Author Topic: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ  (Read 37931 times)

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #30 on: May 26, 2012 - 06:44:44 AM »
Hi Brent, car was a white top/ white int. , i am going black/black.
Hi RRRuFAST.  Here is a bit more background. I decided I wanted a Challenger. Very hard to find any projects here in NZ. Found this one on Craigs List, rang seller and decided sounds great. Through a NZ (USA based) car importer I paid a guy to go look at car and take lots of photos. All good , so importer picks up car and stores it at warehouse until there is a container going to NZ. In the mean time I am buying parts from across the US and having them delivered to the shippers depot. The seller was great guy and gave me list of parts the car needed. I wanted to change some things( 383 BB, ralley rims, black interior) so that accounted for most parts. Found the 383/727 on craigs list LA, great guy, even dropped it off at the depot. My Visa card and phone bill were big. The container left LA month or so later, and took 3 weeks to sail into port. There was my car plus 3 motorbikes, dodge ram , model A, and lots of boxes in the container. Paid lots of taxes, charges and fees, and I was the proud owner of a 73 Dodge Challenger with potential.
 Couple of photos of car when it was brought home from the desert  buy the previous owner. Had been sitting in his mothers yard for number of years. Also pics of car at shippers.




Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #31 on: May 29, 2012 - 04:06:04 PM »
Been on the end of the spraygun again. Am very happy with the finish on the trunk, hood and doors. Hoped to do more yesterday, got myself set up to do under sills and hinges, brackets etc, but did't happen.

Offline Jocigar

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #32 on: May 30, 2012 - 11:20:07 AM »
wow, you are moving fast... looks great!    Are you using 2 stage paint?

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #33 on: May 31, 2012 - 07:25:34 AM »
Thanks Jocigar. The months spent on prep time are paying off. Am using Dupont 6000 basecoat with one of there clears. Got some more on last couple of days. The fiddley bits, hinges etc took a day, and today did the hood nose? , under sills and under taillights. At this stage I am not using the rear bumper molding, will shorten the brackets to bring bumper in closer to body. Will paint the taillight section argent silver .

Offline AARuFAST

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #34 on: June 01, 2012 - 11:44:14 PM »
 :cheers:  L@@Kin Good...............

came across this 71 challenger at Mason- Dixon Car show couple weeks ago. Really solid body,
no motor, drove train. $7000.oo
« Last Edit: June 01, 2012 - 11:46:03 PM by AARuFAST »
1970 AAR Cuda
1970 Gran Coupe Ragtop. 1 of 66
Gran Cpe Convertible 1 yr only.

" I Want to Ride "

" I tried to be normal once...
it was the most boring
2 minutes of my life!!!!"

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #35 on: June 03, 2012 - 03:40:52 AM »
Thanks mate. I like the look of that yellow 71. It may be a good thing that I live so far away. Fear I would fall to temptation and buy every project going.

Offline hooD

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #36 on: June 03, 2012 - 04:17:01 AM »
I just read your entire thread.  WOW....nice progress!  You probably dream about painting while sleeping.  Keep the pictures flowing.  I thought you might like the picture below.

1973 vintage magazine add
-Larry
member since AUG 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvrWiLgDm7Y

southeastern michigan usa
             
 
            
1973 'CUDA 340
 
original owner
37,117 miles
  
:grinyes: *click my E-Body* :grinyes:

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #37 on: June 13, 2012 - 05:31:15 PM »
I hooD, thanks. I have a laminated copy of that ad on my photo board.
 Progress has slowed. Had a friend come out and gap the panels. Have never had the trunk lid or hood on as car came apart. Trunk fits great, hood needs a push sideways but looks close. There is so many panels to tie in up front, guards,valance, hood , and header all must be adjusted together. That next job. Doors look great and rear valance close. Took couple of goes to get trunk bows in , but working fine . Tried wing on and trunk stays up with bows on 1st notch.
 Had local guy make me 2 new hood hinge springs as I had one 70 and one 73. About $50 US, so very happy.
 The final paint. Have had 2 pros look at my work and both reckon I have done a great job. Both will do weekend cash jobs. Will paint everything off the car. Both busy so looks like 3-4 weeks away. Gives me time to hunt out an pinholes , finish sanding and gaping.
 Had another guy look at my cracked header unit. Said it is made from epoxy resin and cost $230-300 US to fix. Still thinking might try it myself.
 Sent pics of my dashpad to dashresto people( rebuild and vaccum) and they said it is the worst one they have seen ! No change out of $1000 US there. BUMMER.
 Thanks for looking, tony. 

Offline usraptr

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #38 on: June 13, 2012 - 08:59:36 PM »
Wow!  You've done more in three months than I've done in 3 years.  Keep up the great work! :2thumbs:
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #39 on: July 06, 2012 - 05:08:28 AM »
Been busy but not a lot to show from it. Having real problems getting the rear valance to fit, just won't fit in the gap. May have to cut a nick in it. Been sanding the header panel ready for the pro to take over. Number of cracks and poor repairs. Painted the steering column. Final hunt for pin holes and imperfections in primer . First booth paint next weekend, can't wait.

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #40 on: July 15, 2012 - 07:43:45 AM »
Time for the top coat. Really pleased with the result. The hard yards on the prep work pays off . Painter doing great job. More pics tomorrow.

Offline challengerx

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #41 on: July 15, 2012 - 08:22:32 AM »
WOW Tony, really looking good. Do you ever sleep, you are getting alot done. Nice job.

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #42 on: July 16, 2012 - 02:25:47 AM »
Thanks Chris. Yes I am abit obsessed at the moment. Picked up the guards and other door this morning. I think I am going to have to get one of those " Look but please don't touch " signs. Thought my painting was good until I saw the shine on these panels.

Offline Jocigar

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #43 on: July 16, 2012 - 10:12:54 AM »
 :clapping:   paint looks awesome!

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: 73 Challenger, Calif. to NZ
« Reply #44 on: July 16, 2012 - 01:32:45 PM »

Painting it tough but keep at it and you will get it.

 :bigsmile:
1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD