72 Challenger - Bucket List Project

[SlyGuy]

Hello from chilly central Ohio. I bought my 72 way back in 1989, and it was in rough shape then. I've been telling family and friends that it would be a retirement project. I'm not quite to retirement age, but have decided it's time to put up or shut up. The problem is that I have zero experience restoring cars. The good news is that I am finally at a point where I have enough funds to, at least, get started. I also have two grown boys (one is a welder and the other an engineer), so hopefully we can pull this off. I am new to the forum, but can see that it is a good place for friendly advise.

What I am currently "trying" to figure out is how to test fit all the rear panels. I don't want to weld anything until I am confident that things are lining up decently. I have the trunk floor set in, the trunk floor drop downs clamped on, and the left side quarter panel clamped on. It seems to be lining up decently EXCEPT where the rear lip of the quarter panel meets the rear lip of the trunk drop down. They don't quite come together. There is about a one inch gap between the two panels. I know I can't expect these aftermarket panels to line up perfectly, so should I simply force the two lips together? I also noticed three hoes in the lip of the trunk drop down. Can someone tell me if these holes are for mounting the rear valence? I will attempt to include a picture, but again this is my first time using the site, and I'm not real tech savvy either. Sorry to be long winded on my first post, but I'm excited about the restoration, and having this new knowledge base to draw upon! Any advise on lining up panels is much appreciated.

[Topstrap]

Welcome to the site from another Buckeye. I'm also new to the Mopoar World with my first Challenger. I like seeing the pictures and hearing about putting new panels on. Even though my Challenger is really solid I learn from seeing how oithgers do it and use that for working on my 62 Impoala restoration.

Good luck with your build.

Topstrap

[jimynick]

Welcome to the site from  . You asked if you just clamp the 1/4 to the trunk extension? Yes, you do- BUT, stick a few small #10 screws in them to hold them together for the nonce and fit the rear valance, which does indeed go in those 3 holes and check your gaps/fit. Make whatever changes you need to before doing any welding and you'll be a lot happier. Good luck with your project! 

[SlyGuy]

Hello friends, and thanks for responding. It made sense that the valence would mount to the trunk extensions since the holes seemed to line up. I just got concerned because when I pull the quarter panel and trunk extension together in order to close the gap, the quarter actually covers up the lower two holes in the extension?? I don't quite understand how to access the mounting holes in the trunk extension if they are hidden behind the quarter. I'm probably making this a lot harder than it needs to be, but I guess that is how you learn. I'll try to attach another picture of the car so you can see what I have got myself into....scary!

[Mpdlawdog]

 Welcome!  I'm from marysville oh!  I'm sure we will cross paths eventually!  I'm a rookie myself (I brought my old 69 charger back from the dead but nothing on the level I'm doing with the challenger).  Your in the right spot as far as asking questions and how to stuff...everyone here is great!!

[734406pk]

Welcome from NY! Good luck with your resto!

[jimynick]

Yeah, you're into it alright. As for the hole alignment thing, purchase, if you don't already have some, a cheap set of tapered bars or larger round section Philips screwdrivers and use them to lever over/up/down/whatever, the panels until the holes come into alignment and clamp the bejeezus out of them while you drill and screw the two panels together. Sometimes you may not still be able to get a real nice alignment and that's why God invented drills and welders. LOL Take your time and if it doesn't fit- why doesn't it fit and what do you need to do to resolve that. There, I just told you the great truth about bodywork. Enjoy 

[cudamadd]

Welcome .Have a go i say .Great project ,some times you learn a lot more when you do it your self .   I tip my hat to you 4 having a go. 

[SlyGuy]

Thanks again to all for the kind welcome, and advise. Since this is my first restoration attempt (and I emphasize "attempt"), I am not trying to build  show car by any means. I'm hoping to make it look "good", and just have fun driving it. I want to make sure that I utilize the forum in the best way, so as I continue to post questions, should I start a new thread in one of the other sections of the forum like the "body shop" section for instance? Thanks,
SlyGuy