Donny's 1969 GTX

Good idea to have this thread here...pics coming!

Shortly after I picked this car up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXSide1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXSide.jpg

Two of 'em out back in 'storage'

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX_Satellite.jpg

Tearing into it revealed a nice Q5 original color!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX_front_stripped.jpg

But, also revealed a horrendous condition this car suffers from, lots of abuse and neglect, when the floor is compromised, and let's in salt spray from RI roads, it's over Johnny!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXRustTearDown002-1.jpg

Got it tore down, built an external skeleton to hold it together, fitting new frame rails

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXTearInto006-1-1.jpg

Tearing the front out/off, find out the firewall is too damaged to fix, out it will come!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXTearInto042.jpg

And this will go in it's place!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0899.jpg

Glad to see you were the first to use the new "Member's Projects & Restorations" forum. I can't imagine having two projects of this magnitude going on at the same time. Good luck.

It's a challenge, but, since the GTX is in the worst shape, it's behind the Satellite. Oh yeah, I didn't mention I have a 70 300 in this mix too, but, It's (I'm) stuck on an electrical issue, and, I did that one first, so, what I thought was 'high-speed / low drag' 12 years ago (meaning my work), now, it looks like well, "You can do better" is running around in my head.

how can you adjust this page to see it all. its so big i can only see the left half

I use Mozilla Firefox, it puts a scroll on the bottom of the page to scroll over to the right. Let me know if that does not work, then I will shrink those pics.

Can't wait to see the end results. My first GTX back in the day was Q5. Rare colour.:grin:

Hey Bernie,

Thanks for sharing, however, pics DO NOT do justice to the Q5 color! When I found some untouched by hands, salt, sun or anything paint areas on this car, I fell in love with it! This was a big part of my insane efforts to 'restore/restify/restomod' this car!

This page is to big and needs cut in half its size.

Keep up the great work Donny. Projects like yours help keep mine in perspective. That's an awesome color on one of my favorite B's of all time! Good Luck and keep us up to speed on your progress.

I fixed some of the pics...tell me if anyone can't scroll to the side to see the remainder of the two remaining large pics...I feel I lose a lot of detail when I shrink them, and, most browsers allow you to scroll sideways, or SHOULD allow you to scroll sideways.

Love the Q5! My '69 Sport Satellite is originally in Q5. Read somewhere that only 7% of all Chrysler were made in that color in '69. Don't remember the source, so my memory is suspect. Here's to success!

Thanks ya'll! I've got my AMD list of new metal to acquire. So, my Media Blasting operations powers my restoration progress, so, any inclined TX folks out there, give me a holler so I can send that order in, things are slow these days. In the mean time, I am carefully and surgically cutting out the front end, and prepping the donor piece for an installation. This is big, and critical to get it 'right'! More pics coming later in weekend.

Can't wait! (Living vicariously through others at the moment)

Today was cut short...my daughter called me up asking me to take her to the Mall! However, I did get the entire front end removed from the GTX, man, it's a scary sight to see nothing there, I mean nothing! I did get the new front clip hoisted in position; now, it's cut/fit and fabricate it to fit on the structure. I'm cutting out the remaining floors in the donor clip, well, not cutting them out, I am cutting 'em out via drilling the spot welds, don't want to hack stuff up! Took some pics, will post them tomorrow.

As promised...floors removed (what was left of them). I did this to see better the underneath structure, and, I have new floors to weld in (of course). I'll get this front clip welded on, and reinforced, then move onto the rear frame assy. Then, when it's a complete frame system with floors, and frame reinforcements I will Media Blast it on my rotisserie.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0920.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0925.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0927.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0944.jpg

Got the white clip mounted up, and tacked in place, took about 30 different measurements on all angles -- glad I have the Satellite to use as an example! Ran into an issue...not surprising, the outer rocker panel on the donor clip is a different shape than the GTX, so, I sliced the old ones off, and sized up the old outer GTX segment.

Further along in the white donor front end clip, got it all welded in, about 75% complete. Had to fashion the rocker panels, as the white ones are wrong for the GTX. I cut out the face, and welded in the good GTX parts, and made some work from the cut-out white clip rockers. Lots of welding today, lots! I'm going in behind perhaps tomorrow, or, Monday and weld in some braces behind the weld seams to strengthen it up. I have not welded the A Pillars together yet, still pondering that little adventure.

Got the A Pillars done! The right one is not 100% straight, it has a little bend in it (first one I did). I think a little hyrdaulic ram action will be in order as it may need to move about 3-5mm. The left one is straight and came out MUCH better than the first one. Again, I forgot my camera and had to use my cell phone...when I ride the Ducati to my shop there ain't no room for an SLR camera! I will take some better quality pics this weekend. Notice the rocker panels; major surgery with the old GTX originals as the donor was/is different.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG00173.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG00174.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG00172.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG00178.jpg

And a lil' treat!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/n699863296_656519_4839.jpg

I admire your enthusiasm! ...........And admiring the treat!

Donny, you and I would get along just fine, nice work.
What do you do for a living?

Thanks Meep, it's just a hobby, that I like to do, at least I feel I am getting somewhere vs. spinning my wheels and getting no where like I've seen other eager and enthusiastic people getting in over their heads. I just don't want to be one that never finished it. Gratefully, I am a good welder, have the tools, space and time to engage in this work.

Wow...ferocious amount of work there.It takes passion to take on something like that.

Hey Dett and Rob, Thanks! Yes, you have to be driven to do this. For me, part of it is taking a mess, making it 'right', perhaps a large part of it is a desire to create, and the artsy fartsy vein is rich in the car creation aspect of this hobby. I am a retired US Army soldier, I did 21 years active duty. I am 44, get a pension, disability pay, and have my own Media Blasting business. Also, I am going to school working on my B.S. in Org Development. What do you do?

I am a carpenter, finish, custom cabinetry, furniture, built-ins. I work in more than just wood, also metal, concrete, acrylic, etc.. Am really enjoying the restoration of my Road Runner, which coincidentally is the same color originaly as your GTX, great color.

That sure is a cool color this Q5, at first, I thought it wasn't, but, finding the unmolested paint under the door pillars, etc. I am a believer in it now! I'm relooking your posts/project 68 RR, I am soon to section in a new rear frame sub assy as soon as I buy the AMD inner rear fenders, and floor section that secures the rear frame rails. I have the trunk pans, this will allow me to get it all mocked up, measured, and welded in. Then, I will make some frame connectors to make it stronger before hoisting on the rotisserie where I will then Media Blast it, install more new metal, and start the long build back up!

Better pics post A pillar surgery.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0954.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0958.jpg

Looks straight considering this is about as major as you can get surgery wise!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0971.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0977.jpg

I can't wait to see how it looks once it's all back together.

Thanks, me too! The next big goal is to finish up the insides of the rockers with reinforcements, then, get the inner rear fenders, under seat pan (by footwell) where the rear frame ties in, tie it all together, make frame connectors, mount it in/on my rotisserie, Media Blast what remains of the old car, then more work!!

Thanks, me too! The next big goal is to finish up the insides of the rockers with reinforcements, then, get the inner rear fenders, under seat pan (by footwell) where the rear frame ties in, tie it all together, make frame connectors, mount it in/on my rotisserie, Media Blast what remains of the old car, then more work!!

I remember when you couldn't get a lot to rebuild a body and sub frame parts. Maybe more Mopars will get saved.Now I plan to go get a 73 Duster to drag home.Thanks for the encouragement by doing your projects.

No kidding, just a few years ago, these cars were junk. They still are junk, but, replacement parts are available now. I say, we all need to search the bone yards, buy up what we can find, and go on a long-term rebuild project to bring these cars back to life, as I am doing. We need a thread/subject about Long Lost Cars/Junkyard Finds or something like that where we can share/post information pertaining to what's out there, what we find etc.

