my 69 rr black, pewter int and pewter painted roof

thanks for the photo. it was already removed and the floor was stripped by it so i was entirely sure if it was sealed. nothing a small ro-loc disc. can't handle.

Here's my old convertible, maybe someone has a better hardtop shot for you.

thanks a lot. i have to do the small plug holes yet and there are no markings as to where they are. i was hoping to take some measurements of someones car.

Also look at the right side of the trunk floor where the vertical ribs are. We had to shorten one rib to duplicate my original floor.
Compare my picture to your picture. Could be a convertible thing but I doubt it.
Ron

ordered the sending unit and jack hold down today. next is the rear!

That is going to be a pretty car. That color combo is SWEET! Keep up the good work!

Joe

He was real anxious to sell it at Englishtown and I heard he sold it to a vendor...

who was selling. not my road runner. i was at englishtown but this is the last one i do. always wanted a black 69 rr. sorry no new pictures to share. having issues with my computer and haven't had much time to spend on the car. building a new shop at home and dealing with the town really stinks.

Sorry! Must have been another black 4 speedw/ platinum painted roof? A fellow came up to me in the car show and said he had been trying to sell it for $7,500 and didn't I think it was worth that much. I saw him talking to a vendor about it and later on, he came back to tell me he sold it?

I think that car came from the Bergen county area of NJ. The owner has a few high dollar mopars (3) and is a good guy. If it is the car I am thinking of it is a great car and a great project. I was toying around with the idea of buying it last year when it popped up on ebay but never pulled the trigger. Good luck with it..

there isn't too many black 69 road runners w/ a pewter painted roof and pewter interior. i bought the car from northern nj a few months before the mopar show. paid the worth worth price of the 7500.00 for the car. the guy i got the car from was a true mopar guy and just super to deal with. oh and he does have some really killer rare mopars of his own.

still no photos. (issues w the computer). got the gas tank painted, tank straps, gutted the inside and got rid of all the mice remnants. took the heater box out and disassembled it for the redo.

Post deleted by copperebod74

Nice work

inside with the dash. the heater box is all restored as is the cowl vent. the clutch pedals are out getting rebuilt and i anew emergency brake pedal assembly is on the way.

dash and windshield removed.

dash. the dash has since been taken completely apart. the wiring harness has been checked, cleaned, retaped, and all gone over. the dash is being glass beaded and will be painted the correct suede black in the near weeks.

clutch pedals

anyone know if anyone restores the finish on the vin plate from the dash frame. mine is pealing and it would really look crappy to have the dash restored only to see a peeling vin tag. i know its a touchy subject. i have not removed it from the dash frame yet.

ECS sells a kit to restore it. It's not too hard, just have to be carefull drilling the rivets out. Don't let the tag spin on you while drilling the rivets out.I just used some paint stripper to get rid of the old paint.

sweet. drilling it out is the easy part. i just want it to look good when i put it back on.

anyone know the phone number or e-mail address for ECS? i can find it. i did purchase a new door vin sticker for my challenger from them but i must be having a brain fart because i can't seem to find it.

http://ecsautomotive.com/products.php?co=c

-Daty

man, that is exactly how i took it off. thanks for all the info.

Post deleted by copperebod74

here's the dash frame.

switch panel

rebuilt clutch pedals and emergency brake petal. thanks SMS

just the painted dash frame

passenger side with the nose removed.

driver side with the nose removed

the road runners new home is almost finished. waiting on the crappy new jersey winter weather!

been a while but more progress.

beep beep

beep beep 2

beep beep 3

beep beep 4

beep beep 5

beep beep strippin

beep beep strippin 2

steering column disassembly

column pieces painted the correct suede finish

correct valve covers restored

AMD fenders fit sweet. i am impressed.

moving along

still moving

Looks great so far...
Can't wait to see the finished product!

keep up the good work ! nice color combo !

some recent photos. grill and headlight bezels are restored. 4 speed hemi box is getting rebuild and i purchase a scatter shield for the car. hood hinges were rebuild by SMS, epoxy primed and painted black basecoat, grill support blasted and epoxy primed.

hood isn't staying. i have a complete air grabber for the car. oh and i purchased a whole set of American racing 15 inch torq thrust "d" wheels for the car too. i know i am a way away from wheels, but they were a great deal.

my newly restored scatter shield

grill and bezels are all restored and good to go.

another of the grill

cluster bezel

cluster resto

restored cluster

another cluster shot

torq thrust d wheels

extra solid driver side door stripped to bare metal and has since been epoxy primed.

Nice work! Thanks for sharing pics!

Did you do the gauge cluster or did someone do it for you?? It turned out Nice. Just wondering how hard it was to do if you did it yourself.
If you did do it what all did you do to it???
I am thinking of doing mine.
Thanks David

I did the cluster myself. I had 3 to make one out of. I only used 2. I checked the gauges, polished the cluster lens, painted the needles, cleaned the gauge face, painted the cluster trim, put new bulbs in, and installed a new printed circuit board for the gauges and lights and installed a new voltage regulator. I just laid everything out and took my time. Its easier than it looks. It took about a week.

Nice Job!!
Thanks for the info.
David

...wow...very nice work.

great project, enjoy the work

Carsten

just finished my disc brake spindles.

back of spindles.

neat color combo, keep up the good work!

AMD fenders lined up and all front sheet metal fit.

another of the front. the AMD fenders are really nice!

pulled the front suspension.

no k-frame!

almost ready for the rotisserie!

photo

rear removed.

waiting on rotisserie mounts.

stripping paint under hood.

under hood all stripped.

rad support

small spot on driver frame rail. soon to be no more.

dam mice!

all cut and cleaned out.

passenger inner shock tower

piece to be made

stripped.

all stripped

Rare colors & fantastic work!

k frame and struts a bead blasted.

another of the k frame.

car is on the rotisserie!

another rotisserie shot

all my front spindles, tie rods, struts, lower ball joints painted and patiently waiting.

passenger side inner fender well all welded.

passenger side hood hinge are

another of the inside

new piece all fit

the old inner

inner all welded and ground

k frame epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF black primer.

k frame painted satin black.

passenger side front rocker and lower cowl area

all cut out

pieces fabricated and test fit

all welded up.

driver frame rail and upper control arm bracket removal.

old bracket, yucky!

new bracket blasted and ready to go back in. first i will install the upper control are with new bushings installed already. everything will be bolted up and pre-fit. once everything is good, it will be welded into place.

lower control arms painted to look correct.

painted and new parts installed.

all done re welding the upper control arm bracket with a rust free original.

patch on the inner drivers side frame rail.

So i bought this wand that goes on a spray can to get into the inside of a frame rail. I went to do the passenger side rail and couldn't get the wand in the hole in the top of the rail. I knew right away based on the other side what was up. I cut a 1inch square hole in the side of the rail and this is what i pulled out.

all treated inside with etch primer and welded up.

ground down and good as new.

scrapped all the undercoat off the inside front wheel wells.

stripped both sides with a roloc disc.

driver side door post area

driver side door post. all better

battery tray area. piece was thin.

battery tray area, all cut out ,treated with SEM rust mort, ready for patch.

battery tray area all good.

Looking good

the floors before i found that the new ones were installed by a previous owner poorly. last of the surprises!

second of the floors.

on its side

underside

so much for new floor pans. 3 of them anyway.

why weld new floor boards over this!!!!!!!

unwanted holes in the trans tunnel getting welded up.

underside more than halfway stripped.

underside two

underside pretty much all scrapped of undercoat and hit with a scotch brite wheel. all welded except for the floor boards. still waiting on those.

