Second lease on life 73 Challenger.

[Rdchallenger]

Hey all. Some of you may be familiar with this thread on CC some may not. Long story short, I bought a Challenger at one of the Mecum auctions, drove it for two years and decided that I'd like to have it the way i truly want (triple green wasn't working for me). I also had a feeling that it was hiding some ugliness under that cheap paint job. Knowing what i do about these cars now i would have passed on it since i have an idea now what I'm looking for on ebodies as far as where rust is hiding. That's neither here nor there now though.
I got to talking to a local guy here who says he has restored some cars and he showed me his work. Mostly Chebys but i did see that he restored a 69 Cornet so that eased my mind a little bit. I sent the car away at the end of March... I got my car back yesterday in the state you're about to see...

Alan, try not to faint...

[Rdchallenger]

To the good... While the car was away I worked on the interior. New seat covers, rebuilt the dash, sent my switches away to be restored, Refresehed the seat tracks, and colored the panels as well as fixed cracks.

[Rdchallenger]

Keep in mind this was just a base 318 car. I am not wanting a concourse resto by any means. I have never done metal work before, so that part will be fun haha. But I'm Just doing a solid driver that i can take out on weekends. Next i will be refreshing the steering column thanks to the videos by Cody.

[Cuda Cody]

I've seen a lot worse.  Your car doesn't look to bad and you're already making progress on some of the part.  Sorry to hear things haven't went smoother for you so far.  But there's a lot of fun still to do on it and you're getting to learn a lot.  Thanks for sharing the photos!

[750-h2]

I feel your pain. I brought my car to a reputable restoration shop. Job was suppose to take 4 to 6 months. Three years later and ten thousand $ more than the agreed price I got my car back. On a + side the car is laser straight with perfect body gaps.  Just glad this body shop ordeal is over!

[Rdchallenger]

I've seen a lot worse.  Your car doesn't look to bad and you're already making progress on some of the part.  Sorry to hear things haven't went smoother for you so far.  But there's a lot of fun still to do on it and you're getting to learn a lot.  Thanks for sharing the photos!

Thanks Cody!
The guy was all about it thinking it would be an easy resto, but after it got blasted he saw the work that was going to need done and just stopped working but still had me buy panels. Out a couple thousand unfortunately but at least at have got the car back in my possession and it's not sitting outside covered up (yeah that's a whole new story), the crappy part about it is that it wasn't even treated after the blasting was done, I'm still finding sand everywhere. I do have the thread on how to hang a quarter book marked.

Definitely going to be an adventure as I know I'm far from the first person to restore a car in a single car garage.

[Cuda Cody]

Wish we were closer as I would give you a hand.  Teaching others how to restore cars is just as much fun as restoring my own.  Please do not give up and just look at it in very small steps.  Only focus on one section at a time.  Before you know it will be all done and restored to a level that you can be proud of.   

[Rdchallenger]

Thanks Cody! Means a lot, if anything you'll be teaching me with your videos  I'm not one to give up that's for sure. It just might take a little while for me to accomplish.

[nsmall]

Yes Cody is right on...try to focus on one area.   Looks like you have your door panels, dash, seats done, so hopefully looking at them will motivate/encourage you.  That line about Alan...good one.  Alan often gets way worse, I doubt he fainted.

I would get any exposed metal sealed up asap.  I wish you the best.  We all have stories of being duped, thankfully you got your car back and didn't get roasted big time.

[jimynick]

Man, that's just sad! That guy should get out of the trade if he couldn't fix your car- period and Chevys be damned! Take a close look at it and if required, a wee trip back to the blaster would be advised, with a coat of good quality epoxy asap once it (if req'd) returns. Been there and done that, so when it comes time, reach out here and we'll hold your hand and get you on the road to recovery, so to speak. Good luck with this! 

[Rdchallenger]

  Look at this Facebook find!!! Paid $30 dollars for it!!! Going to refresh it and dye it. 

[Cuda Cody]

Nice find!         

[71GranCoupe]

That is a score. Been many years ago that you could buy one of those at a swap meet for the money you spent. 

[Rdchallenger]

 Not bad for an hour or so worth of work. 

[nsmall]

Dang, keep it up.  That's called turnover.  I believe you can finish this bad boy at this pace.