Diamond in the Rough - 69 Charger

[hunt2elk]

Just getting started on a major restoration of this car and am hoping it turns out as well as some of the projects on this board. I bought the car on the internet and of course it had a few more condition issues after getting it delivered than what I was told before purchasing. The car was a 383 4 barrel, console 4-speed, tic-toc-tac, A/C, front disc brake, power sterring, tinted window, T3, T3, saddle interior with a tan vinyl top. Was originally sold in Oklahoma and was driven into the early 80's. Then was parked and sold to the man I bought it from in California in 1990. It then sat outside there until my purchase. As you can see, I will need alot of parts and pieces. I am just about done with teardown.

 

[67 B-body]

Wow,,,, what a place you have there!!!!!

 

[fla 66 cuda]

It don't look too bad by the photos,looks like this ain't your first rodeo and you have a very nice shop to do the work.Best of luck to you and your project. The roadrunner looks like it turned out very well so i'm sure it's in good hands.

 

[roadrunnerman]

all-in-all it don't look in too bad shape,the floors look fairly solid.I guess the cal and okla climate helped slow the rust process.The t3 and saddletan w/vinyl sounds like it was a sharp combo when new.

 

[kev]

Here's a T3 runner with saddle interior...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmHCuTs3BxE&feature=channel&list=UL

 

[roadrunnerman]

thanks,i've got a RR w/saddletan int but has green ext.That t3 looks good in the sun.

 

[hunt2elk]

Well it looks ok from 50 feet, but has been hit in the front passenger area at one time, and also looks like it was picked up with a forklift in the middle of the car. This has damaged the rockers bad enough that I am going to have to replace the outers, which is a shame because there is no rust at all in that area. And then there is a puncture hole in the tailpanel. Overall it is a very solid car as far as rust goes, it just led a hard life as far as bending sheetmetal. I will be taking it in to a frame shop soon to get everything back in line. I'm not quite sure what the finished product will look like yet. My better half has a thing for triple black Chargers with a red rump stripe, But I kind of want something different. I'm fairly certain the interior and top will be black, but I'm having a hard time deciding on the exterior. T3, T5, Q5, F6, R6 are floating around in my head. Maybe we should start a poll. For all the purists out there, the original motor, tranny, and rear are long gone. So I feel this is a good car to build the way I want. The #'s on the rad. support, vin, fender tag, and trunk rail all do match though. I am planning a 450hp 440 and am open to suggestions on the best way to achive this. All I have is a 69 block and crank so far.

 

[Ron 73]

Looks like a good project. Good luck with the restoration of it, Its hard to pick a color with so many to choose from but you do have time..

 

[detmatt1]

Wow, nicely optioned car and it looks pretty solid! Great place to work in too.

 

[hunt2elk]

Looks like a good project. Good luck with the restoration of it, Its hard to pick a color with so many to choose from but you do have time..

You are right Ron, I am guessing it will be at least 9 months before I have to decide on the color. Depending when my day job slows down this winter. By the way your bellhousing will be going in this car. Painted it Hemi orange and it looks great.

 

[hunt2elk]

Wow, nicely optioned car and it looks pretty solid! Great place to work in too.

Thanks Matt,
I am finding out that A/C on a 4-speed Charger was a very rare option.