For the Love for my Father, My 69 GTX Restoration

[moparnation74]

Now that's cool!

Here is that GTX

Here was his 70 challenger RT vert 383 4 speed...He bought it from Hollywood Dodge and drove it back to St Louis....

Check out my pops polishing the wheels! I gave him Sh## about the plumber pants, lol...

 

[69 GTX]

Yeah that's cool. I was hoping maybe he touched my car. Jan. 69

 

[moparnation74]

Well I have:

So this past Friday I picked up the seats and something bothered me that evening and then Sunday I felt like I was kicked in da Nutz! I mentioned that a few posts back in this thread...

Short story after speaking to a good friend and Ron at Legendary today....The good news we figured out a several problems with the seats....90% is the instal and 10% is possibly a manufacture error but TBD. The bad news the front seats need to be reworked and the rear seat bottom is fine but the upper seat back may have to be replaced possibly but will be TBD and has to be redone...

I was going to do the complete install myself but was trying to save some time....Always go with your gut sometimes. Not the end of the world and is fixable....

If you are wondering who is going to fix it......your reading his post, lol...

Legendary is sending me the stuff I need to fix it in a way to minimize my cost....I will show the complete process along with the install mistakes....

Before you ask, taking it back is not an option based on the novice errors and the risk of damaging my covers...The seats were in an area at the shop that was hard to see all the issues until I got them home under different lights....

 

[Richard Cranium]

It's a minor setback, but I know that you will get it taken care of, but I do feel your pain............

 

[69 GTX]

Bummer, what was the problem? I'm getting ready to have my seats done in about a month.

 

[moparnation74]

Bummer, what was the problem? I'm getting ready to have my seats done in about a month.

Did not use the muslin provided for the front seat foam which affects the front and sides of the seat bottom. Also, did not use the 1/2 foam provided to be glued on the new molded front seat foam cushions which led to wrinkles. Rear upper seat back has too much padding on the top and was aligned improperly.

Face this way when Ron looked at the pics he said he almost chocked on his coffee and when he found out whom installed it he was shocked....

 

[69 GTX]

I will relay this to my guy. Your pain will not be in vain! I will use it to my advantage! Thanks If you have time send me pictures I can use for reference. Again this is what makes this forum the best!

 

[themechanic]

Did not use the muslim provided

Always use the muslim provided!

 

[moparnation74]

I will relay this to my guy. Your pain will not be in vain! I will use it to my advantage! Thanks If you have time send me pictures I can use for reference. Again this is what makes this forum the best!

When I perform the redo is when I will have pictures available. So it is basically a complete tear down and do over. With the exception of the rear seat bottom.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Did not use the muslim provided

I can't blame you as I have no use for muslim either.

 

[moparnation74]

I can't blame you as I have no use for muslim either.

Thats the "auto correct" feature in play, lol....

 

[plymouthman72]

Justin,

She sure has come together fast. its looking amazing. Your attention to detail is crazy good! I'm sorry about your seats but at least you will be able to fix them. Still doesn't make it right but at least it's not permanent.

 

[moparnation74]

Justin,

She sure has come together fast. its looking amazing. Your attention to detail is crazy good! I'm sorry about your seats but at least you will be able to fix them. Still doesn't make it right but at least it's not permanent.

Brian

Thanks for the compliments!

You know I was originally going to do them myself and wish I had but it is what it is...I am waiting on a couple things from Legendary at this point and should be able to start on them next weekend...Legendary stepped up and are building a new upper rear seat back. They believe that the front seat covers are fine and the issues are due to Sue not adding foam on top of the molded foam like you are supposed to.

I can't rip on Sue here because I didn't give her an option to correct it. I am sure if I called her she would have surely taken them back and reworked them. So I made the decision to do it myself.....

This is an area I have never done and always thought it was Taboo to embark on.....I am over my fear, lol...

Justin

 

[themechanic]

Wasn't that a Blue Oyster Cult song, "Don't Fear The Reupholstery"?

 

[moparnation74]

Wasn't that a Blue Oyster Cult song, "Don't Fear The Reupholstery"?

Lol... probably

 

[69 GTX]

Just checking in.

 

[moparnation74]

Just checking in.

Tim

Thanks for checking in....Currently, waiting for things and battling with vendors.....

Got my rear bumper and guards back for the second time and had to send them off to another plater....The previous shop rendered my NOS set of guards useless...long story but I will make everyone aware of what happened...

Maybe working on the seats this weekend...

 

[69 GTX]

I'm really interested how you'll be doing the seats to correct them.
Getting bad parts back sucks. Particularly when I know how hard it can be to locate good cores sometimes.

 

[themechanic]

At least those guards go on the exterior and can be one of the final things done. That way you are not waiting on one thing to do six more afterwards. Good luck on the next vendor.

You just reminded me when I first got my car semi-restored from a previous owner. I took it to a shop to get the AC charged. The owner asked me how I liked dealing with all the vendors. At the time I had no clue what he was talking about.

After many frustrations since, I understand too well what you are going through and I am not even attempting the level of resto you are, my friend.

 

[moparnation74]

At least those guards go on the exterior and can be one of the final things done. That way you are not waiting on one thing to do six more afterwards. Good luck on the next vendor.

You just reminded me when I first got my car semi-restored from a previous owner. I took it to a shop to get the AC charged. The owner asked me how I liked dealing with all the vendors. At the time I had no clue what he was talking about.

After many frustrations since, I understand too well what you are going through and I am not even attempting the level of resto you are, my friend.

Pisses me off when they ruined a 400 dollar set of nos guards and we will see what they will do in return. Furthermore, I talked to two people about this and what needs to be done. Apparently the original bumper was straightened and plated once in it's life. It look perfect chromed but the driver side that was straightened is off enough to throw the guard off. I have/had 2 nos sets and one original and they all 3 fit the same...

So if you cut one guard to fit you have to cut the other guard or they will not look right. Told them that specifically and guess what only one guard was cut and tell height difference is a 1/4 inch. Also, they half azz cut the guard and it has bad gaps and will not for straight. One gap is about a 1/4 inch.....

So the bumper and a NOS set of guards is on its way to Paul's chrome.....I know it is the bumper but I cannot drive the car until I get it on. Even though it won't happen but if someone slammed me in the rear insurance would not cover without the proper equipment in place.....I have way too much vested for a what if scenario.....

It took 4 months the first go around, 2 months the second go around and Paul's probably another 3-4 months.....

Final things done....well waiting on a are, rims had to go back to be redone, steering wheel is getting restored.....also still waiting on IS for one part....

The seats...waiting for the new rear upper cover from legendary.....it had a see area so that was not noticeable untill it was stretched and installed....and another issue with them I will explain later...

The seats was a kick in the azz but the bumper was a clear shot in the nuts...