That is true but you would not believe what you have to go through to get a title here in NC. You have to get a insurance company willing to put a bond on it to make sure it's not stolen. Then it has to be in running condition to be inspected by DMV Enforcement before they will give a title and pay a tax on the car of twice the value. Once everything is done and you get a title it will be a salvage title.

I need to move!!!!

Come to TX, you can get a Title pretty easy, prove it's yours with a bill of sale, and you can get one!

Come to TX, you can get a Title pretty easy, prove it's yours with a bill of sale, and you can get one!

I didn't know that.

Yeah, this heap of a car -- the GTX has just a bill of sale for $900.00 back in 2001, and, this, with an inspection (haha) they can give you a title. However, I am in no position to get an inspection!!!

I am impressed with the progress you have made with all 3 projects.

Hey Donny.
Retired E-8 USAF Reserve C-141 Loadmaster here.
I know you have responded to my thread "B-Body stiffening. Follow this likn to the rest of the pics of my carnage. So far I have replaced all but these parts on my 70 GTX
Rear frame rails
Firewall
Roof
Inner rocker panels
Rear floor "footwell" area
The photo bucket link has pics of it all (ignore the few camping/gold panning pics)
I REALLY appreciate your effort having been there myself. I can tell you that all of the AMD parts I have used have been perfect. Minor bending, mostly from shipping , and they all fell right in place. I was amazed seeing as I had this car torn almost complketely apart.
Are you doing a stock like resto or are you using some aftermarket stuff....motor,trans etc?

Here is the link http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll40/DariusCRCKBR/

Hey Darius, thanks for the link, do you update this link often? I am looking at possible the 440 TnT from my 300 in the GTX -- or, go retromod with a 5.7 HEMI w/ tranny as I have sourced them complete with computer(s) for $3000 bucks! But, I am not at the "What engine do I want to install in this GTX" stage yet. Looks like I am doing all the parts you have not replaced yet on yours! My initial goal is to get it strengthened, all sheet metal installed, and lined up, correctly fit. I am leaning towards the 440 option as this would keep it more 'original', however I just don't know...yet.

The Satellite I want to have a daily driver, so, I don't know if the 318 will be the way to go as it's messy; smokey, and all...but, we shall see!

C-141, been on them long distance; Germany to Uganda non stop, not very comfortable, but, after watching the loadmasters rack out on the seats, I figured out how to do it as there was not many soldiers on this flight! The crapper on a 141 is pathetic!

Doing a 1929 Model A this weekend, this will give me $$ to buy some AMD goodies!!!! Floor area where the rear frame ties in, and inner fenders, I have the trunk pans already. I have the rear frame assy complete!

Hey Darius, thanks for the link, do you update this link often? I am looking at possible the 440 TnT from my 300 in the GTX -- or, go retromod with a 5.7 HEMI w/ tranny as I have sourced them complete with computer(s) for $3000 bucks! But, I am not at the "What engine do I want to install in this GTX" stage yet. Looks like I am doing all the parts you have not replaced yet on yours! My initial goal is to get it strengthened, all sheet metal installed, and lined up, correctly fit. I am leaning towards the 440 option as this would keep it more 'original', however I just don't know...yet.

The Satellite I want to have a daily driver, so, I don't know if the 318 will be the way to go as it's messy; smokey, and all...but, we shall see!

C-141, been on them long distance; Germany to Uganda non stop, not very comfortable, but, after watching the loadmasters rack out on the seats, I figured out how to do it as there was not many soldiers on this flight! The crapper on a 141 is pathetic!


I haven't updated the photobucket page in a while, I have just been posting directly to the BBodies thread and I have one going on Moparts also. The moparts page is a pita to post multiple pics on so there are more pics on the bbodies site.

I made it a point to NOT take a dump on the airplane unless it was absolutely unavoidable....in all my years that happened maybe twice. Hangover puking is another discussion altogether!

Agreed! On all fronts!! :)

Small update: I was finishing up the 1929 Model A last night, then did my front right fender for the GTX. I knew the car was hit in the front right sometime in the past by my former observations of the inner fender, and front right frame rail (both were kinked up and obviously repaired...but now it matters not b/c I have a new clip). The fender is a replacement; but, it's from another car, it was painted (I think) B5 blue, or slightly darker when I got under the undercoating off it. What's odd, it I wonder when it was hit? Sometime after the mid 80s I would think, not much later. This makes sense as by mid 80s there was probably no NOS at Chrysler as they just emerged from near bankruptcy, and all that remains were scrap cars in junkyards....when junkyards kept cars for years. This replacement fender is not in too bad of a condition either!

Got new inner rear fenders on order, along with underseat footwell pan (where the frame ties in). When this comes in, I can tie in the car, make it stronger, and have something more substantive to work with as I start the climb up the mountain in re-assembly. Take down is easy, now the fun part starts!!!!

Donny, you're a mad man!!! I was just looking through your pictures and thinking holy crap, that's some major surgery!! Keep up the good work!!

Yeah, I know, it's nuts Meep Meep!! I was going to scrap this car, keep the VIN, GTX unique parts, and whatever is good, rear end, console, 150 mph speedo, etc. But, while I was doing some serious part part part part part time work on that car, and my other cars while in the US Army...it was so bad, I had NO time to do anything to anycar, for like 7 years! From 9-11 to Apr 08 when I retired I was pretty busy with Iraq, etc. So, now, I have time, AMD makes parts, I have the tools, desire, and as I said time, I am the mad-scientist. But, when done, looking at a finished product vs. the before pics will be amazing, I hope to go to a show somewhere and have people oogle over the before pics and what they then see. I don't care about numbers matching, or correctness anymore, I'm more of a Resto-mod mind-set kind of guy after seeing the magic Steve, Brandon, Wayne, and Lorenzo perform on cars are www.paintshop101.com I am a believer in mods. Thanks!

Any new updates?

Yeah, I was debating whether to post 'em as they are small...not too much. Picture in your minds eye the front fenders (outer). You know the inner brace assembly on these fenders that is there? Well, it runs from the top to bottom of the fender near where it meets the door. Well, as this GTX was a rust bucket, and, as such, these inner fender braces were pretty bad. I got some donor braces from www.paintshop101.com cleaned them up, along with the fenders when I was Media Blasting some other items a few weeks ago. On the fenders I had to cut out the bottoms, and re-weld new out panels on, in addition to the inner fender bracing that was bad, and needed to be replaced.

Here's one of the GTX fenders, with the old lower cut off, but held there for the photo, and, another with the new piece held in place, and, the other fender with the other new piece mounted up, ready to weld in place. Then, I re-Media Blasted it, again (didn't need to) but wanted to get uniform profile on the new pieces recently welded in. The pic of the fender with the brace in it, I was spot welding it in last night, the fender is layered in a coat of self-etching primer, I will take some more, and better pics tomorrow (school today).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0554.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0556.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_0561.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG00195.jpg

Jeez, sorry about the size, I re-sized 'em three times, it isn't reducing! Oh well, hey, anyone know what color stripe (Red or White) on the lower black section of the 1969 GTX painted Q5? I think it was white (by the picture above).

Ok, got it finally!

Small progress is good. I can't wait to get a project car. I have a eye on a 73 Duster that needs some TLC and a owner that cares.

Did the reinforcement routine for the metal where the donor clip meets the car in the rocker panel area. Here you see both areas drilled out, and above the metal to line the back and weld thru. Came out pretty good.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1076.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1077.jpg

Can't believe it's been almost 10 yrs since buying this car! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqFml3j7urY

I did all the 7/64 drilling out of roof spot welds, and the boring hole-saw spot weld remover today, got it partially loosened, but, ran out of time...had to head home and do some school work. There are probably like 100-125 spot welds holding that roof on! Pics coming...

Some more of the fenders from the other day...better pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1067.jpg

Looks Great. Now where's that weld.

It's there, the plug hole welds.

