Original Dodge Challenger
Discussion
Update on my Challenger, Heat Matrix arrived from the US, completely made from Ail, and pretty much everything was not correct !
The in and out pipes out of line, the core not centered in the frame, the fixing holes not drilled in the correct places, Marvelous !
Probably another piece of Chinese Sh-- ! no markings so cant say for certain???
Three hours it took me to finally get it to fit in the Heater Housing, anyway its back in and atm doesn't leak ! lol
All the under dash is now done, all the fresh air and defrost controls done , as ive stated before this is where restoration cost just go mental,
Took me 17 hrs in total to complete the above, laying on my back working upside down!
If i was charging this out to a customer @ 45 £ per hour its almost a grand with VAT !
Which aint a problem so much on a 400K DB5 but on poverty level cars like mine it sure can be!
The in and out pipes out of line, the core not centered in the frame, the fixing holes not drilled in the correct places, Marvelous !
Probably another piece of Chinese Sh-- ! no markings so cant say for certain???
Three hours it took me to finally get it to fit in the Heater Housing, anyway its back in and atm doesn't leak ! lol
All the under dash is now done, all the fresh air and defrost controls done , as ive stated before this is where restoration cost just go mental,
Took me 17 hrs in total to complete the above, laying on my back working upside down!
If i was charging this out to a customer @ 45 £ per hour its almost a grand with VAT !
Which aint a problem so much on a 400K DB5 but on poverty level cars like mine it sure can be!
Yeah maybe a Rebel Flag on the roof and numbers on the doors
Seriously yeah maybe? Possibly a Bonnet Call out?
But no silly side RT call outs!......................... and i hate Butt Stripes, look great on a Charger , crap on a Challenger....................
The Challenger was ordered Side Stripe Delete , so at least one thing is correct!
Seriously yeah maybe? Possibly a Bonnet Call out?
But no silly side RT call outs!......................... and i hate Butt Stripes, look great on a Charger , crap on a Challenger....................
The Challenger was ordered Side Stripe Delete , so at least one thing is correct!
OK all the Hard plastic trims are installed, turned into a mission, due to the Sound/heat proofing id reduced to internal dimensions buy 5mm
Consequently absolutely nothing fitted!
I was expecting this to a degree, but took much longer to get around !
Plus the door panels and the large rear quarter panels being 50 year old plastic are as brittle as F---, Lesson learnt if one is going restore a early Challenger to show standard you will absolutely need replacement panels! at current prices and shipping costs = around £3000!
Factor in Headliner,Carpet,Seat coverings, Door pulls etc your looking at 5K , about the same as a full leather/Wilton interior for an E Type,
Seems strange to me how expensive these cars are to restore, and unless its a 440-6 or a Hemi they dont command the money to warrant the restoration costs?????????
Mine have all been painted as they were originally black and the car now has a Porn Starr White interior....................
It all looks great, but it wont be very durable, due to how brittle and flimsy the panels have become with age, its like using self tappers to fit a windscreen!
Ive still got the Passenger seat back to fit, so if i get that done tomorrow i'l put up some pics...........................................
Should be ready to Road Test nest week
Consequently absolutely nothing fitted!
I was expecting this to a degree, but took much longer to get around !
Plus the door panels and the large rear quarter panels being 50 year old plastic are as brittle as F---, Lesson learnt if one is going restore a early Challenger to show standard you will absolutely need replacement panels! at current prices and shipping costs = around £3000!
Factor in Headliner,Carpet,Seat coverings, Door pulls etc your looking at 5K , about the same as a full leather/Wilton interior for an E Type,
Seems strange to me how expensive these cars are to restore, and unless its a 440-6 or a Hemi they dont command the money to warrant the restoration costs?????????
Mine have all been painted as they were originally black and the car now has a Porn Starr White interior....................
It all looks great, but it wont be very durable, due to how brittle and flimsy the panels have become with age, its like using self tappers to fit a windscreen!
Ive still got the Passenger seat back to fit, so if i get that done tomorrow i'l put up some pics...........................................
Should be ready to Road Test nest week
Ok the bulk of the resto is now completed, got a few bits and pieces to do, need to give the old girl a run now, all things considered im pleased with the results, doing a car of this size, and to this degree in such a small space aint easy, but it can be done
I'l get me coat..........................................................
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