Project '68

[djcarguy]

  i try to teach the young guys the turth ,but do they learn,,??  your sweetie may say she likes car and stuff,but then she un leases all her germs and put a cold curse on ya ta keep you in the house and away from your car .... and if you have wife working retail ,handles money,talk ta all customers and bites her nails and 2 kids at home ya find that ya be sick all winter long...lol,,, not kidding i did it for 11 years and than i passed on the germ warfare to another dumb bastard and kept my cars...lol...take care and wear the mask with her and car,,lol

[KSChrgr68]

lol so far the sweetie and I are good.  The car has been set aside mostly because its too damn cold and my shop is not insulated lol    Did have a beautiful saturday last weekend, got the dash mostly out and unbolted the steering column, then it snowed like crazy..  posting a few recap pics of frame and body with new camera    dash is nearly out, have a few pesky wires i need to disconnect yet but its almost out..  I'm in no rush.

enjoy 

[NHCharger]

 
Your 68 project makes mine look like a walk in the park.

[green69rt]

Yeah, I thought mine was as bad as it gets.  Looks like you'll be replacing the same stuff I did (everything!!)

[troutstreamnm]

You have taken on one hell of a project!  Just remember it's harder to put it back together than it is to take it apart    Be sure to take lots of notes, bag and label everything, and continue with detailed photos.  The most valuable info I had on my rebuild was all the boring pics I took, especially of the grille, suspension and dash areas.  Also label wiring. 

[charge-it]

Don't take this as being negative but pouring time and money into that car will just like pouring water into a sive and expecting the sive to hold water. It is money being wasted. You really don't have a clue to the amount of money your going to spend, trust me. You've got the easy part done, ripping it apart. Do you have a financial plan written down for the project? Do you have the financial resources to take on a project of that magnitude? You would be tens of thousands of dollars ahead buying a running, driving, second generation Charger. You could also buy a new SRT8 Challenger at the same time and come out ahead of the money your going to blow on that car. With the money saved by walking away now you could insulate and install a source of heat in your barn. You could more than likely be able to buy a lift as well. If you say you can't afford to buy a driver, a new Challenger, insulate your barn, install a lift and a source of heat then you can't afford to "restore" that Charger correctly. But hey, it's your dream, your time, and your money, have at it. I'd be willing to bet the car will be no where near finished in 5 years. At 51 years old I may not know as much as most but I know enough that that car would get parted out to finance a better car. I'm in the Mopar restoration parts business, would love to have you as a customer but thought I would just offer some sound advise even at the risk of not be able to sell you some of what your going to need because it's the right thing to do. I have the feeling you will march forward no matter what your told. Good Luck, and visit us at www.pepsparts.com

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Don't take this as being negative but pouring time and money into that car will just like pouring water into a sive and expecting the sive to hold water. It is money being wasted. You really don't have a clue to the amount of money your going to spend, trust me. You've got the easy part done, ripping it apart. Do you have a financial plan written down for the project? Do you have the financial resources to take on a project of that magnitude? You would be tens of thousands of dollars ahead buying a running, driving, second generation Charger. You could also buy a new SRT8 Challenger at the same time and come out ahead of the money your going to blow on that car. With the money saved by walking away now you could insulate and install a source of heat in your barn. You could more than likely be able to buy a lift as well. If you say you can't afford to buy a driver, a new Challenger, insulate your barn, install a lift and a source of heat then you can't afford to "restore" that Charger correctly. But hey, it's your dream, your time, and your money, have at it. I'd be willing to bet the car will be no where near finished in 5 years. At 51 years old I may not know as much as most but I know enough that that car would get parted out to finance a better car. I'm in the Mopar restoration parts business, would love to have you as a customer but thought I would just offer some sound advise even at the risk of not be able to sell you some of what your going to need because it's the right thing to do. I have the feeling you will march forward no matter what your told. Good Luck, and visit us at www.pepsparts.com

If I had known that, I would have been spared roughly 10 years and many thousands of dollars worth of heartache.

[HOTROD]

DAM   

[rarefish]

Well your lastest photos are much sharper that the ones that you took back in December, but now getting a better look at the condition of the car, I would have to say, wow that car is in tough shape. All the sub frame parts that you hope that are solid on a project car are really hurting.

[69 OUR/TEA]

I know you don't want to hear it,have heard it enough,you have admitted you're stubborn,but,my fav phrase for things like this........RUN FOREST,RUN!!!!!!Part it out ,send it to it's grave!!!!!
I'm not trying to rain on your parade or dream,but I will be blunt,I can honestly tell you I can see you don't have a clue of what you're about to get yourself into,time,work,money,etc.And it's not even an R/T to boot!!!!
You have no idea the money you will be spending on equipment,materials,parts,the body shop,etc,etc,etc.Someone said something about 5 years,I would be willing to bet this car will never get finished,you will either run out of money,or desire to keep going.
My honest opinion,if it is your dream to have a 68 charger,and seeing what you have and will be starting to spend right now,go out and get a loan by whatever means possible,find a nice one,to your standards,driver/cruise night car or show car,buy it and start driving now and spend the money as the payments,cause it may as well be the same thing,money being thrown out there.They are out there and can be had from as little as $15k to $30's.
I admire your will to want to resurrect a car,but really,please, listen to most who are trying to divert you away from this particular car,as it just needs way to much.Thats about all I can say.

[KSChrgr68]

I have been thinking about letting go of this restore... my savings are building and, seeing the dollars coming in, i am thinking about saving for an R/T charger rather than restoring the one I have.  I will still strip the car down to the shell.  Once done I will likely start selling the parts off of it to interested parties for cash based on the condition of each part..or keep them to put into the charger I do end up purchasing that I can drive.  This car was bought during a rough time in my life.  My Grandfather died and I was hurting.  I needed an escape from pain so I bought the car and me and my dad drove out and picked it up.  I have moved on from that pain and I see now my determination can be better focused on saving my money and buying the R/T that i truly want.. I really hoped I could salvage this car and make myself and others proud, but i am starting to think most of you are right.  Once I have it stripped I will list parts I would like to sell and post pics here first.  The 383 and 727 would likely be sold, along with the dash and gauges, etc etc. email me if you have something you need that i might have and you can decide if the part is something you'd want based on its condition.  Ill sell here first, if no takers its on to craigslist or ebay.   If i cant save a dead charger, I will at least make it an organ donor. 
I just hate the fact that this car was neglected and abused so badly that it lies dead in my barn.  I wanted to save it, not let it lie in a pile of undignified rust until it was nothing but dirt again..   I just want a charger so bad it fuckin hurts.   Least I can say i do own one, in whatever shape its in.
email me at blinghood@msn.com or call me at 3169907792 if you have parts you might be interested in.  Robin

[greenpigs]

   How about putting the body on a Ramcharger frame? No need to scrap the car....just restoring it would be a bad finacial move. Don't give up all hope & try thinking outside the box a little.

[69 OUR/TEA]

Like said Robin,we are all just being honest with you,and not trying to discourage you or anyone else wanting to take on a project and restore a car themselves,but that one is just to far gone,and you would be better off getting something alittle more solid in the frame,suspension department,and preferably running/driving project.
If you don't need the money,strip the rest of it for any and all parts you can get off it,then send the shell off to the scrap yard and organize all the parts on shelves and whatnot,and keep them for another car,you never know what you might need if you do find another project.
This is a good group of guys here,so don't take it personal about the negativaty about your car,I beleive most were just looking out for ya!!Take care

[NHCharger]

Yeah it hurts to let of of a dream but I'm glad you finally realized it would have been your worst nightmare. As mentioned above if you don't need to sell the parts I would clean them up and save them. If you are planning on buying a 68 driver that needs the usual miscellaneous parts you will be kicking yourself for selling any of your parts stash. I bought a complete 72 Charger parts car 4 years ago and keep almost every part. it has already paid for itself in the amount of usable parts I transferred onto my other two chargers.

[Blakcharger440]

I just wanted to let you know that if you end up selling parts from your Charger then I and another member here speedfreak68 could surely used them for our restorations as we both have 68 Chargers as well.

We are both located right here in Wichita Kansas and would definitely buy some or alot that you need or want to sell. Let me know.

Like some have said above some of the parts can be hard to come by so if you decide to keep them then that may be wise...but selling some parts from this car may also get you to your goal of owning a driver sooner than later.

Food for thought.

[Charger440RDN]

You might be able to get $1,000 for the stripped shell on Ebay, seeing some crazy prices for rusty chargers on there lately.

