Dr.Jass
Pastor of Muppets
It all seemed so simple... buy a nice Southern Challenger from a trusted friend & board member, and build it to my desires. Sure, it needs a little bit of love here and there, but I'll be way ahead of the game with something out of the South for sure.
Well, one would think that, wouldn't one?
So, v8440 gave me a price on his '74 Challenger, about which I'd pestered him on and off for several years. It was too good of a deal to pass, so I cashed in my paltry "retirement" from the parts store and sent the check based on a whole bunch of very-good pictures he'd taken. The car was, particularly for my neck of the woods, stunning--it needed only a couple of small patches and a new roof panel. Stretch and his father-in-law, whose board name I can't recall at the moment, were kind enough to journey with me to get the car. v8440 threw in a passle of parts, some of which are needed and some of which aren't but I won't turn my nose up at spares either. I've been as giddy as a little kid on December 23rd since I got the car home and started collecting parts to revive it in the style I want it.
Then I started Phase I this past weekend: removal of the old roof panel, and the horror started.
Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, v8440 is a stand-up guy who's also a blast to be around. This in no way reflects poorly on him, as there's no way he could've known about what I've discovered unless he's already cut the roof off, yelled "Oh shit!", welded the roof back into place, and hidden everything. Extremely well. With rather magnificent lead & plastic filler skills. There's no way the damage could've been seen any other way, so I am still endlessy thankful that he sold me this car at the price he did, and I would have no problem dealing with him again monetarily should the need or opportunity arise. I cannot emphasize this enough. I don't see it any other way, nor should anyone else, capiche?
So, this is turning out to be much more of a project than originally intended. I'm a little disappointed obviously, but it takes work to fulfill a dream and this is one I will work to achieve. So, follow along with me as I start the rebuild of my '74 Challenger not from the ground up, but from the top down. :doh:
Well, one would think that, wouldn't one?
So, v8440 gave me a price on his '74 Challenger, about which I'd pestered him on and off for several years. It was too good of a deal to pass, so I cashed in my paltry "retirement" from the parts store and sent the check based on a whole bunch of very-good pictures he'd taken. The car was, particularly for my neck of the woods, stunning--it needed only a couple of small patches and a new roof panel. Stretch and his father-in-law, whose board name I can't recall at the moment, were kind enough to journey with me to get the car. v8440 threw in a passle of parts, some of which are needed and some of which aren't but I won't turn my nose up at spares either. I've been as giddy as a little kid on December 23rd since I got the car home and started collecting parts to revive it in the style I want it.
Then I started Phase I this past weekend: removal of the old roof panel, and the horror started.
Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, v8440 is a stand-up guy who's also a blast to be around. This in no way reflects poorly on him, as there's no way he could've known about what I've discovered unless he's already cut the roof off, yelled "Oh shit!", welded the roof back into place, and hidden everything. Extremely well. With rather magnificent lead & plastic filler skills. There's no way the damage could've been seen any other way, so I am still endlessy thankful that he sold me this car at the price he did, and I would have no problem dealing with him again monetarily should the need or opportunity arise. I cannot emphasize this enough. I don't see it any other way, nor should anyone else, capiche?
So, this is turning out to be much more of a project than originally intended. I'm a little disappointed obviously, but it takes work to fulfill a dream and this is one I will work to achieve. So, follow along with me as I start the rebuild of my '74 Challenger not from the ground up, but from the top down. :doh:
