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Opinions from bodywork pros

koosh

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I know its a stretch… wondering if some bodywork pros out there could take a look at these pics and provide opinions?basically looking for advice to buy or stay away? I know will need some bodywork before paint, just not sure how deep my pockets are IMG_5900.pngIMG_5901.pngIMG_5902.pngIMG_5903.pngIMG_5905.pngIMG_5906.pngIMG_5904.pngIMG_5907.png
 
pros....... it's a Charger, possibly a real R/T and it's still together

cons....... I've never encountered a shitty primer job that wasn't covering a shitty body; and that vinyl top roof is likely a disaster
 
pros....... it's a Charger, possibly a real R/T and it's still together

cons....... I've never encountered a shitty primer job that wasn't covering a shitty body; and that vinyl top roof is likely a disaster

pros....... it's a Charger, possibly a real R/T and it's still together

cons....... I've never encountered a shitty primer job that wasn't covering a shitty body; and that vinyl top roof is likely a disaster
Good points! It is not a real RT
 
Bring a body guy. Even if you have to pay them a couple bucks for their time. Good ones can see through paint with almost X-Ray vision.
 
The straight rad crossbar and okay looking trunk floor show promise but not the patched firewall. In my experience anything in primer is just covering a whole bunch of required labour. Expect it all to be bad. If it is close go have a look at it. If it isn't forget about it.
 
You'll need to look at it first hand, and up close. Those images stink. A screen shot of a thumbnail image is a poor image, IMO.

A common issue on these 50+ year old cars that can be costly to repair is the interior floor pan, and the trunk bottom. Surface rust is fine, but indicates it's been outdoors and seen some rain, which is sad. If it's rusted through, that's a bigger deal to replace, and requires more tear down, time, and $$$.

That trunk looks really good in the image, but that's too far away and too low a resolution to see if the black primer is hiding a rust problem. You'll want to look for pits in the sheet metal, indicating there is rusty metal underneath. As others have noted, the fact they even bothered to primer the trunk is a yellow flag.

I see evidence of a rusty floor pan under the driver's seat, where they stopped spraying (no doubt, from a rattle can) in the drivers-side interior image. Again, if the floor pan is NOT rusted through, and still has much of it's integrity, then it won't be the costly repair.

It's worth a first-hand look just to learn about this car. Even if you don't buy this one, you'll learn much you can apply to the next car you look at.
 
FWIW….was told, trunk pan and floor pans were replaced. Here’s the write up on the body condition…. I know, it should be looked at. I just don’t know much about bodywork except that fact its extremely expensive…

“BODY: rear quarters were done a few years back and needs some grinding on weld line, trunk is solid, front floor pans were also done at same time, the rest of car has some old crappy primer on it. some pinholes on bottom of passenger door, also small dent back 1/4.”
 
When you strip them, they're almost always worse than expected.

Pinholes at the bottom of the door = The surrounding area is paper thin/a patch job to get by until rust shows up again, or door skins/rust removal of the door structure is needed if you want a top notch job.

The patch on the firewall appears to maybe be homebrewed AC Delete(?)

It's a Charger, it's hard to go wrong... if you like the car get it and do it up right.
It will pay you back!
 
If the rails are good and no giant holes in the floor, but it and drive it, it's a second gen Charger. You will constantly be bothered at every gas station and auto parts store to sell it "if they had it they would restore it" yeah sure.
 
It looks like a car that you could enjoy the way it is for a while and get all the bugs out of it before you start thinking about the paint
If it is $50k probably not
If it is $30k then worth a try
If it is $20k you better hurry over and buy it
 
Prices on 2nd gens are nuts. If it looks solid , the workmanship looks good and it's within your budget. Maybe just do a better rattle can flat black job and enjoy it. Paint is expensive and it's going the get look because it's a 2nd gen charger.
 
When you strip them, they're almost always worse than expected.

Pinholes at the bottom of the door = The surrounding area is paper thin/a patch job to get by until rust shows up again, or door skins/rust removal of the door structure is needed if you want a top notch job.

The patch on the firewall appears to maybe be homebrewed AC Delete(?)

It's a Charger, it's hard to go wrong... if you like the car get it and do it up right.
It will pay you back!
Doing right is what this car deserves, but I don’t have that kind of money unfortunately
 
I appreciate all the input!
 
Guys, just received these pics… don’t know if they represent a big ticket bodywork bill, or not so bad… again, i understand your only looking at pics. But im trying to put a budget together for bodywork and paint
Attachment.jpeg
Attachment.jpeg
 
What is the asking price on the car the way it sits ?
If you got the new pictures it sounds like the seller is not trying to hide anything from you that they know about the car
 
I don’t think seller is wanting to hide anything. The issue is mine with a limited budget, not his. He wants 30k
 
Tough to tell what`s underneath that crappy primer job without seeing in person, it could be fairly solid or all rust and body filler. At bare minimum it would need to be completely stripped, body work and paint if you wanted it to look nice and that alone is close to $30k if you are paying a shop.
 
Not all cars have to be restored. If you have the skills and a couple years to do the deed the car could be a nice driver. If you inspect the car and find no hidden rust (floors, frame rails etc) you can drive it as is and just enjoy it the way it is. If you want a nice shiny car and would have to pay someone to fix the issues and paint it for you I would think it's a no-go. Just my opinion of course and we really can't judge condition without seeing it in person.
 
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