Where to start?

[ETD66SS]

So, I am new to the site, and a Mopar newb. See tthis thread for "backstory": http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...41-Chevelle-guy-wanting-to-learn-about-Mopars

So, I know that my favorite Mopar is a 1969 SuperBee. I'm looking to buy a Mopar for under $10,000, something with restoration potential, a complete car, and not a total rust bucket. I am not a numbers matching guy (Though my 66 Chevelle is #'s matching, I am over that stage in life now). I could happily buy a "base model" and clone/tribute a more desirable package, I'm looking for personal satisfaction and not resale etc.

Some initial questions I have:

1) 1969 Coronet, can a relatively rust free complete car be found in my price range? (This almost seems like an impossibility from what I have seen online)
2) What is the parts availability for this model year?
3) I'm confused by all the different packages of the 1969 Coronet model, Coronet Deluxe, Coronet Deluxe SuperBee, Coronet 400, Coronet 500 & R/T Series. There are many different scoops & whatnot on these cars when I Google pictures of them, and am not real clear on what comes with what package... (Wide single hood scoop vs the dual scoops far apart, the scoops on the rear quarter, etc)
4) I've read that there were only some ~28,000 1969 SuperBee's manufactured? I'm coming from Chevelleland where I am used to numbers in the 66,000's for my 1966 SS 396 etc. Are there any left for me to restore? lol.
5) As I have been looking at classifieds online for Mopars I like, I have been checking the AMD website for sheet metal availability. But what about interiors (seat covers, door panels, dash components), trim, mechanical components etc. What are the main suppliers of such restoration parts? When restoring my Chevelle, I had many options for both repo and original parts, there really isn't too many parts you cannot get. My biggest fear in making a move to Mopar as my next restoration project is hunting for parts and paying exorbitant prices.

I guess that's all for now, and I'll keep digging for info online

Oh, one thing I have not been able to find online is production numbers with motor/trans combinations, similar to this: http://chevellestuff.net/1966/engines/index.htm

*Edit, ok found this: http://www.glenwood76.com/Coronet_Production_65_76.htm#1970 Super Bee

 

[Coronet 14]

I would start with the mechanicals. Drive it work on it then drive it some more. Doing the mechanicals first will allow you to drive it more. You can always do the body work later. That is what I'm doing with my 72 Coronet. You can check out my project 72 Coronet Project Empty Wallet. On the Projects and Restoration page.

 

[ETD66SS]

What is the difference between a WM21 (2 door coupe) vs WM23 (2 door hard top). Does the WM23 have a post? (I'm used to coupe vs a "post" car in Chevelle terminology).

 

[texas69bee]

Question
#1 You are correct, it will be near impossible to find what you are looking for in that price range
#2 It depends what you are looking for, if you are looking for repro tail panel, grill, hood, trunk, seats, fenders you won't find them. Most of what you need for the big ticket items have to be the real deal.If you are looking for interior parts seats are difficult. They are there but usually need to be reworked. Other B Body seats will fit the 69 Bee as well.
#3 Wide scoop- 440, 2 scoops-383, hemi
#4 You are correct on the #'s. Some parts you need will be interchangeable with other b bodies
#5 Summit, Jegs, Yearone, Megaparts, Ebay, Craigslist, This forum. Just keep digging. And for your last comment... You will pay!

 

[ETD66SS]

And for your last comment... You will pay!

Yeah, that is a bit discouraging

#1 You are correct, it will be near impossible to find what you are looking for in that price range

Is this specific to 1969 Coronets, or all Mopars in general? (I seem to like 69-70 models mostly, not a huge fan of 71-74).

 

[DWilbur]

Mopar in general is 2 to 3 times more from my experience. I'm in the finishing stages of frame off resto on 1971 chevy truck. my 1973 Plymouth Satellite is costing me much more for sheet metal if I can find the parts. I spent $4,500.00 rebuilding my SL 5.3 for the truck. and my 318 stroked to 390 was $6,500.00. junk yard cost for 5.3 $800.00 the 318 was $200. both engines should make about the same power.
I keep telling my self it about the adventure not the money. I just fired up the 390 2 week ago and it's the meanest engine I have ever had. Not sure it will be street legal in regard to the local POPO.

