New and first time project has arrived!!!!

[1968_GTX]

First project arrived at my home Thursday night. So I'm already starting out a little backward. I have the car first and now am starting the research part of the adventure.

As far as plans I'm working on figuring that part out. I know I want to keep the original look of the car. The car does not have a matching numbers engine and I'm struggling with the decision as to what to put in the car and whether to go with a 4 speed or automatic. I'm told it was originally an automatic but someone had put a manual transmission in it at one time. I believe the car was originally Dark Green with a vinyl top. Any advise is greatly appreciated. I hope to work on this with my two sons 15 and 12 Hope to finish the project within the next 2-4yrs. Not a show car just a really nice driver.



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[Hemi Rebel]

Welcome to fbbo. Have you pulled the back seat yet? The build sheetb usually lives under there. Find that and you will be able to determine exactly how the car was optioned.

 

[iraqivet01]

Good luck. GTX is good find.

 

[eldubb440]

good luck with her............ here's mine

 

[Redhorse719]

Welcome to FBBO! Nice project.

 

[1968_GTX]

Welcome to fbbo. Have you pulled the back seat yet? The build sheetb usually lives under there. Find that and you will be able to determine exactly how the car was optioned.

No I have not. Receiving good insight and knowledge before I ever turn the first wrench. Outstanding Treasure hunt tomorrow it on!!!!!:hello2:

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Can't wait until I have mine at that stage. Beautiful Car eldubb440

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good luck with her............ here's mine

I can't wait to get mine to that stage. Congratz beautiful car.

 

[Car Nut]

aboard!

 

[BumperMan]

R=GTX
S= Special
23= 2door hardtop
L= 440 375HP 4 BBL 8 cylinder
G= assembled in St.Louis Missouri
178965 is the sequence #

I'm restoring a 68 GTX as well so if you have any questions let me know. Good luck with your build.

 

[HawkRod]

Good luck with your build!

Also look for a metal trim tag. It is located under the hood, on the driver side inner fender. It will have a bunch of numbers on it. If you have it, that is great - it will also tell you a lot about your car. To be sure it is the right tag, the bottom right numbers should match the sequence # 178965.

 

[1968_GTX]

Good luck with your build!

Also look for a metal trim tag. It is located under the hood, on the driver side inner fender. It will have a bunch of numbers on it. If you have it, that is great - it will also tell you a lot about your car. To be sure it is the right tag, the bottom right numbers should match the sequence # 178965.

The entire front clip looks to be from multiple cars. The tags have been removed. What about the radiator support is there any useful information from that #?

 

[Photon440]

Welcome, good luck with the project! Nothing wrong with another GTX around here.
:wav:

Rad support won't tell you much other than the vin number. If you can't find the build sheet anywhere you can still find out a few things by playing detective. For instance, the original colour is probably still under the carpets. If it was originally an automatic you might find evidence of cooling lines at the radiator. If column shift, that'll be a clue. You can sometimes find traces of vinyl top under the stainless trim if it wasn't completely removed. There would also be evidence of holes for mounting the vinyl roof edging in the sail panel.

Give your sons a project and have them scour this forum, and the rest of the web for GTX information so you know what your car had compared to regular Belvederes or road runner.

 

[1968_GTX]

We had a somewhat productive first day. My sons and I have the Hood, Fenders, Trunk lid, Grill, both doors, and seats removed from the car. We have the car in the garage now so we can play in bad weather and have started attempting to remove the dash. Seems like a good day "But" Seems the entire car was taken apart at one time and put back with a 1/4 of the bolts and screws. Most of which never belonged with the car in the first place. Did not find the build sheet. Did find a ticket for a Drag Strip in North Carolina. Also has a sticker in the Window indicating that the car was in North Carolina in the early 80's. The car was definitely Dark Green with Dark Green and light Green interior.

Restoring what remains of one 1968 Plymouth who knows?
Watching the two dream about what it will look like "One Day" totally "priceless":icon_syda:

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Careful with the dash. The windshield has to come out. Its bolted in where it meets the thw firewall. Thw windshield has to be out to access the bolts. Bummer about the build sheet. I have found them in front seats before. Under the upholstery. My fingers are crossed for you.

 

[1968_GTX]

Some quick questions

1) Anyone have advise on must have manuals or must read websites?
2) Is where you start with the project by preference or is there an order that should be followed? Obviously interior doesn't come before body work but you know what I mean.
3) I would like to do the body work as well but I am not a fabricator or welder. I have some experience with welding but it has been limited (Mostly Stick Welding). Thoughts?
4) As far as budget I'm working with a Car that obviously doesn't have a build sheet, Fender tag, or original Motor/Trans. How should this weigh in on budget limitations? I've heard that you will never get out of a car what you have in it. That is ok with me but I wouldn't want to have 3x more in the car.

Thanks to everyone in advance

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO keep us posted on your progress

 

[Budnicks]

welcome to FBBO, nice 68 GTX Project

maybe post this over in the Members B-Body Projects forum here,
I'm sure it will be well received & a better place for more exposure & the continued build discussions

 

[HawkRod]

Some quick questions

1) Anyone have advise on must have manuals or must read websites?
2) Is where you start with the project by preference or is there an order that should be followed? Obviously interior doesn't come before body work but you know what I mean.
3) I would like to do the body work as well but I am not a fabricator or welder. I have some experience with welding but it has been limited (Mostly Stick Welding). Thoughts?
4) As far as budget I'm working with a Car that obviously doesn't have a build sheet, Fender tag, or original Motor/Trans. How should this weigh in on budget limitations? I've heard that you will never get out of a car what you have in it. That is ok with me but I wouldn't want to have 3x more in the car.

Thanks to everyone in advance

1) You should get a factory service manual (FSM). Invaluable.
2) There are some orders to things, like getting the windshield out before the dash. The biggest thing is to take pictures of EVERTHING you take apart and carefully bag and tag everything. This will slow down the disassembly of the car, and you will thank yourself for it. I also suggest organizing shelves and placing like parts together. For example, I have exterior/body, interior, engine/drive train, etc. I also tag all my parts in clear plastic bags with a colored post it. For me, I used green post its for the body (my car is Limelight), orange for the engine/drive train (you guessed it, my engine is orange), and so on. These colored post it notes also make it easier to spot parts.
3) I hate to say it, but be careful here. I was working on teaching myself to weld. You can warp panels, misalign the body, create a mess and cost yourself more money if you are not careful. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it is something to do if only if you have quite a bit of time and are generally pretty handy. Lots of people HAVE done it and been successful; many more have failed and sold a ripped apart project car...
4) My $0.02: Don't worry about originality because you don't have it anyway. Build what you want and enjoy it. So buy more what is available and cheaper rather than correct and expensive. So for example, buy any old 440 engine rather than a proper date coded 440 that is correct for your car. Who cares? It will run and look the same.

I am sure many more will weigh in too...

 

[1968_GTX]

Move to members project 1968 GTX project

 

[eric383]

Welcome, cool pics.