5 days, lots of hours, and voila! a White Roadrunner!

Spring break was no break I tell ya. I decided to bite the bullet and get my RR painted. Little did I know that my project would turn into a rust hunting and destroy adventure.

Now, those that know me realize that I have never done body work on any car EVER, and to be honest, I never wanted to learn either. But, I bit the bullet and commenced to start the trial by fire (literally and figuratively).

First, in order to replace rusty panels you need to know how to shape sheetmetal and weld, of which I knew nothing of either. Luckily, I have a buddy who does and he taught me enough to make me dangerous so that I may learn the hard way (i.e. make mistakes and fix them) Thanks Russ! (moparguy01). I did alot of the sanding, filling, sheetmetal fab, and welding. *disclaimer, I HAVE NEVER WELDED BEFORE IN MY LIFE* I learned the hard way on how to do this. Granted, it would have been easier if I had a welder with gas, but I did not. So it was flux core for me and a crap load of patience and contorted angles. My ability to weld progressed immensely from each panel to the next and the last one I was actually proud of.

Oh well, this car has not seen its original color (spinnaker white btw) since 1978 so I am happy with it. So, without further adieu, the pictures of what she looked like to what she now looks like. Hope you enjoy it.

Jamey

What she looked like when I first got her:

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/HPIM0405.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/HPIM0407.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/HPIM0417.jpg

4 years ago got the trunk and engine bay painted:

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/roadrunner5-28-06001.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/roadrunner5-28-06005.jpg

AND FINALLY.. AFTER 6 YEARS, SHE IS PAINTED!

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0271.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0272.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0273.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0274.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0275.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0276.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0277.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0278.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0279.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0280.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0281.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0282.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0283.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0284.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0285.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0286.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0287.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0288.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0289.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0290.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0291.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0292.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0293.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0294.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0295.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0297.jpg

prior owners makeshift patch panel.. yes that is pieces of sheetmetal riveted and sealed together

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0298.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0299.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0300.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0301.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0302.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0303.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0304.jpg

and some more:

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0305.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0306.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0307.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0308.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0310.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0311.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0312.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0313.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0314.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0315.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0316.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0317.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0318.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0319.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0320.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0321.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0322.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0323.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0324.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0325.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0326.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0327.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0328.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0329.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0330.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0331.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0332.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0333.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0334.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0335.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0339.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0340.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0341.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0342.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0343.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0344.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0345.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0346.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0347.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0349.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0359.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0362.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0363.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0364.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0365.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0370.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0371.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0372.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0373.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0374.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0375.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0376.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0377.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0378.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0379.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0380.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0381.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0382.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0383.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0384.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0385.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0386.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0387.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0388.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0389.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0390.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0391.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0392.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0393.jpg

Nice job. Keep the pics. coming.

Looks good,but man lotsa work for 5 days.

so your finally stepping up in the world and will behind the wheel of a plymouth
and it must be ready for the cruise:grin::grin::grin::grin::grin::grin::tonguef lap:

oh yeah, that has been my plan this whole time!! I love me RR.. almost more than my charger to be honest!

oh yeah, that has been my plan this whole time!! I love me RR.. almost more than my charger to be honest!

once you get behind the wheel you will love the plymouth more l

oh and i dont see you in any of the pictures so i think russ did all the work:tongueflap::tongueflap::tongueflap: :tongueflap:

Nothing like a little elbow grease

once you get behind the wheel you will love the plymouth more l

oh and i dont see you in any of the pictures so i think russ did all the work:tongueflap::tongueflap::tongueflap: :tongueflap:

lol, no way, I just didnt trust him with my camera :grin:

sweet

Man, that's a lot of work in 5 days. Looks GooD.

Looks good, bet you couldve done it in four days if you put down the camera..lol J/K

Looks good, bet you couldve done it in four days if you put down the camera..lol J/K

well... probably true.. but you know.. i could have got it done in 3 if I had a steady supply of Mountain Dew too boot!

lol.. I hear ya man.

Dam dude, That is a bunch to get done in 5 days. Did you sleep or plug the mountain Dew in your arm. Lookin good though. Nice job. Keep the pictures coming as you go.

