Shadetree 68 coronet 500

Sooo i ended buying another project... But dont worry, the duster is still underway!

This project was a long time in the making, but it all started when my uncle had bought a 400 based 471 motor to 'put in something'.. 10 years later it hasnt moved from the corner of his shop and last year he approched me to find a car to build for his motor. I wanted to find a b body since we have a huge amount of parts left over from restorations so it made sense to persue it.

Nothing seemed to catch my eye until last week i ran across a 68 coronet 500 on craigslist out in Montana. Looked to be a clean, largly unmolested car and the price was right so i made a down payment and drove out on labor day to pick it up. Couldnt be happier with it needless to say so i drug it home!

Plan is to make it mechanically reliable with the 471 and not change the appearance of the car. Should be fun!

This is what started it off.. Had it on the dyno amd it made some impressive numbers!

Pictures of the car as found in a little salvage yard near Great Falls. Its an original 383 column auto #'s matching car but the motor was seized up so i dont feel too bad about pulling it and setting it aside for the 471 to take its place. Turquoise exterior with a white top and white interior. Be a very sharp car when new! The windshield was broke out 15-20 years ago by some 'punk ranchers kid' who did the same to another 50-60 cars or so. As far as rust, theres a bit in each floor pan thatll be addressed, a size of a quarter in the trunck and a tiny amount in each lower 1/4.

The previous owner had another 68 coronet 440 sitting there that he let me trade some parts with. It was such a nice day out i couldn't help but not take pictures of stuff! Had a lifted plymouth sedan of some sort? I kind of want it..

Got it home and started working on it. My dad is currently using the shop so i get to work on it outside haha for some rollers i threw on some old school smoothy type rims and l60's! Yanked the motor and threw together the best used ball joints we had. They were all tight, but always put new ones in on restos.. Also going manual steering. Didnt spend too much time cleaning anything

K frame back in.. Was missing the front drum assemblies but i had a set of disc brakes from a 70 that i was going to use anyway.. As of now, im buying parts to put together a tranny, and fuel system.. Also waiting on all new brake stuff to come! More pictures later

Looks like a nice start. It looks like the sheetmetal fared well in Montana!

nice find, and I like the on the cheap method. love to spend some time in that yard.

Cool car looks nice. Was it a 383 2bbl or 4bbl?

Original 2 bbl car. Hoping tomorrow my brake stuff comes in and i can get it sitting back on all 4's

Here's a friends car that yours/ your uncles looked like in its glory days.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0708-1968-dodge-super-bee/

They did have a bunch of pictures by I guess his feature was from quite a few years ago so they just have the one. I'll find a pic I took of it.

Its a very pretty color IMO. Its kind of confusing but its my car and my uncles motor. I offered to buy the motor but he insisted that i just use it.

Had my little guy helping me out. Just started kindergarden and hes learning brakes haha. Im pretty sure he actually was understanding it?? Hes ridiculously smart! Since he was at least 3 years old, he cluld pick out pretty much any mopar AND get the year. Gets hung up on dusters and demons, roadrunners and gtx's..

Anyway, oreillys forgot to bring the wheel seals so i got them delivered today right before i went to work.. If its not raining tomorrow, ill be finishing up the front.

Brakes pretty much done, just gotta bolt the master up, prop valve and hook up the rubber lines. Also found the perfect rims in my scrap pile haha

Neat car, glad you are saving it. Does it have a fender tag? Can you post a pic? Or what is the paint code. Did it have vinyl or painted top?

Yep, has the fender tag! No build sheet though..

Got the brakes all wrapped up and new drag radials put on. Even had some fun with the hood scoop (not olted down yet) picked up some color matched paint and then sanded it down to match the patina of the car... currently waiting for the transmission to be put together then i can start putting drivetrain together!

New front tires!

Been doing a bunch of work yet, got the tranny built. Used a trans king 8" converter, cheetah reverse manual valve body, bolt on sprag, and kevlar bands. Got it bolted to the motor and even got the motor in the car. Got the hood scoop bolted on and a hole cut. Hope to have it running under its own power withon a week.

Looks like a fun project. While I appreciate a restored car, it's nice to see a car that still shows its history. To take a car from the weeds, get it running and enjoy it as it is can be an awesome thing. Good luck with the build!

I defiantly is a nice change of pace! Not so worried about setting tools and stuff on the fenders and what not.

I like it it's got character.
I've got 2 all painted and detailed. what a pain!
I ain't painting any more cars! Run em like that and have fun!

I like it!

Patina is the new trend...

I agree with it, even though I love wetsanding...(sarcasm).

Moving right along.. Got the fuel system all plumbed up, car on all 4 for the first time in God knows how long, motor together gauges working and cleaned up and aligned the doors/ hood and trunk lid somewhat. Was able to fire the car up today and run it through the gears on jack stands! To-do list is getting awfully short.

This is too cool. Also great job including the next generation of enthusiasts.

looks great!

I like it, looking for a patina car for myself..

Keep sending those pics
looks good keep at it!

The plan is to put this up for sale when its done! Still doing some work to it, but mostly piddly mechanical things thats arnt picture worthy. Should have a few more up soon.

Step right up! Check B cars for sale section

Been plugging away at small stuff! Short of putting the windshield back in, its pretty well done. Been getting a few bites with it being for sale, so we'll see!

Last bit..