 

Dan

[carsnguitars]

Thx..looks like good site to help me get this one back on the road.
Here a couple pics day I picked it up. I take a couple of the doc stuff.
Yeah part me says keep per orginal...that is why trying to get opinions. If someone buying the car what would thye want to see...looks or more original? Sounds like I should be posting a poll!

[tan top]

  hello & welcome !!     got a dealer sticker in the glove box      does it say the name  ??

[carsnguitars]

Thx...went back to a close look, and it is warranty sticker from dealer, shows delivery date and dealer number (now if I can find it on net or somewhere I have dealer that car came from.
Here is a pic of it. Tinking might be dealer code for 2 diff dealers...not finding anything on net...must been a internal thing? Oh well worth a shot..best part bout going through these cars, uncovering the mysteries. Still looking for thoughts on changing the top color and dumping the side moulding.

[tan top]

thanks for the picture      yeah  looking  like two different dealers , im no expert  but guessing  they were yearly inspections / services ! for warrenty   maybe   , doubt the dealer would of changed their code    
to find my  chargers , selling dealers name  i emailed chrysler historical  with the code , & they were kind enough to supply the info.

don't think  the side mouldings were a factory option ,  i know you could of ordered something like that on E-bodies  ,
but not on second generation chargers as far as i know  

 if your not going to paint it  whats on the fender tag  !!   it can be a  difficult choice choosing  color  

[UFO]

Here's a great list of dealer codes.
Unfortunately the two in your car are not listed.
http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/vintageDealerships.shtml

[bill440rt]

Looks like a GREAT starting point! Nice car.

Ultimately, it is your car to do as you wish. BUT, since you asked...
If the original engine is long gone, and it is a base model vs an R/T, it seems you have a good starting ground to build something as you wish.

The side moldings were not a factory option. Probably applied by the dealer or at sometime during the car's life. They are likely held on by double-stick tape, so they'd be easy to remove & delete if necessary if you indeed wanted them gone.
I'm a fan of vinyl tops on Chargers, and the car would look awesome with the white top.       Black would also look nice. Either one, really.
The interior looks to be in really nice shape!

More pics, please!!

[tan top]

sorry not trying to hijack anything  

 thats good stuff !! never realised the dealer codes were on Barrys site  

Here's a great list of dealer codes.
Unfortunately the two in your car are not listed.
http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/vintageDealerships.shtml

my selling dealer is not on there  either  56935  

[carsnguitars]

Thx for checking on dealer codes ,even if not in there. The search continues!
I asked the experts, wife n kids, and black it is on the top.
Even though 383 is long gone I am stuck with a lil ole 440, everything else is all there and looks really good for a car sat outside 12 yrs in the PNW. Heck took out interior to clean and stuff, when I removed door panels and back window panels, all the plastic was there in tact and 2 of em never been touched, kinda cool.
Here is a few more pic, back of car in the bushes as I found it, eng bay and back seat.
I think I got a decent deal on this one. Have some some surface rust inside but is cleaning up well.

[carsnguitars]

eng bay

[nvrbdn]

you may have to rename them if you took one pic out of the box. then it will say already used. so rename and post.

[carsnguitars]

Good call it worked...thx

[nvrbdn]

nice car. get rid of the side molding. i agree with what is said that its probably sticky tape holding it on. for some reason people in the 70's bought that stuff from the part store and stuck it on everything.

[carsnguitars]

It is not sticky tape...it is screwed on looks professional install. I plan on removing it and filling the holes.
I think dealer sold this, kinda like Scotch guard..haha..
Dealers are very helpful to us cars buyers!

[nvrbdn]

good luck with it.it looks to be a really nice project. if your staying with the green interior, id paint the whole car and roof and let the next owner decide if he wants vinyl on the top and what color.  win-win situation.

[carsnguitars]

Thx... that is a good idea on leaving the top for the new owner. It is win win..and I prob sell this one in spring so I can find a rt next.
Btw, interior is black, not green.

[Troy]

It is not sticky tape...it is screwed on looks professional install. I plan on removing it and filling the holes.
I think dealer sold this, kinda like Scotch guard..haha..
Dealers are very helpful to us cars buyers!

I think you're right about the trim. I had some one a fender once that was screwed down and looked reasonably like something the factory might do. An old body guy told me it was generic and it seemed to be plastered on everything in the 70s and 80s. Filling all the holes is a real pain.

Troy

[bull]

I'm unfamiliar with the concept of minor restoration.

[carsnguitars]

I'm unfamiliar with the concept of minor restoration.

To answer your question.....anything other than a Complete resortaton for 40+yr old car I consider minor!!..course one guys minor is anothers pain in the backside! 
All relative..but:
In relation to a full tear down blast/paint and re-build, its all minor!...Since car is actually in great shape..I am just going through the drive train, claning up the car and buffing it out to make it a relaible driver that looks like a 40+ year old car.

Brings up a good point....everyone talks about car restoration but what does that really mean?? New topic for another day...
Back to my minor restore!