68 RM23 Roadrunner, The rebuild of an old friend

[Runner 68]

TallHair made me resurrect this thread from a conversation on another thread. I was letting it hibernate until I had something to share.

It's pretty much in the same state as described above. Trying to get the shop fully finalized before I put it back together. Need to hang a little more rock and install cabinets. Between kids, Uncle Sam sticking his hand in my pocket deeper than usual last year and a dozen other fire drills this year, tough to find time. Still need a rightfender BTW.

Don't worry, I'll update you guys once I start getting a little traction. Very soon I hope.

 

[tallhair]

You're welcome runner.

Curious why the two tone primer. Any reason other than that's what they had?

 

[747mopar]

:sixpack:

 

[cryplydog]

I had a 68 post 383 4sp. powerloc 3.5 ?. the first rr murphy motors in Hannibal mo. received. best car I ever had thus far. sold it in 73 to buy a Harley but now after all these years I have my bb mopars back.

 

[Runner 68]

You're welcome runner.

Curious why the two tone primer. Any reason other than that's what they had?

Good eye TH, the dark is the base epoxy, the light is the poly that my body man used. Dark is virgin, light has been worked.

 

[tallhair]

Thanks for splain'in Runner. Looking forward to seeing your updates once you get working on the old friend again. Hoping the revival of your thread push starts it bud

 

[daytona kid]

In the 1st few pics- What type of media blast did you use on it? Looks glossy like some type of primer.
Maybe you epoxy primered it after blasting and before the body shop? And if you don't mind my asking, what did you have to pay the body shop for their work?

 

[Propwash]

Any breakthrough's of what style/size rims yet Runner?

 

[Budnicks]

body is looking pretty dam straight, now git r' dun...LOL... cool project Runner 68, good luck on your progress

 

[Runner 68]

Correct on the second comment. I had it in epoxy primer within a day after blasting. Even in dry Colorado the surface rust happens quickly. The shine is the epoxy.

My phase 1 body man is a family member with a very small shop that just does classics. Even though he's blood, $1,500 for the initial heavy lifting. Quarterpatch panels on both sides to address the minor cancer in the pics above. The patches you see in the early pictures were mine from High School....~1979. I would say the body is at 95% at this point.

I found some descent patch panels in Canada that covered half of the original quarters. The lower half of the quarters are new steel. We also reinforced the door jamb cracking with 1/8” fabricated plates inside the panel. That and frame rail connectors will hopefully stop it from re-occurring. Torque is a bitch on the hard tops. There will be more torque than before this time around.

I have another long-time friend that owns 3 body shops in northern Colorado that is chomping at the bit to do the phase 2 body work. He’ll have his boys block it until their fingers bleed. We’ll probably shoot it doors open.

As for rim sizes Prop…. Right now I’m thinking 17 x 8 front, 18 x 10 rear with the body sucked down as low as I dare. I really like the look of the Boss 383s that 747mopar suggested (see below). As Kevin403 said in another thread, “if we would have had the option back in the day for larger rims and tires, we would have done it.” I agree with him. I like the old school 15s but the Pro Touring look gives this old man a hard on. Jimbo, HYRDGOON and Barelad are my current inspirations. Best looking 68-69's on this forum in my opinion.

Lots of work to do before I really worry about rim size. I like to at least have a solid vision of the big picture before I start the journey. This will be my 5[SUP]th[/SUP] and last restoration. By God it will be perfection. At least in my eye.

 

[747mopar]

correct on the second comment. I had it in epoxy primer within a day after blasting. Even in dry colorado the surface rust happens quickly. The shine is the epoxy.

My phase 1 body man is a family member with a very small shop that just does classics. Even though he's blood, $1,500 for the initial heavy lifting. Quarterpatch panels on both sides to address the minor cancer in the pics above. The patches you see in the early pictures were mine from high school....~1979. I would say the body is at 95% at this point.

i found some descent patch panels in canada that covered half of the original quarters. The lower half of the quarters are new steel. We also reinforced the door jamb cracking with 1/8” fabricated plates inside the panel. That and frame rail connectors will hopefully stop it from re-occurring. Torque is a bitch on the hard tops. There will be more torque than before this time around.

i have another long-time friend that owns 3 body shops in northern colorado that is chomping at the bit to do the phase 2 body work. He’ll have his boys block it until their fingers bleed. We’ll probably shoot it doors open.

as for rim sizes prop…. Right now i’m thinking 17 x 8 front, 18 x 10 rear with the body sucked down as low as i dare. I really like the look of the boss 383s that 747mopar suggested (see below). As kevin403 said in another thread, “if we would have had the option back in the day for larger rims and tires, we would have done it.” i agree with him. i like the old school 15s but the pro touring look gives this old man a hard on. jimbo, hyrdgoon and barelad are my current inspirations. Best looking 68-69's on this forum in my opinion.

lots of work to do before i really worry about rim size. I like to at least have a solid vision of the big picture before i start the journey. This will be my 5[sup]th[/sup] and last restoration. By god it will be perfection. At least in my eye.

lmao

 

[Propwash]

lmao

X2 LMAO........ Those wheels are pretty sharp! Nice updated look to an old classic, while not getting all bling blang crazy. Nice choice!

 

[Runner 68]

Good day today. I have been searching the planet for over 6 years now, for a descent right fender for my bird and found one 70 miles from my house. Last big piece of the puzzle. Dropped it off with my body man an hour after I bought it. You can stop worrying Tallhair.

He also has two descent, dry western steel, left 68 fenders as well, PM me if interested.

 

[747mopar]

Full tilt ahead, sounds like your making some headway. From the sounds of it it should be a pretty sweet RR.

 

[mr. b]

nice project keep us posted

 

[roadrunnerman]

Glad you found that ever elusive, rarely seen 68 right fender. That mean we'll see some progress soon?

 

[tallhair]

Congrats on finding it .. looking forward to some updates

 

[Runner 68]

Glad you found that ever elusive, rarely seen 68 right fender. That mean we'll see some progress soon?

That's the plan RR Man. Spring through summer I should be posting some progress pics. Between teenagers and a wife who doesn't approve of the project, it can be difficult.

 

[Basket case]

I used to get some grief when I'd head down to the garage to tinker after being at work all day(rightly so). Then I bought her an old car of her own.........no there's no problem when I go to the garage as long as some tinkering gets done on her car too.

 

[Runner 68]

I used to get some grief when I'd head down to the garage to tinker after being at work all day(rightly so). Then I bought her an old car of her own.........no there's no problem when I go to the garage as long as some tinkering gets done on her car too.

That's a great idea except my wife could care less. She just likes to ding them up.