'73 Challenger Rallye Restoration

[moparleo]

Sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't make the mistake of hurrying too much now. A common mistake towards the end of a resto. 0

 

[Bill]

I can smell it Leo! ( lol). I'm in no hurry. It will get done when it gets done.

Sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't make the mistake of hurrying too much now. A common mistake towards the end of a resto. 0

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

What will be the best smell?
Open air
New interior
engine oil and paint burning off
Machine oil from exhaust
Or even just the exhaust smell...

Mike

 

[Bill]

All the above plus the sound of the 340.

What will be the best smell?
Open air
New interior
engine oil and paint burning off
Machine oil from exhaust
Or even just the exhaust smell...

Mike

 

[Bill]

Put the torsion bars in and lowered the car down off the jacks to see how it levels out with the new Hotchkis rear springs and the PST front suspension kit. I like it!
The whole car has been 400 then 600 wet sanded after about three months of blocking.
If everything goes as planned we will be sealing, base coat and clear coating the car on the weekend of August 23rd or 30th. My co-worker who use to work in an auto body shop and is going to paint it came over a few weeks ago and was surprised to see what a good job I did. He was giving the car the Stevie Wonder hand rub and was impressed. I have no clue but it was was very encouraging to hear him say that.

 

[Ray]

Looks good.

 

[Bill]

Looks good.

Thanks Ray! I need all the encouragement and advice I can get.

 

[Mkid70]

Hi Bill,
Great progress. I thought the hotchkis springs would lower It more than your picture shows. Are your tires 15 inch or 14? Could you measure from the floor to the wheel well and post those numbers? No one seems to have any rear ride height numbers.

 

[Bill]

Tires are 14". I think it is just the angle of the picture. The measurement is around 24-5/8" from floor to wheel well. On both sides even!!! woopeee!!.

Hi Bill,
Great progress. I thought the hotchkis springs would lower It more than your picture shows. Are your tires 15 inch or 14? Could you measure from the floor to the wheel well and post those numbers? No one seems to have any rear ride height numbers.

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

For ride height you also take into consideration the tire profile. I am changing from a 26.5 tall tire to a 28inch. Hub center to wheel lip would correctly measure consistent or common heights.

 

[Bill]

Last coat of primer to give a consistent, even base before sealer and paint. Everyone I have spoke to that has a lot of experience with painting cars is telling me that we should let the primer sit on the car for at least a few weeks before we put on sealer and paint. This is one of my co-workers that use to work in an auto body shop for a living. He's a Chevy guy but he can paint a whole lot better than I can so I forgive him for that (lol).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0epeE3fEMe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaQ6nTgvEDk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0-yCCyKMp8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfWvcoq91-w

.

 

[Mkid70]

Thanks Bill,
74 challenger is spot on, The way to take the tires out of the equation is to measure from the center of the hub to wheel well lip. Sooo, if you get a chance can you post that for us. Looks great, nice that you found a painter to help

 

[Bill]

It's back up on jacks with the wheels off getting ready for paint. When I get it back on the ground I will be more than happy to post that measurement.

Thanks Bill,
74 challenger is spot on, The way to take the tires out of the equation is to measure from the center of the hub to wheel well lip. Sooo, if you get a chance can you post that for us. Looks great, nice that you found a painter to help

 

[Bill]

Before and after steering column.

 

[Bill]

 

[Bill]

Paint looks nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpZJ3mEEZvI

 

[moparleo]

Looks like time for lots of wet sanding and buffing. Getting closer to drive time !

 

[Bill]

Thanks Leo. Hopefully on the road for spring 2015. We are going to wet sand a buff after a couple of weeks. I have 48 million parts that I need to put back on the car as well. I'm going to have LOTS of questions. It's a nice feeling that when something is installed on the car now at this stage of the game it may just stay on the car.

Looks like time for lots of wet sanding and buffing. Getting closer to drive time !

 

[mmissile]

Looks like all the hard work is paying off. Nice.

 

[Bill]