SURVIVOR vs. GROUND-UP RESTORATION!

[resq302]

wow, they really covered the floor on that car with paint.  Usually it did not get that much and was only over spray.  Almost looks like they were trying to cover up the blue on purpose that was on the floors.

[Dodge Guy]

I have been following this thread with awe.  One area that I'd like to learn more about is engine and trans VIN stampings.  Can you show us examples from the Valiant,  and educate us a bit more on the subject?

[RamSRT]

I have been following this thread with awe.  One area that I'd like to learn more about is engine and trans VIN stampings.  Can you show us examples from the Valiant,  and educate us a bit more on the subject?

Dave,

Now the can of worms has been opened.  How are you going to explain rebodying and restamping that 68 Hemi Super Stock Dart into a 4 Door Slant 6 Valiant? 

Tom

RPM Guy

['Cuda Hunter]

Are the two pictures above the same vin stamp?  On the engine?

Does the transmission have the same odd stamping on the first two digits?

[MoparPate]

Dave,

Now can you show us examples of the zeros that may be restamps/ fake  you may have encountered over the years.  Perhaps a comparison would be helpful.

[MoparPate]

Excellent....thanks.

[resq302]

Ok, that explains a LOT Dave!  Thanks for that tid bit.  I was wondering on the spare set of door hinges I have for my car why there was green paint on it and just had thought it was F8 dark green metallic paint that was on there.  I guess you do learn something new every day!

[resq302]

Dave,

Amazing as always.     Family is doing good.  The 18 mos old is getting sick again with either a head cold or allergies / sinus problems so hopefully that does not turn into yet another ear infection.  But aside from that everyone is doing well. 

It looks like that inspection mark on the K frame was orange instead of white.  Did that just discolor over the years or did rust bleed through?  No matter how many times I see these pictures, I am absolutely amazed at how exact you and your crew got everything dead on back to the position it was before.  Truly amazing!

[resq302]

Funny, I use the same cardboard idea with bolts and such especially when working on my engine.   

You may have spent countless hours indexing the bolts and putting everything back to where it was when you removed them but to me, that invested time is what makes the car so much better of a restoration.  Your crew certainly goes far above and beyond what any other restoration company has that I have seen.  And to me, that is what makes a car that much better, the details that are put into the restoration.

[resq302]

Dave,

It almost looks as if there had been a mask of some kind on the lower edge of the inner part of the door by where the door skin was folded over.  The application of the paint seems to have been from the outside (door skin side) being shot up and under the door.  The part that baffles me is how the bottom edge of the door was left bare metal and why it would have been left like that especially that area would have been prone to water and possibly salt from winter roads.

[Dodge Guy]

Dave,

I saw a thread on moparts that had photos of a  restored starter and alternator.  How did you restore the ones on your Valiant?  Are they blasted somehow, or how is the metal made to look like new.  How was the starter painted? 

[GranCuda1970]

Really quite interesting learning what was done during the manufacturing process! Keep this thread going darn good read.

[resq302]

Damn Dave!  That sure is purdy!  I always drool when I see the finished product!

[spamtank]

Damn Dave!  That sure is purdy!  I always drool when I see the finished product!

   Almost a shame to have to put it back in the car where you don't get to fully appreciate the craftsmanship.

[ChallengerHK]

  It would be interesting to do a cutaway car with these procedures for car shows.