Another of the underside. What a job that was. thank god for the rotisserie. thanks Walt!!!!

underside until the floors get here.

windshield and roof posts. all clips removed and cleaned of windshield adhesive. stripped to bare metal.

back window rail stripped and cleaned.

Thanks for posting your progress photos, it's cool to see what's going on. Great job.

thanks for the support guys. hopefully some guys can see it can be done at a home garage. i will paint the car in a booth, but everything else will be done in my detached 2 car garage. heres the passenger side floor removed to be fixed, fit, and redone.

i could re-use the floor board. it just needs to be re aligned, trimmed and fit properly. plus all the rails on the inside i like to treat with rust proofing and seal. helps to keep them from rusting again.

heres the floor trimmed so the new floor pan will fit properly. the torsion bar cross member has been cleaned inside and treated w POR-15. new pan will be in tomorrow.

passenger side floor fit into place. ready to be welded.

passenger floor all welded. tomorrow i flip the car on its side and weld underneath. that looks much better.

passenger side floor all ground and finished.

underside of passenger floor all welded. next complete drivers side.

new driver floor came from AMD.

Driver floor area. Yucky 1. I am going to end up taking the 4 speed hump out, fit the floor, trim and fabricate what needs to be fabricated, and re weld the hump back in after I glass bead it. All will be right in the garage again soon. Taking a few days off to get out of the cold. Enjoy and thanks for looking.

yucky 2

dear old dad came over today and removed the 4 speed hum and started the fitting of the new floor pan. yeah he knows a thing or two about these old rust buckets.thanks pop!

4 speed hump removed. will be glass beaded and and reinstalled when the floors are put back in.

beautiful job.

i'm diggin' it.

heres the 4 speed hump all glass beaded and epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF

triming, lining, etc.

more trimming, more lining up.

rear floor to new front floor. needs to be trimmed.

all trimmed, cleaned, rails coated with POR15, floor prefit.

floor fit and floor area trimmed for 4 speed hump.

floor fit w 4 speed hump.

sorry had to mess with something new. kids.

driver side floor is a fit and screwed in with 1/4 inch holes drilled for plug welds.

driver floor all welded top and bottom. next 4 speed hump will be put back in as well as the e brake bracket and speed o cable bracket.

driver floor is done. all welds are ground down. i have to reinstall the 4 speed hump and install the sill covers, speed o cable bracket, and e brake cable bracket.

shot of the floors from the passenger side.

last of the major fabrication work. this is on the driver side under the back seat.

heres one of the 2 pieces to be fabricated.

all cut out.

drivers side under back seat. one side fit the other side cut out.

being that i don't have the means to make this piece as one and i don't need the whole floor under the back seat. i am making what i need in 2 pieces. everything under the patch will be treated and weld thru primer will be applied.

second piece will be cut , trimmed, and fit. then welded and the bottom back seat seat hook will be reinstalled.

4 speed hump welded back in. copper weld thru primer was used.

floors all finished.

another of the finished floors.

drivers side under the back seat. pieces are fabricated and fit. copper weld thru was used the treat the top of the frame rails and the underside of the pieces that were made.

under rear seat with the seat bottom brackets mocked up.

all welded up. the last of the major fab work.

reinstalled the wiring harness sill plate covers. had to weld new tabs on the back one.

back one.

all the floors are finished, scuffed, treated and ready to be epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF black primer sealer. then everything gets seam sealed.

a different look

cleaned and sanded the roof on the inside. removed all the headliner tack strips. everything will be black epoxy primer and coated in DCC black single stage.

trunk floor has been in a while and was getting a light surface rust. i treated it with captain lee's metal prep. this stuff is great.

underside seam sealed

emergency brake cable bracket positioned and welded to the floor.

speed o cable welded to front floor. finally found the correct spot. thanks vinny!!!!!!! not bad for 60. lol

I threw together this dolly to hold my k frame , front suspension, and future 383 4 speed.

A little personal touch. I was bored. lol

coming together.

oh boy.

fancy!

underside before primer.

Underside all primed with PPG DP90LF black epoxy primer. Next will be satin black. I just want the car clean underneath.

Comin' along very well...

I have really enjoyed the progress.

You doing this all yourself in your garage?

Rick.

yeah,I am doing this all at my home garage. I had an 18 foot by 25 foot steel garage put up in my back yard. This isn't the first car I have done but it is the first that I have done to this extent. Here's the shop. It works out perfect. Its enough room for me to do what I need to and stretch out a bit. I am more than happy to share and appreciate that you guys are enjoying the progress. I am hoping at some point to try and get the car displayed inside at Chryslers at Carlisle.

I also have a 2 car garage on my house that I keep my challenger in. I have owned this since I was 15 years old. Going on 28 years. I grew up at a Dodge dealership body shop my dad worked at and was totally hooked!

this photos doesn't look to much different than when it was primed but it has been painted satin black on the undercarriage.

i got the floors primed where the seams are and seam sealed.

another of the seam sealed floors.

removed both doors, hinges, striped the passenger side door jam.

i made this handy rear end stand for my 8-3/4.

i got the driver s side door jam stripped. i also removed the rear window regulators and everything related.

i thought you guys might like to see my challenger with my new American Racing Torq-Thrust "D" wheels on it. i am digging it.

side shot.

I got the inside of the road runner primed top to bottom with PPG DP90LF black epoxy prime.

fancy 2

fancy 3

I will say it is more work than one would think spraying the inside.

here is the 8-3/4 rear on the stand i made. it has been disassembled.

well, disappointment again. When i bought the car, the guy i got it from had the quarters installed. When i looked at it they looked great. The door gaps were good, the welds were nice, trunk lids was on , etc. So I am at the point where I am stripping the rest of the car. I get to the tops on the quarters along where the rear side windows are. The car has the window trim that goes all the way around the window. Under that chrome the quarters are like Swiss cheese and the inside where the window felt goes is a brittle mess. Plus the driver side was hit high and filled with mudd. That should have been seen when the quarters were going on??????? I should have totally known that I was going to have to redo everything. So on the phone with Dantes parts to order 2 full quarters. The real disappointing part is they can't get them to me until late June. AMD is out of stock. So the breaks are on for now. I have other small stuff to do but i am at a stand still. I am a little miffed about the quarters but it is my fault and now i am into this thing to far and have a fortune invested. just a bummer!!!!!!!

primed the door jams and inner, inner fender wells. i also got all metal on the cowl seams where the factory leaded.

driver side.

the outside of the rad support.

here is the 8-3/4 rear disassembled, degrease d, cleaned, and glass beaded.

front of the blasted rear housing.

heres the housing epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF black primer.

i got the backing plates cleaned and bead blasted. epoxy primed and painted DCC single stage gloss black. installed new wheel cylinders. i had the drums cut and checked, bead blasted , epoxy primed and then painted with DBC base coat color with hardener added for durability.

Here is the rear end housing on the stand. I sprayed the stand with some spray can primer and silver to keep it from rusting. The T in the center is adjustable to hold the pinion. It slides from side to side and up and down. Works out nicely. The ends have pipe insulation to keep from scratching the housing. I plan at some point to sent the rear out to have the housing checked for straightness and will buy a new center section and aftermarket axles. I want 3:55's and guys a an crack with the prices for junk center sections that you don't know what you are getting.

Another of the stand w/ housing.

bummer about the quarters, the rest of the progress looks good.

