And So It Begins.... 1970 340 Cuda Restoration

[sadil340]

I think cleaning and painting the K-frame was one of the high points of the restoration for me. While everything else was out getting rebuild it was something I could do to prove to myself the restoration was really happening!

[loco340cuda]

I finished tearing down the car today.     It will be leaving for the body shop on Monday morning.   

Man, now that the car is apart it really looks rough. 

Here are some before pictures.  I'll post the after picts when the car gets back in a couple of months.

[ShelbyDogg]

Haha, a couple of months. Does that mean 2 or 3? Let the clock begin. 11-3-15.

[loco340cuda]

I hear ya on the couple of months thing.  It will be interesting to see if they actually hold to the schedule (2 months).  I know most body shops are terrible with quoting schedules so it will be interesting to see how these guys do.

I'll post progress pictures as I get them.

[rUNCHARGER]

I am always really clear with them that it has to be done by a certain time. I tell them I do not want it to be filler for when they're not busy but it must be on the front line and I will pay as stuff gets done. It really looks to be in good shape so hopefully you'll get it back in a timely fashion. I bet your neighbor is feeling guilty about now.

Sheldon

[70chall440]

Definitely possible, however usually not probable. Hopefully it works out.

[sadil340]

Doesn't look that rough to me! Maybe it's the pics. Anyway you're lucky to be starting now instead of a couple of decades ago when there was no repro sheet metal available.

Looking forward to more pics!

[loco340cuda]

I guess I should clarify on my rough statement....  from a cosmetic point of view it looks rough, but from a bigger picture point of view (structural and rust) the body is actually in decent shape.  The only rust that will need to be fixed is the lower rear quarters and the truck pan.  It also has some rust issues in the windshield channel area but it is very minor.

You are correct on your repro sheet metal statement.  I would have hated to try to find some used sheet metal back in the day to fix the lower quarters and trunk pan.  Also on my car the front and rear valence where bent up, not enough that it they could not be saved but enough that financially it was cheaper to replace them then have the body shop straighten them.  Thank goodness for repro sheet metal. 

[TelisSE440]

Almost all sheet metal are being reproduced, this car is in decent shape. Most cars are being restored with far more rust and damage...

[loco340cuda]

The car left for the body shop this morning.......

[loco340cuda]

At the body shop.....

[loco340cuda]

For the rear tail panel I understand the original black paint used was called orginasol.  I hear this paint is hard to find and hard to keep clean.  What black paint are you guys using as an alternative to this orginasol black paint?

-Thanks

[loco340cuda]

Anyone have any input on my question above on the rear tail panel paint?

[70chall440]

how original are you trying to go? if originality isn't a huge concern; just paint it a semi gloss black (gloss looks crappy and flat is more body color dependent). If you are after stock, then you need to do some research; there are companies that sell versions of the original style and a good paint shop can make something similar. The issue was/is that there was a texture to it which is difficult to replicate. There is someone on this sight building a challenger that just had his hood (a TA hood) painted with a textured paint and it looks (from the pictures) awesome; might find him and see what he can tell you.

[70chall440]

This is the thread, look on page 6

69CHARGERMD's 1970 Challenger restoration