70's Era 'Bird Resto...... (Updated 11-15-08)

[CornDogsCharger]

I know some of you will hate this... some will love it... but before I get bashed, it isn't my car.  I'm just doing the work.  I'm sure some of you have seen that this red/white/blue 'bird was recently bought by my boss and plans to bring the car back to factory stock.  I had the chance to inspect and photograph the car Tues evening.  This car is very solid for the most part.  The paint job shows signs of wear, but is actually very nice for a 32+ year old job.  The car does have a few minor rust issues  The car will get a new trunk floor, gas tank braces, and a tail light panel, trunk gutters... all from AMD.  During transport, the car was dented on the roof and tore the vinyl top (front edge, pass. side).  This will not be a major repair.  The parts will be here early May and soonafter, I will dismantle the whole car and mount it to a rotisorie.  During inspection, I noticed that the car was actually painted yellow at one time.... Originally Vit C Orange, then painted yellow early on, then RWB in early to mid 70's.  Anyways, once the restoration starts, I will post all photos and updates to this topic.  Until then, tell me what you think.  Remember, not my car... be nice.

Justin
"CornDog"

[Old Moparz]

I can't say I'd blame him for wanting to repaint it, it's not something I'm crazy about. I wouldn't mind owning it though, a wing car in any color is cool.   

I'll look forward to seeing the resto pix.

[pettybird]

talk him into leaving it.

[MoParMetal]

talk him into giving me those valve covers. 

this bird makes me think that if Speed Racer had a wing car, it would look like this.
of course it would have a LOT of cool gizmos and what not.

[BigBlockSam]

 

[bzabodyn]

My father and I came about  [  ]  this close to buying this car, but the price we decided on was about $10k shy of what it went for (we were also going to go the same route of restoring to factory specs)...

Good luck and keep us updated...

BZ

[DougSchellinger]

It doesn't look bad enough to tear into.   It has a lot of personality the way it is.   I understand why a new owner might not be crazy about the paint and would want to bring it back to stock.  At the same time, it pretty much erases much of the story behind the car - at least the part of the time capsule you can actually touch.   It will be "just another Superbird" among the masses when it is restored.    But it's not my place to tell the guy how to spend his money either. 

[A383Wing]

I agree with Doug......

Bryan  (my vote is leave it the way it is...my  )

[moparstuart]

  Why pay all that money and then restore it too !   He could have bought a restored one or nice original one for a little more .  He will be way deeper in this car restoring it then to have just bought one in this market  ?
.

[PocketThunder]

I'd be nice to fix the rust though.  You can take it back to Red White and Blue also. 

[BigBlockSam]

It doesn't look bad enough to tear into 

  i has to agree with Doug. this is a very cool car the way it is . the way bird prices have come down , you can get a stock bird for about $95000 . not worth tearing this one up. it's got a lot of history.  Rene

[billssuperbird]

 

[Blown70]

To me that car is a time capsule that should be what it is NOW, as it was back in the day.

That being said I DONT OWN it, truely up to the owner.......

Tom

[Magnumcharger]

Sand 'er down!! 

[62 Max]

I'd probably paint the wing and nose and quit there.

[CornDogsCharger]

Wow, Thanks for all of the comments.  Honestly, I agree with Doug and a few others too.  I really enjoy seeing the unique cars more-so than factory originals.  I guess it's mostly because of the fact that you never see them in this form.  As for all of the vintage bolt on goodies... I already have dibs on them.  HA!  The tail panel is starting to rust around the edges and at the top where the trunk gutters join in.  If I replace the piece before the car is stripped, I will save it as a "momento" of how it once was. 

I know the car looks great in the photos, but in person it is a different story.  The car is about a 15 footer.  The old paint is cracking, chipped, and "crow's footing".  If you study it close up, you see bondo-rings in various spots.  The white pin stripe is not painted and is actually vinyl.  Regardless, the car will need a full paintjob to look nice upclose again.  It's cool for what it is, but it still needs work.  Thanks again for the posts.

Justin
"CornDog"

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Restore it and it looks like every other Superbird out there. Which isn't a bad thing but with that paint job it has cool history and character. I would leave it for sure.

[69charger2002]

It doesn't look bad enough to tear into 

  i has to agree with Doug. this is a very cool car the way it is . the way bird prices have come down , you can get a stock bird for about $95000 . not worth tearing this one up. it's got a lot of history.  Rene

you may can get a stock 440 auto on column bird for $95k maybe, but this is a 6 pack 4 speed car. i think with what the guy paid plus $20-30k to restore.. he will still be coming out pretty good.. i'm not a huge fan of nostalgia, especially 70's paint jobs. they are cool, don't get me wrong, but if I OWNED one, it would not stay that way. so i can't blame the new owner

trav

[SFRT]

shame. id restore the funky paint job, since it really has FLAIR. a stock resto it will just be another boring 'I dont dare touch it' car.

[UFO]

Fix the body issue's and put a 70's style paint job on.No longer just another restored bird.