I bought the lower door hinges from Rick Ehrenberg. Drilled out the tapped hole and used a rotary file on a drill to make the hole square. They worked out great. I rebuilt the top hinges, epoxy primed them and painted the set base coat black. They will be painted again and clear coated when i do the door jams.

passenger side jam with the hinges hung.

driver side with the hinges hung. getting ready to put the doors back on and align everything up so when the quarter panels come everything can be fit properly. it is important to make sure your hinges are good, rebuilt, or new. NO SAGGING DOORS.

I found that pre-loading the doors with the glass and such really helped the panel alignment on my Super Bee restoration.

yeah i have not removed any of the glass or regulators yet. sorry i forgot to mention that. its amazing how much all that stuff weighs.

I found out the hard way. This is a really cool thread on a amazing car, btw.

thanks, i think the car will be something when its finished. the only thing i want from it is to be able to put it in the main building at Chrysler at Carlisle. i don't want trophies, etc. anyway, i got the side marker reflector trim done today. it doesn't seem like a lot but, man, between taking them apart, glass beading them, epoxy priming them and then basecoat/clearcoat. people don't realize. they will get wrapped up for when i put them on.

I have been working on these casters for the front frame rails with the students in my shop. I have to drill the large holes for the cross member bolts and I will probably add a cross brace so it can be jacked up in the middle. I have to take the body off the rotisserie to install the quarter panels. It needs to be on its body weight.

Hey I've followed this from the beginning, your doing a great job. Today when you mentioned students I looked at your profile and saw your name. Is this the same Mike that was a paint guy years back? If so we know each other.
Ron

That would be me. I worked as a tech guy for finishmaster for years. left and became a body shop/welding teacher at the vo-tec about 11 years ago. How do i know you Ron?

I came to your house once or twice and bought paint from you. Also you were helping me though the board with B-5 blue suggestions when I did my 69 Coronet R/T convertible. I think we spoke at E-Town once or twice too.
I never knew you owned the Challenger but always saw it at the E-Town shows.
I know Jimmy from Jack's pretty well also.
Ron

ok, that was when i had my blue 68 gtx and the challenger was all apart. I should have had my challenger convertible too. Now you can see what I have going on. I got out of the hobby for a while. Only car i kept was my copper challenger. Don't be a stranger.

Hey Mike,
Yep you had the 68 X and an ebody apart at the time.
Ron Sannino

The copper car was the one that was apart. I finished that up about 9 years ago before my son was born. I got out of it for a while and literally sold everything but that car. what are you working on now?

I've wound myself back over the last few years. I recently bought a near twin to my first car. 72 Satellite Sebring Plus 400 4bbl. I bought it from a friend and it's out of state getting it's first paint in the coming week.
Ron

Very cool. If you need anything just ask. I have all the color books from back then.

Ocean County, New Jersey. not really proud of the New Jersey part.

It's nice to know that there are still some vo-tech schools out there, and guys with skills like you have teaching at them. Seems like shops and vocational education are a thing of the past in most high schools.

I'm a Jersey guy myself. Grew up in the sticks of Sussex County. My brother did some time at the vo-tech up there. If you live in Jersey, Ocean County is not a bad place to be.

Nice work on the Runner and two thumbs up on the new Torq-Thrusts for the Challenger!

Thanks, I do take a lot of pride in my students. Unfortunately, a lot of them would love to have an older car but they have been priced right out of the hobby.

I got the seams welded up on the cowl area. I melted the lead off the cowl, mig welded the seams solid, and used USC All Metal w/ high grade body filler to finish everything off. The cowl is now ready for 3 coats of epoxy prime and the areas that had filler work done will get coated with 3 coats of PPG K36 filler primer. The filler primer will get wet sanded with 500 grit and the cowl and engine compartment will be epoxy primed again with PPG DP90LF black epoxy primer. I like to let my fillers cure for at least 24 hours before i prime over them. Body filler shrinks and is omitting chemicals. I don't like to trap that stuff under the primer.

other side.

I got the cowl Epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF black. i will put 3 coats of PPG K36 filler primer on it, then wet sand it with 320 and then 500 after it is guide coated, then reseal it again with DP90LF. i will be ready to shoot color soon on the cowl and under the hood area.

another shot of the cowl w/ the body work completed and epoxy primed.

slow progress lately guys. still waiting on sheet metal. hopefully soon. I have been helping my dad with his 56 Chevy. I know its a Chevy but its from Arizona and anyone from the northeast knows what that means. he has had it 35 years and got it from a close family friend who past away, so its time to do the car. chassis is all finished. old school hot rod type here. 327, turbo 350, 4:11's etc. any old car is cool, i just prefer mopars.

Just got word today that my quarters are in. I also ordered a new hood and door skins. last one I do, I want it done right. I did get the K36 filler primer on the cowl and inner fender wet sanded as well as the under hood area hand sanded to smooth the epoxy primer over spray. next comes DP90LF epoxy primer sealer and DCC black single stage color.

I finished making this rear suspension dolly so i can get the car off the rotisserie and back on its body weight so i can get the quarters going.

Hey Mike wanted to give you some incentive. My Satellite will be coming home within a week or two.
Ron

Awesome. post some pictures when you get it back.

the road runners new tow vehicle.

Well, even though i was disappointed with the chryslers at carlisle show, i did feel compelled to get something going on my car today. the sheet metal will finally be here in a week or 2. i don't plan on getting to nuts w that until fall. i did get the engine compartment epoxy primed w/ DP90LF. i am going to paint the engine compartment this weekend and inside the interior firewall area.

engine compartment 2

engine compartment 3

engine compartment 4

cowl is all finished and ready to be painted with the engine compartment.

Keep up the great work!

Well i was doing some research as to where the air grabber cable came through the firewall. it turns out there is a dimple on the firewall under the voltage regulator.

i used a uni-bit to drill the hole. it is a little bigger than 3/4 inch.

the cable uses the same rubber grommet as the antenna so you could use that hole as a guide. here's the finished hole with the grommet.

awesome progress! keep up the good work. Love the 56 chevy, one of my favorite tri-5's is the 56.

I started getting the rear back together. all the drum brakes are finished and the e-brake cables are one. next will be the 3:55 posi unit. if anyone has a set of 3:55's in a 489 case they want to swap for 3:91's in a 489 case, please contact me.

brakes all finished.

I picked up a steer n gear firm steering box at carlisle for the car. man they painted the box with this crappy rubberized black paint that was just nasty to remove. anyway heres the stripped steering box after 2 afternoons of work cleaning the crap off.

heres the steering box and the new pitman arm epoxy primed and ready to be painted.

Mike just an FYI, your box should be painted a crappy gloss Black to replicate OEM.
Ron

thanks, i know i was going to paint it black but the stuff they put on it was like rubberized undercoating and it was still tacky. that's not going to cut it w/ me.

steering box all finished.

I took the air grabber duct work off the original hood today so i can start restoring that.

original rubber seal cleaned up nicely and is still soft.

Today pop's came over and helped get the doors back on and aligned so we can start doing the full quarters. we also removed the car from the rotisserie and its back on its own weight.

back view

Heres something i don't think most guys think of until the end of a build. Do you door locks, handles, and door latches work properly? I found that my passenger side some mismatched clip holding the handle rod on. Both sides work and now I know all I need to do is clean and grease everything. The locks themselves will probably be changed out. Take note of the pewter interior color! I like it.

all the cracks are fixed on the center of the air grabber box. some sanding , primer, and paint is next.

all the cracks have been fixed as well as the mounting tabs on the air grabber box. i matched up a color and am in the process of epoxy priming the pieces.

side pieces.

and so it begins!

oh man!

yes the bottom will be removed too.

all gone.

yup, its gone

good luck with the progress

Carsten

That car certainly went to the right guy!!!!
Ron

everything inside the quarter was stripped, treated, and is ready for black epoxy primer.

original door jam had rust under the lip.

