The survivor car debate

[Durandal25]

Team.

I'm in a real pickle here folks. My 69 Bee is truly a survivor car, and had never really been cut or repainted, but it does have a few salty quarters and such. As a major enthusiast for this sort of thing, I would never consider modifying anything on the car that would be permanent, but if it were you would you fix the quarters and try and match the paint, or just go with the full repaint?

 

[Gpuller]

Or just drive it as is.
My car is original paint with rust on the quarters, some battle scars. Last winter I sexed up the interior and that's the way its gonna be for a while. I live on a couple miles of gravel road, so it will get dirty, if a bird craps on it oh well.
I like the original cars that are a little rough around the edges and have attitude.

 

[Basket case]

how bad are the 1/4s? can you be locked in the trunk and escape without the trunk lid up? If the original paint is still nice, shouldn't be too hard to match.

 

[99ss]

Honestly I am going for the same thing myself on my car... survivor look... I don't have the original engine and trans so ... but I am going to blend the paint and keep this car as original as possible. The 1/4's I am going to repair instead of skins.... I am putting a car back on the road rather than restoring it. I don't have the talent or money to have some one do the Prop top shelf restoration so I am doing what I can and going to drive the crap out of it with my badges of honor

 

[67 coronet]

depends on how nice the car is.also depends on your wallet.if the paint is nice besides the blems,then fix and match like basket case said.if the paint is just ok,do a full repaint.doing a full repaint correctly can cost a few bucks so check available funds before going that route.

 

[Durandal25]

Or just drive it as is.
My car is original paint with rust on the quarters, some battle scars. Last winter I sexed up the interior and that's the way its gonna be for a while. I live on a couple miles of gravel road, so it will get dirty, if a bird craps on it oh well.
I like the original cars that are a little rough around the edges and have attitude.

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y

.....not too shabby at all.

 

[Gpuller]

......awesome! No, if I get locked in the trunk, than I'll have some time to myself before the smell gets a few folks attention.

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View attachment 139973y

.....not too shabby at all.

WHOA!! That's sweet, I wouldn't do a thing to it!

 

[YY1]

Yeah. I'd be tempted to stop the rust from getting any worse, and going for "the survivors tent".

 

[Durandal25]

WHOA!! That's sweet, I wouldn't do a thing to it!

......I like it too. The patina is so perfect. The car just rolls so tough. My son carries a pic of it in his wallet. I guess he knows it'll be his one day.

 

[okiemopar]

I wouldn't do any thing to it either, if it is as good as it looks in the picture. On my cars I couldn't do that because each one of them had been painted numerous times and they had to be redone. But I went back to the factory color on them and now just drive them and enjoy it. How does the interior look inside? Ronnie

 

[440+6]

I kinda wish I never did restore mine, but 20 years ago when I did it you never heard the word survivor.
It was in very good shape, just small dings, chips and very minor rust. It would probably be worth more today because it would be in the same condition and then considering the cost of restoration.
When you do see a survivor car at a show they seem to get as much or more attention than a restored car.

 

[satman72]

If that was mine, I'd buy a couple of spray bombs of rust converter and have at it on the rusty bits. Then leave the rest alone. It's good to see what 40+ years looks like.

 

[Durandal25]

I wouldn't do any thing to it either, if it is as good as it looks in the picture. On my cars I couldn't do that because each one of them had been painted numerous times and they had to be redone. But I went back to the factory color on them and now just drive them and enjoy it. How does the interior look inside? Ronnie

....and here is the interior, with original headliner. I did clean up and restored a couple of gauges.

 

[99ss]

awesome

 

[Durandal25]

awesome

.....I have to throw in some pics of my survivor 67 Coronet 440 too. Original everything. All the way down to the certicard and vinyl top.

 

[99ss]

SNAP !....LOL that isn't fair man... wicked collection I am truly jealous

 

[Durandal25]

....about 4 years ago I tried like helll to get a F4 green RR with a 4 speed. car was not nearly as clean as yours and he wanted 45k for it.

 

[terzmo]

survivor and barn find are a PITA to me. Do what you want to the car and screw anyone else's opinion. I fix them up as time/money allows but drive also. I know people wo have "survivors" and yes, they are surviving...in storage and not being driven as the mopar GODS intended. Be one..be content..grasshopper...lol

 

[Durandal25]

survivor and barn find are a PITA to me. Do what you want to the car and screw anyone else's opinion. I fix them up as time/money allows but drive also. I know people wo have "survivors" and yes, they are surviving...in storage and not being driven as the mopar GODS intended. Be one..be content..grasshopper...lol

I love the old school look and feel of a non restored car. I go through all the safety stuff, as my kids ride with me, and the mechanical, and just enjoy the sounds and looks of 67-69. My kids really get a kick out it too....not so much my wife. She it a bit more comfort related, but I'm good with that.

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Just a thought, the rust encapsulator I use called Chassis Saver is available in a clear finish and can be brushed or sprayed on. If it were me, I'd just brush very selectively the rusty patches on the quarter and possibly try and spray some into the hole in the inside of the trunk extension (sealing the backside of the quarter). That way you can keep it just how it is and know it won't get any worse. Just an idea :shruggy:

And that's one badass 'bee! Very cool to see it in such great original condition
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