My A66 project

[72hemi]

Over the weekend I was finally able to get started on my A66 Challenger project. It is a factory 340, 4 speed, plum crazy, white stripe, white interior car. The car was in a very bad accident around 1982-1983 time frame and has sat ever since, until I bought it back in February 2007.

Over the weekend we removed the front frame rails and cleared out the interior. To my amazement when I removed the K member the body sprung back to its original location. When i bought the car I figured I would have to pull the body back out as the passenger side rocker was pushed over almost an inch. I decided that I should replace the floor pan instead of patching it. So i will use the new AMD or Goodmark front one piece pan and the two intermediate pans. Does anyone have any experience with the quality and fitment with these pans? 

My Dad worked on prepping the front end off the parts car. I will need to order new inner fenders as well as these have some rust issues. Once I get the new floors in and the new front end on I will remove the suspension to restore it and paint the jams. I will probably buy a soda/media blaster from Eastwood and blast the car.

This project is going to take a lot of time and progress will be slow due to both funds and I am currently only able to go up to Redding (where the car is) about once every 6 weeks.

[71ChallengerSE]

Did this car ever come with a luggage rack? I am trying to locate my fathers friends A66.

[72hemi]

No it was pretty plain jane other than the color, 340 package and 4 speed.

[femtnmax]

John -  Good to see your saving another classic from the end of the line.  Keep us posted.   

[HemiOrange70]

340 Plum crazy with white interior is my second favorite car

[DMZ73]

 
Jeez... That is some project you are undertaking! Looks like you are going through it methodically. You are making incredibly big steps forward to save that car.
Was the damage all contained in the front framerails and aprons? Man, that is luck.
I looked at a 340 4 speed car a few years ago that was smashed in the same manner, but it ended up wrinkling the firewall. At the time there were no replacement firewalls, and I was scared.

Great job, keep up posted/

Dan

[72hemi]

John -  Good to see your saving another classic from the end of the line.  Keep us posted.  

Thanks. I think I may enjoy restoring these more than driving them  but it gives a sense of accomplishment when I get them done. and I think when  I finish this one and show it I will at least have a picture of the hood at the show to show the level of impact.

Jeez... That is some project you are undertaking! Looks like you are going through it methodically. You are making incredibly big steps forward to save that car.
Was the damage all contained in the front framerails and aprons? Man, that is luck.
I looked at a 340 4 speed car a few years ago that was smashed in the same manner, but it ended up wrinkling the firewall. At the time there were no replacement firewalls, and I was scared.

Great job, keep up posted/

Dan

Yes the damage was contained to the front end, thankfully. But it wouldn't have mattered much because I would have saved it either way, can't be too many cars with this kind of options built, let alone still alive today. There was some dents in the fire wall, but the inner fender on the passenger side ripped out of the firewall minimizing the damage there and probably to the rest of the body as well, but that was another reason I decided to replace the floor, because where the passenger frame rail welded to the floor was wrinkled a little. I am definitely looking forward to this challenge I just wish I had more time and money to work on it. Although I am coming into some more money soon for putting a 69 440 6 pack roadrunner back together for a guy I know, so that will help the restoration along.

[Topcat]

Been a long time John. Any updates?

[72hemi]

It has been a long time since I have updated this thread, but that has mostly been due to the fact that I haven't had much time to work on it. Well that changed recently and I got a lot of work done on the car and will post pictures later this afternoon. The car is a roller now with all of the sheet metal installed and the rusty floor boards replaced and the front and rear window channels welded up. I am hoping to head back up to Redding over Christmas to knock out most of the bodywork.

[72hemi]

Here are a couple updated pictures.

[72hemi]

It should also be noted that I just tallied up the actual time I have in this car and so far I am less than 2 weeks into it (despite purchasing the car back in February 2007) and I have less than $4000 total invested and now have most of the parts to finish the restoration. Unfortunately some of the parts I am still searching for are fairly big ticket items; dash pad, white door panels (I have black ones that I can dye), taillight lens, seat belts, windshield, headlight bezels, 4 speed pedals, and air cleaner.

[72hemi]

As promised here are some updated pictures.

[Jamiez]

Nice 

They reproduce the interior door panels now...if you find reproduction ones acceptable.  Probably easier than going from black to white. with dye.

[brads70]

All I can say is wow!    Hat's off to ya bringing that one back! 

[Topcat]

Wow, looks great John.
Good to hear you're back on the E Body mission again.