1969 Charger R/T resurrection

[hunt2elk]

That's a really good contact pattern to have there. Did you do both sides of the tooth to see your drive and coast pattern?

We did check the coast pattern as well, but I forgot to snap a picture of it. We had everything apart quite a few times changing shims to try to get everything perfect. We couldn't get it exactly in the center, so ended up catering to the drive side with the coast being ok.

 

[tallhair]

the grill looks amazing! excellent job and thanks for documenting and sharing. Also appreciate the work you are doing on the seats and Dana and am looking forward to seeing updates on those too.

 

[hunt2elk]

Love to see guys taking on as much of the work themselves as possible, makes them that much more special when finished. Congrats

I agree the car will mean a lot more to me by doing as much as I can myself. Plus there is no way I could ever afford to pay someone else to do a total resto. on one of these things. Gotta have something to do in my spare time right?

 

[mopar4don]

That is right!
I don't know about you, but it keeps me out of trouble!:icon_joker:

 

[71airgrabberRR]

that is right!
I don't know about you, but it keeps me out of trouble!:icon_joker:

x2 !!!!!

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

That is right!
I don't know about you, but it keeps me out of trouble!:icon_joker:

x3!! Being only 21 I'm glad I found this hobby so early, a lot of avoided trouble lol

Nice progress elk! Any links to the resources you learned all the rearend info from?

 

[hunt2elk]

Nice progress elk! Any links to the resources you learned all the rearend info from?

Believe it or not, but the "kid" I have coming over to help on the metal/bodywork is also a mechanical whiz. He rebuilds about 4 rearends a year. Although he says he prefers the 8 3/4's over the Dana's, he still knows what he is doing inside them. He turned 28 a couple of weeks ago, and I still can't get over how mechanically inclined he is for his age. It all just comes naturally to him.

 

[Ron 73]

Reading everything about this young man you have helping you Elk sounds like hes a good guy to have around! Had to say your car is looking great and that is really a great job on that grill! Awesome work indeed.. I do more reading then posting with wood season here lol, have to keep warm in the winter keep up the great work and always, Good luck!

 

[hunt2elk]

Reading everything about this young man you have helping you Elk sounds like hes a good guy to have around! Had to say your car is looking great and that is really a great job on that grill! Awesome work indeed.. I do more reading then posting with wood season here lol, have to keep warm in the winter keep up the great work and always, Good luck!

Thanks Ron - he has been a savior for me on this project. This car turned out to be a much bigger project than I imagined and he has helped tremendously to make it possible for me to restore it. I couldn't imagine what a resto shop would charge a guy to rebuild a car like we are doing on this one.
I know what you mean about "wood" season as my 2 boys and myself just finished getting enough cut, split, and stacked for the winter after next.

 

[hunt2elk]

Figure I better get this thread updated before I get to far behind. We have spent every evening in the last 2 weeks working on the resurrection. The exterior shell and all bolt on parts have been blocked to 220 grit.


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We then sprayed on 2 coats of a mid build primer. This is going to sit for a month before the final 400 and 600 blockings. This should let any shrinking that's going to happen take place so it won't come out in the paint.



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Next I wanted to get the undercoating on the rear quarter sides. I made a cardboard template copied from my Road Runner and taped it over the side marker. I am using the factory style undercoating that came from Restoration by Rick. I think it is a very decent product and looks good. Per Ricks directions we sprayed in 3 coats, let this dry overnight and then sprayed on another 3. It builds up nice with a decent texture.

 

[BigBlock61]

Coming along nicely H2e. Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to us all.

 

[hunt2elk]

At this time we also sealed, painted and undercoated the insides of the front fenders and the rear wheel wells.



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And then a very long day of sealing, painting, and clear in the interior and trunk. Here are some pictures, but they don't show up the best because of the lack of color.



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As everyone can now see, I chickened out on the orange paint for a 2nd. generation Charger and decided to go as black as possible. The color is Martin Senour 8805 Factory Pack black. The ultimate black with nothing else added in. This would be equivalent to PPG 9900. This is what the wife wanted all along, so being the great guy I am I decided to keep peace in the family. This has been a great weight lifted off my shoulders to finally have the color picked out. I will admit that Props "Skeletor" (sic) was a huge influence in this decision. So thanks a bunch Will. Now the only decision is the color of the rump stripe. The better half wants matte black, while myself and 2 boys are voting for white.
I still really like the Dupont Coppersunset a great deal and think that if I ever get foolish and rebuild another car it will be this color. This would be a 69 Bee 4-speed car if anyone knows of a decent one for sale. Oh yeah - it has to be a southern car as I have learned my lesson about rebuilding ones from the rustbelt.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Wow she is really coming along. I could only wish my Bird was as far along as your car. She is going to be a head turner for sure. Please keep up the great work and excellent postings.
Thanks!!!

 

[Ron 73]

It sure looks great, now you have another hard decision though! Matte black or white, with this color again im glad i don't have to decide, Both would look perfect, either-or you cant loose!
Being you like that Dupont Coppersunset i have a overwhelming feeling of yet another project soon Looking great Elk! Good luck with the decision, you gave into her color so fair would mean white wouldn't it?

 

[roadrunnerman]

I got to admit, that black does look good. Not taking sides here, but I think matte black stripe would look good. Now, you've got leverage on your side when you tell the wife that you just bought your next project.

 

[BigBlock61]

How about a Copper Sunset rump stripe. With some Copper accents on the inside.

 

[hunt2elk]

I got to admit, that black does look good. Not taking sides here, but I think matte black stripe would look good. Now, you've got leverage on your side when you tell the wife that you just bought your next project.

She already knows one will be in the garage someday. I told her I would paint this one black as long as the next one could be Coppersunset. No problem she said.

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How about a Copper Sunset rump stripe. With some Copper accents on the inside.

That does sound interesting.

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It sure looks great, now you have another hard decision though! Matte black or white, with this color again im glad i don't have to decide, Both would look perfect, either-or you cant loose!

I agree Ron - either color would do just fine.

 

[Superfreak]

Looking very good! The interior looks too nice to put carpet over top now.

 

[hunt2elk]

Looking very good! The interior looks too nice to put carpet over top now.

I was thinking the same thing. I probably overdid it by using a base/clear on the interior, but it seemed easier to go this route and spray at the same time as the trunk.

 

[Propwash]

Wow...That's really neat. A couple years ago, I never thought that my rusted, rotten old Plymouth would inspire somebody one day. Heartfelt. I think that's the coolest part about this site. Us car guys stick together and inspire each other along the way. She already looks sharp with that great choice of black you went with. I honestly think you're gonna be more than happy with your/ your wife's choice. A black '69 Charger....A lot of other colors look great on the car, but IMO the black takes the cake. Fits the cars lines, size and curves very well. Along with looking just downright mean. Good choice H2E.

I'm with Roger on the stripe....I'd go with the Matte as well. I love it on my bird and when folks take the time to talk with me about my car when i'm out and about, a great majority of the time the main conversation is how they like the matte against the gloss. Putting it on your Dodge around her butt, I think would step up the meanness factor another notch. Would really look sleek on there. I'm sure it will look sharp which ever route you go.

Looking great!!