GG1 '68 Coronet R/T 4-Speed

[nitro_rat]

This all started when I was just a baby. My grandpa had the local Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge dealership and my dad picked up a '69 Coronet 440 2-door hard top that they took in on trade. He also got a wagon with a 440 that came in on trade. The 440, big brakes, and rear end from the wagon went in the 2-door and "Red Hots" was born. It was red with a white top and white/red interior. Anyway, we ended up moving from Texas to New Jersey for my dad's work and Red Hots was sold to help finance the move. I've wanted another one ever since...

I have always been mechanical, I put together several hot rods for myself over the years and I usually daily drive old 4x4 pickups. I got laid off from my corporate job back in 2020 during Covid and opened a mechanic/muffler shop and ran that for a few years. I did a couple full builds for customers at the shop and cut my teeth doing floor pans and other panel replacement. But there was that shoe-maker's kids don't have shoes thing going on...

I'm now back to working full-time for a small company doing marine propulsion systems for about half goverment (Coast Guard/Army/Navy/NOAA) and half tug boat and commercial fishing vessels. Last year, I ended up picking up a rough '68 Coronet 440. After looking it over and doing some research, I decided that it wasn't really worth sinking the money into that car that it would take to make it a decent driver.

About the time that I was turning that corner two things happened. One, I saw an ad for a decently priced Coronet R/T shell on Facebook. Then, about a day later I saw a video of it on YouTube that showed the underside was actually pretty solid. I looked back on FB and found the seller. I sent him a message and we ended up working out a deal.

I usually always go pick up my projects, but my work schedule is killing my spare time right now. Plus my tow rig is in Washington state, the R/T is in Kansas, and my shop is in Texas. So...I'm arraigning transport for this one. Hopefully it all comes together, I'm starting to get excited...

I already have a good deck lid (about the only thing that's good on my '68 440) and I also picked up a cherry set of '68 R/T front fenders in Washington back in November of last year. My main hurdle with this one is going to be figuring out what to do with the quarter panels. I'm not much of a body guy. I kinda like the idea of straightening out the original metal but hanging a set of replacement quarters is more in line with my skill set. I guess I'll evaluate that further once I get the car into my possession. Hopefully that will happen by the end of the month!

 

[sam dupont]

did a grain truck back into the left quarter? The bumper is straight looking, but the 1/4 looks like it is pushed forward and buckled. Install the straight trunk lid and see what that looks like. Might be worth a couple hours with jacks, a 3 pound hammer and a dolly to get the panels fairly straight before cutting it. I would pull on a block through the taillight hole to put some tension on the buckle.

 

[nitro_rat]

did a grain truck back into the left quarter? The bumper is straight looking, but the 1/4 looks like it is pushed forward and buckled. Install the straight trunk lid and see what that looks like. Might be worth a couple hours with jacks, a 3 pound hammer and a dolly to get the panels fairly straight before cutting it. I would pull on a block through the taillight hole to put some tension on the buckle.

I have no idea what happened to it. It was like that when the guy I got it from got it from the guy he got it from. I've never been able to accomplish anything meaningful with a hammer and dolly myself. I have gotten my best bodywork results from a ball peen hammer and a block of wood. I doubt I could make those dents much better myself. I will probably be looking for a body man to assist with that part of the project!

 

[nitro_rat]

This video shows the dash frame with VIN was sold and the trim tag was lost. Now they have all been reunited and she has a clean title!



There are several videos on this car on YouTube, FB and Insta if you do a little looking.

Overall this is a much better foundation than the Coronet 440 that I picked up!

 

[Dennis H]

I love these cars.

 

[kiwigtx]

That's a decent looking start to a project that will allow you to learn some new skills along the way.

 

[nitro_rat]

It’s been dragged out of the field!

The transporter is supposed to be picking it up in Kansas tomorrow. I was really hoping to be able to go get it myself but my work schedule is just too busy.

Logistics of the situation don’t help either. I’m in South Carolina, my tow rig is in Washington state, the car is in Kansas, and the destination is Texas…

My dad will have to meet the transporter. Hopefully it will show up unharmed on Saturday!

 

[440 4 speed]

It’s been dragged out of the field!
View attachment 1790402
The transporter is supposed to be picking it up in Kansas tomorrow. I was really hoping to be able to go get it myself but my work schedule is just too busy.

Logistics of the situation don’t help either. I’m in South Carolina, my tow rig is in Washington state, the car is in Kansas, and the destination is Texas…

My dad will have to meet the transporter. Hopefully it will show up unharmed on Saturday!

