My 70 Challenger makes progress

[peterro]

Well, it's been a long time coming but progress has been made and I'm STOKED!  The car went off for paint around this month in 1998.  It's still got a long way to go in terms of color sanding and getting color on all the parts but the major ones are well on their way.  The whole album is here: http://picasaweb.google.com/peterroshouse/Challenger92408#.  I guess I'll have to change my avatar.

After a lot of waiting and a couple of shops, this is what it looks like:



and

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Can I ask what that engine is?   


   
  Mike

[72hemi]

Looks good. Was the car painted apart and the jams done at the same time? How well did that work out? I have a plum crazy 70 challenger and I am trying to decide if I want to paint mine apart or not.

[peterro]

It's a 318 car originally.  I'm intending on putting a new 5.7 or 6.1 into it.  Not exactly a big block for the R/T badging, but I'm making it the way I want.

It was painted as you see the pictures.  The doors were painted on the backside before they were hung but the jams/body exterior were painted at the same time.  The doors were just opened so the jams/interior could be shot and then closed for the exterior shots.  Seems to have worked well.  Currently it is being sanded.  Don't know when the hood/trunk and other misc parts will be shot.

[Moparpena]

Color looks nice and I like that white stripe too. Thats the same color and stripe that my project will once have.

[RusTy/SE]

Man, that's gotta put a silly grin on your face

Russ

[hezzel]

Looking good

[NoMope Greg]

Beautiful!  It must feel really good after waiting for 10 years. 

[peterro]

It's way awesome.  I could hardly contain myself once the stripes started going on.  I was glad that my painter friend was putting them on and not me.  I would have gotten frustrated and they would've ended up wadded in a ball in the corner.

Once the stripes were on, I was giddy.  I had a combination of wanting to hug it and eat it since it looked so good.  Kinda weird but I'm super happy. 

I love the color and it really doesn't show up as well in the photos as it does being there.  It's a slightly different shade than the original.  The original was a bit too light for my taste so it was darkened/enriched to give it some more punch.  It was a delicate balance because I didn't want it too dark so that it wouldn't be plum crazy anymore.

Once it's done, I'll be putting the suspension under it to get it home and then for the rest.  I'm intending on putting in a white interior.  It should really pop.

Thanks for all the kind words.  I know all you folks would have a true understanding of how cool it is.  Now when it's home, I'll be able to just look in the garage and have fits of maniacal laughter for the joy of it being there.

[70shaker6pk]

Looks GREAT!!!!!!!!

[troutstreamnm]

That car is going to be a real looker    What are you plans for the interior?

[peterro]

Thanks.  It's a column shift car and it has the bench-bucket front seat.  As I understand those only came in blue or black.  Mine was blue to match the original blue exterior.  I'm intending on putting in a white interior.  Ideally, I'd want the same factory stitching but leather instead of vinyl.  We'll see when I find out what the actual cost is.  The only items not white will be the dash, steering wheel, carpet and kick panels.  They'll be black.

I found out today that the rest of the misc parts (hood, trunk lid, mirrors, valences etc) were painted today.  He was color sanding the fenders yesterday.  In theory, I'm supposed to get it back in about 1.5 weeks.  I had better get my garage cleaned out (it's currently stuffed).

[pokey427]

Sweeet ride.  White interior will make a great color combo. 

[Chlngrcrzy]

  Looks great. And i bet it fells great to be so close to being able to hang a few parts back on her. Again congrats!!
What would a whit vinyl top look like on her?

[peterro]

Yup.  Can't wait.  It originally had a black vinyl top that was one of the major causes of rust.  I suspect a white top would fit, but I don't particularly care for vinyl tops.  Rust magnets.