Scauzone
Member
Hello all. I figure this is the best place to start. I live in southeast Michigan. I've been buying, driving, and occasionally selling Mopars since I was sixteen. I have two that I have held onto for quite some time. Just recently acquired a new one and this is a new one to me and I'd like to get some expert advice as to some aspects of the vehicle.
My brother purchased a 1973 Dodge Charger SE out of South Dakota in 1993(ish). He bought it from the Original owner. He has every piece of dealer paperwork and it's all in immaculate condition. Including the window sticker. None of the paper is even discolored. Anyways, my brother purchased the car, brought it home, and immediately took it apart. The car was all original at that time, but he wanted to make it look new. He removed the front and rear bumpers, front fenders, hood, and a few other pieces, along with the engine and transmission and completely sandblasted the engine bay, front end, and entire underbody.
A combination of undercoating / being salt free for 20 years left the car rust free. Everything on the underside and in the engine bay was stripped to bare metal and he painted everything in multiple stages to a high gloss black. Short story long....he sent out the original engine to be rebuilt (400 engine), got it back, and basically left the car on jackstands needing to be put together for 20 years.
I just purchased the car last week from him and my plan is to complete it by late Spring. The car still wears it's original gold paint (I do not know the correct color for the paint I will have to look at the window sticker) and everything else on the car is still original.
I'd like to put the car back together as original as possible. When restoring a vehicle such as this, what things are important that I purchase as NOS, or keep original parts?
For example, I'd like to put all new brake lines on the vehicle and fuel lines. Should I purchase pre-bent ones? And if so, is it okay to go with stainless? Fuel tank...it has the original fuel tank however there is a small dent in it. I could keep it and use it, or my plan was to purchase a new-reproduction. When I got to sell the vehicle, will something like a replaced fuel tank that is non original deter a buyer from purchasing or devalue the vehicle?
I apologize for the long intro and hope my concerns with the restoration don't seem over the top. I'd just like to make the car proper. My other concern is the carburetor and intake. I have the original carb and intake, however the compression has been increased on the engine. Would I be okay with putting on a proper carb and intake and simply including the original parts with the sale?
My brother purchased a 1973 Dodge Charger SE out of South Dakota in 1993(ish). He bought it from the Original owner. He has every piece of dealer paperwork and it's all in immaculate condition. Including the window sticker. None of the paper is even discolored. Anyways, my brother purchased the car, brought it home, and immediately took it apart. The car was all original at that time, but he wanted to make it look new. He removed the front and rear bumpers, front fenders, hood, and a few other pieces, along with the engine and transmission and completely sandblasted the engine bay, front end, and entire underbody.
A combination of undercoating / being salt free for 20 years left the car rust free. Everything on the underside and in the engine bay was stripped to bare metal and he painted everything in multiple stages to a high gloss black. Short story long....he sent out the original engine to be rebuilt (400 engine), got it back, and basically left the car on jackstands needing to be put together for 20 years.
I just purchased the car last week from him and my plan is to complete it by late Spring. The car still wears it's original gold paint (I do not know the correct color for the paint I will have to look at the window sticker) and everything else on the car is still original.
I'd like to put the car back together as original as possible. When restoring a vehicle such as this, what things are important that I purchase as NOS, or keep original parts?
For example, I'd like to put all new brake lines on the vehicle and fuel lines. Should I purchase pre-bent ones? And if so, is it okay to go with stainless? Fuel tank...it has the original fuel tank however there is a small dent in it. I could keep it and use it, or my plan was to purchase a new-reproduction. When I got to sell the vehicle, will something like a replaced fuel tank that is non original deter a buyer from purchasing or devalue the vehicle?
I apologize for the long intro and hope my concerns with the restoration don't seem over the top. I'd just like to make the car proper. My other concern is the carburetor and intake. I have the original carb and intake, however the compression has been increased on the engine. Would I be okay with putting on a proper carb and intake and simply including the original parts with the sale?