[djcarguy]

Like said Robin,we are all just being honest with you,and not trying to discourage you or anyone else wanting to take on a project and restore a car themselves,but that one is just to far gone,and you would be better off getting something alittle more solid in the frame,suspension department,and preferably running/driving project.
If you don't need the money,strip the rest of it for any and all parts you can get off it,then send the shell off to the scrap yard and organize all the parts on shelves and whatnot,and keep them for another car,you never know what you might need if you do find another project.
This is a good group of guys here,so don't take it personal about the negativaty about your car,I beleive most were just looking out for ya!!Take care

scrap yard what the HELL,,, sell the shell or give it ,but the HELL, with the scrap yard? there are parts of roof and shell others are in need of???/  no 40 year old shells should be scrapped/////     if i was closer i would glady take it ,how great would it fit and look on my 2003 dodge daully roll over,say as a club cab with semi sleeper long frame car hauller??i just set a 56 dodge cab on ta start building mounts....
        make it a drag car or 4x4,or yard art,,,, but scrap it and burn in mopars firery pit with the rest of us that scrapped usable shells back in the day....   be honest it was the sweeties idea ,,,am i right????yea it me again..pass the shell on to a open minded guy ta play with???    hope ya find another one ya can save,thanks for the high blood pressure,lol..... 

[KSChrgr68]

ill gladly sell the shell to anyone interested in it..  id take 500 dollars for it once its stripped down that is.  i think thats a fair price, it still has a few spots left that are worth a dmn

[bull]

I know its going to be expensive, but damn im not gonna sit back for 5 or more years trying to save money to buy a finished one.. part of what i enjoy about this is fixing something no one thinks can be fixed.  i know some serious shit awaits me but damn a few less naysayers pleease!  I want to actually learn how to fix the problems not just be told give it up... damn   maybe someday itll get the best of me, but damn it all im going to try, so maybe a few of you old timers will share some of that good old respect for a kid trying his best to accomplish a real challenge..  

Actually, unless you've got deep, deep pockets a five year wait would be the better way to go. Trust me, you'd be time and gobs of money ahead. I "sort of" enjoy my restoration project now (finally) but I started six years ago and could have purchased a nice 68 Charger and probably a motorcycle and a cheap travel trailer for what I've got in it. And mine was a good start without near the amount of rust you've got there.

That said, stories abound here about guys who've purchased "restored" cars only to tear them apart and do them over due to shoddy work. Ask jb666 what I mean. Still, if you're careful, use your head and ask for advice you can find a good running car at a decent price.

[PocketThunder]

You're near Wichita, KS?  Here is a number matching R/T on ebay for high $20's in Spring, Texas.  Get in your car and spend a weekend on a road trip my friend.  Make payments on this car for 5 years while you drive it.     I used to be just like you and it took me two rust bucket project cars before i figured it out to just buy one already done.      

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Dodge-Charger-R-T-Numbers-Matching-/130484186325?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e6176acd5

[HITMAN 149]

yes i agree with the majority of guys here!!! save your self the headache and heartache!! just buy one already done & drive the thing!!! i know firsthand, as do many guys here!!! i should have just spent a lil bit more than my total budget... and bought a running charger that was already done!! albeit the prices were a lil higher back in 96 when i bought my project than now.. but you will be ahead in the long run, as you will be able to enjoy the car!!!!!!!!
good luck!!!

[KSChrgr68]

was out with the charger today, going over it, talking to it, telling it how it is..   

[six-tee-nine]

If this was a '30's one of a kind Bentley or Bugatti i'd say stick to it since that car will be priceless when finished but the situation is different and I'm affraid the guys stepping up to tell the hard news are right.
The worst thing that could happen is that you end up in another 5 year with an unfinished and still kinda worthless car AND and empty bank account.

Strip the shell and cut out the good panels like the roof and part the rest of the car out. Sell the AC parts and all the other stuff. Or even better when you have the patience, restore some of the good parts like for instance the AC compressor and other parts that are worth something on ebay when reconditioned.
Save money as much as you can in the meantime. Then in another year you earned back the money spent on this project in the best possible way. then you can start to look for something else. And no they wont be all gone next year.

[dkn1997]

was out with the charger today, going over it, talking to it, telling it how it is..   

Before selling off all the parts... how about spending some time restoring some of them?  I'm thinking things like the dash, seats, heaterbox etc..  It would be good practice and if they come out real nice, save them for the charger you end up with or you get more money when you sell them... then when it comes time to do parts for whatever comes next, you have some experience under your belt.

[gasoline_24]

Where in KS are you?  I am in Hays.