Trimmed the nasty part and made a template.

new piece tacked in.

all welded.

all ground down like it wasn't even fixed.

Notice the door jam pieces that I made. Very rarely does a car need just quarters. If i had left the work as it was done by the previous owner i would have maybe given it 6 months until either the door jam started to rust or it broke loose due to the weak metal from rust. thank god i decided to do full quarters.

everything inside the quarter was stripped, surface rust was treated and it has 3 coats of epoxy primer (DP90LF) in an area where no one will ever see. But, it will never rust in there again.

did a ruff fit of the quarter panel to make sure everything will be ok. pre fit the side marker light as well. so far so good.

ruff fit from back.

second fitting of the passenger quarter. the full quarters actually fit pretty good.

next time the quarter goes on it will be on for good. it will now be removed and the prep to weld it on will happen.

Nice job1 I love the colour combo! Going to be a sweet ride when your done!

heres the center of the air grabber air box all restored. it took me a while to match the color but i am happy with the result. next the sides will get epoxy sealed and color coded to match.

heres the completed air grabber setup.

passenger side close up

driver side close up

got my axles back. i had the old bearing removed and i glass beaded and removed the wheel studs. new green bearings installed and i will install the new wheel studs.

Passenger quarter panel. This is the last fitting of the quarter. It will not be removed again. I will say for you guys that are doing full quarters on a road runner. The quarter fits pretty well. The area of concern is on the lower rocker where it is spot welded to the pinch weld. The angle isn't quite right and it is a little to long so when you clamp it in the pinch it would bulge the bottom out. I had to cut the lip and take about 3/16" off for it to line up. once its welded back in a ground you will not know but if you don't do this the quarter will not fit well.

8-3/4 rear all finished. 3:91-489 case posi.

another of the rear.

last one.

Hello Mike. This is previous owner Vinny. I finally became a registered user here. The progress on the road runner is fantastic. The car definately wet to the right MOPAR fanatic. Please keep me in mind if you EVER think of selling. I would sell one of my "bad boys" to open up some space. Yes everyone, this is a real 2 tone car with a silver painted roof, black body and a pewter decor interior with a 4 speed. Hello to the family and have a Happy Thanksgiving.


Plymouth Super Bird B5 440 4 speed black buckets console
A12 Bahama Yellow Super Bee 4 speed black bench seat
1966 Coronet 500 Convertible 383 727 P/W tinted glass AZ car

Hey Vinny, How's it going? Yes this car definitely went to the right home, Mike is doing a tremendous job on it!
Ron Sannino

Hello Ron. I am not sure if I remember you, sorry. Were you at my house when the rr was for sale? Refresh my memory. That car will stand out in any crowd. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Vinny P

We know each other for about 15 years, I had 69 GTX convertible B5,then 70 GTX 6bbl In-Violet, 70 Cuda Black 440+6, 69 Coronet R/T convertible B-5, 72 Satellite Sebring Black etc...
Saw you last at E-Town this summer in August and we were talking about your Blue Super Bird.
Ron Sannino

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to both you guys. Ron, how did you make out with your satellite? Vinny, I hope all is well. Nothing new to speak of on the road runner. Actually haven't done anything in a few weeks. Holidays and family have kept me out of the garage. Hope all is well with you both.

Hey Mike,
I check in here from time to time to watch your progress. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving too.

I'm supposed to get it into the resto shop the week of the 8th. I cut an access hole under fender dent and had a paint less guy fix the fender.
Took a bunch of time but he made it perfect. The clear has 5 almost undetectable marks in it but should sand out when they have the car.
I did the engine compartment and cleaned up the bottom of the car in this down time too.
I will have the Wiper Motor and Blower Motor back from Bill Meerholz this week.

I called your guy a second time and he said he was very interested in doing it. He was moving his Mother inlaw and will call and come to look at it by end of that week. That was about 3 months ago

Here's a progress shot.
Ron

Hello,

Ron, love that rag top. Mike, bad ass pic of the Challenger. The lighting was perfect!

Another view. This is my wife's car by the way.

My car made it into the Mopar Collectors Guide!

I have had tons of really nice mopars. All restored by me and my family but no one really has ever given my stuff a second look because they weren't six pack cars, or hemi cars, and something like a 3 door fury r/t. Its nice to have someone take note of what you are doing. Thanks Mopar Collectors Guide.

CONGRAT'S on the ink.

Cool one of one car!

Nice going Mike on hitting the BIG TIME on MCG!
Did that 3 door Fury R/T have the special 1 month only muffler bearing option?

Vinny

thanks Vinny. no, but the fury r/t had the optional no maintenance blinker fluid. happy holidays sir!

Finally got out in the garage! I had been very curious about the passenger side inner fender by where the shock tower is spot welded to the inner. Chrysler had been know to have wrinkles in the stamping and i wasn't sure if it had minor rust in between or if the wrinkles was the poor stamping. I took and 1/8 inch drill bit and drilled a hole and behold powdered rust appeared, so i took my small belt sander (new 3M and it works awesome!) and sure enough between the inner fender and the shock support there was rust.

All treated and coated with copper weld thru primer. Fabricated a small piece and prepared that to be spot welded into place.

All welded up and ready to be ground down.

Welds all ground down and it will get a light skim coat of all metal to be completely finished off.

passenger quarter all welded up.

Just needs a little grinding. i have to lay out the holes for the top trim and start the body work.

OH NO. I miss the backward running birds. That was too funny.

The car is looking great. Nice detective work on the apron, Mike.

Happy New Year!

Happy new year to you also Vinny! I hope to get onto the other quarter this weekend and start cutting it off. Then skin the doors and start the final bodywork. things never work out the way i hope though. Stay tuned, BEEP BEEP

driver quarter bye bye! started drilling spot welds alone the bottom and wheelhouse areas. I am beginning to think this will never end!

driver side quarter spot welds drilled out.

another shot of the driver quarter gone

last one driver side

driver inner trunk jam. look more rust. f-ing awesome!

Save your vin stamping if possible on that rail!

Nice work.

thankfully the trunk rail is good. I have about a 2 inch piece that needs to be fabbed and butt welded in. All good there. I won't be touching the lip with the vin attached other than to clean it, treat it, metal prep it, and epoxy prime it.

so heres what was there on the drivers side trunk lip.

all cut apart.

spot welds drilled out and separated.

rusted piece cut out and a new piece was fabricated on the bench.

pre fit back together.

all welded and ground.

and the underside.

After the quarter was removed everything under it has been stripped and any surface rust has been treated w SEM rust-mort.

Once everything is sealed with PPG epoxy primer, the new quarter will be pre fit.

Mike I can't believe how much determination you have. Your doing that one right!
Ron

Ron, thanks for the kind words. unfortunately, I am pretty much out of extra funds to mess with the car. I have just been tinkering. I have way more into the car than I expected at this point and I am doing 100% of the work at my home garage. It is really coming along but I have a long way to go. How is your car coming along?

I hear that, I had a budget for the Satellite set aside from the Demon I sold. Don't know if I'll have enough left to get the motor done.
The car is a day or so away from done, the painter has been rubbing it all last week. Having the headliner done at the resto. shop next Saturday so I guess it will be home next week. Oh I sent you an email tonight to ask for advice on some paint.
Ron

driver side rear window corner piece removed.

corner cleaned and sprayed with copper weld thru primer.

new piece installed and ground plug welds ground down.

truck floor prepped for a epoxy primer.

trunk floor and under the rear shelf epoxy primed.

another shot of the primed trunk floor.

drivers side epoxy primed inside before the quarter panel gets hung.

this car will not rust again in my lifetime!

next the driver side quarter will be hung and fit.

drivers side quarter ruff hung.

