Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 67Charger]
#587457
02/05/10 09:39 AM
02/05/10 09:39 AM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Are you still happy the wife bought you the car.
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: ]
#587458
02/05/10 10:35 AM
02/05/10 10:35 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031 Erda, UT
67Charger
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031
Erda, UT
|
...ummm, yeah. Why do you ask? She knows I love working on them, and while a finished one would be instant gratification, it would be missing 2 things: the challenge of making a derelict cast-off a piece to be proud of, and the personal connection that makes it "mine" instead of something I happened to have enough cash to buy.
Don't worry, I don't take any offense at your question, I think I understand where you're coming from. Your sig line says a lot. "Too much to do and not enough time to do it." To me, that time spent "doing it" is part of the fun. This car is plenty saveable, it just takes more time tham most are wanting to commit.
My dad asked me the same thing. He feels that anything car related that is rusted is trash, yet ironically, he loves to collect antique engines and machinery. He is a perfectionist by nature, so there is some sort of a mental block preventing him from being able to actualy start a project unless he knows it will be as good as new when he is done. As a result, he has tons of restorable machines that just sit there. I don't think he likes the process of doing the restoration, just the end result. The trouble is his standard is somewhere around OE Gold level. Few things are actually worth the cost to get to that level. He doesn't understand that I enjoy the process as much as the result.
I don't get frustrated with my '67, and I've been playing with it for 10 years now. It started at about the same point as the '68, but without the rust. No interior, dead engine/trans. Paint was mostly baked off or worn away by the elements. It had dents. LOTS of them. I built the motor and trans first and drove it around and raced it in it's various states of disrepair. The trouble with it now is that every "improvement" at this point is getting expensive. The car is basically done, and at this point all I'm doing is making it faster.
The '68 needs lots of labor (free) and a few $1000 in reproduction panels. There is a ton of clean up to be done and then the refinishing process will begin. Let's not forget I now have an excuse to build another motor. Yes, there will be lots of money needed, no way around that, but since I'm not rushed for the finished product, I can take my time and spread the purchases out. It will be done right, no sloppy jimmy-rigs or unnecessary body filler to cover up shortcuts. I simply don't need the car finished to enjoy it. I have my prize and one day I'll get to drive it. In the mean time I still get to be the proud owner of a '68 Charger.
I ses Jake71's progress, the Barrelcuda, and others like that and am inspired. Others see them and ask "...but why?!?"
11.33 @ 118.46 on motor 10.75 @ 125.35 w/ a little spray Now, high Speed Open Road Racing - Silver State Classic Challenge, Nevada Open Road Challenge, Big Bend Open Road Race Rocky Mountain Race Week 2020, 2022 2.0, Sick Week 2023
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 67Charger]
#587460
02/05/10 03:16 PM
02/05/10 03:16 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445 N.Wilkesboro,NC
DusterKrazy
master
|
master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
|
Quote:
...ummm, yeah. Why do you ask? She knows I love working on them, and while a finished one would be instant gratification, it would be missing 2 things: the challenge of making a derelict cast-off a piece to be proud of, and the personal connection that makes it "mine" instead of something I happened to have enough cash to buy.
Don't worry, I don't take any offense at your question, I think I understand where you're coming from. Your sig line says a lot. "Too much to do and not enough time to do it." To me, that time spent "doing it" is part of the fun. This car is plenty saveable, it just takes more time tham most are wanting to commit.
My dad asked me the same thing. He feels that anything car related that is rusted is trash, yet ironically, he loves to collect antique engines and machinery. He is a perfectionist by nature, so there is some sort of a mental block preventing him from being able to actualy start a project unless he knows it will be as good as new when he is done. As a result, he has tons of restorable machines that just sit there. I don't think he likes the process of doing the restoration, just the end result. The trouble is his standard is somewhere around OE Gold level. Few things are actually worth the cost to get to that level. He doesn't understand that I enjoy the process as much as the result.
I don't get frustrated with my '67, and I've been playing with it for 10 years now. It started at about the same point as the '68, but without the rust. No interior, dead engine/trans. Paint was mostly baked off or worn away by the elements. It had dents. LOTS of them. I built the motor and trans first and drove it around and raced it in it's various states of disrepair. The trouble with it now is that every "improvement" at this point is getting expensive. The car is basically done, and at this point all I'm doing is making it faster.
