..and you'll find out a lot of time that the
guy(s) that thinks he knows the most usually knows the least.

Hi Dave, you also have a good weekend.

For many years I have been a judge at car shows. Because of this I found that when I walk up to a car I could not help but start looking for things that are wrong. This troubled me.....I did not like this habit that I got into. A few years ago I started something new. Every time I would walk up to a car at a show or just on the street...I would make myself find five things that I like about the car before I would (to myself) say what was wrong with the car.

Because of this I have become more "well rounded"....more understanding and I believe I have become a better judge for doing this.

There are a few people here that are so quick to jump on a band wagon and start throwing

Too everone, Have a good and safe weekend.

Quote:

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“how many of those components have all the "experts" found wrong on daves car? not enough to fill 2 hands”

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Quote:

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“whats that.....an hour of work to rectify? an hour

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I have 2 questions for you steven juliano
How big are your hands?
+ can I have the name of your restorer?

You yourself name “carpet, battery cables + wipers + a few minor things” how big are your hands that those items wont fill both them

And please let me know who your restorer is that can change both battery cables, wipers, a few minor things AND CARPETING in less than an hour, especially doing it to the level of detail that this car would need it done to

Another sheep in line

THe previous post about the comment on who could do this in one hour, replacing the cables, carpet and such...........wow thats really nickle and dimeing the subject. Actually a bit petty.

I was a judging at local shows for Chevelle 70 thru 72 for a few years. This after having a winning car at National shows. I couldnt bring myself the work the judges, yada yada yada. I would notice quite a few of cars in my same class, the owners would work and work the judges over this and that begging for points. But when I judged cars at smaller local and regional events, I had to confine myself to a level of judging more suited cars built by, good ole boys (or girls) with limited funds. These events have more daily drivers etc, and for the trailered cars, I would have a different class or catagory. In general I didnt look at matching numbers, or date codes on carbs, intakes, etc. I judged <fit and finish.> If the show had a seperate class for the concours class then yes date codes, engine compartment details as to factory correct did apply. But I usually worked it out so the daily drivers stood alone in a class seperate from the guy who trailered his $70K car to the show.

I dont see why some seem to be so unwilling to let these gentleman bask in the sun over a fine car. Ive seen more hacking over five and dime issues on this car than is necessary. If it was judged 99.1% correct that speaks for itself.

Some of you are like my wife, instead of calling it a car, you will argue its an automobile. Oh yes speaking of the wife, she too is a veteran of my Chevelle, Corvette days and more than once I have scolded her about keeping her mouth "shut" when we are viewing someones car at shows. Pride in our cars is a strong motivator and everyone is proud of their car (no matter) how good or bad the restoration or condition the car is in. Once she was running off at the mouth, pointing at incorrect detailing under the hood, incorrect finish, "oh thats not right, oops look how bad that is" etc etc. Good woman as she is, I took her off to the side and told her yes she was right, that was incorrect, but pleaseeee keep your comments to yourself until we leave the car, and we are alone with each other. DONT say negative things about a mans car in front of him or his friends or even just spectators. Thats like my mother making comments on how my wife keeps house. She doesnt want to hear it, and neither does the cars owner. This hobby is about sharing an interest together, making a few friends here and there, and <<<GOODWILL.>>> If its a crude MO FO then keep it to yourself and if the owner is nice to you and speaks to you, then dammit tell him NICEEEEEE ride buddy. Shag carpet, ugly stack breather, black engine compartment, diamond tuck interior, wheels hanging out further than the fenderwheels and all........Nice car buddy. If your happy Im happy. Remember, generosity given will be generosity given back when your car is judged by fellow enthusiasts.

DW - Congratulations on winning OE Gold with your Challenger R/T at the Nats.

I'd like to learn more about things like the front suspension strut rods on your ride, they sure are beauties & appear NOS & also look to also be finished in a brown zinc dichromate like the new strut rod washers, nuts, etc. currently repo'd professionally by B Rolik. Anything you can share on this is very much appreciated...having only rusted originals to compare my rusted originals to in the past!

