Just bought a 67 charger... it’s rough!

[Oxide Fox]

Hey there! So just bought a rusty, rotten, but affordable 67 charger. 318, automatic trans, I’m clueless. This year charger though has been one of my dream/holy grail cars. But I ain’t made of money. Never thought I’d be able to afford one. I love watching Roadkill, Vise Grip Garage and other channels on YouTube and they have given me more confidence about working on cars mechanically. And they make driving junk cool and I’m cool with this being a rat rod. But I could use some web sites, links, tutorials, how to videos and anything to get this pile running and driving.

 

[LRivera]

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=7

 

[Bb70charger500]

Insure it for $20000 and get it running eventually it will do something to burn to ground then take money and buy new one!

But seriously I've seen worse at least you got something to start with

 

[LRivera]

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/quarter-panels.186657/#post-911522990

 

[Thrashingcows]

Congrats on the new charger! Make a list of all the work you need to do and then do one small project at a time. Focus on getting it running, driving and stopping safely first, and any major structural rust patched up and made as safe as possible then start enjoying your car....the cosmetics can come later as you have time and finances to support it.

 

[alfaitalia]

Well...based on my own experiences....you might have been better off saving for a little longer and getting a more rust free one.....the "unfinished project" is usually a good bet if the bodywork has been largely sorted. Overall you will end up with more cash in it than if you had bought a better one in the first place....especially if you really are "clueless" (your words!!) and have to pay to get stuff done. I enjoy fixing the mechanical stuff...hate doing bodywork!
But you own a Charger....and thats cool in itself!!....so good luck with it.

 

[Hilljack68]

I just hope that bullet hole in the windshield wasn't the cause of the previous owners demise.

 

[Don Frelier]

Welcome to the group from NY.
We have a welcome wagon for new members to introduce themselves and tell a little about their cars.
Before you do anything with that you really need to take a close look at the torsion bar cross member and frame rails.
Take an awl or small phillips screwdriver and pop it into any areas with crusty rust or bulged out areas.
You need to make sure it's structurally sound, then brakes, engine etc...
If you get further PM me I have some extra parts for the missing front end grill that I could probably sell.
But do the other stuff first.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[hanks73340]

Welcome to the forum. Definitely have your work cut out. In the end you will love it....

 

[RedBeard]

I have a grill and lights for ya if interested. Are you missing the lower grill support?

 

[BAFRAID]

Congrats on the new charger! Make a list of all the work you need to do and then do one small project at a time. Focus on getting it running, driving and stopping safely first, and any major structural rust patched up and made as safe as possible then start enjoying your car....the cosmetics can come later as you have time and finances to support it.

I completely agree with what Is said here. Make sure it’s structurally sound. Go through the brakes, steering, suspension. Make sure there’s no rust in any of the major support structures under the car. Don’t do what I did. I tore my super bee completely apart initially and it is still completely torn apart six years later. Enjoy your car and drive it the way it is once everything is safe.

 

[hunt2elk]

Welcome to the best Mopar site around. That's going to be quite the project for your first one. Make darn sure that us the exact car you want to be sticking a bunch of money into. You will be upside down in it very fast. Just my thoughts, but 1st gen Chargers do not have the following as 2nds do and can be bought very reasonable. I would strongly suggest finding one in better condition.

 

[BAFRAID]

Welcome to the best Mopar site around. That's going to be quite the project for your first one. Make darn sure that us the exact car you want to be sticking a bunch of money into. You will be upside down in it very fast. Just my thoughts, but 1st gen Chargers do not have the following as 2nds do and can be bought very reasonable. I would strongly suggest finding one in better condition.

It sounded like in his introduction that this was his dream car. I agree that it looks very rough but sounds like he worked for the money and found a good car of his dreams. We all start somewhere and we learn every step of the way.

 

[davek]

 

[Jax_1975_Dart]

Super awesome score! This site is a great resource for figuring out the best parts and approaches towards restoring your new ride. Definitely, don’t shy away from posting question about anything and, post more pics! There’s never such a thing as too many pics of a classic mopar (in any condition).

 

[coronet68mx]

I just hope that bullet hole in the windshield wasn't the cause of the previous owners demise.

Yeap, directly to the head...

 

[plymouth67]

Welcome from a little south of you!!

 

[JimCoronette]

Welcome from NY.

From what I can see, it's not rusted beyond repair but it does look like a handful.

If you can find a knowledgeable Mopar guy that you can barter with/learn from, you will do fine.

As others mentioned. The first money you should put into it are to repair safety/structural items so it will pass safety inspection.

brakes, suspension/steering, frame are the big 3.

Probably around $1000-1500 in parts depending on what it needs.

Here is the playbook I go by:
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showcase/1967-coronet-500-convertible.5184/

It took about a year to get mine roadworthy.
The longest trip to date is 133 miles round trip.
I'm still chasing leaks.
The important thing is I'm able to enjoy it while I repair it.
That's what I recommend for your project.

 

[hunt2elk]

It sounded like in his introduction that this was his dream car. I agree that it looks very rough but sounds like he worked for the money and found a good car of his dreams. We all start somewhere and we learn every step of the way.

Totally agree. Just didn't want the po to get discouraged by the cost of parts for these old Mopars and then see what a guy could buy a halfway decent first gen Charger for.

 

[brad 66]

agreed it would be easy to put 30k into a car that is only worth 18k finished .the parts are worth big money the cars not so much.