74 Challenger Canadian Restoration

[70chall440]

Very cool, will look neat once the car is done to compare them.

[daaboots]

Getting back into the swing of things. First order of business was to pull the wheel housing out. I have two new ones from Year One. I made a new bracket and fixed a hole in the frame rail. Feels good working on the old car again!

[jimynick]

I'll make a suggestion here if I may? Don't weld either of those 2 wheelhouses together nor in until you get your 1/4 's. I bought AMD panels (including 1/4s) and they fit like hell. I called AMD and their repair shop's comments were to "throw them in and try to get the best fit you can". I clamped them together using the gauge holes and their lips weren't even close. I ended up having to mount the 1/4 with the wheelhouses just sitting inside and then wrangle them together as best as possible. I still ended up reshaping parts to achieve any success at all. You'll also stand a better chance of achieving a decent door/quarter gap as well. Good luck 

[70chall440]

Completely agree with Jimy, clecos and clamps are your friends here.

[daaboots]

I'll make a suggestion here if I may? Don't weld either of those 2 wheelhouses together nor in until you get your 1/4 's. I bought AMD panels (including 1/4s) and they fit like hell. I called AMD and their repair shop's comments were to "throw them in and try to get the best fit you can". I clamped them together using the gauge holes and their lips weren't even close. I ended up having to mount the 1/4 with the wheelhouses just sitting inside and then wrangle them together as best as possible. I still ended up reshaping parts to achieve any success at all. You'll also stand a better chance of achieving a decent door/quarter gap as well. Good luck 

Thanks for the heads up Ian! I won't weld anything until I have everything lined up in the back end. I did some test fits with the Year One wheel houses and I'm actually impressed with the fitment. It's a bit off near the front but I'll be able to pull the 1/4 in with some clamps. Back side fits perfect!

[70chall440]

Just will throw it out there; "perfect" and "fit" do not usually come together on these cars too often.

[daaboots]

Just will throw it out there; "perfect" and "fit" do not usually come together on these cars too often.

HAHA! Ok well, maybe perfect is the wrong word then. Maybe I should have said "fit better than expected"

[70chall440]

  I was just being flippant, I am sure the car will be built better than they did originally. I found when doing my Cuda that while the pieces "sort of" fit together, there were many areas that didn't fit near as good as it could have. Some of that was a result of 40 years of sag and movement and much of it was just poor design made for mass production. They seemed to count on many areas being hidden once built or at least unseen.

[daaboots]

So I decided to do mini-tubs... might as well do it now while I have the chance. I added 1.5", which is as much as you can go without cutting into the rear frame rails. Turned out pretty nice!

[jimynick]

Good job. It'll be interesting to see how the 1/4 skins tie into the trunk extensions/rear valance and rocker while allowing the outer panel to bow out enough to swallow some of that 1.5". Don't give up now! 

[70chall440]

Good idea, I did exactly the same thing on my Cuda. One point of interest, your back seat will no longer fit with the mini tubs; you will have to modify the frames and have them recovered (assuming you will be using a rear seat).

[daaboots]

Next video is up! I must say, this is the best quality video of the Challenger I have ever assembled! I'm loving my new Canon 80D camera, GoPro stabilizer grip, and Eastwood LED lights!

Sorry...

[daaboots]

Making more progress... should be able to get that quarter back on soon!

[jimynick]

Coming along laddie, coming along! 
PS- that's a cute wee helper you've got, too!

[daaboots]

Coming along laddie, coming along! 
PS- that's a cute wee helper you've got, too!

They really enjoy painting and watching me weld! Gotta start them young