Mine was an NOS set that I obtained from Bill Rolik! How ironic is that? I have not seen replacement ones so I don't know if he has those. If Bill happens to see this post maybe he can shed some light on the subject.

I was fortunate to have available a few sets of original bushing retainers (washers) and Dave purchased one of those sets. As far as my reproduction retainers, they are new stampings (not just refinished) and are very close in appearance to NOS. Brown zinc dichromate is the original finish, but there is no actual documented "recipe" available, and some of the elements of the original may not be available anyway, due to EPA regulations, so the although my current offering is quite close, I am still tweaking the formula as development time permits.

Bill Rolik

I have received many comments and inquiries concerning Factory Parts vs. Service/NOS Parts vs. Reproduction Parts. During the Challenger project we made it a point to investigate every single piece and/or part that was used to assemble the vehicle. Even the parts we knew were correct for this particular car were further researched in order to learn the variations that could have been used from vehicle to vehicle. Take the grease fittings for instance. While this topic seems insignificant (and small) in the realm of things, it was an area that we dedicated quite a bit of time, research and documentation towards. A big mistake that is often made with regards to factory vehicles has to do with possible variations that may have been used on different cars. Some "experts" are aware of a certain style and incorrectly assume that the particular example they are familiar with (or own) is the ONE and ONLY style! I have personally documented at least 2 variations of “factory correct” grease fittings as they relate to Chrysler vehicles. Below are photos taken of the different styles of fittings that can be used for a correct Mopar restoration. As seen in the photos, there is a fitting that was removed from an original, unmolested 9700 mile Hemicuda. The ball tip was knocked off at the factory. Also is a fitting that was removed from an NOS upper ball joint (that matches the original assembly line version) but has not yet had the round tip knocked off. There is also a sample of a reproduction that is very close to the style that was used from the factory in 1970. The nipple inlet has a slight difference in its shape but when knocked off, it is almost undetectable from the original factory style. (I located and purchased as many assembly line style pieces as possible to accumulate the necessary amount to complete the car.) Also included are photos showing every zerk fitting that was used (at the factory) on the same 9700 mile Hemicuda owned by Steve Been. He has a couple of other unmolested vehicles that has under 20000 miles, with the exact same style of fitting(s) from the factory. All used the zerk fittings that had the tip knocked off after the grease was applied.

Dave
When your car was judged were the "inlet balls" knocked off or still intact?

If they were knocked off and the fittings are almost identicle, then how could anybody question them?

Hi Alan,
If you look at the pictures of the original fittings they are "knocked off" from the factory. Every example I have documented had this same characteristic of having the tip removed. I bought and collected as many E & B Body suspension components as I could find to make SURE the pieces we used were authentic in design. I think they knocked the tip off after they injected them with grease. It could have been to ensure a quicker demise or breakdown of the part. (Possibly a built in obsolescence factor!?! Future repairs and business for the service department?) If you are familiar with Ford (factory) suspension parts like tie rods, they didn't even machine them for zerk fittings or plugs! When they wore out, they were finished. A completely sealed unit might have kept out dirt and moisture to a greater degree however.

Dave, who's questioning break-off zerk fittings? I was sure it was common knowledge for anyone building at this level that they are correct for OE and were in fact snapped off at the factory after greasing. It was planned obsolesence and or a tactic to force replacement (ideally at your friendly Chysler dealer).

Mike Mancini

Post deleted by ECS

I find this so comical. This is precisely why I will not show any of my cars anymore. Bottom line is that Dave has the highest scoring vehicle to date. He has done an incredible amount of research and it paid off. This man has a serious passion for what he does and some of you just try to find the smallest oversight . Give me a friggin break, don't you think that he researched
every nut,bolt,fastener etc etc... If there is an oversight he knows about it and I can assume there wasn't much he could do about it.
Dave, quit responding to some of these jokers.
There is no need to defend this masterpiece.
For the few of you who continue to nit pick; PUT
UP OR SHUT UP. The real question is what did he learn from this accomplishment and can he actually create an even better masterpiece?

here are a four tie rods from a '70 HEMI 'Cuda w/5300 miles











maybe I should clean the grease off & see if the "balls" re-appear?

.....I have the repops in stock....if anybody is interested