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My '68 Charger restoration

Im loving the fact that people are willing to take on projects like this to bring back to life, you are a hero to many people for your work, thank you, and what a great car, ill be watching this thread very much
 
Mine is worse than I thought it was going to be but I don't know about taking on a project like this. I envy those who are willing to do so to save another 68. Keep it up man!
 
Wow, heck of a project, it will be great looking if you keep up the good work!!!
 
So October is nearly gone, and she looks about the same. I lost the engine in my '67 at Silver State to a .020" pinhole in #3 cylinder wall and spent all my discretionary fundage getting it back together better than ever. It was finally ready to go in September so I was going to put it away and pull the '68 in to get worked on, but I lost my Job about the 1st of October and I've been working on other peoples cars to keep some money flowing until I find another job. I have absolutely NOT given up on it, if anything my resolve is stronger now, I just need to get my feet back on solid ground before I start playing again.

You guys keep me inspired!
 
Hi, nice project and nice pictures, I will use them to locate some holes etc on my car that is missing since I replaced some metal.
To bad to hear that you lost your work, I really don´t know what is going on in the US but you do have some serious problems.
Keep up the good work and I hope you soon get a new job!
 
Hang tough brother!

67Charger said:
So October is nearly gone, and she looks about the same. I lost the engine in my '67 at Silver State to a .020" pinhole in #3 cylinder wall and spent all my discretionary fundage getting it back together better than ever. It was finally ready to go in September so I was going to put it away and pull the '68 in to get worked on, but I lost my Job about the 1st of October and I've been working on other peoples cars to keep some money flowing until I find another job. I have absolutely NOT given up on it, if anything my resolve is stronger now, I just need to get my feet back on solid ground before I start playing again.

You guys keep me inspired!
Click to expand...

Good times are coming, were mopar guys we don't let thats S%$# get us down, right!:naka: keep up the attitude and the workwill come back:icon_axe:best wishes!
 
Hey 67, with today's economy, the thing that is constant, and will be consistent is that in today's era of downsizing, corporate bottom line being profit, the bottom line (workers) are expendable. So, with this, the real growth sectors today are small business; like 1 or 2 people forming a consultation firm, or, a one-man show -- perhaps you could start up a 'Media Blasting Business' and become the expert in your field and in your area? I've done this, and never intended it to be anything more than a part time venture that could give me some $$ to supplement my Army retirement, but, it's grown and I now do more metal replacement/surgery than Blasting! Both skill sets go hand in hand, and I've started to capitalize on them, and it's working! I have work scheduled till late January, which is good for me, sad thing is I don't have enough time in the day to do all I need to do, or want to do! I did have a bloke working for me, I trained him how to blast, but he just could not master it after 3 months, and he ended up costing me more money than I was making; like my air compressor running too much b/c he (worker) didn't or couldn't appreciate a little thing like electricity costs money; the 3 months I had him my elec bill tripled b/c he just let it run and run...Now, I need a clone! Hang in there, and glad to see the progress is ongoing!
 
Despite the fact that I didn't get to finish blasting it before the weather went south and combined with the fact I don't work there anymore, I brought her back home. I can be doing a lot with the front end since it was blasted and primed. I'l begin installing the pieces I have acquired and spot blasting whatever will be enclosed that didn't get addressed yet. I have a good job prospect in the works, I've gone through 2 interviews and they really seemed to like me. If that works out the project will be back on the fast track. What little extra funds I do have I've been throwing at the credit card to get rid of it. It was no big deal when money was flowing, but when the tap stops, the interest is suddenly more important and a real drain.

I have plenty of labor to do in the mean time. I'd post pics but nothing has changed, just location.
 
I would like to ask a big favor, and yet I am thinking this may help more than me. When you do the door corners, can you do a detailed version of what you are doing? I have a pair of doors with the corners rotted out and I am planning on replacing the rust,,, BUT would like to see your take on how I should do that so that when I am done it does not look like a total POS.

Thanks
 
I will... I may skin it and repair the frame rather than fully reconstruct, not sure yet.

I am starting at the front and working my way back. Today I cut out some rust i at the inner fender to core support junction, up where the highest, front fender bolt hole is. I'm doing the least visible ones first to get the learning curve out of the way. So far so good, but it looks like I'll be replacing more of the passenger front frame rail than I had originally hoped. All good, I already have the complete rail from a donor car, I just will be using more of it. I'll add pictures when I get the kids to bed.
 
As promised, pics. This, although tiny, is officially the first metal to go BACK ON.

Coresupportrust.jpg

Coresupportrustrepair.jpg
 
Hey '67....you're doing a great job, keep up the good work! I know what it's like to be out of work...it happens. I just got a call and am going back to work after and extended "time off"...keep the faith, with your skills I'm sure it'll happen soon...all the best to you man!
 
WOW....absolutely amazing. you are a true talent. i wish i had body work skills, but i just dont have the patience but im glad you do.

"we can bring it back to life....we have the technology"

keep it goin...lookin better all the time!
 
Progress, finally. I have a full cowl as a donor so I separated the top from the bottom and I'll be patching in the bad area around the passenger side vent hole and then putting the donor upper on. I also went and bought a 1/2 pint of the Y-1 Top Banana Yellow that I am planning on painting the car so I can spray it under the cowl vents before reassembly. The original yellow was the bland creme looking one that I just didn't like as much. This way it stays close to original, but with more pep.

It feels great to actually be cutting and more importantly, REPLACING metal.


IMG_8896.jpg

IMG_8902.jpg

IMG_8901.jpg

IMG_8789.jpg
 
Yes, it was, as seen in the pictures a few pages back. Unfortunately it had to live outside for about 8 months. It really showed where I didn't lay the primer well enough. Regardless, it needs a full blasting anyway, so I am doing my structural patching in the mean time and spot blasting behind anything that will become enclosed before the full blast.
 
its really interesting to watch this surgery.....I don't think ive ever seen such an undertaking. I know i will now be removing my cowl after seeing the mess that was inside....maybe even setting up a removable plate to get to these areas once in a while....It is horrible to see cars in even better condition than this go to the scrap yard or be trashed in movies....But it is really cool to see a step by step......because essentially...it all is spot welded shaped metal and can be shaped and spot welded again...time and patience....a hammer mark here ....a grind mark there....slicing off 1 part of the elephant at a time....I really like this thread....lay the epoxy on well...its waterproof unlike other primers and will protect all that blasted metal....i will be following this from now on....truly an inspiration :icon_smile:
 
I got the first and biggest cowl patch fitted and tacked in. The back side is completely blasted and clean, the top side will get it with the rest of the car. I am WAY tempted to just knock off that ring and plate over it. Do the aftermarket AC systems use that hole? I'll never likely put a factory system back in it. I'm already planning on smoothing the firewall.

IMG_9063.gif
 
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