'68 Charger - to driveability and beyond!

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 24, 2016

So, I have a '68 Charger shell, that is literally one step away from the scrapyard. Nearly every panel on it needs replacing or repair, wasn't even a rolling shell when I got it. No title, lost who knows how many owners ago. Had dead, desiccated rat carcasses in it, no drivetrain except the 8.75 rear, most of the brakes missing. Wife and friends call it swamp, as it looks(and smells) like that's where it came from.

I have no idea where this project will go, or if it will even go anywhere. But, I've always wanted a '68, and didn't want something I'm afraid to drive for fear of scratches or devaluing or whatever. So it will not be a restoration. So, I've started cleaning it up and out, rounded up a set of spindles and brakes off a 5th Ave to get it rolling and upgrade from the original drums. Pass fender was totally trashed so pulled it off and scrapped it. Basically just got it where I can roll it around where I need it and see what I got with it.

Glass is all there, taillights came with it. Grille is in rough shape but all there, incluiding headlight doors and actuators. Missing hood hinges, hood is bent but probably usable. Door skins are beat up and loose, driver side jamb is missing, I'm guessing to fix another car? Jamb seems to be available new. Pass door actually opens and closes fairly nice.

So anyway, here's the starting point. My basic plan at the moment is to get enough sheetmetal replaced to make it safe (ie bolt in seats and fuel tank/cell, door closing and latching, no gaping holes in the floor etc), and then get a drivetrain and brakes in it, kick the quarter back out and go do some burnouts and cruising. Kinda rat rod/beater/Mad Max sort of thing. After that I'll do some more thinking about where I want to go with it.

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 24, 2016

When I picked it up and brought it home

68sprtsat383 · Jul 24, 2016

Man that sounds like a ton of work for a no title car. Can u get a salvage title? It would be a cool rat rod thou

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 24, 2016

Got it home, got the spindles swapped so it would roll, started cleaning out.

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 24, 2016

68sprtsat383 said:
Man that sounds like a ton of work for a no title car. Can u get a salvage title? It would be a cool rat rod thou

Pretty sure I can get some kind of title at least. Can file for abandoned car or something, either through my brother's shop or a friend's, storage lien, something like that.

68sprtsat383 · Jul 24, 2016

Thats going to be a lot of work but well worth the effort to save the car if you go that route

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 25, 2016

Some more detailed pics

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 25, 2016

Few more

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 25, 2016

And the glass areas

dickdale · Jul 26, 2016

Great project with a ton of work!! Autometaldirect is going to be your best friend!!!

daytona kid · Jul 26, 2016

68 Charger's Rule! Imo they are among the more rare and sought after old mopars. Mine was a lost title deal also, it took some work but I got it titled. Mine looked a lot like yours as far as work needed. Plenty of info here to help you.

dickdale said:
Great project with a ton of work!! Autometaldirect is going to be your best friend!!!

But check with Classic Ind., Summit, Jegs, etc, or other similar companies that carry AMD because they may have a better price than dealing with AMD direct.

furyus · Jul 26, 2016

Please get a title before spending time and money on this car. It has turned out badly for people who waited.

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 26, 2016

furyus said:
Please get a title before spending time and money on this car. It has turned out badly for people who waited.

I plan on it before I get too far into it.

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 26, 2016

daytona kid said:
68 Charger's Rule! Imo they are among the more rare and sought after old mopars. Mine was a lost title deal also, it took some work but I got it titled. Mine looked a lot like yours as far as work needed. Plenty of info here to help you.

But check with Classic Ind., Summit, Jegs, etc, or other similar companies that carry AMD because they may have a better price than dealing with AMD direct.

Any tips on getting a title? Pretty sure I can get it done, but always good to hear other people's experience.

I had a older guy at one time that did title work, he got me a title for my '87 Daytona Shelby Z that had like 3 bills of sale and been through a public auction at some point. Cost me $400 but he did everything, all I had to do was pick it up and pay him. However he has since passed on and no one kept his business up, and I haven't found anyone else that does it.

daytona kid · Jul 27, 2016

Force Fed Mopar said:
Any tips on getting a title? Pretty sure I can get it done, but always good to hear other people's experience.

You'll need to call your local/closest DMV or county court clerk tag/registration office and ask them what you will have to do. Rules, laws, and procedures differ from state to state. I actually got a friend in a close neighboring state to apply for lost title for mine, after I "sold" it to him then he "sold" it back to me., because the laws in my state would have had me doing all kinds of stupid and expensive stuff to get it titled. I then just registered and antique tagged it in my state. Cost in fees, etc was about $550. A notarized bill of sale is a must. and they'll probably run a check on the VIN to make sure it's not stolen.

72Fourspeed · Jul 29, 2016

You know, if you got everybody's "hand me down" parts, it might be a go. But yeah, you're gonna live at the DMV. I've done it before, not a one visit deal.

747mopar · Jul 29, 2016

I'll echo the urge to staighten out the title before going any further. I bought my 69 Charger minus a title as well, I contacted the court and applied for a court ordered title which led to it being inspected by the state troopers. All went well and I got a title. The reason why you need to do this now is in the chance that it may turn up as stolen.
Good luck

daytona kid · Jul 29, 2016

747mopar said:
I'll echo the urge to staighten out the title before going any further. I bought my 69 Charger minus a title as well, I contacted the court and applied for a court ordered title which led to it being inspected by the state troopers.

I had to take my bare body on stands on the trailer 50 miles to the neighboring state with my bud for a DMV inspector to confirm the vin, lol. He came out and said laughing "what the heck is that?, that's not a car that's a piece of a car.". We explained the rules/laws to him then he signed it off as a good vin.

Force Fed Mopar · Jul 31, 2016

Found some pics of the interior and one more of the bad side

68sprtsat383 · Jul 31, 2016

Man that's rough

'68 Charger - to driveability and beyond!

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