Project Unicorn - 1968 Charger Restoration

[Twalker]

Hello all! And so it begins, again ... another build. I had just finished restoring a 1973 'cuda last year, a 3 year project, and planned to drive it for many years while I saved up for my unicorn ... a 1968 Charger. However, while showing it at the Atlantic Nationals this year in Moncton, New Brunswick I sold the car. It wasn't for sale, but someone wanted to buy it and as they say, everything is for sale for the right price. You can see the build before / after of the 'cuda here - http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=96878.0 I enjoy building these cars as much as I like driving them.

With cash in hand my search began for a 1968 Charger project and after looking at many, I decided to move on the one you see in the photos below. It's a project! It's mostly complete, but needs a lot of work ... and that's the way I like them ... the satisfaction that comes from bringing one of these cars back. I do all the work myself - from metal work, body work, paint, mechanical, motor and drivetrain. I do outsource a couple things - like media blasting.

This is a hobby for me ... my work profession is IT related. I fit in time between work and my young family. I look forward to all your support and expertise as I restore this Charger - I will have lots of questions!

In September, I hooked up the trailer and my oldest son and I went on a 3000 mile road trip from Halifax Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania to pick up the car. We weren't far from Summit Racing in Ohio so had to stop in there! Sure wish I had one closer to me.

Here are before and after of the cuda as well.

 

[Twalker]

Some more photos of the car before restoration begins. the trailer is now the storage room for all the parts

 

[Twalker]

car was media blasted inside and out ...

 

[Twalker]

Right after it was blasted I epoxy primed it -

 

[Pistol Pete]

That can't be a Charger from Pennsylvania, it still has a floor.



Congrats on the new project, looking forward to your progress.

 

[Twalker]

a run to the states to pick up a truck and trailer load of parts!

 

[showard]

Great choice of cars. The 68 Charger is my favorite. I am looking forward to watching this build. Looks like your getting right to it.

 

[Twalker]

first step after the car was blasted and primed was to tackle the front inner fender well skirts. Some might have kept them but they were too far gone (see photos) and I want the engine bay to look great. So, for the price, in went new AMD replacements. As well, changed out the passenger side rad support bracket to convert from 22" to 26" RAD. used lots of bracing to make sure all went back where it should.

 

[Twalker]

 

[Twalker]

had to fix the same spot on the driver side frame rail as I did on the cuda - common spot because there is a internal frame brace there that stops debris and rust forms ... sigh.

once all the metal work is done I'll go back over the car and do body work - filler and sanding to finish off the look. The car will be painted body color underneath so all of this needs to look clean and smooth before paint.

 

[Twalker]

had some cancer to fix the lower inner fender well cowl bracket. this will get covered up by the US cartool braces soon

 

[Twalker]

I ordered a stage 2 chassis stiffening kit from US Cartool. On goes the front pieces here. You'll notice I cut a new channel in each of the inner fender braces to line up with the forward part of the shock tower - I thought this would be way to ensure more strength and box it in. not sure why they don't do this when they make them. I think the intention is for these to be welded right along the inner fender well skirt - you will see I haven't yet.

 

[Twalker]

a number of other repairs ...

 

[Twalker]

and more...

 

[threewood]

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Awesome project and the rust actually looks pretty manageable. I had to replace the inner fenders on mine too (whole front clip actually) because the previous owner cut them out for headers into the wheelwell.

I really like the metal work you are doing.

 

[moparnation74]

Great work so far!

Chargers are rust aholics....

Keep up the progress!

 

[Twalker]

both sides of these areas were tender on the rockers. The rockers overall are "okay" and not worth replacing. However you'll see in the next updates they do require work. And I will have to rebuild the rear rockers behind the quarters.

Cutting these sections out of the rockers did allow me to inspect more closely, clean out debris, remove rust where I could, add strength with some additional bracing, and spray in undercoating to prevent further rust.

 

[Twalker]

and the other side

 

[Twalker]

the passenger side rocker needed some additional love ... had a dent that was previously slathered with filler, some tender metal on the bottom, and rusted out hole through to the torsion bar cross member on the inner. I cut out a large section capturing the dent, soft metal and then put in a new large brace near the cross member to give that area strength. wire wheeled and wire brushed everywhere I could, then undercoated before I sealed up with the new piece below. now just a light spread of filler over this area and she'll be golden.

 

[Twalker]

next up was the lower windshield channel - lots of issues here. Amazing the upper was perfect and solid - and it's a vinyl top car so, very strange that there was no rot up there. I had to rebuild part of the upper with cuda so that was pleasantly surprising. Here are just a few photos - you'll get the idea, I had a number of sections to cut out, pieces to make and weld in. But its all good now and ready to go.