The '68 needs lots of labor (free) and a few $1000 in reproduction panels. There is a ton of clean up to be done and then the refinishing process will begin. Let's not forget I now have an excuse to build another motor. Yes, there will be lots of money needed, no way around that, but since I'm not rushed for the finished product, I can take my time and spread the purchases out. It will be done right, no sloppy jimmy-rigs or unnecessary body filler to cover up shortcuts. I simply don't need the car finished to enjoy it. I have my prize and one day I'll get to drive it. In the mean time I still get to be the proud owner of a '68 Charger.
I ses Jake71's progress, the Barrelcuda, and others like that and am inspired. Others see them and ask "...but why?!?"
This is probably the most intellegent post I have read. I agree 100%.
I build cars that most would throw away because they are all I can afford. I also enjoy taking a car thats trashed and making it whole again.
Just look at my '70 Charger, somebody would have to really do it for the love of the car. I've been called crazy because it's just a 318 car. In my mind; it's so much more than that.
You are motivated enough to keep the project going. Good luck
There's nothing special about forking over a pile of money for a done car
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 67Charger]
#587462
02/05/10 09:30 PM
02/05/10 09:30 PM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Quote:
...ummm, yeah. Why do you ask? She knows I love working on them, and while a finished one would be instant gratification, it would be missing 2 things: the challenge of making a derelict cast-off a piece to be proud of, and the personal connection that makes it "mine" instead of something I happened to have enough cash to buy.
Don't worry, I don't take any offense at your question, I think I understand where you're coming from. Your sig line says a lot. "Too much to do and not enough time to do it." To me, that time spent "doing it" is part of the fun. This car is plenty saveable, it just takes more time tham most are wanting to commit.
My dad asked me the same thing. He feels that anything car related that is rusted is trash, yet ironically, he loves to collect antique engines and machinery. He is a perfectionist by nature, so there is some sort of a mental block preventing him from being able to actualy start a project unless he knows it will be as good as new when he is done. As a result, he has tons of restorable machines that just sit there. I don't think he likes the process of doing the restoration, just the end result. The trouble is his standard is somewhere around OE Gold level. Few things are actually worth the cost to get to that level. He doesn't understand that I enjoy the process as much as the result.
I don't get frustrated with my '67, and I've been playing with it for 10 years now. It started at about the same point as the '68, but without the rust. No interior, dead engine/trans. Paint was mostly baked off or worn away by the elements. It had dents. LOTS of them. I built the motor and trans first and drove it around and raced it in it's various states of disrepair. The trouble with it now is that every "improvement" at this point is getting expensive. The car is basically done, and at this point all I'm doing is making it faster.
The '68 needs lots of labor (free) and a few $1000 in reproduction panels. There is a ton of clean up to be done and then the refinishing process will begin. Let's not forget I now have an excuse to build another motor. Yes, there will be lots of money needed, no way around that, but since I'm not rushed for the finished product, I can take my time and spread the purchases out. It will be done right, no sloppy jimmy-rigs or unnecessary body filler to cover up shortcuts. I simply don't need the car finished to enjoy it. I have my prize and one day I'll get to drive it. In the mean time I still get to be the proud owner of a '68 Charger.
I ses Jake71's progress, the Barrelcuda, and others like that and am inspired. Others see them and ask "...but why?!?"
Well I am glad that you did not take any offense to my question because it certainly was not meant to offend you or your wife, just a little humor question. I am in the same boat with my cars and I applaud all who take on the endeavor of restoring a heavily rusted out car or building a custom from a heap. I also enjoy the pics from all the project posts.
