Australian Petty Blue Superbird Restoration

[Arnie Cunningham]

This is as good a time as any to clear up a stubborn misunderstanding.
Creative only supplied parts for the Superbirds.  They did not do any of the assembly.
Superbirds were assembled on the line and at a Chrysler sub-assembly plant.
Charger 500s and Daytonas WERE modified by Creative.
I think it is the similarity of the sub-assembly plant's name - Clairpointe - to "Creative" that perpetuates
this misconception.

Checking under the window plug is, of course, a good idea.

[tan top]

                       

[rickroadrunner]

Thanks for the advice, I will pull the plug out over the next few days. I can then prime thoroughly.
Also, on the K frame there is a disc with the number 79 stamped in it. What does it mean?
I also need to buy 2 new fender scoops as the originals have fallen to pieces. I tried to contact Janek's but a bit hard without email.
Is there another reliable supplier of quality  scoops. I have some parts being sent from Roseville Moparts shortly, and these can be sent there for consolodation with my other parts.

[nascarxx29]

Ted Janak is a friend of mine his email is CTJANAK@SBCGLOBAL.COM 281-379-2828.That 79 coin on K frame has been on all of my Superbirds to

[BS27ROB]

79 is the last 2 digits of the K frame part number. 3466479   1970 B body 440 w/skid plate.

[nascarxx29]

 It also appears on the buildsheet down the page by the sway bar you see 79 the abbreviated part number as the rest of the ending part number digits are found on the buildsheet also
http://xxcarguy.blogspot.com/

3466479

[nascarxx29]

Hi Nascarxx29, it is interesting you have details on my car.
A good friend of mine had the vehicle in dry storage for 20 odd years.
He bought the car around 1989-90 from a trader who said he found the car in Central America and brought it back to LA to turn it over and make a quick buck.
My friend vaguely remembers he mentioned El Salvador.
I think he may have contacted Winged Warriors back then , so that is why they have the VIN, but without any details.
I first saw the car in 1993, and caught up with my friend on any visits to the US.
He had kept the car for all these years with the intention of restoring it, however this never eventuated.
I was very appreciative when he offered me the car and I had no hesitation in buying it. He had kept the vehicle in dry storage and it does not have a single bit of rust in any of the panels or floors, which is fantastic! I am still thankfull he offered and sold it to me.
It does have many many dents, and the hood and nose, in particular need plenty of work.
I have a good friend , who is a coachbuilder, of the old style, who is doing the sheetmetal work.
He has completed projects for me in the past and is capable of true metal finish work. He really does have fantastic skills, so am fully confident of workmanship of the body.
I have bought many parts already for the project, I have purchased interior from Classic, many parts from Dave at Roseville, a concours exhaust from Gardner exhaust. Have new wheels and Polyglass tires aswell. The vehicle is still very original but needs a full restoration.
It still retains original driveline including radiator.
I have original fender tag and broadcast sheet( which is in poor condition).
I intend on doing a concourse restoration, but as mentioned before, it is hard to look at reference vehicle down here, so I may need some advise from time to time to ensure everything is done correctly.
Is there any way of finding original dealer? Theres a list of dealers in those areas .Just dont know if those dealers were there in the 70-s

Thanks


http://www.chrysler.com/crossbrand/intl_site_locator/

[rainbow4jd]

They apparently took the bare shell to Creative Industries and Creative welded in the window plug - without ever doing any protective work.  Then, the car was shipped to primer and paint.

Good advice aside, Lynch Rd installed the 'bird plugs, and the cars never went to Creative.  Chrysler only dipped a car to the tops of the headlights (about) and nothing above it was protected in any way...

Thanks for the clarification - I learn something new everyday.

[rickroadrunner]

Tried the Janek email, but bounces back. Any other ideas? Thanks

[rickroadrunner]

Rear window plug now out. No rust at all which is fantastic. Ready to prime up and re install.

[rickroadrunner]

Looks like the factory never primered under the plug

[charger Downunder]

Wow no treatment under the plug who would of thought that.

[Indygenerallee]

Thanks for the pics! First time I have seen how the Superbird plug is installed!! That is great it is clean! and not primed does not suprise me they shoved them out as fast as possible.

[Patronus]

sick thread! thanks for sharing!!

[rainbow4jd]

Yep, we caught the lack of primer when we pulled mine.   That's why I mentioned it to you.      I am really thankful to have a quality body man who decided if we wanted to do "it right" - that it had to come off.   Now I am all primered and reset

[moparstuart]

Yep, we caught the lack of primer when we pulled mine.   That's why I mentioned it to you.      I am really thankful to have a quality body man who decided if we wanted to do "it right" - that it had to come off.   Now I am all primered and reset

[rickroadrunner]

Plug back in.

[rickroadrunner]

The K frame has a few unusual markings. The L/H engine mount pad was painted yellow and there is a "57" marked in white paint,
Any ideas anybody?
I am trying to post a picture but can't seem to get it under 200KB

[rickroadrunner]

Car is progressing. Doors aligned. Body shell nearly finished. Will start on front sheetmetal in next few days.

[rickroadrunner]

I have cleaned up the diff prior to giving to the specialist to be rebuilt. There is a large number '4'. has anybody seen this before , or know what it means?

[rickroadrunner]

The 'Bird is still progressing.
Any thoughts on my previous question regarding the '4' on the diff?

[nvrbdn]

iwould assume an inspector #, but thats a guess.

[rickroadrunner]

The 'Bird is still progressing. Now fitting the nose. The headlight buckets were in good rust free condition.
I am now looking for a lower center valence panel. The ends are in perfect condition. Does any body know of a center section that may be for sale? Thanks

[nascarxx29]

The center valance is easy year one had them and not to hard to fab one from scratch

[nascarxx29]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=69663.0