My restoration dilemma

[eldubb440]

But did mopar do it like that?

you are under the impression that every car Mopar built had ill fitting panels and runs in the paint?

 

[hunt2elk]

Muscle Car Restorations would be another to look into if you have deep pockets. They are near me in Chippewa Falls, WI.

 

[alfaitalia]

you are under the impression that every car Mopar built had ill fitting panels and runs in the paint?

Not too far from the truth....not just MOPAR but many marques of that period. Just get yourself a look at a few survivors. Uneven and poorly aligned panels and doors. Runs in the paint are common....no so much on the exterior paint where they did something about them.....but under the hood, inside the truck, door jams. Chargers doors with the indentations going further back on one door than the other. Quality control was not what it is now....and it would seem dealers did not try and correct factory alignment faults like dealers do today. Like anything else...there were good examples and bad. Old Brit cars I've owned were much the same.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

K&G body shop, Wilber, NE. They do a healthy variety from original to restomod. Seen them save some that there wasn't much left. Been helpful when we've visited with him. Not cheap but does some nice stuff.

 

[The Rebel]

Perhaps Dave Rea @ DB Restorations, LLC

 

[WileE]

I have an 05 SRT-10 as my daily and a 04 Durango.

Although my comment was somewhat flippant, I did not mean "daily driver". "Driver" quality car is one that looks and performs very well, but not one to a concours level. It seems people that spend six figures+ , do not tend to use/expose their jewels very much.

 

[chtampa]

If you want to actually drive it don't get an OEM restoration. It will no longer be a car, it will be a piece of art to look at. Do it yourself over time and enjoy driving it. Been there.

 

[zyzzyx]

I just can't wrap my head around restoring a car for 100k - 150k that's only
worth 70 - 80k! If I can't do the work myself, then I would sell it for a good
price and buy a car already done from someone else that's quitting the hobby.
I used to work in the body shop business in my first life and the one thing I
learned was that when a car is hit and totaled, It's worth "X" amount of dollars.
That's it! No more, no less. Unless the vehicle has a sentimental value, you can't
justify pumping that kind of money into any car. Working on a classic car
shouldn't cost more than a new car in a collision shop. Labor is labor, but when
you want someone to do the whole process, it's gonna cost!

 

[Ironbuilt]

Perhaps Dave Rea @ DB Restorations, LLC

I hope that his restorations are better than his website.

 

[gkent]

Any restored vehicle will not be worth anywhere near its restored cost within a ten year timeframe. The only exception to this would be an EXTREMELY rare vehicle - but then you have to look at its value both before and after the resto. And chances are, from its original state it would not increase by the cost of the resto.

 

[wagonman]

I second Dave @ DB he dosent do the paint but sends it to my buddy Jim at Lost in Time Restos. They did the panel fit and paint on DBs Bahama Yellow 69 R/R. I do some mechanical work for Jim and will probably be up in Oregon helping out this fall.

 

[coronet68mx]

i was thinking around 250, i had 92 into mine and did most of the work, that was every nut and bolt and mine was over restored, scared to drive it.

Are you telling us that you don't drive that beautiful charger of yours.

 

[Kern Dog]

expose their jewels very much.

Expose their jewels very much.

Uhhh.....


.

 

[Don selleck]

no ended up selling it a few weeks ago, I like to build them not destroy them, anything like that, car is gorgeous, this will allow me to do another one, thinking of a old dodge truck 31 to 34 with suicide doors. looking for one now

 

[4406bbl]

But did mopar do it like that?

It is more like what did Mopar intend? They intended straight panels, good fit, and great paint with no runs. You would be making a mistake not to panel fit the car and do kickass paint. As far as price I will have 80k in my restoration and I did All the work except paint. I want to warn you it snowballs, you get that perfect paint, then you need ecs glass, everything properly plated, then you need your bumpers fit and made perfect, every piece in the interior needs redone, and on and on. Mine will not be driveable, but that's what I want for about 5 years, then sell or drive. I was quoted 100k do do it turn key by shop's, no way, it would have been 150 or more.

 

[coronet68mx]

no ended up selling it a few weeks ago, I like to build them not destroy them, anything like that, car is gorgeous, this will allow me to do another one, thinking of a old dodge truck 31 to 34 with suicide doors. looking for one now

if that makes you happy is fine, you put so much effort into that car, but you are probably right a car like a charger is to enjoy, funny thing is that this is not the first time i read about a member selling his car because it was over restored and scared to drive it.good luck in your next project my friend.

 

[Don selleck]

if that makes you happy is fine, you put so much effort into that car, but you are probably right a car like a charger is to enjoy, funny thing is that this is not the first time i read about a member selling his car because it was over restored and scared to drive it.good luck in your next project my friend.

I always drove my hotrods, more than any of my friends did, that was the most extensive build I have ever attempted, it was just one of those things, I tried to do the best possible job I could, The experience was priceless to me, met so many cool people along the way including you my south of the border friend.

 

[747mopar]

Maybe looking for all the big guys in the business is the problem, I've seen a lot of gems come out of a 2 door garage. My neighbor (a Chevy guy) has put out some stellar cars all done in an old barn converted into a garage. Might try attending car shows and asking around?

 

[Tman100]

My buddy did my car in a 2 door garage. He got it in March and I was drove it in Dec. although I did the powertrain he did the rest. In those nine months there was about $80,000 cdn spent on this car…parts and labour. (His labour rate in now where near what a shop would be) I’ve put 250 miles on it and burnt off a set of tires. I drive my car and by buddy who is now retired does this in his garage day in and day out. Awesome job on the car… although it is not perfect I didn’t want it perfect. But it is slightly better. Fit and finish is nicer then it was when it was new. Dad is the original owner so he can vouch for that. My car needed everything including complete interior. That cost also includes a $9000 engine. Definable don’t under estimate whT some people can do in their house garage.

 

[Ironbuilt]

My buddy did my car in a 2 door garage. He got it in March and I was drove it in Dec. although I did the powertrain he did the rest. In those nine months there was about $80,000 cdn spent on this car…parts and labour. (His labour rate in now where near what a shop would be) I’ve put 250 miles on it and burnt off a set of tires. I drive my car and by buddy who is now retired does this in his garage day in and day out. Awesome job on the car… although it is not perfect I didn’t want it perfect. But it is slightly better. Fit and finish is nicer then it was when it was new. Dad is the original owner so he can vouch for that. My car needed everything including complete interior. That cost also includes a $9000 engine. Definable don’t under estimate whT some people can do in their house garage. View attachment 1126689View attachment 1126690View attachment 1126691View attachment 1126692View attachment 1126693View attachment 1126694View attachment 1126695View attachment 1126696View attachment 1126697View attachment 1126698

That's just gorgeous!! Damn!!