Ok, some more pics...started something new; it's called waking up early in the morning, like at 5 am, take care of my school work and breakfast till 8am, then to the shop till 1-2 pm, back home and make dinner, then off to school from 5-7 pm, not bad, and get back to watch some TV! Nice schedule! I am amazed how much I am getting done in the 5 or 6 hours per day on this GTX!

This roof needed to come off, there would be no way I could angle the nozzle when Media Blasting the underside. Considering how some 'Bubbas' in RI beat this car to death (almost) and gave it an inside salt spray when the floor was compromised. Frigging New England roads; too much salt, too many pot holes, and too many tree branches dipping down in the road! I can't believe how Red was a cool color vs. the Q5 color!!!!??? When this is done, this will be the car to go WOW on as this thing is basically nothing...but, I'm on the upswing of re-assembly now! Amazing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1129.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1168.jpg

wow you are truely bringing that thing back from the grave . great love the pictures .

Thanks Mopar Stuart! The only thing in the grave will be my bank account when I start buying the new AMD metal! I see you own a Salvage yard? :grin: I will be snooping around for a 5.7 new HEMI w/ tranny and accessories, and, perhaps a 69 440 motor? You got any? I kick myself for not scoring a 440 when the pickin's were good several years ago down the road from me!!!! the 5.7 would go in the Satellite, the 440 in the GTX.

keep checking craigs list , I see good mile 5.7's on there all the time .

all my 440's are mobile home motors

Thanks, will do! I was just looking at your Clone Superbird thread, lots of familiar territory when you get these cars torn down to this level!

yes same car under all the bolt on pretty nascar stuff . I have several b-body and most have been rust buckets . Midwest salt and all so I know where your at . LOL

this was what the birdible looked like

I could post "This is what I'm going to do today". But, I find I respect myself more when I post "This is what I got done today". It's early, I'm out the door for a few hours today. Got a potential Media Blasting client tomorrow with his Nova, so, this business funds my GTX restoration after the bills are payed. (If only the many e-mailers would follow up and commit)!

I had this guy come in a few months ago, all huffy and puffy like he's an expert. You know the type...Well, he has a '40 Packard and wants to restore it for his son's Senior Prom. I was laughing inside, and I was crying inside when I went to see the car; it's a Rust Bucket! I told him he'd have to completely strip the inside out (seats), all the glass, all the trim, remove the engine and tranny, and I might be able to Media Blast it for around 900 dollars. His jaw hit the floor like "I was hoping to get the whole thing restored for no more than $2500.00". He then asked me if I can paint it for him, I said well I could, but, I won't. I'm a Media Blaster, not a painter. Then, (as he's a retired soldier like I am) I told him it's called 'Mission Creep'. I will not creep into areas I don't need to be in. I told him there is a Body/Paint shop on every corner in San Antonio that would be willing to paint his car. I then said there is NO ONE that does what I do here in town with the exception of some Soda Blaster dude and a sandblaster that operates out of his junkyard. He left, never came back until two months ago, this time he was even more huffy and puffy, like "Let's get started", I said with a desire to be like Jesse James on his Monster Garage "Show me the money, half up front and we can get busy". He left, and has not been seen or heard from since. Let him go lick his wounds, realize he has no tools, no lift, no space to work in but a 2 car garage. He may either buckle down and do this car of his, or, it will sit, and sit...and sit some more while he reads old Hot Rod magazines while taking a dump and dreaming of his Packard. :)

I hope to see him again, if not, oh well.

On page one, a picture got deleted, and the edit function is not working on that post, so, I will insert that picture here, and some other related ones, these are not reflective of the current condition of the car -- as this thread is linear -- and I hope to keep it that way. Forgive this current backtrack, I just want to have as many pics up for everyone to see.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXTearInto006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/300framerail6.jpg

This car took a hit in the front right sometime in it's life. In my teardown/evaluation/survey of this car I discovered the damage was more than I anticipated. The right front frame rail was pulled back into shape by some frame machine, thus the tears in the frame rail, the inner fender was hammered back into shape (not) and bondo was lathered on it to (fix it...not). The outer front right fender is not the same, it's a replacement one, but, it's not a new replacement, it had a dark blue color underneath it as I've said earlier in this post. All what you see here now is gone, replaced with new donor stuff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTXRustTearDown017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/Goofing5.jpg

Got the first of the new AMD metal today! The underseat pan footwell area where the rear frame rails tie into. I have floors and trunk that are bare metal, not drilled holes like AMD stuff is, man, this AMD stuff is really good stuff!

How does it look with the new parts?

Hey Rebel, sadly, I have not had time to mount/weld them in place yet. My dad came down last week for a visit, and I took 2 cars in to Media Blast; 31 Model A, and 64 Chevy II. I won't be back to my GTX till these cars are done, which won't be for at least another week. I'm making a trip on Wed to north TX to get 1500 lbs of Plastic Media (3 different kinds). Plus, I am going to order the inner fenders before I get crazy and weld the floor parts in. However, I will for sure come back to this thread and post up some pics, I need to make some cash first. Thanks for asking, see you soon!!

No problem. Got to make the $$$$ first. Thanks for sharing with us.

Wow, long hard work.
I hope you get cash fast. :)

Yeah, the only expense will be new metal. I'll put it in myself, Media Blast it myself, prime it myself, do the bodywork myself, and spray it in Q5 myself, I won't touch the interior, but, next to my shop is next door to these guys, http://classiccustomupholstery.com/ which does fantastic work and we 'scratch each others backs' so to speak, so, I hope to get a good deal on getting it all done inside.

cant wait to see more pictures :pepsi1::sixpack::sixpack::sixpack::sixpack::sixpa ck::sixpack::sixpack::sixpack::sixpack::sixpack:

Yeah, me too, there are more I have and have not posted them, more of the same frightening sad sight of years of neglect and rust, but, when it's all cut away it's freshening to look at it when it's bare, and sans the rusty pieces; as it is now.

Ok, you twisted my arm, I searched again, got some different angles to share with you, these are about 2 weeks old; car porno! :banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1177.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1175.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1080.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1072.jpg

I will be Media Blasting this entire hulk of a car; what you see here in about a week, prior to putting new metal on it.

Cool. After you blast the car will it have a dull look to the metal?

no, it will be all white, no rust. I'm actually getting excited, should be blasting it earliest this weekend, or next week sometime.

:tongueflap::tongueflap::tongueflap:
get on the stick man LOL

Great project but you ain't foolin' me! I know that treat is not OEM; I can recognize aftermarket a mile away !!!!!

Treat, you mean this treat?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/jana_defi_steps_big.jpg

there is no way that is OEM

The claim is those fenders are OEM!!! :yes::yes: I like OEM stuff!!!! :black_eye:

Oh yeah, more AMD metal came in! YEAH, I'm happy!!!!! :plane:

i click thru this thread and sometimes my jaw just drops. simply amazing.

At the OEM 'treat', or my insanity level? lol

The claim is those fenders are OEM!!! :yes::yes: I like OEM stuff!!!! :black_eye:
I was looking at the head lights

At the OEM 'treat', or my insanity level? lol

both :rolling:

She's got Headlights and Fenders all wrapped up in one package!!!!!

Treat, you mean this treat?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/jana_defi_steps_big.jpg

there is no way that is OEM

Prove it. :rolling:

They're real! http://www.nfljuice.com/2008/05/27/real-or-fake-how-bout-dem-dolphins/

Daredevil; your jaw drops because of_______________________?

Mine did when you posted her.:rolling:

Yeah, she's a definite looker!

Man....I take it her daily workout routine does not involve jumping jacks...:black_eye:

and yes, if I had video..I would sell it!

Ahah! there is a video of this lovely lass! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSb8-p7UH5E

:rolling::rolling::rolling: LMAO! Priceless!!!!

