68 Coronet 440 Restoration

[69chargerboy]

Hello all, I thought I would start my own restoration thread. I have a beautiful laser straight 68 Coronet 440 from California. The Coronet has never been apart, non matching 318 engine, manual drum brakes, A/C, Column shift and bench seat. I'm not starting a "Rotisserie" restoration, but replacing and or restoring everything that I can. I want to keep the look as stock as possible. I was debating making a Cloned Bee, but I'll keep this car low key...Keeping the original LL1 Turquoise body color, black vinyl roof and black interior. The glass is is beautiful shape, A pillar chrome is near perfect, just needs a good metal buff and polish. I'm still debating about what to do with the drive train. I may stick with a small block 340 or 360. But I do like the power of a big block. Cost is always an issue, so I'll have to decide that after the body and paint is done.

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[old_skool]

Nice car, and howdy neighbor, your only 20-30 minutes away, you'll have to come with me to a mid Ohio Mopar meeting this month, is you car a driver while your fixing it up, we can hit a few local car shows just for the fun of it.
Rich

 

[69chargerboy]

Hi Rich! Sounds good. I'm starting to disassemble the car this weekend, but I have a couple other Mopars that are done and ready to roll. Let me know when. I know a guy with a red black vinyl top 69 Charger with a 383 named John V. I think he part of Mid Ohio as well. Do you know of him?

 

[old_skool]

Probably met him last meeting, but couldn't tell for sure, it was my first meeting, I'll be going to the swap meet in Dalton the weekend of the 11-12th if interested.

 

[duke51]

If its never been apart then why is there a non numbers matching engine?

 

[old_skool]

Probably meant it's never been restored, aside from a PO replacing the engine at some point. Just a little word conflicting.

 

[69chargerboy]

If its never been apart then why is there a non numbers matching engine?

Well, I guess I didn't mean Completely apart...LOL original paint, body panels, interior etc....

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Probably meant it's never been restored, aside from a PO replacing the engine at some point. Just a little word conflicting.

Yeah, Thats what I meant. LOL Thanks....

 

[razreddobie]

Looks good. Did you buy it in Ohio? The old one are usually rusted out in our area. I'm in western Pa. Good luck with the resto. I'd go BB myself.

 

[69chargerboy]

Looks good. Did you buy it in Ohio? The old one are usually rusted out in our area. I'm in western Pa. Good luck with the resto. I'd go BB myself.

Thank You, I bought it from a guy from California. Its been a Cali car since new from what the guy told me. I prefer the BB but I was looking to drive this Coronet a lot, daily and long distances. I already have a built 440 in my 69 Charger, so I'm sure I'll save a few bucks in fuel if I stay with a SB... I don't know yet. I may end up with another BB! LOL :headbang:

 

[razreddobie]

A Cali car that explains it.

 

[69chargerboy]

A Cali car that explains it.

Yeah, I couldn't pass up this car for the price. I posted the only bad spots on the car, on the front left quarter and rear left lower quarter. I bought my 69 Charger from Alabama, That was in similar condition to the Coronet. The first Mopar I bought was from Maple Heights OH which is around 30-40 minutes from me. I still have it, a 73 Charger SE number matching, in STELLAR shape. Looks, runs and drives beautifully. This is a solid OH car, Not too many guys can say that LOL. She aint much for power, but its a nice cruiser.

 

[mr. b]

looks good go with the big block its more fun keep us posted on your progress

 

[747mopar]

Nice score, should make one hell of a car for you. What's Mid Ohio all about, I'm a little more east Ohio (2 hrs east of Columbus).

 

[old_skool]

Nice score, should make one hell of a car for you. What's Mid Ohio all about, I'm a little more east Ohio (2 hrs east of Columbus).

A Mopar club out of Wooster Ohio https://sites.google.com/site/httpsmidohiomoparsorg/home

 

[69chargerboy]

Some disassembly today. Made good progress.

 

[METAL BEE 68]

Looking good! Love the 68s

 

[old_skool]

The 68 Coronet almost reminds me of the Plymouth counterpart, but still screams I'm all Dodge, probably one of my favorite Dodge's next to the Charger.

 

[69chargerboy]

 

[old_skool]

What did you do, pipe in your own sunshine, been raining here up till a couple hours ago.
Nice progress, I picked up my new radiator today, and need to pick up some sheet metal for my upcoming work, are you sticking with the vinyl roof, or deleting it?

 

[69chargerboy]

What did you do, pipe in your own sunshine, been raining here up till a couple hours ago.
Nice progress, I picked up my new radiator today, and need to pick up some sheet metal for my upcoming work, are you sticking with the vinyl roof, or deleting it?

Thanks! I think the MoPar gods saw me push the car outside for some pics. LOL Yeah, I'll keep the vinyl roof. I don't REALLY care for them, but that's how the car came from the factory. And it saves me a couple bucks with the body and paint. Did you stay with an OEM radiator or an aluminum one?