Nice job, you're almost inspiring me to try and tackle my own rust issues.
Did you say that was regular Mt. Dew or was it the Throwback with real sugar?

Impressive!

Lookin nice as hell,what kind of rims do u have on that beast they are kinda what I was lookin at for my satellite,also what is your rear end and gear ratio? she looks sweet though your an animal!

Dam dude, That is a bunch to get done in 5 days. Did you sleep or plug the mountain Dew in your arm. Lookin good though. Nice job. Keep the pictures coming as you go.

we slept.. little. the last night was 4 hours of sleep for me though on a cold concrete floor.

Nice job, you're almost inspiring me to try and tackle my own rust issues.
Did you say that was regular Mt. Dew or was it the Throwback with real sugar?

wish it was throwback, but nope.. regular mountain dew :sad:

Impressive!

thank you so much!

Lookin nice as hell,what kind of rims do u have on that beast they are kinda what I was lookin at for my satellite,also what is your rear end and gear ratio? she looks sweet though your an animal!

those are my fake centerlines w/slicks on the back, i will remove them and either put my set of mirada rims or the original rallye rims back on.. havent decided yet. the rear gear is a 3.91 suregrip, 742 case.

welp.. here are some pics of me putting the ol girl back together... the front bumper has not been on this car since the 70s from what I understand and boy, it showed it. talk about a pain in the butt!!! all the moving around the car did, i had to "come-along" the bumper brackets to get the bumper to line up.. the driver's side is still too low, so i will get that bent upwards later on.

did windshield trim, grille, headlight trim, bumpers, and sidemarker lenses.. also, did the wiper assembly (arms, etc.) i have the rear bumper on too.. but it was getting late and I was getting hungry, so I didnt finish tightening down all the bumper bolts.

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0457.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0456.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0455.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0454.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0453.jpg

Congrats bud, great job! i'm doing the roof on my 74 RR now. One question though, I noticed the rust below the roof seam and it looked like the P.O. used bondo on the joint, hence the rust. How did you re-fill the roof to quarter joint?

used fiberglass then filler

update... got the spoiler wing on, got the new oil pan on, got the k member cleaned up, got the new headlight bezels on.

kinda messed up on the spoiler wing though.. tightened the four bolts down a little too tight and bowed in my decklid at the pedestal mounts a little bit. sux for me, but to hell with trying to fix it. its just going to have to stay that way.

why they bowed you may ask? my decklid was not made for a wing.. no cutouts on the bottom. I "should" have used my step bit and made cutouts and then mount the nuts/washers to the pedestal mounts right below on the top metal of the decklid.. BUT... I didnt... so I will chalk that up as a learning experience. looks pretty dang good though.

front spoilers look to be a pain though. I actually have to flatten out part of the plastic spoiler so that it will fit the curvature of my fender. My passenger side valance is pretty "not" straight, so I will have to fix that before I even think about mounting anything up front. I will save that for a later date. it is late and I am tired, so I will put up pics later.

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0505.jpg

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0503.jpg

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0506.jpg

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0504.jpg

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/mopar/roadrunner/100_0508.jpg

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=68077.0;attach=135 354;image

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=68077.0;attach=135 355;image

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=68077.0;attach=135 356;image

Hey she looks pretty damn good!!!!I found some ugly body work on my gtx too...Old school lead filler and brazing..We got it easy nowadays with plazma cutters and wire feed welders!!!
Petty Blue 67 GTX

thanks, its taking me a lot longer to put her together than i expected.. but i guess its worth the wait lol.

still lots to do.. i have to weld me together a exhaust system, put the roof and side stripe on, put on the front spoilers, and just tidying up all the loose ends. hopefully, i can have it done in 2-3 weeks.

Great job once again! Two pieces of advice for you. First, from your first photos, put some foam "pipe wrap" around your floor jack handle before you have to learn "dent-pulling" too! Second, you may be able to shrink the metal around the pedestals by using the dry-ice method. Look it up on you tube!

good points... i was going to take the wing off, use my step bit to enlarge the bottom decklid holes and then see if i can use a lil body english to push (ever so gently) the pedestal mount areas back up to where they need to belong (or close to it). but until then.. it will be the way it is lol. thanks.

nice looking roadrunner.

