In for a penny...

[Catmandu13]

Got my first restoration project a couple weeks ago. It's intention is to be a slow resto to finish in the far future. I'm not looking for authenticity...just a cool car to get up and running.

BUT...i do want it road worthy in the mean time

Picked it up for 1500

Small list of things i know about it:
1973 Plymouth Satellite RR Clone
Dana 60 rear end
727 Tranny
RR Hood, Dash, stripes and decals
B&M QuickSilver Shift Kit
1987 318 from a pickup(no other details)
Rebuilt transmission with performance gears(all words, no details)
Uni-lug Rims(missing 5 lugs!)
From what i can tell it looks like it was used for racing.
Line lock
big meats on the back
a couple spare safety toggles, prolly used for nitrous
Had to replace all the rubber hosing and vacuum lines. (heard that was a symptom of the NOS or type of fuel used)
Looks as if an additional wire harness was used(and removed) for engine shutdown and whatnot for in the event of a wreck(I'm not a racer, don't know the details)
Fiberglass front fenders
Ladderbars on the rear leaf springs

Work done so far:
Tune up - $200
New brakes all around - $300
Yoke cap was missing, causing tranny leak(probably true reasoning behind the rebuilt tranny)
Found that the drive shaft was out of balance, replaced it. - $15(junk yard)
Bought with open headers, so i had new exhaust installed with flowmaster 40s, cut outs, and 45 degree 3" dia tips - $550
New lugs and uni-lug style washers (Thanks LugNutKing!)

Work to be done immediately:
Replace Frame Rails (see attached pics)
While I'm at it, tie rods, shocks, ball joints..the whole mess on both sides.


All in all, not too bad of a start for my first restoration i think:blob1:

 

[1badgtx]

Welcome!!!Nice car...Took me 5 years to make it to a car show...Still people don,t know what they are lookin at unless they know mopars..
Petty Blue 67 gTx

 

[TruBee]

I made to carlisle in 15 months. Wheres theres a will, theres a way. Hope you find the way! Welcome!

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

nice project. good luck and welcome.

 

[Donny]

Wow! Some unsolicited advice? Don't throw any more money on this car with the frame completely rotted, it's unsafe to operate this vehicle in this condition. No more tune ups, etc. Get a place to completely strip this car down to nothing, send it out for a media blast, then replace the metal on it, you got some core problems that need fixing before you do anything else.

 

[YY1]

Might even be able to find a real 73/74 RR with decent quarters and frame for under $1500 and transplant all the good stuff onto. There's a couple down here that have sat on CL for a few months.

 

[MoparMitch]

Welcome to the site. Good luck with your project.

 

[OG max wedge]

car sure looks nice from the outside but yeah... needs a lot of work

 

[Pistol Pete]

Wow! Some unsolicited advice? Don't throw any more money on this car with the frame completely rotted, it's unsafe to operate this vehicle in this condition. No more tune ups, etc. Get a place to completely strip this car down to nothing, send it out for a media blast, then replace the metal on it, you got some core problems that need fixing before you do anything else.

First off, welcome to the forum. I think you'll find this site friendly, informative and straightforward. That said, I don't want to piss in your cornflakes either, but Donny is spot on. Everyone here shares your enthusiasm for restoring a car to the way you want it to be, but I'll bet we've all put the cart before the horse more than once.

The danger here is that you spend time and money on a car that may cost you far more to fix correctly than you're willing to part with. Get an honest assessment of what it will take and you'll be far ahead in your decision of what to do next.

 

[alleyoopmgv]

Welcome to the site!

 

[Ron 73]

I believe road ready and resto together is going to be a hard one, I agree with getting it blasted and see how much your into, if the frame rails look like that you may find some other problems. It is a good looking car Chrome on it looks brand new, and i do wish you luck with it. Welcome to FBBO..

Great looking GTX, ive been waiting to see that in a larger photo, nice ride!

 

[Catmandu13]

Thanks for the welcome all.

Yes, I didn't see the extent of the damage till we got it running and up to the muffler shop. The front is most definitely the nasty part, from the driver's seat back, it all looks to be in decent shape.

Currently looking into the viability or replacing/installing the frame rails and crossmember versus buying a beater husk with a better frame....we'll see i guess

 

[roadrunnerman]

welcome,nice RR. hope you get the frame rust fixed.

 

[Budnicks]

Catmandu cool 73 RR, welcome to the FBBO forum...

 

[Propwash]

Welcome Catman.......You definitely have your hands full, but doable...

I also agree 100% on blasting

 

[17WithaCoronetRT]

why not go to donny for your media blasting needs huh? haha

 

[Catmandu13]

Thanks guy's I'll defiantly look into the media blasting. I have found a source for frame rails but out of a 73 charger...do those interchange, or will I need a satellite specific frame rail?