About this Mopar:
My 1971 dodge charger 500. It has a 318 bored .030 over and was completely rebuilt 20 years ago. It has roughly 5 hours on it, its also got a 727 torqueflite and what i beleice is an 8 1/4 rear end.it was originaly a bench seat column shift auto. But now it is a bucket seat console shift.
It was given to my father from my mom as an anniversary gift. He would drive me my brother and sister to elementary school. He had rebuilt the motor and kept it in storage ever since.
After my mom passed my dad gave me the car to restore. So far ive patched sealed and painted the floor both inside and in the trunk, installed a center console and shifter. Ive also given it a new fuel tank and sender as well as rebuilt the extension housing on my transmission.
I plan to "finish" the car by august 1st 2021 and drive it to my wedding with my dad and brother.
She needs quarter panels on both sides. Some rust holes patched and sealed and complete body work and paint. As well as whatever electrical and mechanical issues i run into along the way
UPDATE: 12/15/20
so far I’ve rebuild the carb, timed and tuned the motor, patch all rust on passenger side and am 90% done with passenger body work. I’ve also solved some headlight electrical gremlins and rebuilt the whole brake system. In another week or so I should be able to flip the car. Hang the quarter then paint prep.
UPDATE: 1/6/21
Body work takes a CONSIDERABLE amount more time than I had previously thought. But the fact remains I’m on a deadline and things need to happen. So passenger side and trunk lip are nearly there. I’ve gotten a heater from Santa so the works started up again after a few weeks of minimal progress. The plan is to finish my front valance and trunk lip this weekend and have it sprayed in primer. At which point I’ll order the new quarter. Turn the car around and start over again. Thanks for all the awesome feedback so far and if anyone here is a body technician... please forgive me.
UPDATE 4/23/2021
Been a while since the last update. Took a month or so off the car. Then dove into it again. The vinyl top had to come off due to some rust and body filler separation. Since then the bodywork has just about been completed. The new quarter patch is in, all the rust on the body has been repaired and all my belonging as covered in dust. I’ve been waiting for some 65 degree weather so I can paint my 2k high build primer then work the kinks out of my bodywork. So far my brother (a professional body tech) has been impressed with my results. Here’s to hoping I can get this old girl prettied up and on the road in another month or so.
UPDATE 8/9/21
Nearly there everyone. Body work and paint are done. And for a first timer in his home garage with limited equipment I did pretty damn well. Not a show car by any means but a damn fine ride. I’ve driven it about 60ish miles in the past week and am trying to bang out some other issues before my 4 hour trip in 3 weeks. Sitting for 20 years sure does a number on… well…. Everything. Also paying for my inexperience. But regardless for 1 years work I’m pretty happy with where my project is now. I’m excited to start upgradeing and improving the car rather than just repairing it.
It was given to my father from my mom as an anniversary gift. He would drive me my brother and sister to elementary school. He had rebuilt the motor and kept it in storage ever since.
After my mom passed my dad gave me the car to restore. So far ive patched sealed and painted the floor both inside and in the trunk, installed a center console and shifter. Ive also given it a new fuel tank and sender as well as rebuilt the extension housing on my transmission.
I plan to "finish" the car by august 1st 2021 and drive it to my wedding with my dad and brother.
She needs quarter panels on both sides. Some rust holes patched and sealed and complete body work and paint. As well as whatever electrical and mechanical issues i run into along the way
UPDATE: 12/15/20
so far I’ve rebuild the carb, timed and tuned the motor, patch all rust on passenger side and am 90% done with passenger body work. I’ve also solved some headlight electrical gremlins and rebuilt the whole brake system. In another week or so I should be able to flip the car. Hang the quarter then paint prep.
UPDATE: 1/6/21
Body work takes a CONSIDERABLE amount more time than I had previously thought. But the fact remains I’m on a deadline and things need to happen. So passenger side and trunk lip are nearly there. I’ve gotten a heater from Santa so the works started up again after a few weeks of minimal progress. The plan is to finish my front valance and trunk lip this weekend and have it sprayed in primer. At which point I’ll order the new quarter. Turn the car around and start over again. Thanks for all the awesome feedback so far and if anyone here is a body technician... please forgive me.
UPDATE 4/23/2021
Been a while since the last update. Took a month or so off the car. Then dove into it again. The vinyl top had to come off due to some rust and body filler separation. Since then the bodywork has just about been completed. The new quarter patch is in, all the rust on the body has been repaired and all my belonging as covered in dust. I’ve been waiting for some 65 degree weather so I can paint my 2k high build primer then work the kinks out of my bodywork. So far my brother (a professional body tech) has been impressed with my results. Here’s to hoping I can get this old girl prettied up and on the road in another month or so.
UPDATE 8/9/21
Nearly there everyone. Body work and paint are done. And for a first timer in his home garage with limited equipment I did pretty damn well. Not a show car by any means but a damn fine ride. I’ve driven it about 60ish miles in the past week and am trying to bang out some other issues before my 4 hour trip in 3 weeks. Sitting for 20 years sure does a number on… well…. Everything. Also paying for my inexperience. But regardless for 1 years work I’m pretty happy with where my project is now. I’m excited to start upgradeing and improving the car rather than just repairing it.