 

[ETD66SS]

Mopar in general is 2 to 3 times more from my experience.

Damn, and I thought I spent a lot on my '66 Chevelle...

 

[Budnicks]

I'd suggest to probably travel to get what you want, there are still deals out there

Maybe
Try in western states or southwestern states,
Calif., Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, parts of Texas, especially western states &
even some of Southern Oregon or even Southern Utah or some parts of Colorado too,
but back East, most all areas & especially in the New England & NY areas or the upper Midwest states,
are rust belts as it comes to cars, even Florida has some major rust issues too...

IMO if you want any chance of reasonably priced & mostly rust free,
unfortunately usually the 2 don't coincide with each other
Autabuy.com
E-bay Motors {or as I say E-Scam}
Craigslist {searchtempest}
Classic Autotrader
Carsonline.com
Hotrodhotline.com
Racingjunk.com {especially for a project car, the Mopars are a little more rare thou}
HemmingsMotorNews.com/Classic Cars
DodgeCharger.com
69roadrunner.net
Forabodiesonly.com
Forebodiesonly.com
Forcbodiesonly.com
Moparts.com {especially their Main Index links list is useful}
{many people still like that site above, but I rarely ever go there anymore}
Mancini Racing {for performance & restoration parts}
Google Search "Mopars For Sale" or Parts
I'd suggest you get a Year & Body specific Factory Service Manual,
when you get a car too, very helpful, have allot/a wealth of great information
Legendary Interiors
Year One {costly sometimes & shipping is stupid high, but if you need it WTF?}
AMD for body & some/most glass
M&H Electrical wiring harnesses {sold exclusively by Year One}
Madelectrical.com
{Mad Enterprises, great tech info, electronics & bulkhead wiring issues}
Magnum Force Racing
Mopar Performance {MoParts}
MegaPartsUSA.com
Tony's Parts
Mr. Moparts
Maxwedge.com
Inlinetube.com
QA1 Suspensions
TTI Exhaust
Accurate Exhaust
JustMopar.com {seals, weather-stripping etc.}
SummitRacing.com
Jegs.com
& among many, many others, way too many to list

The more complete car you can get, the better off you'll be in the long run !!
All the little parts will drive you nuts, finding trim parts can be expensive,
some hard to find or almost nonexistent,
it depends on where & what body style or years even,
especially grill stuff,
68-70's are the most popular & have the most repoped parts available,
but those years are probably the most pricey too,
but a $10k budget you should be able to get a, decent & "mostly rust free" driver quality,
especially a base model, 318 2dr, BB cars will cost more, HT's will cost more usually too,
but they are still out there for that price rang...

You can do VIN decoding checks it will tell you what engine, where it's built
try www.MyMopar.com or allpar.com,
both has a ton of useful information...

You can do a fender-tag decode too it will tell you OE
color, engine, wheels, interior, trans, rear-axle, options etc.
the fender-tag is like a fingerprint, it will tell you what the car came with...

You can check & see if there's a Broadcast Build-sheet too,
many are in the lower rear seat springs or behind the backseats,
they are helpful too, it's what the mfgr. assembly-line used,
to tell them what the cars dealerships orders/options were...

IMO you may have to travel away from your area
& look farther away, but they are still out there, money well spent,
could save you allot of time & even some hassles, in the wide scheme of things...

I've been down the GM route allot too, had many of them over the years
These cars aren't like GM & some Ford's even, where you can get everything everywhere,
all the time, at every corner mom & pop or chain store...
but it's getting far better than it was 10-20 years ago, they aren't a dime a dozen either...
BUT, don't get sticker shock, I'm kind of warning you so you can expect it...
We actually do have some/many parts available now, we wouldn't have had some 20 years ago...
They aren't as many produced either & they are more rare, less production #'s,
than the rest of the Big 4 had in them years, so be patient, don't get discouraged...