Ahah! there is a video of this lovely lass! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSb8-p7UH5E

Dang and no black eyes from beating herself.

yeah. she could knock herself unconscious

I'll volunteer for that duty!!!

Ok, got a few moments today to work on one of the GTX fenders, installed the new donor inner brace, and bent the new lower patch panel in shape around the brace assy. Welded it in, almost ready, could not find my air saner to smooth out the welds, oh well, maybe I'll find it tomorrow?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1386.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1385.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1399.jpg

Looking Good

master of metal

HAHA, when this thing is done, I surely will deserve to be called that Metal dude in X-Men, the guy with power over metal, can't remember his name! haha, thanks ya'll for the compliments. Most people would just by new AMD fenders, but, I see it all as a challenge that I want to meet.

That would be Magnetohttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6b/Magslee.PNG/250px-Magslee.PNG

HAHA, yes, should have known that one!

Holy Fook! When looking at my updated signature, I'm almost embarrassed to post how many vehicles we have! Jeesh!!!! But, since I was like 14 I've wanted to be where I am now; wow, long hard road aye? (The insurance note each month isn't pretty when I add 'em all up, especially with a 17 yr old driving that Challenger).

wow you let the 17 year old drive the challenger , I dont even let mine drive my cars slow on the drive way:rolling::rolling::rolling::rolling::rolling:

It's more like she lets me drive it at times! I'm such a lucky Dad, we buy it for her, and I get to drive it occasionally, but, I pay the insurance each month; OUCH!!!! The 3.5 w/ 4 speed is really kind of a dog, good brakes, steers good, I'd get the V8 for sure.

It's more like she lets me drive it at times! I'm such a lucky Dad, we buy it for her, and I get to drive it occasionally, but, I pay the insurance each month; OUCH!!!! The 3.5 w/ 4 speed is really kind of a dog, good brakes, steers good, I'd get the V8 for sure.
ok at least you got her the v6 , she has to be popular in that car LOL

OMG, the yearbook staff at her school started a category; "The kid with the most popular car", guess who and who's car is the star? Here's a pic; we decked this SE out; spoiler, black hood tape, T Handle shifter, GPS/NAV system, Chrome door sills and interior trim, chrome RT Gas cap, and we are thinking of new rims/tires for our one child. Don't worry, I want to score at least an RT Challenger when she goes off to college, prefer an SRT-8, but, I don't think I could and would drive it nicely; I would get tons of tickets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar16.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar17.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar18.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar27.jpg

Oh yeah, I have some GTX work to do, but, have not had the time lately! Got the Model A to finish (welding in new panels), 64 Chevy II, and recently took in a 65 Malibu SS. Busy thru Nov!

OMG, the yearbook staff at her school started a category; "The kid with the most popular car", guess who and who's car is the star? Here's a pic; we decked this SE out; spoiler, black hood tape, T Handle shifter, GPS/NAV system, Chrome door sills and interior trim, chrome RT Gas cap, and we are thinking of new rims/tires for our one child. Don't worry, I want to score at least an RT Challenger when she goes off to college, prefer an SRT-8, but, I don't think I could and would drive it nicely; I would get tons of tickets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar16.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar17.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar18.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/KatiesCar27.jpg

Oh yeah, I have some GTX work to do, but, have not had the time lately! Got the Model A to finish (welding in new panels), 64 Chevy II, and recently took in a 65 Malibu SS. Busy thru Nov! thats cool you can adopt me anytime

Amazing progress Donny! It is great to see a Mopar brought back from the brink...

I am two years into a restoration saga myself...

BTW, Stuart keeps trying to adopt himself out... so far no takers... :rolling:

Allen

Amazing progress Donny! It is great to see a Mopar brought back from the brink...

I am two years into a restoration saga myself...

BTW, Stuart keeps trying to adopt himself out... so far no takers... :rolling:

Allen

your still my a number one first choice allen

Thanks, the brink it was! For sure!

Had a hard time getting focused today, was spinning my wheels for a few hours before I got any work done. It was pouring today, and I have some Media Blasting to do for two customers, but, didn't feel like inviting moisture into my world today - these two do not mix! haha, so I got busy on the 4 B body fenders. In the Satellite restoration section, I've posted up some pics of those fenders, they're in far better shape than my GTX ones, but, the GTX ones are just about ready to mount and then take the next step; block/sand. But, the GTX is not ready, so upstairs they will go, out of the way. Here's some pics of today's fun. Bottom line; these baby's are ready to mount up and work 'em.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1446.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1451.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1447.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1450.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1471.jpg

Well, I did a bit on the GTX today. I media blasted the rear frame rails with associated cross members that are from a donor car, and started to blast the inner hood off the car, I have already separated the inner support structure from the hood to just be able to really get at the rust more effectively. However, the Hood is beyond gone. I was opening up the hood like it was swiss cheese just on about 30 psi (where I always blast from) So, that hood is junk. However...my wheel gears got spinning. I have a 68 Satellite hood that is super clean and solid -which I will use for this car. I am thinking I will cut out the hood cut outs that were the air intakes, graft them onto the Satellite hood, make 'em a bit taller and fuller; a bit more pronounced and mean looking. I 'prolly won't visit this task till early Summer though.

Wow, time is and has slipped by a lot. Today, I did a few small items on the GTX (media blasted that is). The tail light metal pieces; the ones that are welded into the qtrs, and lower trunk area that actually holds the tail lamps in place...I find after blasting them and the gutters (qtrs are shot) that they are good, no holes, rust etc! I am actually very surprised. Now, here's the question. I know the VIN is on the radiator support, got that saved and blasted, and will mount onto my donor front clip, but, where are the other VINs located on this car? I have the entire trunk lip/gutter areas; I think it's on that piece(s). Ideas?

Wow, time is and has slipped by a lot. Today, I did a few small items on the GTX (media blasted that is). The tail light metal pieces; the ones that are welded into the qtrs, and lower trunk area that actually holds the tail lamps in place...I find after blasting them and the gutters (qtrs are shot) that they are good, no holes, rust etc! I am actually very surprised. Now, here's the question. I know the VIN is on the radiator support, got that saved and blasted, and will mount onto my donor front clip, but, where are the other VINs located on this car? I have the entire trunk lip/gutter areas; I think it's on that piece(s). Ideas?

on the left rear(driverside ) truck rail under the rubber molding

Awesome project. glad to see someone with the nuts to save the GTX, otherwise, it would have been parted out.

340, this is a labor of love, no way is it worth it to have a shop restore this thing unless I had cash falling out my bung hole. This is mainly a venture to verify I can do it, apply what I did wrong on the 300 and Satellite. Good info Mopar Stuart, thanks, I will look for it.

amazing progress man!!! I'm so glad that there's still some people like you out there, some people would look at that and not even bother with restoring it because it's so far gone but it'd good to see some care!!! Good luck finishing her, can't wait to see it done!

Thanks 69! I appreciate that! I wanted to Media Blast the shell of the car before the year is out, but, looks like I am not going to get to it before 2010 rolls around. However, come January, this act will resume!

ya, things don't always go as planned, owell a good winter project, but i guess in texas it's fairly nice all year round isn't it? regardless good luck on her, it's coming along great!!

Well, currently, I am in NH, getting nothing done but some R&R. When I get back, I have some old nearly worn out Media I have to use up; the GTX is the perfect candidate for my worn out blasting media, plus I have to clear it out and use some new expensive Acylic stuff for a new client I have who refinishes old metal furniture and he wants the rust on it for that authentic look, so gotta blast the old media out of the hopper, manually unloading it is messy, I lose much of it. I will be doing the GTX in Jan when I get back, and will have loads of pictures, you all have seen the before pics, now, the after will be coming.

Donny you really give us something to shoot for. Seeing what you do and how you do it is really teaching me a lot.

