New guy restoring a 1978 CHP Dodge Monaco 440...

[Billy Lo]

Hey Gang, really glad to find this forum by accident while searching for parts for my new car restoration project. I'm looking for tips and advice on who to get new parts from as well as used stuff. The car is a really nice CA survivor that has just made the long trip to its new home in NY. She runs great, needs paint and some minor body work and thats it. I am going to first focus on the regular stuff then the engine and suspension. I figure I will be able to get it painted next year at some point. Right now the driver's side door won't latch shut, the wipers don't work but I hear the motor running, weather stripping is all shot, piece of chrome trim missing on the right rear quarter where the vinyl top would be separated from the paint. Also the rear trunk has some damage at the lock since the last person who owned it popped the lock. That's it off the top of my head, any advice on what online companies or scrap yards to reach out too as well as websites for parts diagrams, manuals etc will be greatly appreciated. Thanks much and glad to be here.

 

[Dennis H]

The September issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines has a good story on a similar car. Nice acquisition. I like the map light. Had one in a Municipal vehicle that I drove in the 90's. Be sure to keep it. If I recall, the California plate should read Exempt. Good luck.

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[khryslerkid]

I'm liking it! Welcome Billy!

 

[cudak888]

Welcome, and more pictures, please!

Not often do you get to see one that somehow got out alive thanks to CHiPs, T.J. Hooker, and the A-Fly-a-Monaco-Team - let alone unrestored and relatively unmodified. I take it the original CHP push bars are long gone? Looks like you still have the holes in the bumper for them.

Any chance the original paint could be wetsanded back to life?

-Kurt

 

[cudak888]

Incidentally, here's a great price (these things are usually twice the price) on a California "E" exempt plate, if you are seeking one. No relation to seller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/License-Pla...481999?hash=item5432db3e4f:g:XT4AAOSwB4NWzUoA

I'm running an earlier E plate on my '68; these look so wonderfully "right" on the front end of all the B-body fleet cars; whether '68-70 or '71-78:

1968 Plymouth Satellite by cudak888, on Flickr

-Kurt

 

[polywideblock]

welcome

 

[Budnicks]

it has cop tires, cop engine, cop tranny, cop lights & cop suspension
{Blues Bros.-LOL}

welcome to FBBO from hot & dry NorCal

 

[Car Nut]

aboard!

 

[69dodgesuperbee]

Love the car. Post more pics!!!

 

[Homstead]

Pretty cool car! Welcome to the site!

 

[GetX'd]

Welcome to FBBO. Glad you joined the forum. I found it the same way as you did - searching for parts. It's been a real blessing. Good luck on your resto.

 

[eric383]

Welcome. It's always cool to see something different.

 

[YY1]

Let's see pics of the cop goodies it came with.

I'm assuming a certified speedo, a shotgun rack, maybe a radio, etc.

 

[Billy Lo]

Thanks for the welcome and kind words guys. I will post pics of the resto as i goes along. Took her out for a spin and man there is nothing else quite like the sound of those secondaries kicking in! She's running well, going to change out all the fluids etc as soon as I can. Get her purring like a kitten then work on the front end to tighten it up because right now I need a little sea sickness meds when driving it. It needs new valve cover gaskets (tomorrow's job) and I REALLY need to get that passenger door to latch shut. Here are some pics of the police goodies and what it looked like before the last owner let it sit in the CA sun for 15 years. These are all dirty as received pics....it will clean up really well.

Let's see pics of the cop goodies it came with.

I'm assuming a certified speedo, a shotgun rack, maybe a radio, etc.

 

[69dodgesuperbee]

That is cool. I really like that car. Keep us posted as you get it cleaned up.

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO I like it cool car keep us posted on your progress

 

[YY1]

Back about 1990, I almost bought a 73 Polara unmarked car with grille and package tray lights.

A couple of years ago I also almost bought a 74 Satellite GA state unmarked car in pretty gold with tan int.

Check this out- http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Dodge-Monaco-Sedan-125-Scale-Pro-Built-/131894998093?rmvSB=true

 

[Billy Lo]

Awesome my buddy owned a REAL 78 Fury Det car that was very similar in cadet blue. Beautiful color! Tempted to do this car in that color but black and white would be easier and correct.

Back about 1990, I almost bought a 73 Polara unmarked car with grille and package tray lights.

A couple of years ago I also almost bought a 74 Satellite GA state unmarked car in pretty gold with tan int.

Check this out- http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Dodge-Monaco-Sedan-125-Scale-Pro-Built-/131894998093?rmvSB=true

View attachment 353347

 

[CudaChick1968]

Hey Billy, welcome aboard! I have a customer who's been working on a Polara CHP car for awhile now. I'm not sure what his handle is here on FBBO but if someone named Alan E. gets in touch, it's probably him.
Keep the pics and progress reports coming!