She came together nicely. Love that your all about the final details. Thats what really helps a car stick out.

Nice, good job, looks good ! You gonna throw the roof stripe on it ?

Nice, good job, looks good ! You gonna throw the roof stripe on it ?

yeah, just need to buff out the paint first. I got the kit, just need to put it on. I actually want to get it running before I do any more cosmetics. There is something about having a car "go" with the "show" aspect.

thank you for your kind replies.

well its been a while so here is an update

Looking sharp!

sure looks great , good job!

Awesome!

Got the ralleye wheels you bought from me bolted on that wagon yet?

Mark

Awesome!

Got the ralleye wheels you bought from me bolted on that wagon yet?

Mark

sure did, got some new tires on them too.. they look great on the old girl. now to swap in the 360/727 on the wagon :D

no pictures, but i went ahead and dropped the gas tank.. its toast.. rust inside.. got a new one coming in this week. had to relocate the electric fuel pump so that it will "push" better than what it 'was' doing. reworked my fuel lines to clean them up in the rear right quarter/framerail area. radiator has a leak.. pulled it.. picking up a brand new one tonight from oreilly's. i will try and get it running tomorrow from a gas can just to break in the camshaft. 98% done.. and i am going crazy waiting for the next 2%

nice heres mine same color.

well done, nothing like starting with an easy one.
Its amazing how you can suddenly develop welding and autobodie skills
when you jump in the deep end.

nice heres mine same color.

you have no idea how close ours are in reality as mine was a full vinyl top car from the factory, but i chose not to go that route.

great looking car!!!

well done, nothing like starting with an easy one.
Its amazing how you can suddenly develop welding and autobodie skills
when you jump in the deep end.

i know.. it was amazing.. but necessity required me to learn. the car is not near perfect.. i call it a 20 footer.. but its a driver and that is all i need right now.

i know.. it was amazing.. but necessity required me to learn. the car is not near perfect.. i call it a 20 footer.. but its a driver and that is all i need right now.
Still, you are going to get a lot of these.... :thumbsup:
Great job.

GOT HER RUNNING TODAY!!! WOOT!!! I AM STOKED! boy she has a distinctive sound since i have the exhaust tips exiting in front of the rear wheels. got to tackle some bs leaks here and there but overall she runs, she moves on her own power and did a lil burnout in the driveway! Now.. to fix that powervalve i blew trying to get her running :D hehehe!!!

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/th_2011-05-03_15-57-28_896.jpg (http://s475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/?action=view&current=2011-05-03_15-57-28_896.mp4)

http://s475.photobucket.com/albums/rr116/solomonredrage/?action=view&current=2011-05-03_15-57-28_896.mp4

I guess I never finished this resto thread.. here are the pics of her now.

Awesome job!! It sure has a nice stance!

Awesome job!! It sure has a nice stance!

thanks, i am going to buy those 2" lowering spindles from pst so that my front suspension geometry is squared.. right now the lowering of the torsion bars are creating a wearing on my tread pattern not so much to be desired lol.

Looks awesome, nice work! The amber lights, where'd you get those? I've been looking for a pair for my 72, love the look.

Great work, looks fantastic... love the "Plymouth" on the quarter

Looks awesome, nice work! The amber lights, where'd you get those? I've been looking for a pair for my 72, love the look.

believe it or not, they are NOS (date code 74) pieces. a guy on moparts (about 8 months ago) bought a box full of headlights at a local auto auction and 4 sets were in there, I got the last set from him.

Great work, looks fantastic... love the "Plymouth" on the quarter

Ron,

I honestly did that so people would quit asking me about my "chevelle" :angryfire:

Nice malibu......

really though, that is cool that you picked up on the patch panels and welding. I'm workin with a flux core hobart welder, in the same boat as you. Hopefully I'll pick it up.

Good looking car thou, good inspiration!

nice looking car. that white w/black stripe and letters really makes it stand out.