Project - /6 Budget Beater '71 Duster

[ChallengerGary]

Pictures actually do not do it justice - it's rained here for several days and was overcast on the day I snapped them.  Plus, I haven't washed it in a week or two.  Now, I can't wait to put some wheels & tires on it 

Next up after the wheels will be getting some a/c in it 

[ChallengerGary]

BTW - Anybody have a spare A-Body sill plate laying around?  I only need one and hate to have to buy a new set whn the other one is fine.

[NoMope Greg]

Gary - that looks great.  I can't say I'm a fan of the black roof - to each their own - and the new wheels can't come soon enough (why do Dusters always look so under-tired stock?)  But    that is an amazing improvement over what you started with.  I swear, I'd love to drag my car out to you, hand you $10k or so for a decent driver-quality paint and body job and tell you "Call me when it's done."  Nice work.   

[dmk67]

That is one nice lemon twister !!! SUPER transforamation.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Lookin' good!!   

Gosh, I can't remember the last time I heard that certain sound that a slant-6 engine makes. 

I had two of them in my past, but you can't knock them.   

[ChallengerGary]

Gary - that looks great.  I can't say I'm a fan of the black roof - to each their own - and the new wheels can't come soon enough (why do Dusters always look so under-tired stock?)  But    that is an amazing improvement over what you started with.  I swear, I'd love to drag my car out to you, hand you $10k or so for a decent driver-quality paint and body job and tell you "Call me when it's done."  Nice work.   

Greg - Thanks for your kind words.  I agree about the tires    Just trying to score some sort of low dollar deal since it's really not in the bidget.

Funny you should mention dragging your car here; I actualy decided in order to become debt-free, I am starting to work on other people's cars.  I just brought a '66 Belvedere into my shop.  I am swapping a freshly rebuilt 440 for the tired old 318-poly.  While I am at it I am painting the engine compartment for him.  He wants me to paint the whole thing but I have reservations about doing that.  I just want to make sure he is 100% satisfied with the car and have no idea how much to charge for the paint & body work.  Right now he is paying me by the hour with an understanding that it will not cost more than a grand to swap the engine and paint under the hood (not including materials).

[ChallengerGary]

Here's the '66 Belvedere I am working on now as well.  I pulled the engine & tranny yesterday and go tto work de0gunking the engine compartment.  I have never seen so much caked on grime.  I literally had to knock 2 inches of grime off just t o get to the engine mount bolts!   Maybe I will start another thread for it...

[CHUCKS71]

I like the chrome chick's in the grille! 

[ChallengerGary]

I am going to start a new thread for my Customer's car.

Also, I have decided to sell the Beater.  I will post a for sale ad in the appropriate section.

[ShelbyDogg]

  I just brought a '66 Belvedere into my shop. Right now he is paying me by the hour with an understanding that it will not cost more than a grand to swap the engine and paint under the hood (not including materials).

Gary, try to keep tabs on the time spent. When I charge someone, and give them a limit, I find that I go way, way over on my time. I write down every hour, date, and what I did so they don't think that I ripped them off when I give them the bill. Last engine swap I did ended up costinf the guy around $3500 because he kept adding things on.  You'll see what I mean.

[ChallengerGary]

ShelbyDogg - I understand.  I have actually started a spreadsheet detailing everything I am doing and every hour spent on it.  I am emailing it to him at the end of each day I work on it along with progress pics.  I am also not going to hand him a bill at the end, this is a pay as I go deal.  That way he will not get sticker shock at the end. 

[ChallengerGary]

The Beater is SOLD - being driven to PA this weekend.  It's going to a nice Gal from a real Mopar family.  Her brother came and looked at it for her.  He was amazed how clean it was esp for the price.  Even said he'd like for me to call him when I get my next project