cspringall
Well-Known Member
Hey Folks,
I joined a while ago, but never started a restoration thread... so here it goes.
I bought the car in 2014. It had been in a private collection for about 10 years. Never really driven. When I got it, it leaked everything... coolant, oil, etc.. So I knew I had some work ahead of me. The car is an original Hemi J code car, 4 speed. The transmission and rear end are numbers matching, the engine is period correct. Still looking for the original, but it's a pipe dream, I know.
Car was visually inspected by Galen Govier in 2011. From this we know that it's one of 31 Hemi 4Speeds Super Bees for 68. And the only Hemi 4 Speed Super Bee blown in this color (RR1 Burgundy Metallic). At worst it's one of 31, at best it's one of one (depending on the eye of the beholder). Given that RR! was not continued into 1969, this really is the only Hemi 4 Speed Super Bee ever blown in this color.
Paint is a 7 out of 10. Some crazing, and clear coat has some scuffs/scratches, however still looks great until you start looking for issues. Given that the paint makes it so rare, this is on my list of to-do's not there yet, though.
Interior retains original dash components. Tick Tock Tach face is new, speedo is original. Carpet and seat were replaced when the car away restored in 2004-5.
I drove the car to get a good idea of the issues... it definitely did not like the Texas heat. Once I got a plan together, I sent it to my mechanic to refresh the engine. It took longer than expected, but turned out amazingly well. Because the block had less than 1000 miles since it was rebuilt, we were able to get away with not having to rebuild the bottom end. Heads were pulled apart, and we replaced the stock valve train with Indy gear (stands, rockers, etc) and Manley Valves. We then put a custom grind comp cam in and put it all back together. Made sure to replace the oil pump while we had it apart, and found the correct oil pan and pickup tube. Rebuilt the carter afb carbs.
While it was in the process of the rebuild, I went to replacing all of the incorrect items i could find. Radiator, wheels, radio, hubcaps, fan, fan clutch.. of course on this car the search was the hard part for a lot of this. Finding a set of wheels and "good" hubcaps at reasonable prices was a challenge, but it all finally happened. Let's say I got into a few bidding wars that I dropped out of strictly on principle.
Now Veronica is back on the road, and I'm loving it. I keep her stored at a warehouse while I am working on couple cars in my shop, hoping to have her back at the house this Spring for some cruises.
Photos include both before and after photos. Some very recent ones at the bottom, including one with a Ferrari F-40 standoff... for posterity. ;)
I joined a while ago, but never started a restoration thread... so here it goes.
I bought the car in 2014. It had been in a private collection for about 10 years. Never really driven. When I got it, it leaked everything... coolant, oil, etc.. So I knew I had some work ahead of me. The car is an original Hemi J code car, 4 speed. The transmission and rear end are numbers matching, the engine is period correct. Still looking for the original, but it's a pipe dream, I know.
Car was visually inspected by Galen Govier in 2011. From this we know that it's one of 31 Hemi 4Speeds Super Bees for 68. And the only Hemi 4 Speed Super Bee blown in this color (RR1 Burgundy Metallic). At worst it's one of 31, at best it's one of one (depending on the eye of the beholder). Given that RR! was not continued into 1969, this really is the only Hemi 4 Speed Super Bee ever blown in this color.
Paint is a 7 out of 10. Some crazing, and clear coat has some scuffs/scratches, however still looks great until you start looking for issues. Given that the paint makes it so rare, this is on my list of to-do's not there yet, though.
Interior retains original dash components. Tick Tock Tach face is new, speedo is original. Carpet and seat were replaced when the car away restored in 2004-5.
I drove the car to get a good idea of the issues... it definitely did not like the Texas heat. Once I got a plan together, I sent it to my mechanic to refresh the engine. It took longer than expected, but turned out amazingly well. Because the block had less than 1000 miles since it was rebuilt, we were able to get away with not having to rebuild the bottom end. Heads were pulled apart, and we replaced the stock valve train with Indy gear (stands, rockers, etc) and Manley Valves. We then put a custom grind comp cam in and put it all back together. Made sure to replace the oil pump while we had it apart, and found the correct oil pan and pickup tube. Rebuilt the carter afb carbs.
While it was in the process of the rebuild, I went to replacing all of the incorrect items i could find. Radiator, wheels, radio, hubcaps, fan, fan clutch.. of course on this car the search was the hard part for a lot of this. Finding a set of wheels and "good" hubcaps at reasonable prices was a challenge, but it all finally happened. Let's say I got into a few bidding wars that I dropped out of strictly on principle.
Now Veronica is back on the road, and I'm loving it. I keep her stored at a warehouse while I am working on couple cars in my shop, hoping to have her back at the house this Spring for some cruises.
Photos include both before and after photos. Some very recent ones at the bottom, including one with a Ferrari F-40 standoff... for posterity. ;)