Another view. The only real disappointment I have with the quarters are the way they fit around the back window area on both sides. It was quite a bit of metal work to get them to fit. The average guy would have issues trying to do these without experience.

Nice work, your car is looking great!
Pat

drivers side quarter is completely fitted and ready to be finish welded.

another view

driver quarter all welded.

driver quarter, welds all ground.

the rear body panel on both sides needed small pieces fabricated where the quarter was missing a tab to connect to the rear body panel.

fabricated piece all welded.

layout for vinyl roof molding. only there won't be a vinyl roof, it will be painted pewter!

pass vinyl top molding good to go.

drivers side vinyl roof molding all good too.

anyone know where i can get this clip? its for the side window trim and R/T specialties does not have them.

there are 8 if i am not mistaken and they hold this molding.

I will try and update a picture of whats been going on. not sure i am in love with this new format here. oh well. here goes. just got all my rear suspension parts. new hemi leaf springs, new u bolts, new shackles, rear shocks. everything has been painted and is ready to go.

just finished restoring my taillight housings, lens, and added the new gaskets.

No new pictures to post. I did get all my pieces for the disc brake conversion. rotors, calipers, bearings, etc, and all four shocks. i also ordered the passenger side door skin.

I finally got some motivation to get out in the garage. I got the rear body panel epoxy primed as well as the trunk jam and rear window shelf panel.

another shot. i plan to paint where the rear bumper brackets mount to the rear body panel before i put the car back on the rotisserie.

body has been completely epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF, inside floors have been coated with a spray able truck bed liner and the inside of the quarters have been texture coated with a spray able coating to match the OEM.

Rear shot

Trans was sent out and completely rebuilt as well as the hurst shifter. trans will be painted when it installed.

Keep up the good work. It is a long haul for most people but you will get there if you keep doing alittle along. I'm in the middle of a 71 Duster 340 resto myself. I am so slow I don't even post it on here but I keep getting alittle done at a time and it is adding up. Love your car!

Thanks fc7freak! it'll get there.

car is prepped, taped, and ready to be sealed and edged in black DCC.

front shot.

sealed with epoxy primer DP90LF

edged in DCC black

engine compartment

inside

trunk

inside firewall area

You should change your name to RustproofBeeper! This car should last forever when you get done w/ it. Your attention to detail w/ the metal work is awesome. Beautiful work!

starting to look like something.

Can't wait to see this done.

Great car.

Great thread.

Good job man.

car is back on the rotisserie and the lower front rocker/pinch welds are being finished.

underside of front framerails all nicey nice!

passenger side rear area rocker panel /pinch weld all finished up.

I wish I could do that kind bodywork!

good luck with the progress !

Carsten

I got the Road Runner back on its side to do the finish body work on the passenger side. I use a product by USC call all metal to do the initial work then finish with 3M gold filler or 3M top coat or metal glaze.

This stuff is great!

Heres the car with a light coat of 3M body filler. Should be finished with this side today. If your wondering the car had rocker moldings and no wheel lip moldings. I removed and welded up the holes in the rockers for the molding clips. not a fan of chrome on Road Runners.

I have yet to use that All Metal filler but a friend of mine who restored his 72 challenger swore by it and has had great success with it. Doesn't it have aluminum metal particles in bedded in it?
Pat

Yes, the stuff is awesome for like quarter seams or over patches, etc. I have used the stuff for years.

Those rocker moldings are a pretty rare option, sure you don't want to reconsider that one?
Ron

All I can say Ron is "to drill a few holes or not to drill a few holes" lol I can always put them back on at some point. I am just not a fan. Weird thing is, the car has no options and it had rocker moldings? Who knows? Hows your car coming Ron? Hope all is well.

One afternoon, one lower rocker and lower quarter straight. Guys, if a bodyman tells you its a certain amount to do the finish body work, all I can say is pay up. its the worst part of the job and its the most important.

more boring bondo progress.

started on the drivers side rocker.

Mike it's a Masterpiece!!! That will be awesome when done, hell it's nicer than most just as it sits.
Mine has been on the road for about 2 months now. Going to get to the rear and springs this winter as my broken body and friend's help allow. Here's my "driverpiece"
Ron

Good to see the nice progress

Car looks awesome Ron! Can't wait to get mine together although I am still a far ways away. Whatever! lol At least its moving along.

Dear old Dad is helping me out while I am at work and tackling the rear window area and fitting of the rear window moldings. My dads the man!

So I pulled the brand new 489 case 3:73 posi unit out of my challenger and decided to put 3:91's back in. I like it much better. I also winterized the car after another season. going on year 30 of ownership. Anyway, i wanted the 3:73's for my road runner so apart came that rear again.I want to repaint the housing anyway.

My challenger all ready for a winters rest. bummer

Hello Mike! The car is truly a great piece. Your dad is a great man and a great BIG man. LOL I've said that before. I'm sure his size kept you in check while growing up! HAHAHA.

Hope the family is well. Talk to you soon.

Vinny P.

Started on the doors. Big thanks to my dear old dad for gutting the doors and removing the old door skins. passenger door before glass beading. notice the black and pewter break off.

door a glass beaded inside and out ready for the new AMD skin to be put on. thanks again to my dad for doing the skins. note to restorers, the new skins are missing brackets that need to be welded onto the new skins. go figure!

Mike when your done you'll be able to park this car in an Aquarium with no worries!
Ron

the hope is it never rusts again. the next guy can worry about it when i am gone. haha

The door skins ave been installed and all the sheet metal mas been put back on to ll be aligned.

passenger side.

Don't forget - your doors need the weight of the glass and other internal bits for proper alignment. The car is looking great, BTW.

thanks for the reminder.

If you guys are planning on re door skinning your doors using the AMD skins for a 68-69 Plymouth B-body, stay away from the passenger side one. The fit is god awful. I would have been better off fixing the door I had.

So I was back at it yesterday and put a little perspective on the alignment of the door. Luckily a friend had an extra original door that I could use to take measurements of. A little cutting , grinding, moving here and there and all the sheet metal with the exception of the hood is on and lined up for the final body work to start. Honestly if you have no clue what you are doing with panel replacement and body work I would stay away from the door skins that AMD sells unless you are prepared to pay a professional and its absolutely necessary to replace.

All body panels are hung, lined up, gaps cut ground and re welded if need be, and all looks like a 69 road runner. Now fun stuff starts.

few more shots. looking for an N.O.S. grill or a mint original if anyone has one please contact me copper1974@hotmail.com

So the fenders have been removed. They have been scuffed inside and out. inside has been epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF black sealer and edged inside with black urethane.

Nice!

very nice!

Fenders are now painted on the inside, sealed on the outside with DP90LF epoxy primer sealer, and have 3 coats of PPG K36 urethane filler primer on the outside, and they have been edged in with DCC concept black urethane. They are now ready to be installed for the final time.

Looks like your fenders are in an awfully nice paint booth....

Thankfully yes. I am an auto body shop/ auto restoration teacher at a local vo-tec school. I have 2 down draft spray booths to my advantage. I did do under the hood, inside the car, and the trunk while it was in my home shop on the rotisserie. I'd make it work even if i didn't have the booths to use. they are there for me to use whenever so why not.

Loving the N96 hood Mike! I was happy to see it in person. Thanks for the tour of your shop. My baby is getting what it deserves. Keep in touch.

Vinny

Te hood is pretty much ready to be finish wet sanded. It will be sealed and painted with the car. The trunk lid has been stripped to bare metal, there was a small section on the under edge that needed to be fabricated and welded, its been epoxy sealed, seam sealed, sealed again, and edged in in black. The body work will be finished on the car.

Heck yes, I would be using it too.... Beautiful work....

So I have mentioned that I have become a BIG fan of urethane spray-able truck bed liner. Heres the inside front inner wheels. It looks clean, replicates the factory undercoating, is a sound deaden-er, is durable, and is easy to maintain. These are the areas prepped.

Here's the finished product. The car is going to be driven and drag raced and I want easy of maintenance.

Body work, Body work!it may not seem like much but the car is black. the back window is complete, all the moldings are fit, the rear shelf panel is finished, and the roof is ready for sealer and filler primer.

Trunk seams are finished also and the trunk jam is ready to be sealed, filler primed, wet sanded, and trimmed out in black.

Something as simple as inner fender plastic liners. People not involved in this hobby don't realize how much time it takes to do this kind of stuff.

Finished all the body work and my dad helped with the fitment of the rear window molding and test fitting of the rear window with the clips. Rear deck panels is finished as is the trunk jam.

I used 3M-8329 controlled flow 2 part seam sealer for the drip rails. The stuff is really nice. I first cleaned the drip rails, then epoxy sealed the with PPG DP90LF. The roof, rear deck panel, edges of the trunk jam and the rockers have 3 coats of PPG K36 urethane high build primer on them and they have been guide coated. They will be block sanded by hand with 320 and possibly re-coated if need be.

Underside has been masked and prepped for urethane bed liner spray.

Not really sure if anyone cares anymore but here's the finished floor done with urethane truck bed liner. enjoy

Absolutely we like to see your pics... PLs keep em comin

Thanks for the reply.

I wish I had more pics of my car, still is great seeing people bring em back from the dead....

I still look at every update on this thread...very nice job you're doing! Why no subframe connectors if you plan on racing it some? Or is this a numbers matching drivetrain car still?

I do want sub frame connectors but i don't want anything welded in. I did see U.S car tool had bolt in ones. if they don't bolt in i won't have them. I do plan on making some passes at the track though. The car isn't going to be really crazy.

Everything underneath has been run. All stainless brake lines, 3/8 Stainless fuel line, gas tank, stainless e brake lines.

Awesome resto - Been following from the beginning & looking forward to seeing the finish

X2

The Road Runner is off the rotisserie for good. Onto the finish body work.

Mike I love following your progress, infact I was talking to Vinny at E-Town today. Were amazed at the quality of your workmanship!!!
Ron

Thanks Ron. I haven't really been into the hobby much and have been wondering lately why I am doing this car. The state of the hobby is not what it used to be and I just have not seen any value in doing this stuff anymore, add the fact that there is no one my age doing the stuff I do around here anymore. I will finish my car but Have no idea what I will do with it when I am finished.

I hear you on that, I get burnt out from time to time myself. I think when you have the finished product in front of you you'll get a new jolt!!
Ron

rr

Mike I really hear what your saying, I read your other post too. Walk away for a short time and go to some events and look at the junk that's out there winning trophies. Go the the A/C auction in two weeks and see what the word of flippers are selling and at what $$$$$. You'll get a good laugh and hopefully come home and continue with this Standout Car!!!!
Aftermarket parts have to be bought right before using because they are mostly junk! Don't let that part of the hobby kill it for you. Wait until you take this perfect Black Runner out of the garage and it gets dust on it in 13 seconds before you quit the hobby!!! J/K
Ron Sannino

thanks Ron. I just can't stomach this hobby any longer. theres no one in my area who does what i do. i'm all alone. car shows suck! and man the parts are garbage. i am sick and tired of spending my hard earned money on this crap. everyone and anyone who knows anything about building these cars knows it does not happen over night. the morons who sell these parts tell you, oh sorry its garbage but you've had it over a year! it was crap over a year ago. its brand new and doesn't work! what the hell is the difference. you took my money. there ought to be a freakin law! i cant stand it anymore. now that i want to sell it ill have every flipper and moron over trying to talk me down. as far as i am concerned it can sit in the garage and go to hell there before i deal with a flipper.sorry but am i the only guy who sees this????? im over it all. 25k and ill continue give you every last piece i have for a b body! yeah its apart but buy one and do the work that has been done to this car and let me know how much was spent. its all there restored except the windshield. sorry for the rant but wake up parts guys and manufacturers.you keep loosing guys and you might as well shut up shop. i don't see anyone cashing in their retirement to buy cars anymore much less restore them
.

I had a hard time with car shows last year myself. I find the hobby has a bunch of do nothings in it now that buy a so so car and drive into a show expecting to go home with a trophy. I mean what does it say about your car if you win a trophy without opening the hood or trunk??? It wasn't judged you were given a participation award.

I spend time before a show getting the car polished just right and time after I come home getting the car polished just right but since it's not a loud color it just goes unnoticed. The sense of pride/workmanship is not a priority like it was 20 years ago.

With a car like yours that countless hours are spent on you will need to take it to Large shows with like minded people in attendance. Or do what I do on many weekends just cruise it around with no place to go.

The repro. industry was always hit and miss, your car can't use those pieces. You have gone to the next level where you have to send your original pieces out to specialized people to redo them.

Take a cooling off period.
Ron

Please take a cool down and finish this gorgeous car...

thanks for the support guys. hopefully something will change?

Tonys parts were very accommodating when asked about the ignition switch. he said someone else e mailed them w a similar problem last week. send it back and we will refund you. its about time someone gets customer service.

To me the hobby is one of dedication and hard work. That last detail no one else will bother with is my calling card. As far as selling the car it will always be a loser if you look to get your investment back. Whether it be a resto mod or a concourse restoration you are selling originality or quality. Both of which are a judgement call. I am reminded of Homer who said it is not the destination but the journey.

So for a disgruntled restorer I did manage to get the dash together. I will say it was no thanks to the quality service of the distributors. I think I am going to start a web-site for crappy parts. I don't plan to bail on my car because of it.

BEAUTIFUL!
Happy to hear that you aren't gonna bail. Hit me up if you need something that either of my 4dr Belvedere or Satellite parts cars may have use full.

thank you. i just want to get my car finished and drive the hell out of it!!!!

I think most people that restore a car go thru that period where they wish they had never seen the car. I know I did and not that long ago but I keep pushing forward a little at a time and it finally adds up. I along with others use this thread for encouragement. After 6 yrs I will have mine ( 71 Duster 340 )finished this spring. Long time coming!

Hello everyone,

I sold this car to Mike. Dreams of seeing it in it's original state is always on my mind. Thinking that it may leave NJ to some far away location, maybe never to be seen again, is so sad to me. Now, having read that the road runner will continue it's restoration journey, made me grin from ear to ear. It is in the right set of MOPAR hands, which I knew from the beginning.

The assembly of the perfect dash, was probably a great way to get the whole puzzle rolling again! Sort of instant gratification?

Can I help you drive the hell out of it? Hell, my A12 for you to drive a couple of hours as a swap would be sweet. LOL. Sometimes I think if I had just one car to own, it would be this one. GREAT eye appeal with a 4 speed. That is why I bought it in the first place. What else could you ask for?

Talk to you soon,

Vinny

thanks Vinny!

Based on the pics you got that right..

My 67 was totally disassembled in a hundred boxes and on a rotisserie when my wife of 20 years left me for another ( not crying anymore, just my car story)guy...
I was 39, had 11 more payments to own my home ( which is now assessed at 1 million) had nowhere to go or send my car.. I was at my bottom..
Needless to say I am still here and the car came out pretty nice..
Just like life, ups and downs...

My pleasure Mike.

Is that John Antonelli's recently purchased A12 runner? He installed those wheels when he acquired it. I can't tell if that's him behind the wheel. I love that color combo with the blue interior.

Be well,

Vinny

Hey Mike, Hi Vinny, Yes that looks like John's A12. It came with those wheels for driving. Mike I'm glad your back on track, I think the dash was a great piece to complete because it does give you jewelry to look at when down. Take it at whatever pace is needed but don't back away you'll be sorry later.

What step are you up to now? I believe final paint should be right around the corner.
Ron Sannino

So the cowl had to be repainted after an unfortunate mess up on my part when aligning the door. The side got scratched and with no logical place to break it off I just redid the whole thing. Fenders will be going on permanently now. More to update soon.

The fenders where put on today for good. Everything lined up fantastic. Door latches were put in with the strikers and the rear window regulators with all new hardware were installed. Time for some finish body work!

Can't wait to see it in black n silver!

Hi Mike,

Sorry to hear about the scratch on the cowl. It is beautiful again!
Do I see Silver on the drivers door upper door frame?

Vinny

OOOOPS. I'm wrong. What appeared to be a reflection on the upper door frame is body work. I should use my glasses from now on.

Vinny

Vinny, yeah oops on the cowl. I scratched it lining the doors up. I know a guy who can fix that stuff-lol. Sorry no pewter yet. i do plan on doing the roof in the near future so that will be done. Family and house stuff in between but it will get there. that Road Runner book is supposed to be shipped with info on my car in it. I per-ordered mine.I'll let you know how it is when i get it.

Touched up all the bolt heads for the fenders and hood latch support. I also had to redo the paint on the driver side inner fender well. I wasn't happy with an are so it wasn't much to prep and redo it. Tomorrow I'll start prepping and taping to do the satin black behind the grill on the radiator support.

I got the satin black finished on the front to the radiator support today as well as the decals for the anti freeze and emissions.

SEM Hot Rod black works awesome for this application.

Headlight adjusters are in and the headlight pots are restored. Had to take a minute to do my high beams yellow.

Hello Mike,

Good to hear from you today, as always.

I would have thought that a black car would not need a satin/flat black background behind the grille. It looks super nice regardless.

See you soon,

Vinny

I really like the way the car is coming along, can't wait to see it done.

rear suspension is in.

K-frame and front suspension tomorrow. test fit some aftermarket wheels.

Yep Vinny is right Black cars didn't get the radiator support "Blacked-out". Many other dark colors didn't either.
Ron

It was hard to tell from the pictures I took 5 years ago. Everything was faded. I do recall seeing clumpy flat black on the bottom support bar. I guess the next guy can fix it.

Looking good.

most of the front suspension is in.

another

Finally got what I needed to finish the front disc brake conversion. Thanks to some members for turning me on to Dr. Diff. tomorrow I'll do a ruff torsion bar adjustment, get wheels on the front, and get it off the jack stands.

First time on 4 wheels in 4 years!

Hey Mike it was really cool finally seeing you after all these years last night, the Challenger is super nice!!!!
Love your back on track and can't wait for completion day!!!
Ron Sannino

What a beautiful thing, Mike. Nice stance.

It was great seeing you and your Dad in Carlisle. Talk to you soon.

Vinny

getting closer, looks great Mike!

Thanks guys, Vinny your friend Frank was here with the un-restored copper 69 Road Runner. Super nice guy. He enjoyed seeing my car as well.

Heater box, clutch pedals, emergency brake is hooked up, throttle pedal is in, wipers are in, and everything is mounted on the firewall.

Motor is off to the machine shop today!

Doing great! What did you decide to do to the engine? Stock? A little better? etc.

The motor is going to look completely stock with a bigger cam shaft. I am pricing a stroker crank kits for it. If its feasible I'm going that route. I have a 6k budget I'm trying to work with for the motor.

You have come a long ways. It's looking really good too. Nice work.
I am about to start on my 68.

Mark

I owe a lot to my father. Honestly I feel this car does not want to get finished. Every time I turn around its set back after set back. If it were not for my father, the car would not be at this point because I honestly have completely lost interest in the hobby and the car. Since he has been working on it I'm starting to gain interest in at least finishing the car for the sake of giving it the restoration it deserves. Body work is 85% finished. I will be stepping in the filler prime the car, edge the jams and trunk, paint the roof, and start block sanding. Thanks dad!!!!

Mike,

I wish that we lived closer. Now that I am retired, I'd love to assist in some of the grunt work. Especially in the re-assembly of the interior, or any assembly for that matter.

Have a great week,

Vinny

Thanks Vinny. I'm sure you'll enjoy driving it when its finished.

Thank you, Mike. I will indeed.

Hey Vinny I retired this past June. Hope all is well
Ron

Decklids in final filler prime. Dry sand with 400 tomorrow and double check for straightness. Black is not forgiving.

Is that a St Louis car?

I have no idea?

What plant was it made at?

I do not know.

Does the VIN have a G in it?

RM23H9A******

Hey Ron. You beat me by 2 months. Enjoy your retirement. See you soon.

Vinny

if you guys get bored on your retirement and want to finish my road runner, feel free. lol

What a FANTASCITC photo. Where did you find that? I've already offered my services! LOL.

Vinny

Mike your up to the part where your needed!!! Painting is not my strong suit Orange Peel city!!!!!
Ron

Got the taillight extensions done. They will get repainted with the car but I had clear in the gun.

OH WOW. Be still my heart! They look so smooth. Excellent, as always Mike.

Vinny

Trunk jam sanded and sealed with epoxy sealer. if all goes well the trunk jam will be painted tomorrow so the trunk lid can go on for the last time.

all edged.

Weatherstrip for the trunk jam is on, truck lid is on and lined up and tail light extensions are on and lined up. Trunk lid is ready for final block sanding with 400 grit.

would love to come help so I could learn. Hope you keep pressing on and get it completed so the world can see it

First time out of the garage in 4-5 years. Taking to a downdraft spray booth to paint the pewter on the roof and get primer surfacer on the quarters for ruff sanding to see where I stand.

Urethane Primer-Surfacer applied

This PPG urethane high build primer is very impressive. Its a direct to bare metal filler primer. Highly recommend this.

Roof is painted!

Beautiful! It going to look amazing when finished.

This is the part that I have been anxiously awaiting. Such a beautiful shade.

Hey Mike, see how easy that was to get to this point!!! Just kidding. Look super nice!!!
Ron

All un-taped. Monday she comes home.

Door jams sealed with DP90LF tomorrow they get painted. Body work on the doors are 95% finished and they will be painted next week. they are already primed and dry sanded to 500 grit. There's about 25 hours in the doors alone.

door jams are finished.

Just a cool color combo!

JUST a cool color combination? It is a phenomenal combination. Now, add a pewter Decor bench seat interior into the equation. WOW!

Looking great.

Vinny

Been a busy week. Doors and rear interior trim sealed with PPG DP90LF. PPG DBC X9 base coat added around the outside door jam.

All tape and A4 pewter added to the top and bottom sections of the doors and rear trim.

Doors and rear trim cleared coated with PPG DCU2042 and untaped.

clear coated

The dash is installed and everything hooked up as well as the steering column.

The doors were put on for the final time and aligned.

A little day 2 touch. These are covering some deep scratches that would not polish out. If anyone has nice clear rear side glass and will ship please let me know. Also I make these stickers if interested.

You can buy that glass from AMD.

I have heard and seen there are issues with the new glass from AMD. Its thicker and causes a lot of issues with the weatherstripping and the windows going up and down properly. I don't mind spending money but I want the parts to be usable with as little problems as possible. Plus all i need is the rear side glass, my other glass is fine. Aside from the new windshield.

Mike my 71 Super Bee AMD windshield and driver door glass with zero issues. The one big tell for me is they don't date code and the inscription is larger than Chrysler would have done.
If you want a date code and perfect inscriptions than ECS is the only place to call.
Ron

Rear glass all polished and all the stainless molding completely polished. Glass also installed.

Passenger side door side glass all polished, rebuilt, assembled, regulators, and vent windows installed. The chrome vent windows from Tony's parts worked out nicely and look great.

It is looking really sweet.

Is there any particular reason you are reassembling the car before it is finish painted, seems that there will be a good amount to be masked for color and hard to put the cat whiskers in and other details with the glass installed.

Just curious to know your order of build and why

Most of the car is made up of reproduction parts. They can be test fit 10 times and still have to be messed with. Everything is edged in and put together and made to fit and work. The engine will also go in and be running as well as brakes and front end alignment before the car is painted. I would rather have all that finished then lean on fresh body and paint work and take the necessary steps when masking to prevent any damage to the body and paint work. Plus what is seen on some of these tv shows isn't always as simple as metal work, paint work, body work, paint, and assemble. It requires a lot of room. This car is being done in a home garage with the use of a spray booth from a shop. Thats a very logical question, its just the way I do things. When its finished you won't know how or why I did it this way.

Beautiful work. The glass looks great, what process did you use to polish it?

I used a dual action polisher with 3m compound super duty compound on a wool pad, then a foam waffle polish pad w 3m micro-fine glaze and finally a black waffle foam pad w 3m glaze. It was a process. As for the moldings, I purchased a pneumatic Ingersol-Rand headlight polish kit. It had a wool pad, and 3 different foam polish pads. I used Mothers aluminum mag wheel polish on the polisher and the moldings came right up. Unbelievable they look new.. Again, it was a process over a couple of weekends but it makes all the difference.

The results are outstanding. I have some spare glass that I will practice on before trying it on my good stuff. Thanks.

I really enjoy watching your Roadrunner going back together. Check for it every day!

Thank you guys! The main thing that I'm trying to get out there is what materials work for me and how to do this stuff. Also it can be done at home. I'm not sure any of this can be on a budget and I will say I have a lot into this car. Even with me doing all the work, I have more than it will probably be worth. But, at the end of the day I'll know what I have and that its been done right.

That's the best reason to do your own car.

Finally got a windshield installer to do the windshield. I didn't want to do the install because, well if it broke. Simple as that. I ended up calling about 15 shops that I work with and everyone who's left in this hobby. All the shops who do collision work said," man I wouldn't trust my guys to do that" and if I did find someone who would even speak with me they had no clue at the end of the day about the rubber windshield seal. IT WAS PAINFUL! The hobby is in the same trouble as everyone else, no one is doing this anymore. Anyway enjoy and if your in NEW JERSEY and need a guy let me know. thanks

Short block is all together. Motor should be complete for pick up in about 2 weeks. I'll get it painted up and bring it back to be dyno-ed.

Are you still going to be able to install the chrome trim?

Yeah that's easy. The roof is not finished yet. There is one spot I am not happy with so it will be fixed and re sprayed. I didn't want the moldings on yet because of that.

I would be interested in several of these .

pm me details please

Motor should be ready for paint this week or the next, then DYNO time!

Made a stand to hold my trans for cleaning and painting.

Motor is off back to the engine shop to be dyno-ed!

Trans has been epoxy sealed with DP90LF and painted DCC single stage with flattening agent in it. The 603 numbers were on the trans and reproduce those as a stencil if anyone is interested. $5.00 shipped USPS in the USA.

Here's the 603 that I saw after the case was cleaned up.

Motor and transmission are in.

What did it make? My guess 350hp 400 ft lb tq.

452hp 495 ft lb tq. I was impressed.

You are going to enjoy that in front of the four speed!

A little update!

Very nice numbers ! What cubic inch is it ?
I have enjoyed looking through your build pictures , and they have been a benefit to me and my build.
Looking Good !


Mark

Got the TTI headers on today as well as the drive shaft and buttoned up more of the motor stuff, ex heater hoses, etc.

Looks like she's coming together nicely! I want some of those Plymouth stickers. I sent you a PM

It's looking fantastic! Keep up the great work you are doing.

Its been 7 years this July and I have never had such a hard time getting a car together in my life! Between over priced parts, junk parts, that need to be re engineered, or just plan ridiculous stupidity dealing with vendors. I have no intention of ever building another car. Honestly I think guys thinking of building a car should get their heads checked and the vendors are putting themselves out of business. Guys its not worth it. Prices of cars are too high and when you stack that on top of prices for parts and materials you'd have 10 times what a vehicle is worth when you done. And thats if your not a body guy or mechanical and can do work yourself. If not good luck, I am in the body business and the good guys don't want to do it because there is no money in it. Remember, you get what you pay for with bodywork. Also people don't realize what materials cost to do a quality job on a car! Yeah you can spend $1000 on summit junk or eastwood stuff but its a waste of your money. I am seeing guys buy six pack cars and they know nothing about bodywork, they ask me to touch something up and they tell me the car was restored using Nason, or Limco, or Lessonal, or garbage that I never heard of. And they are paying big money for these cars. Flip side its not always a positive to buy a car finished because there are butchers doing shotty work. I don't know the answers but our hobby is the pits right now and I'm not sure I want to waste my time anymore. So my rant is over. I had to pull the trans again. I decided i did not like the way the scatter shield fit the Z bar so i purchased a factory bell and installed that. So far so good. We will see what the next adventure will be.

slow progress. Pulled the rear to repaint it. I accidentally got overspray on it and couldnt get it off. It was easier to pull it and respray it. Its now all together again, brakes bled, new wheels and tires installed. Oh and the TTI exhaust is installed. Hoping to take it for an alignment in the coming weeks. Thanks for looking.

that's some great progress. Like the wheels alot.

Thanks bud. You could own it.

Mike at this point why don't you put the car into paint???
It may actually cheer you up!
Ron

I may just block it down and spray it hot rod black and drive it. I need to see what this this is like and see if its fun to drive.

Dam I'd rather see you paint it un-cut un-rubbed black and drive it!!!!
I think you'll remember what all this work was for once you get to cruise it!!
Ron

we'll see.

Got this cool overflow bottle from summit. It worked out great. no modifications. I mounted it off the aluminum radiator brackets and it looks killer.

naw...already have one in my one car garage. and after having it close to paint, and my body guy couldn't finish it, I put it back together just to drive it 6 years before I finally found someone to spray it, I'm done.

very cool ride.

thanks, not a show car, just my toy. first shiny car I've had in years.

Making sure everything works.

TTI exhaust tips are on, hung the rear bumper to make sure all the rear lights are in workng order, now onto the grill and front bumper to fit everything again and make sure the front lights are working with all the blinkers and such.

The view most people will see...

Goodmark grill, AMD filler panel, AMD bumper, AMD fenders.

lookin good. How do you like the AMD bumpers? I've had mine since 2012 and very pleased with them. Maybe not for the concourses crowd, but the nicest I've ever had.

When you have nothing to work with I think the bumpers from AMD are very nice. price is good and let face it these cars were not half as nice when they were new.

Any current pics? Heard you are nearing completion!! Excited to see it.

Ditto!

paint update

paint

more

organosol black out

more

another

last for now

Amazing!