Well, currently, I am in NH, getting nothing done but some R&R. When I get back, I have some old nearly worn out Media I have to use up; the GTX is the perfect candidate for my worn out blasting media, plus I have to clear it out and use some new expensive Acylic stuff for a new client I have who refinishes old metal furniture and he wants the rust on it for that authentic look, so gotta blast the old media out of the hopper, manually unloading it is messy, I lose much of it. I will be doing the GTX in Jan when I get back, and will have loads of pictures, you all have seen the before pics, now, the after will be coming.

Hi Donny , I hope you enjoy your time off, How long does Media usually last ? I can wait to see the after pictures of the GTX, ...I hope to get started back on my Hemi Vert. in January as well, .....are you going with Diamond Plate floors in the GTX ? ....just messing with ya ! :rolling: Take care and Merry Christmas,..Billy

Yes, Merry Christmas to you to! I get about 8-12 cycles out of it before it looses its edge per se. haha on the Diamond plate! No more building tanks!!!!

Ok, I'm back at it! I will be Media Blasting the GTX this weekend, along with some areas to touch up on my Satellite, along with a paying customer on his MGB, and some other small parts of other paying customers, so, I have a FULL plate all day Sat and Sunday! I'm going to have to hire someone to help me sweep up!

This is the former rear frame rails from Paintshop101.com recent car called DarkRunner. Here they are, all cleaned up, and in some self etching primer. This assy is going into my GTX. I painted them tonight, decided to move the GTX forward a few inches!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG00025.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG00028.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG00030.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG00032.jpg

wow those look great , the gtx will love them

Simply Beautiful !

The itch bit me again tonight. I had a bit more of the rocker panel to rebuild, did so with 300 rocker panel from a 1970 model car that has much sheet metal that I'm using! I don't think the inner rocker panels are manufactured...yet, so, I was fabricating them up.

What's next:

-Media Blast the car
-Prime in self-etching primer
-Install new rear inner fenders
-Install new footwell floor pans (where the frame rails tie into)
-Measure, re-measure, and again re-measure the dimensions for how the frame rails are supposed to hang in relation to other points on the car
-Hang the frame rails and tack weld them to the pan, the trunk pans and inner rear fenders
-Re-measure it all, take a day off, and come back and re-measure again to ensure I have it hung correctly
-weld it all up

When I get the above done, it's assembly time! Floors, qtrs, doors aligned/hung, basically start to have this car look like a car again!

But, I have a LONG way to go before I can think about engine's or new HEMI, or a 440...got another inch in tonight! :)

Oh yeah, no mentions of what's in the pics besides the frame? Ok, no problemo! On the rotisserie is a 67 MGB, up high in the air is my Satellite, and the hood is a 69 RR hood from Texas Acres that is basically junk, too rusty to do anything with. I started to media blast it, but at 18 psi I was turning it into Swiss cheese! I may take the intake area out, and graft them to a very good and clean 68 Satellite hood and make a custom job out of both hoods...something different, not sure yet...

Keep up the good fight my friend ! Lookin good.
Matt

Today, after searching to find the name/email/tel number to a guy locally that is/was selling a 68 GTX Drivers door, he calls me! YES!!! I went right over, with 50 bucks, and scored me a complete B5 color door with glass and guts, with mirror and remote control apparatus, but, with about 2 inches of mud inside. No holes from rust, in fact it's a pretty solid door, and I need this door as the stock one was too far gone in rust heaven. I tried to fix it with donor 300 door pieces, but, it came out looking like doo-doo, so off to the scrap pile that door went! I kept the 69 top inner structure with the correct 69 unlock knob in the right place; which I will weld in after I get it all cleaned up and stripped. The 2 reflective stripes are really trick looking! I think I'll wash the door and polish it for picture sake and post it here tomorrow evening! Then, inevitably, I will make it bare naked, prepping it for some nice Q5 color, with white inside trim color, can't wait!

Thanks for the encouragement folks!

Oh yeah, tomorrow, I will be Media Blasting a 63 Nova with doors and deck lid, and maybe the few remaining areas of my Satellite I'll get to! But, with paying customers I can't do my stuff until theirs is done!

Here's a pic of the door I scored!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1860.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1864.jpg

Here's a pic of the door I scored!


Hey Donny, that's a good looking door !.......You stole it !........even I could work with that one ! :rolling:

I know, it was a steal for sure! The color is really dandy! I am sure it's B5 blue, man, it's pretty, especially up close, the pictures don't do it justice!

Yeah, It's B5 for sure, .....what happened to the rest of it ? ....did they have anymore parts off of her ?

great find for the price,
nice thing about the 68 locks you and slide in the window dukes style with out any damage to the jewels LOL

Very true about the locks! I didn't thing of that! I asked the guy where the rest of the car is, he said he sold it years ago for parts/scrap, he said they used to buy and sell the B Body's all the time, as there was so many of them around then.

50 Bucks.. Wow, good work.

Not this door, but, the door I got from Texas Acres with the front clip, I media blasted it, it's super solid, NO rust, today, I put it in some good self etching primer while it hung from my home-made paint rack, pics tomorrow! This is as far and all I've done on the GTX since returning from NH at X-mas time!

As promised, here's some car parts porn! Here's the door I scored at TX Acres, not the blue 68 GTX door (that will come up later). Also, here's the floors and trunk pans. I bought these things back in 2000 or 2001 off ebay before AMD came around, these are bare metal stampings, no drain holes like the AMD stuff has. Why I never painted these I don't know; call me a noodnick! But, they are in primer now, the surface rust on that one pan of course, I sanded down prior to paint. Again, I'll install them once I get around to Media Blasting the car...one of these days I will!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1896.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1898.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1902.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1904.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1908.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1907.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1910.jpg

nice stuff brother keep up the good work

One thing about you Donny you keep plugging along at it. Keep up the progress. Matt

Thanks! I wonder if I am insane!!!???

Thanks! I wonder if I am insane!!!???

:rolling:All Mopar Guys are a little bit KrAzY,......don't worry you'll be fine,......just listen to the little voices in your head,.....they will tell you what to do next.:rolling:

So true!

you are crazy but i love the fact you are saving these great mopars .

Thanks, working it, small steps here and there, accompanied with some big leaps here and there!

What to do? Question: Here's the original piece from my 69 GTX to put into/on my 68 GTX door that is a donor door for the 69 GTX. I want to align the lock knob to 69 specs. I could weld this entire piece into the 68 door, but that's a lot of welding when I could just drill a hole and weld the 68 hole up? Not sure which way I will move on this one...ideas?

Here's the 69 original piece, after being Media Blasted sitting next to a 70 Challenger fender which belongs to the entire car...which is coming in to my shop next week!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1875.jpg

drill it and weld the 68 hole. so much simpler K.I.S.S.

No kidding, I re-thought this, and said 'F' it, I'm drilling!! And tossing the junk! KISS is a great acronym, I love it, and use it often, also, in the Army we used to say BLUF; Bottom Line Up Front.

Donny,
Keep the detailed picture coming I think they will assist me greatly in my upcoming build, however I don't think i am going to have to go thru the extremes that you are.

Donny,
Keep the detailed picture coming I think they will assist me greatly in my upcoming build, however I don't think i am going to have to go thru the extremes that you are.:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:: yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

Yeah, but as far into this car as I am, it's a ton of fun! Now, I need to hire someone to make sense of the maze of wires in the 300, to get that baby running!

I have alot of projects waiting to be built, I try to take them one at a time just to maintain my sanity.

My plate is full my friend, almost too full! I need a bigger bldg, and more hours in the day!

Measure, Remeasure, Drill & Weld.

Good work, keep it on...

In the next 2-3 weeks I'm finally going to have enough new AMD metal to do some serious assembly work on the GTX! I've got the floor pans as you see here in this post, newly reconditioned rear frame rails, I have the inner rear fenders, got on order the outer rear fenders, trunk floor drop off/extensions and underseat floor pan piece. With all these, I can assemble the structure.

