Need help with body resto info...

[highspeeddirt]

I know I'm in the right place for the info here so I'll just get right to it....
I'm in the "purchase process" right now for a 72 barracuda.  The car is pretty solid, but I'm still wanting to make it "right" with a rotisserie resto.  I'm not totally new to "restoring", but I have never went to this extent of a job before.  I've attched a few pics of the sort of stuff I've done in the past.  I know the race car thing isn't even close to the same type of job, but kind of proud of it too, sice I built it from the ground up with my bare hands.  I know you all know how that feeling is!  Anyway,  I'm pretty experienced with welding,  and been working on cars all my life.  Mostly the mechanical aspect (Bulit my own race motors as well).  The body work part is where I'm weak.  I've done some, but not enough to feel comfortable with going at it without some help for a project of this detail.  I want to do all the prep work myself, but I'll have the paint done professionally.  I know the biggest part of a fine paint job is the prep work, so I want to do it right the first time.  I've learned a lot from reading all the posts but have some more questions.  I know I'll have a lot more later in the future, but I like to get "my ducks in a row" before I start.  Seen a lot of reference to POR15, DP40, and ZERO RUST(in differnt shades too), and RE on the eastwood forum.  Can anyone fill me in on the details of what these products are, and how to use them so to speak.  I like how another forum members car is coming along (steve), and like he says about his being a daily driver, so will be mine.  Maybe not "daily"  but I want to drive it whenever I get the urge. (oh...that would be daily then wouldn't it??  ) Basically, it's not gonna be a Show piece only car.  I have pretty much all the tools I need, and those I don't, I'll have access to.  I just need the knowledge.  Thanks in advance!
                                                HSD

[Steve]

Hey there!

Looks like you know how to do good work. I think that the biggest thing on a resto of a '72 is that you are going to spend the same time and money as you would on a '70 or '71 model, but you still only have a '72. that's what I realized after getting started. On the other hand, the cost to get into a decent '70 or '71 keeps many people out! OK....so if you're good with that....

This is my most involved resto to date. I definately think putting the car on a rotiserrie is the way to go. I'll never do another car any other way again! That being said, to get the car on the rotisserie, you've got to completely strip it down, which is a LOT of work. Have the car blasted and get ready to see a LOT of rot you didn't think was there. If you're going to do it, do it right...so get out the cutoff wheels and the MIG welder and go to town. You will have a lot of metal to replace and you will have to fabricate a lot of pieces...trust me. Once you have the big metal work done and the car is stripped, get it in primer. Rust coatings like zero rust and POR 15 are designed for preservation and they're a good idea in the rust prone areas. If you aren't too concerned with correctness, you have a lot of leaway.

I think that most handy guys and gals can do the majority of the body work themselves assuming that they have the tools and the space and the time. You'll need a big compressor, a MIG welder, an assortment of air tools, a body hammer and dolly set, and a small bench brake. Sounds like you have most of that stuff. Also, read as much as you can on metal work. There are lots of good sites on the web just for that. Don't assume that body panels are readily available or that they are going to be easy to put on!

Good Luck!

[highspeeddirt]

Thanks steve!  I hear what your saying about a 72 model.  This one is even a 318 car, but It is a complete numbers matching car with build sheet, and original window sticker with 60,000 miles. Originally black, w/ black interior.   I know the 72 318 cars aren't, the "valuable sought after" cars like the 70 and 71, but I'm sure someday they will be pretty valuable.  Especially with the documentation.  Besides, I want the car for me, not for resell, so that makes it a little easier to swallow.    I'm thinking about bagging the original drivetrain and going with a little more,  possibly a 440.  ( Think a 72, 440, black with white billboard would get me to criticized???) I'm always on the lookout for a 71, so when and if I find one, I might put this one back original.  I know thats a lot of work for a 72 318 car, but my first cuda from high school was an original #'s 318 72 model, and I kick  myself in the a** every day for selling it instead of restoring it.  This also depends on the condition of the 71 I find (if I ever do).  I'm by no means wealthy, so I don't figure I'll be able to afford a #'s 71.
   I enjoy the work so I'm really chomping at the bit to get going.  I wouldn't even mind if it was a 74 I'm just excited about getting another Cuda! 
                                                                  HSD 

[wart1de]

Unless you are planning on rebuilding it just to sell it then go with what makes you happy even if it is "just" a 72. I am fortunate enough to be able to afford a 70 or 71 but chose to restore the later model because I think they are better looking and didn't buy an E-Body just to brag about how much my car is worth.

 

[71340RT]

The pictures look like you will have little problems with the restoration. I would build the 72 the way you want to and bag the original drive train for later use as you see fit. You plan on keeping the car so restore it once and take no short cuts so you don't end up doing it again.

[crcarch]

The pictures look like you will have little problems with the restoration. I would build the 72 the way you want to and bag the original drive train for later use as you see fit. You plan on keeping the car so restore it once and take no short cuts so you don't end up doing it again.

I have the same '73 340 Challenger that I bought right out of high-school, used it as my daily driver for 5 years, restored it as best I could with the money I had at the time.  Now I'm older, have a little-bit of spending money and am now restoring it again properly. My goal is to modernize my car as much as possible, while retaining an old-school based powertrain and ZERO modifications to the body shape.  I figure as long as I do things the right way, nothing Half-A$$, do it in good taste and it's 100% reversable, then the value is still there.

I have a feeling that as the prices for primo factory stuff in stock form or the perfect clones escallates, then people will start looking to the off-years (72+) or lesser models (Satellites, etc.) to modify.  That will be what drives up their values.  Just look how the factory one-off's get the really big bucks now. (Can you say 68 Dart HEMI) 72+318=$ 72+426 HEMI=$$$

Do whatever you want too it, but do it in good taste and do it well!