7/25/09 New decals from ChallengerGary - 74 Cuda is now Green with envy

[BB73Challenger]

If all goes well, I can rename this project green with envy 

Hello all, my name is Jeff and obviously I have a 73 Challenger.
A little background is I found this Cuda a year after buying my car.
Knowing that I couldn't have both I talked my brother into buying it.
A seemingly solid Texas car with a 318 and slapstick auto.

Long and short is after having the car just over a year, my brother got ambitious, and began to strip her in order to restore her to a show car.

Unfortunately, good intentions can go bad, and after gutting the car as well as stripping the exterior, lots of time passed, and it wasn't kind to her.

The car was primed, but not preped properly first and only with a garbage primer, allowing moisture to ravage the steel below.
Sure enough, after sanding a small section of a fender, there was already a film of rust developing underneath. ( 6 years later )

Owing my mother many favors, as well as having a serious soft spot in my heart for the car as well, I have opted to save this car by undertaking this project myself.
My mother is financing this project, as she is aware of the potential value of this car, as my brother does not have the funds himself right now.

Here is wher I started, the car needed to be flat bedded to my house, as she is not even running st this point.

[BB73Challenger]

The car's front fenders were rust free in the begining, but looked like they had lost a fight with a 10 pound sledge, and I got the nod to freelance with creative ideas.
I opted for gilled 71 fenders, and began to put this forum's resources to work.
I as well needed a new trunk lid, rear valance, and now rear marker lights to match the front fenders.
Dave from Roseville is and has been an extreme help, as well as the guys down there.
They have a Cuda in the parts department that is to die for!
Being in Cleveland, I was able to make a drive up there to save shipping.

[BB73Challenger]

Here is pics of the new sheetmetal being test fit

[BB73Challenger]

With as much of this project being my first time this deep with a car, I swallowed my pride and asked for help.
It was the smartest thing I could do, and I want this project to reflect the efforts.
My Mom's neighbor is a PPG dealer, and has done many resto's, ranging from drivers in his own garage to show cars in a proper shop.
He has been kind enough to direct me, with extreme knowledge of what I was starting with to advising next steps.
Even coming to my house to evaluate the progress, I would not be able to undertake this project with out his help!

[BB73Challenger]

Here we are, the car re-assembled and now ready for metal prep then primer.
Using the advise and direction given to me, it is a 2 part epoxy primer.

[BB73Challenger]

I am right now in the process of smoothing her out, as well as adding holes to the metal for things like rear antenna, go wing and hood pins.

The saddest thing about this project?
She will soon outshine my own car!!

[cudagirl4406pk]

Keep up the good work and hope to see it at next years carlisle.


michele

[BB73Challenger]

The car will be painted in a Lime Light green, with matte black accents.

I hope to soon have a pic up on the projected finished look!

[BB73Challenger]

Keep up the good work and hope to see it at next years carlisle.


michele

That's the plan!
It won't look as nice as your car, but the goal is to have a nice driver that can get it's fare share of looks at the cruises.

I am also opting to stick with the 318 for now, the way gas prices are going, with a car that's being built to be driven will save a few bucks 

[422STROKER]

WOW!

You are doing a great job with it.

I think I have the same welder, how was welding with it on panels?

Eitherway keep us posted, it's going to Rock when done.

Tom

[BB73Challenger]

Thank you, I've been keeping a notebook as well on the progress logging hours and steps.
It's also a handy piece for notes on things to buy or questions to ask.
I've got plenty of time into her, not even counting drive times ( Detroit was a 6 hour round trip alone ) and MANY misc. trips to parts stores 

As far as the little welder goes, I just used it basicly for tacking the panels in, too much heat and the patches were thin enough to become an empty space in a hurry.

I will continue to update, the plan is to have it to the paint shop before the snow flies!

[NoMope Greg]

Nice work.  As to your brother's car looking better than yours - think of this as practice to do a total restoration on your own at some later date. 

[cudagirl4406pk]

Great i hope to see it in person .These restorations take alot alot of hours that is why it costs so much to restore a car these days you can have 500-1000 hours into a projects car doing it from the ground up.But looks like your right on track. Thanks for the compliment on my cuda took alot of work but well worth it in the end.And when you get frustrated just walk away dont want to make a mistake on something and have to do over because you get upset i know that is what i did with kenny when we did my car.Kenny is hoping to have member  trick's challenger done for the ocean for may and hopefully he will bring it to carlilse next july.


michele

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Jeff,

  God bless you buddy!!     Personally, I think Scott should at least sell his Cuda earing to fund this project.   



  Mike

[moparmaniac59]

Jeff,
Wow man. The car is looking awesome.  :woo:You do good work!! So are you gonna let Scott drive it?? Any plans for a mild build-up on the 318?? It can be a little screamer with a few fairly inexpensive mods. Keep us posted on the project. I'd love to see it and you and Scott with both cars at Carlisle!


                                                               Matt B.