Tomorrow, I will be Media Blasting the GTX, or, what remains of it! I have a few small jobs to do before I tackle my former Rust Bucket GTX! I should score just under 6 Ben Franklins for a few hours of work on a Bultaco m/c gas tank w/ its 2 fenders, Mustang hood, and its 2 fenders, then, the GTX will be subject to my delicate blasting -- getting the bare shell down to bare metal sans the rust is my goal! Self-etching primer will follow later in the week!

For sure I will take pics of the post blast GTX, and have them here maybe tomorrow evening?

What ? ,...............No Diamond Plate Floor pans !



Just messing with you Donny:tongueflap:

What ? ,...............No Diamond Plate Floor pans !



Just messing with you Donny:tongueflap:

There is an option for Galen to decode................
Matt

In the next 2-3 weeks I'm finally going to have enough new AMD metal to do some serious assembly work on the GTX! I've got the floor pans as you see here in this post, newly reconditioned rear frame rails, I have the inner rear fenders, got on order the outer rear fenders, trunk floor drop off/extensions and underseat floor pan piece. With all these, I can assemble the structure.

Tomorrow, I will be Media Blasting the GTX, or, what remains of it! I have a few small jobs to do before I tackle my former Rust Bucket GTX! I should score just under 6 Ben Franklins for a few hours of work on a Bultaco m/c gas tank w/ its 2 fenders, Mustang hood, and its 2 fenders, then, the GTX will be subject to my delicate blasting -- getting the bare shell down to bare metal sans the rust is my goal! Self-etching primer will follow later in the week!

For sure I will take pics of the post blast GTX, and have them here maybe tomorrow evening?

great news

Ironic, just as I get going on the GTX, a repeat customer comes over with some of his old metal furniture he scores at yard sales etc. So, money talks! I did get part of the firewall, under the cowel, and right front inner fender area and the front right rocker panel areas done. It looks like new; a lot of it is galvanized! Pics will come when I'm done with this car.

Next week I have a 70 Challenger coming in, when it's on my Rotisserie I will do the GTX at the same time. FYI, the Challenger is Sublime color, no rust, but it was a repaint...I love those repaints, and no rust! The stuff just blows off like dust!

:th_krazy: :th_krazy:New AMD metal arrived, wow, this stuff is very good. The floor has the bolt holes for belts, and the hanger assy for the underside, good stuff. AMD has the outer wheelhouses on back order. :th_krazy::th_krazy:

Congrats Donny, I'm learning thru you!

Well thank you sir, I will try to not make any mistakes! lol

Dont call me Sir! I was a Sergeant, I WORKED for a living TOO! HaHa!

I was just being polite, I could have said worse...haha. Ok Sergeant, you just do a few years, or retire?

National Guard. Sorry, bring it on! Haha! Did 11 years. Signed up for the Guard. I loved basic and was going to go active as soon as I got home to "Ft. Livingroom", but got offered an apprenticeship as an electrician. Found out I loved that too. Shoulda gone active, I'd be retired now. But I still really like being a sparky! I love what I do.

any picture ??

Here's all I have so far, actually, this is a complete floor, sans the outer wheelhouses which are on back order as I said the other day. The black stuff is AMD.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1965.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1971.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1970.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1968.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/IMG_1966.jpg

Hey Donny, How does the fit on the AMD floors look so far ?

Sweet... Parts look good.

Well, as you can see, this stuff has yet to be installed. Remember, the rear frame rails are not even in/on the car. From what eveyone says, the AMD stuff is a sure fit. I was impressed AMD had all the brackets etc except the seat hold down ring collar thingy's.

nice stuff your cars are going to be awesome

Thanks man, I sure hope so! When I look back, I've come along way baby! But, I have a LONG way to go too!

Wow, excellent work!!!

I did some closer looking at the junk fender tag for my GTX today, looked at some before and after pics of it before and after Blasting. I've always been wondering what color the stripe was, this was a sold car, and the tag reflects this (can't recall the code off the top of my head), and the V6* code was not legible to me until I looked really close, it is V6W, so, now I know what the color stripe was, and will be again. White. I think white will look awesome with the Q5 color, some white interior. Found a 440 w tranny today for 750.00, not sure, it's like a 1975 motor w/ 100 amp alt, likely a former police car engine.

Thanks Chris-Turbo, lots more to go!

As we used to say in the Army; OBE. Overcome By Events. This is me and my GTX. Read my latest thread in the Satellite thread of mine to see the nitty-gritty details. My goal is to media blast what is left of the car, then assemble the new metal to it, then, I will pause to get to my goal on the Satellite (again, read that thread). When that is done, I will resume GTX with new qtrs which will sure begin to look like a real car, realistically, I think this is late Summer event, even into the early Fall for me to see qtrs on this car. But, I think this qtr hanging party may come sooner as Brandon at Paintshop101 needs me to blast his and his Dad's Chargers, some of this will be bartered; perhaps up to the value of the metal, and hanging them, and some flaring he does so well on qtrs! We'll see how it all pans out!

But, the 69 Super Bee, called 'Viper Bee' over there at www.paintshop101.com is sick, absolutely sick! The new qtrs have been widened, tubbed inner fenders, 09 Challenger tail light panel, amazing work over there going on!!!

Donny,Am going to have my 68 charger ready soon to put on a rotiserrie and blast.What are the benefits of media blasting compared to using sand.We can not use silica sand without big expense for updating to new codes,cause I work in a residential area,so am using something called copper slag.It cleans good but sure leaves the surface rough.I used to buy a 1700 lb mini bulk of silica for 175.00.This copper slag now costs 700.00 for the same size of bag.There is nobody that media blasts close to where I am,but I have what I need to blast it myself,so was wondering if it is worth finding somebody somewhere that would do it.I see you use alot less pressure so does that mean less warpage?What kind of media are you using.Thanks,Bernie.Buy the way, that GTX you are doing is some seriously crazy work,congratulations on the progress.

Hey Bernie. I have never used Copper Slag, however it is sold and used down here, but I've never done it. 700 bucks for the material? Wow, sounds like you are getting hosed. Can't it be recycled? The big thing you have to consider -- and it looks like you have, is securing the services of a local Media Blaster; which is seems like you don't have one there near you. So, you have to do it yourself. You didn't indicate what size compressor you have, but, anything that is 'perfect' for the job would be way too expensive to buy for one time use, so, likely you will have to use a more standard compressor. The key (forget air pressure for a bit) is air volume, which is measured in CFMs. Get the biggest compressor -- and you may want to rent one, and, perhaps a local equipment renter has a blast pot also to rent. Also, Soda Blasting is more mobile and perhaps there is one of these guys up there to assist you? However, the soda won't punch out/down the rust and or Bondo too well; you'll have to grind/sand it later. One thing you also may want to consider as a blasting media is Walnut Shells, it's cheap, and it cuts good, but it's really dusty. Too bad you were not closer! Good luck! Thanks for the kind words about my GTX! I appreciate it!

Donny,ya I've got enough air.I've got a shop compressor for air for the shop,then when we blast I have two more I turn on just for that.It's funny how after occupational health and safety came around that all the alternatives to silica doubled.The only option to keep using silica was to put up a building just for blasting.I don't do enough of it to make that pay. Just another one I'll do myself,I just liked the way your media blasting with the oxide seemed to give a real nice looking job.Thanks.

Actually, I use very little Alum Oxide, just enough to give the surface a little etch, and enough to make me go faster, and if I hold it down on an area for say 5 - 10 seconds rust goes bye-bye.

Holy Crap... just checked this out... wow Dr. Frankenstien, you do good work.

Well thank you sir! I appreciate your kind words!