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: topfueldart]
#587465
02/12/10 08:36 AM
02/12/10 08:36 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 82 Austria
3eighty3
member
|
member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 82
Austria
|
Respect for the scope of work and effort you are getting yourself into. That's a lot of metalwork...and I thought my car was rusty! I agree that building your own project is part of the fun of the hobby and sure beats just buying a finished car. Great going! __________________________________________ Cuda blog
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 69Cuda340S]
#587468
02/20/10 11:21 PM
02/20/10 11:21 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031 Erda, UT
67Charger
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031
Erda, UT
|
Got the firewall completely stripped, no nasty surprises there. I was also pleasantly surprised thet the rear package tray is actually fine, it is just the lower window gutter that is shot. One less panel to R&R. I called AMD and asked them if they were planning on doing A-pillars, and they said yes, but about a year out. I should have this thing completely stripped and ready for blasting in a few weeks. I also took the time to clean out another bay in the garage for epoxy coating so I can get some of the stuff moved out of the bay the Charger is in and get some work space back.
11.33 @ 118.46 on motor 10.75 @ 125.35 w/ a little spray Now, high Speed Open Road Racing - Silver State Classic Challenge, Nevada Open Road Challenge, Big Bend Open Road Race Rocky Mountain Race Week 2020, 2022 2.0, Sick Week 2023
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: Mopargnome]
#587470
02/22/10 02:05 AM
02/22/10 02:05 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031 Erda, UT
67Charger
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031
Erda, UT
|
The roof I got will just be used for individual parts. If the original metal is intact, it stays. I don't want a big shear line of weld where I butted the two sections together. The inner panels of the frame are almost untouched except directly over the 1/4 window. The lower panel of the upper windshield frame is fine, but I'm replacing 1/2 of the upper panel. The sides will get new drip rails, and get the outer panels replaced with parts from the donor roof. At no point will the continuity of the perimiter be broken.
11.33 @ 118.46 on motor 10.75 @ 125.35 w/ a little spray Now, high Speed Open Road Racing - Silver State Classic Challenge, Nevada Open Road Challenge, Big Bend Open Road Race Rocky Mountain Race Week 2020, 2022 2.0, Sick Week 2023
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 67Charger]
#587471
03/22/10 01:33 AM
03/22/10 01:33 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031 Erda, UT
67Charger
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031
Erda, UT
|
I have just about everything from the latch post forward stripped. I just need to remove the brake lines, tail lights and trim, rear axle and the 1/4 window assemblies, and it will be ready to blast. I'll be home all this week with the wife and new little one that is scheduled to be born Monday, so I should be able to squeeze in enough time to give it one last blitz to prepare it for blasting.
11.33 @ 118.46 on motor 10.75 @ 125.35 w/ a little spray Now, high Speed Open Road Racing - Silver State Classic Challenge, Nevada Open Road Challenge, Big Bend Open Road Race Rocky Mountain Race Week 2020, 2022 2.0, Sick Week 2023
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 67Charger]
#587472
03/22/10 08:27 AM
03/22/10 08:27 AM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Are you going to blast it yourself or send it out and have you thought about having it dipped?
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: ]
#587473
03/27/10 03:23 AM
03/27/10 03:23 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031 Erda, UT
67Charger
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,031
Erda, UT
|
I've got a full boogie blasting setup at work, with the proper Bullard forced air hood, air supply, 175 CFM compressor and about 75 tons of #90 silica. Probably can get it blasted next week.
I don't know of anywhere down here that can dip a full car.
11.33 @ 118.46 on motor 10.75 @ 125.35 w/ a little spray Now, high Speed Open Road Racing - Silver State Classic Challenge, Nevada Open Road Challenge, Big Bend Open Road Race Rocky Mountain Race Week 2020, 2022 2.0, Sick Week 2023
|
|
|
Re: My '68 Charger restoration
[Re: 67Charger]
#587474
03/27/10 10:20 AM
03/27/10 10:20 AM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Quote:
I've got a full boogie blasting setup at work, with the proper Bullard forced air hood, air supply, 175 CFM compressor and about 75 tons of #90 silica. Probably can get it blasted next week.
I don't know of anywhere down here that can dip a full car.
Lucky you, when I did mine it was shall we say an interesting experience. Looking forward to see pics. Now I'm off to help my friend work on his 69 RR and we are also getting ready to set up for blasting with my blaster. He has taken on a project with no prior experience or knowledge and we did more work in one day then he did in two years and was ready to get rid of the car until I offered my help and hay what can you do when it has always been his dream car.
|
|
|
|
|