BUT Mopars are my 1st love thou,
There is an overly **** retentive purist mentality sometimes,
the Mopar Or Nor Car crowd/mentality sometimes, give the rest a bad rap...
BUT don't let it deter you, let them spout off, ignore them if necessary,
we're not all are like that, they're not all are like me either...LOL
Not all hate the GM or Ford guys, we may make fun or lite of them sometimes,
it's not always meant as an insult, just a friendly dig here & there,
most of us are just "actually" car-guys & gearheads in general,
we love cars, we may love our Mopars a little too much...LOL
But we area usually friendly knowledgeable, willing & able to help others,
even to new comers...

This is the best Mopar site bar none...

Welcome again & Have fun
Happy Mopar Hunting

 

[ETD66SS]

BUT Mopars are my 1st love thou,
There is an overly **** retentive purist mentality sometimes,
the Mopar Or Nor Car crowd/mentality sometimes, give the rest a bad rap...
BUT don't let it deter you, let them spout off, ignore them if necessary,
we're not all are like that, they're not all are like me either...LOL
Not all hate the GM or Ford guys, most of us are car-guys & gearheads in general,
we love cars, we area usually friendly knowledgeable, willing & able to help others,
even to new comers...

Welcome again & Have fun
Happy Mopar Hunting

Hey thanks! Yeah, I am not "loyal" to one specific manufacturer. I like cars, that's about it (It's like the NASCAR manufacturer wars, one of the many reasons I don't give a crap about NASCAR anymore.)

I will say however, I grew up in a GM town. I live near the GM engine plant, the GM axle plant, and the old Harrison Radiator plant. It's GM territory for sure.

 

[ETD66SS]

Ok, so this: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/4971590302.html is something I could sink my teeth into. Thoughts/advice? See anything wrong/missing?

 

[71airgrabberRR]

It has the wrong steering wheel on it. That one is correct for a 72-74 Challenger or Barracuda. Looks like it has C body exhaust manifolds on it too. C body is a full sized Chrysler, Plymouth or Dodge car like an New Yorker / Newport, Fury or Monaco / Polara.

Not that these things matter since it is apparently functional. It just matters as to whether or not you want to make this a concours type restoration or just use it as a nice driver car.

Looks like the radiator may have been replaced too. That one looks like it doesn't have the numbers on it that you would find stamped into the top radiator tank.

I would try to look at it in person to listen at how the engine sounds , drive it to see if it has any driveline / steering / brake problems and to check it our for rust and other little hidden things.

Hope this helps.

We will make a convert out of you yet !!!!

Welcome aboard.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

If you want a Coronet Superbee, etc. Get hooked up on the Dodge Coronet Registry website. I hang out there some too...

 

[djais1801]

that doesn't look too bad...I'd hit him on site with $11-12,500 cash...if the mechanicals are good. As you said, #match concourse isn't what you're after...you might also expand your thoughts to a 66-67, which could give you more for your money IMHO...also check out

http://www.cars-on-line.com/dodge.html

here's one:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5008640388.html

 

[747mopar]

That does look pretty nice! Just don't get discouraged, I had all but given up when I found my 69 Charger for $3,500.

 

[Bruzilla]

The market is in a lot of flux right now. You can look for months and not find a car in your price range, and then BOOM, there's four or five of them. It took me about a year to find mine, so just keep looking until you find one that meets your needs.

 

[ETD66SS]

The market is in a lot of flux right now. You can look for months and not find a car in your price range, and then BOOM, there's four or five of them. It took me about a year to find mine, so just keep looking until you find one that meets your needs.

Yeah, I am in no hurry. I am also supposed to be saving to build a house , and a shop

 

[Bruzilla]

I've been looking for a 73/74 Roadrunner with a factory sunroof since 1991, and could never find a decent deal on one. Then last week one pops up for sale about 20 miles from me. Sometimes the sun really does shine on every dog's ***.