If you are staying with GG1, make sure it is correct for the year. Example 67 is different from 68.

 

[nitro_rat]

If you are staying with GG1, make sure it is correct for the year. Example 67 is different from 68.

I definitely like the green, I was actually specifically looking for a GG1 4-speed car.

This one definitely nails the most important criteria. I’m not crazy about the way it was spec’ed out though. It has green/white interior, buckets/console, and had the white horizontal tape stripe. Also a rallye dash car, and an early build with the fratzog horn button instead of the pad, padded ash tray, etc.

I much prefer green/green/green with the vinyl top, buddy seat, and stripe delete. I really prefer the standard dash with the wide sweep 150 mph speedo and tiny little tachometer. I probably would have ticked the full circle horn ring box too. Nobody asked me when they ordered the damn thing!

I’m really probably going to fix the floors and start piecing it back together.

 

[Cop car wagon]

When you come to washington for your tow rig, I have a very useable front bumper.
I'd post it for sale, but the ad would go no where because of shipping costs.
When are you taking your truck home?

 

[nitro_rat]

When you come to washington for your tow rig, I have a very useable front bumper.
I'd post it for sale, but the ad would go no where because of shipping costs.
When are you taking your truck home?

Do you have it listed on FB marketplace? I think I've seen it...

 

[Cop car wagon]

I'm not on faceplant, and its not listed anywhere.
I could dig it out, but..
I might have another one, cause I have 3pr of turn signals

 

[nitro_rat]

I'm not on faceplant, and its not listed anywhere.
I could dig it out, but..
I might have another one, cause I have 3pr of turn signals

I'll have to get in touch with you when I get back to the PNW.

 

[nitro_rat]

Building a Rallye Dash from Scratch
I'm trying to prioritize what I need to do in order. One of the big things is going to be getting the glass back in the car. I want to do that before I replace the floor pan. Before the windshield is installed, I would like to have the dash in place. Luckily I have the original rallye dash frame that the car was born with. At some point the car was parted out and the dash sold. The guy I bought the car from was able to connect with the guy that bought the dash and get the frame with VIN tag intact back.

Unfortunately the frame is completely gutted. So now I'm trying to put together all of the stuff that I'll need to get the dash completed. I'm no expert, and I don't know for sure what all I'll need!

I stole this photo from someone on here and marked it up, It's a '70, but close enough for our purposes here:

1. Upper dash pad - I found a black one with a few cracks, going to try some dash filler and green dye from OEM.
2. Gauge cluster and faceplate - I located a complete unit on eBay, it is missing the little cover for the rear defrost switch.
3. Radio and faceplate - I have located a radio delete plate
4. Heater Controls - I have located a heater control delete plate
5. Above glove box faceplate - purchased on eBay
6. Lower left dash pad - purchased on eBay
7. Steering column cover - purchased on eBay
8. Center dash pad - purchased on eBay
9. Ash Tray (early padded version) - purchased on eBay
10. Glove box door - purchased on eBay
11/12. End pieces - purchased on eBay
Not pictured:

-Little cover for the rear defrost switch - purchased on eBay
-Wiring Harness - purchased on eBay
-Glove box door hinge - guessing this isn't rallye dash specific, I might have this in a parts car
-Glove box liner - pretty sure this isn't rallye dash specific, I might have this in a parts car
-Glove box door latch and knob - unsure if this is rallye dash specific, I might have this in a parts car
-Heater box delete passenger side vent assembly - found one on a want ad here!
-All of the screws and clips to put this together - purchased on eBay
-Map light delete cover - purchased on eBay

I am sure there are some little tidbits I am missing here. Please feel free to point them out. If you have a lead on any of the parts that I am still missing (NOTED IN RED ABOVE) please contact me via PM! Please note that I prefer driver quality used stuff or just junk that I can clean up. NOS possibly only for the passenger side heater delete vent thingy!

NOTE THAT THERE'S NOTHING LEFT IN RED, I THINK I HAVE FOUND EVERYTHING!

 

[nitro_rat]

This is the little guy I need to cover the rear window defog switch hole: *EDIT - FOUND ONE*

 

[nitro_rat]

Well, the power of the internet is pretty amazing. I think that I have everything ordered to put the dash together. Pretty much everything is used parts. I'm looking forward to everything coming in and and getting a chance to unbox everything!

A few of the pieces are going to need to be reconditioned, I'll just have to evaluate everything and make a plan. I think the parts are decent enough that I can clean and detail them before assembling everything. I was expecting to spend more time hunting for parts!