Remember the $50.00 68 GTX door I scored a few months back? Well, I finally got around to gutting it, and I could not for the life of me remember how to get the qtr vent window frame out? And, I broke the frigging glass, it was toast anyways! Well, that little tiny weeny hole next to the remote control mirror knob has a 3/16 hex screw in it, and it was rusted shut. I had to drill it out, and viola; the who assy came right out! I scraped off the 68 white reflective stripes (I was sad too in doing this b/c there may be a person out there needing a 68 B5 GTX door?) Man, that B5 blue looks good under the stripe; unmolested original paint some 43 years after it was applied! I think this is a kick ass color, but, Q5 is my goal; that's a cool color too!

The door is in my blast bay waiting for that time when I have time to do it! Speaking of blasting, I gotta get my arse over there now; finish the Mustang and some sweet Aluminum wheels that are going to the Powder Coater!

Here's that door! I managed to Media Blast it today, it opened up a few rust holes in the bottom as I expected, it'll fix though. As I said, I did this door today, I also did the cowl cover too. I also did (paying job) 2 Fenders, 2 Doors, Hood, Deck lid, Header panel, and Front Valance for a 70 Barracuda, and then blasted the replacement floor section for my Satellite!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2265.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2259.jpg

And the Barracuda parts, well, some of them!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2262.jpg

The other day, I Media Blasted a bit of my GTX, specifically the right front inner (outer) fender areas after I completed doing the Barracuda parts. Here's some pics, it's still not done, but, it's progress - albeit slowly!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2272.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2270.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2271.jpg

I was looking for, and found at least one pic of me pulling the rear end (literally) out of the car, and it disassembled, and Media Blasted, and painted in primer, but, I can only find the yanking pic! Notice I'm not kidding when I say pulling it out, thru what was the trunk floor!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/rearout1.jpg

Here's the car, outside in all her glory as a shell, just waiting for her turn in the Media Blast room, then next door to new metal heaven!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_1358.jpg

Jesus Donny!!!.

new metal is right ,poster child for AMD


leave the roof off let the wind blow in your hair

that would be cool; no roof!

It's happening, it's actually coming back folks!

and you see people complain all the time that a car has too much rust to fix, this just proves that it can be done. Not sure I would do it with a 74 Dart slant six 4 door, but it can be done. Good job on the documentary. LOL

Yup. Exactly why people think I should let Agent J go for peanuts.
Ain't
gonna
happen

My lord man you have a project in that one.

Donny you are my Hero! I have loved this thread since Day ONE. Just shows you what hard work can do. I just wish it was my 69 GtX getting worked on. But that is going to be a while. Try to sell my house and remodel and older home now. keep up those pictures and Godd luck also now that I am with you for moral support as I will need plenty of that when i get my GTX started. Matt

Thanks Matt! I appreciate it, and once you get rolling on it, it's easy to keep that ball rolling. But, when you stop as I have over the years, it can take months and years to resume!

Oh yeah, I do have an update to the GTX to post. Yesterday, I had a small job for my antique furniture guy to do; two old ass metal desks that had contact paper stuck to 'em and rust...jeesh! Well, that contact paper was no challenge to rip off, he was worried it would not come off, I said "Never fear, Smith is here!" haha, no, didn't say that!

Well, as I said, it was a small job, so, I finished most of the front clip for the GTX, that old white paint blew right off, I watched the VIN appear like it was brand new as I passed over the radiator support. AMD called me, telling me the outer wheelhouses arrived, and will be shipping end of week! YEAH!!!

I then went to the Satellite...(check out that thread)

I saw some good information about Cowels in another thread, and knew I had some pics somewhere of my own cowel, and the ugliness that lay underneath. These are old, remember, I tossed the entire front section, but at this time I was still working the original pieces. I have this cowel now, still, it's in good shape, repaired of rust and ready to mount to a needy car; I'll take any offers for it, as I don't need it anymore, it'll need a small corner of new metal to make it 'complete'.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/GTXTearInto085.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/GTXTearInto079.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/GTXTearInto078.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/GTXTearInto077.jpg

And, remember how I literally yanked the rear end out of the car, well, here it is all cleaned up and in primer.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/GTXTearInto080.jpg

I'm talking about the cowel cover, not the cowel itself, sorry for any possible confusion, I will get some pics soon of the reconditioned piece and put it out there for sale.

holy crap, not much left of that sucker. Good luck on finishing it, can't wait to see it done

Thanks 69, me too! :)

This restoration is the best thing on the internet! Always looking forward to updates. Your an inspiration to us all.Keep up the good work and remember to have fun with it.

This restoration is the best thing on the internet! Always looking forward to updates. Your an inspiration to us all.Keep up the good work and remember to have fun with it.

Wow, many thanks!! I just think that many people/places/business' don't do their work justice in terms of displaying their work in pictures, with one exception; Muscle Car Restorations!

Hah! Wow! that thing is almost gone, hope the AMD sheetmetal works out for you well! It should, cause it worked for me and I will swear to the stuff!

I was cruising around Craig's List, found a guy selling new surplus USAF tools, and he has a boat load of good high quality drill bits. So, went over with my drill bit size gauge thingymedo to get some 7/64 bits as a pack of 10 is like 14 bucks at LOWE'S. Well, I scored 10 lbs of drill bits, likely 200-300 drill bits of all sizes, especially the small sizes. Let me tell you , 60 bucks for 10 lbs of good stuff is a good deal! No more Harbor Freight garbage, or SEARS' overpriced stuff, and they drill really really good!

The outer wheelhouses came in today, apparently AMD ran out of them! Now, time to build a better 'rack' in accordance with the specs I have on that car; measurements of frame rail off the ground, angle, etc. And, then, screw it all together, re-measure it, reset it as needed, tack it all together, remeasure it, then, put down the permanent welds.

Once I get this done, then it's onto the qtr panels' installation.

Go Donny Go!!
BTW, what do you meen, splitsville?.

Divorce bubba.

Divorce bubba.

Sorry to here that, brother. Been there before and there is nothing fun about it.:sad:

Getting ready to screw the entire thing together; new wheelhouses, frame rails, pans, etc. Was thinking since it's all apart, I wonder if I should 'tub' the wheelhouses about 2 inches, bring 'em closer to the frame rails? My thinking is this is a killer mod, not too many do it, well, not too many that have an intact car do it...the ones that are all apart--that's a different story. So, my question is, the stock wheelhouse allows a pretty fat tire as is, how much more can be gleaned with 2" of more wheelhouse? And, even if I don't go insane fat out back, having the extra room is good for clearance? What about leaf spring room, I certainly don't want to interfere with them! I have limited $$ and can't afford the special rear end 4 link thingy, I'd love to, but...$$

You can move the springs into the frame rails for next to nothing. Move the wheel housing into the frame and gain 3". No need for a 4 link.

Humm, you are right, it is 3", need to get smarter on the moving leaf springs, seen pics of that being done before/during/after, but, I've never done it myself.

On a slightly related but different note; tomorrow, I'm media blasting some fragile trim, Mercedes wheels, and a plastic headlight bezel for an Infiniti G35 as a test; the customer wants to paint it the color of his car, so, all day I was cleaning my blast bay; cleaning up/out the Plastic mix that has some crushed glass in it to 'etch' the metal, can't do that to this stuff! I'm going to be running some Acrylic thru on these items.

As I said, I cleaned my entire bay out of the existing blasting media. I filled 3x 55 gallon drums and ran the rest up into the hopper thinking it would be just a little bit; nope, it filled it up! So, what to do! It's too expensive to throw it away, so, in comes the GTX for a Sunday morning Media Blast session! I'll just sweep it all up in a pile, then introduce the special blast media when the pot is empty. I'll get about one hour of blasting time, I should get about 1/2 of it to 3/4 of it done, perhaps more!

Can't wait for pics after its blasted.

