What to look for?

[homer_jay]

I would like to tap into some of your guys expertise and experience in restoring Cudas and Challys. I am in the process of hunting down a Cuda/Chally to restore. What are some things that I should be looking for? What should I try to avoid? This will be my first project that I am going to work on with my son before I get deployed back to Iraq. Thanks! God Bless the U.S. 

[4Cruizn]

Well I guess what to look for and what not too depends alittle on what skills you have in the restoration process.  Me, for example, I am not good with body work.  So I would look for a car that doesn't need much body work but the mechanical work, I'm getting better at so that would be OK!  What are you comfortable with??   

[HemiDog]

I would say that the frame rails are the most important to me.  If they aren't solid, they have to be either replace, capped, or repaired.  In any solution you risk the chance that the car will become unsquare and eventually effect how well the car can be aligned and driven.  Next, and almost equally important, for the same reasons, is the floor and roof stuctucture.  This includes the front and rear pillars.

At that point you have to ask yourself what is the goal?  Go back original, or just do what you want?  If you are going back to original, the more complete the car the better.

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  Some time it takes a little luck or threw the grape vine type of thing,like how i achieved my chally.guy that used to work here heard i was a mopar guy and told me about the car i bought.found it in a broken down garage and it wasn't driven since 1981 saw it struck a deal instantly,although it was all in pieces it was a very solid car.about all i'm going have to do is put in the r. lower qtr patch panel.floors are like new,frame rails look like new etc.this was like a car in barns type of story.hit the jackpot on my 71 chally and got one heck of a price on it.  deal. good luck finding your e-body,just like the other members said know what your talent is and go from there. 

[Carlwalski]

I agree with all of the above but in particular HemiDog. The frame rails, check them, the trunk floor, the lower and upper rear quarters, front fenders, below the rear windscreen. E-Bodies love rust and IMO there's nothing worse than a  car that's full of holes. When I look for a car I look for solidness, that's the most important thing to me, and I'd guess others too.

Take a magnet and do the usual bondo checks and always give the underside a good going over. Ask if he his access to a full car hoist and look under properly take your time.....good car guys will give you space, others (who usually hide things) stick to you like glue and usually hover over your shoulder. Good luck and let us know how you go....


 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

  I big factor to consider....   hmmmm hows that commercial go...??   


oh ya...............


WHATS IN YOUR WALLET??


not to sound like to much of a smart a$$ and not to disagree with anyone elses response. Sometimes spending a little more on a better car is cheaper in the long haul.