As promised, here's some more recent pics of the GTX, I started on the underside of the roof, the webbing structure, but, the plastic blasting media I use wasn't stout enough to tear into that rust, so, I'll be adding some PowerBlast into it, that will tear the rust down in seconds! Problem is, that stuff never erodes, it's heavy, and it stays around forever!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2426.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2425.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2427.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/lordenki/GTX/IMG_2428.jpg

Oh yeah, it's not done at all, I work it in here and there between jobs that PAY! Once I'm done blasting what's left of this car, into self etch primer it goes, then, onto a (yet to be built) rack that is measures IAW factory dimensions for frame geometry/measurements, etc, before I install the rear frame section, then wheelhouses, then pans, then I'll have a near ready to roll chassis sans the qtrs, oh yeah, got to put the roof back on too!

man,donny i can,t believe how far you've got on that in just the short time i've been a member.i'm going to save this thread and all the other(newer) ones you put up for when i get ready to start doing my runner.When i grow up donny, i want to be just like you.:yes::yes:

Thanks roadrunnerman, you may be older than I am!! lol. This GTX is by no means going fast, I wish it was faster, I learn so much each step I take on this quest called OCD for the Mopar infected insane Texans!

donny,i,ve owned my RR for over 20 yrs(vitamin c,black vinyl top,hood stripes). it has only been on the street driven twice b4 i parked it.did a quick paint on it when i went to trade school(body and paint(go figure) repair) trust me when i say this,i have learned more from viewing your threads than i did in school.you are not only just showing us your progress you are showing us fortitude on what we should/need to do with our projects if we have the time and funds(when available) to our own.keep up the good work.:grin::grin:

This is better than watching one of them thar TV shows,:laughing: and no commercials!
I am in envy Donny:yes:

Thanks roadrunnerman and khryslerkid, most people/shops/teachers would have crushed this GTX and sold it as scrap, I almost did myself a few years ago, but, AMD started making more and more panels for this car, and I said (more like challenged myself) that I could indeed 'do it'. So, I jumped in, over my head, but came up for air, and started to make some dents here and there in it. I guess I knew I was committed when after all the rusty and non repairable metal left me with what you see here. However, I have most all the new metal upstairs in my shop sans the qtrs. It will look like a car pretty fast once I start putting it together.

there's no stopping you now!!!!!!!!!:yes::yes::yes:

Well, with all well-laid plans and intentions, getting to 'my stuff' after taking care of customers stuff seems to NEVER happen. I will just take a day to do ONLY my stuff, ONLY. Perhaps this weekend?

i know what you mean.you wake up to plan what you want to do then everybody shows up to see if you can help them and before you know it,it's time for bed.:yes::yes:

I don't turn away paying customers, that's for sure!

gotta pay the bills and finance the project.

No kidding, hitting a dry hole past couple weeks, gotta get some cash flow again!

Donny, thank you for continuing to inspire us with your posts on your projects! Your can do attitude helps to keep others motivated and keep a positive perspective on the restoration process.My 69 has been under the knife so to speak for 2 and 1/2 years now. I am now close to primer and paint and hope to finally put back togeather and drive her for the first time ever this summer if all gos according to plan. You do great work, thanks for your contributions to the site! Regards CD

I agree although my car was up for sale for a week,Its threads like this one that make me feel like anything is possible,I cant wait to get my 69 satellite back on her feet,Matt and Propwash's threads are awesome to all of you are a real good group of guys!!

I agree although my car was up for sale for a week,Its threads like this one that make me feel like anything is possible,I cant wait to get my 69 satellite back on her feet,Matt and Propwash's threads are awesome to all of you are a real good group of guys!!

ditto's here.i was sitting idle with my RR but since i got on this site,all you guys have fired me up again to get my butt going.A big thanks to everybody out there.

well thanks again ya'll, I too glean lots of motivation from you all for myself, so we feed off each others' motivations and projects, this is my thinking at least! I put the new leaf spring mounts next to the frame, they fell in love with each other, a match made in Taiwan for sure; new AMD stuff and old reconditioned Detroit steel. I'll be doing stuff to the GTX this weekend, for sure will be Media Blasting it tonight a bit more. It all adds up, little here, and there.

donny,did you media blast everything or did you use wire brush.the reason i ask is i don't have a blaster yet but was wondering if i could start on some things with a wire wheel and a high speed air tool.

I'm going to Media Blast everything, wire wheel/brush takes too long. If that's all you got, then have at it!

for now that is all i have.started trying to get all the tools i need a little late and yet try and work with the tools that i already have. i'm like the proverbial turtle,i'm a little slow but i get the job done.keep those pics coming.

I shall!

I set a goal for myself to get what's left of this car completely Media Blasted this weekend, which is a LONG weekend for me; I finish up my class stuff tonight for this week, then revisit it Sunday. Then, back at it on Tuesday but only for a quiz; conducted on-line. I have time this weekend, no paying jobs -- even if some came in, this is me time this weekend, and GTX time.

My goal is to blast what's left, get it in self-etch primer, and of course come back and report what I got done in pictures and a few words. Stay tuned...

Looking forward to it. Good luck on your weekend Mission!

can't wait to see pics. Are you taking classes on-line donny? My wife is doing her masters online for businees admin.when she gets her 6-figure income then i'm going to retire from driving and work FULL-time on my cars.Keep the good work going.

Wouldn't you know it...my wife came up with some great ideas; yardwork over the weekend! Oh well, I still think I can squeeze some time on the GTX; get it done!

just tell her you have to get a rake or something out of the garage.:rolling::rolling:

Yardwork?!!!! Baby its Memorial Day! War movies on TCM and the History channel All weekend! we served, wives suffer!

Oh yeah, I've been watching them on TCM, good stuff! Her family is coming in from out of state for Katie's graduation from HS, you know, the kid with a new Challenger SE? :) And, of course, everything has to be spick and span top-notch clean and orderly, this phase drives me nuts when she's in her cleaning kick; it's always a last minute thing. Good thing my shop is just 8 miles away, that's always a good escape pod for me! :)

my garage is just out my back door.when i took a week off for our anniversary my wife said i could work on my cars and trucks that whole time.Boy!did i get alot of bodywork done on my '84 ramcharger 4x4(the beast).We did go out for a nice dinner.

I know...gotta set it up so she at least perceives I'm doing stuff around here! haha, then I can go play at my shop!

And...I better get cracking on this GTX, I have a Dart and a Challenger coming in two weeks from now; complete cars, both rotisserie blasted.

don't know how you do it donny,but keep up the good work. we're all here pulling for you and backing you up 100%.

Dammmmmmmmmmmm Man very very great work, keep it on...

Your an great inspiration to me

I am still waiting for next Pic !



My 1965 Barracuda Resto from Germany

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=82921

Thanks all, my best laid plans are getting washed to sea over this weekend, the Honey-Do List just is endless...I'll get the GTX done, this week! Promise, I need to post some new pics of it all cleaned up.

it's amazing how that list never gets shorter and you can't remove to some far away island because it will just follow you home if it doesn't beat you there first.:rolling::rolling::rolling:Get the pics when you can donny,we will wait.But not if you have to finish the Honey-do-list first.:rolling::rolling:

A very impressive work you do Donny, I better not look do deep in my car, if it is in the same condition as yours was I will never be able to put it back together again. Keep up the good work and thanks for the pictures of the blasted areas of the framerails, now I know how it looks under the dirt and rust!

Well, here's another weekend, will I get anything done? I sure hope so -- NOT! It's my daughters HS graduation on Sunday, and with family coming in, I won't even think about it!!

On a sort of related note, I scored a hell of a deal on a Blast Cabinet, it came from Bell Helicopters in Dallas, needs a little TLC, but, for what I payed for it, I stole it! That will be perfect for deck lids, wheels, and smaller stuff to blast away on all day long, no need to suit up, I can sit on my butt and listen to anything on the Sirius Radio! :)

Thanks RRMan, and Swede, it's coming, just got that Honey-do list done, now it's HS Grad time, stay tuned...