Say Hello to Project "SurpriseBird" (FINISHED) ...Updates Pg. 7 on 12-2-11

[CornDogsCharger]

Well, I am finishing up the 440/6 4spd Vit C Bird and I thought I was gonna go back to regular collision work.  Actually, this wouldn't be so bad but it doesn't really matter to me either way.  So anyways, the owner of the shop... who also owns the first Superbird came to me and asked where I was with it.  After I told him that it will be finished this month he asked if I was interested in doing the other Bird that he just purchase.  Not that it really bothered me, but I tried to talk him out of it.  Mostly because I have already seen more rust in this car than in the first car.  Plus, the car was wrecked pretty bad in 1978/9 and I can see where a used section was installed.  Knowing how the owner is... I know it may start off as a simple repaint... and end up being a full resto.  He told me that he didn't want to make this car as detailed as the first car mostly because he planned on driving this car where ever and when ever he wanted to.  

At first, he said he wanted a simple repaint.  Then... he figured now would be a good time to rebuild the original numbers matching 440 since it is tired and worn out.  But then he said... if the engine comes out, then he will definately have to strip the undercoating from the engine bay and repaint it.  Well... the driver side inner apron is damaged from the wreck and rusted from the battery leaking.  So it will need to be replaced.  In order to pull the sheetmetal back into place, the fenders and nose will need to be removed.  Well, the nose was molded to the fenders a long time ago.  So that will need to be taken apart.  the trunk floor is rusty so it will need replacing.... as well as the rear body panel..... hmmmm starting to look like a snowball effect here.  

When my boss bought the car, he knew that it had been wrecked but the seller said the fender and door were replaced.  He didn't say anything about sectioning in the floor pan, inner rocker, outer rocker, inner kick panel, complete hinge pillar, and part of the firewall.  Granted, everything lined up well.... the lines looked good and the door open and shut fine... cosmetically, it looks pretty crappy.  Plus, the floor panel doesn't line up well at all.  

But before I get too far ahead of myself... let me show you what we are starting with.  I meantioned this car in an earlier post.  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55425.0.html  It's amazing how nice and solid this car looks upon first inspection.  Trust me... it gets much better

Justin
"CornDog"

[maxwellwedge]

They all turn into "Snowballs" dont they? Where to start and where to stop....The age-old question.

A far from good and good from afar car. 

[CornDogsCharger]

The initial tear down of the vehicle revealed much of what I was antisipating.  First out was the interior as well as the dash panel.  You can see on the floor where the used piece was sectioned in.  All of the white seam sealer is where it was cut.  It almost looks like the floor was sectioned and patched due to rust at the same time.  








After the dash was removed from the car, you can see most of where the car was cut apart and the used piece was sectioned in.  As you can see in the pictures, the donor car was green.  I thought all of the green car survived over the years.  Haha.  They were not as concerned about the appearance from the inside.  Also, if you look carefully, you can see were the firewall was buckled between the accelerator pedal and the steering column opening.  The firewall is still bend and you can see where they heated it up with a torch to straighten the metal.






Still think it looks like a nice car??
Justin
"CornDog"

[69bronzeT5]

Hello Project SurpriseBird!!!

I noticed it has 72 and later style center caps on the Rallyes. I wonder what kind of donor car they used back then Good luck with everything Justin, but aren't you getting tired of orange Birds yet?

[CornDogsCharger]

Hello Project SurpriseBird!!!

I noticed it has 72 and later style center caps on the Rallyes. I wonder what kind of donor car they used back then Good luck with everything Justin, but aren't you getting tired of orange Birds yet?

Not really.  You'd think I would though.  Wrapping up orange Bird #1 after just over a year.... and starting on orange Bird #2... I think there is something wrong with me.  Maybe I'm asking for punishment.

Justin
"CornDog"

[69bronzeT5]

Then again, I'd be in heaven working on 2 Superbirds in around a one year timeframe

[CornDogsCharger]

Then again, I'd be in heaven working on 2 Superbirds in around a one year timeframe

I just wish one of them were mine.  I don't even have time to work on my own junk.  When I started on the first one it was pretty cool and all... mostly because I never had the chance to work on one..... many mopars over the years, but no wing cars.  When I started on the second one this week, I guess the new had already worn off.  Maybe it will all hit me a few years from now. 

Justin
"CornDog"

[69bronzeT5]

Just an off-topic question, did you ever get a chance to go offer the owner some $ regarding that Demon?

[CornDogsCharger]

I checked the following week and he was still in the hospital.

[CornDogsCharger]

So I decided I would see what was holding the nose to the fender.  Everything was smoothed over and a simulated seam was carved in.  So I started with 40 grit and that wasn't cutting it fast enough.  I took a grinder to it and FINALLY hit metal.  On the leading edge of the nose there was ove 3/4inch of filler to build up the line.  The nose was brazed to the fneders in about 3 or 4 spots.  The rest was filled with kitty hair resin.  Once I checked out the condition of the nose even more.... it's absolute JUNK.  Everything is rusted out!  Nose shell, both headlight buckets, both z-frames, even the crossmember that connect the two z-frames... all rusted through and should be replaced.  The nose shell has been patched in so many spots, I don't know if it could even be properly repaired.  It would be easier to build one from scratch. 








Now for the worst side.....

[BigBlockSam]

  holy smokes Batman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i remember that car from ebay . it was on there a couple of times .  wow, you just don't know what these old cars have been through .

cool   we get to see you build another bird  

[CornDogsCharger]

Here you can see some of the rust inside the nose.



I cut all of the brazing welds and removed the fender to see what other hidden damage was found.




Here you can see the rust damage behind the battery.  You can also see some of the crappy work on the hinge pillar.  In the third picture you can see the kink in the apron right above the shock tower.






Justin
"CornDog"

[hotrod98]

What a piece of junk.
He should sell it.
Cheap.
I know a guy.
I'll give him my...I mean...his number.

[tan top]

well it looked god from the first pictures    yep typical stuff one thing leads to another !  next minute it a full nut & bolt resto
when you see old repair work like this makes me wonder , who done this &  what was the story behind the wreck !!
bit like  archeology !!
keep the pictures coming Justin    love looking at stuff like this 

[Hemidog]

What a suprise, pictures can be SO decieving! 

[pettybird]

i woulda left it alone.  one to drive and one to show.   

[hotrod98]

i woulda left it alone.  one to drive and one to show.   

I was thinking the same thing.

[BigBlockSam]

I was thinking the same thing. see great minds think alike   

[hemi68charger]

Looks like you have your work cut out for you on this 4bbl 'Bird........... But, it's a 'Bird after all............. Working on these things, is that your full-time gig?

Keep up the good work..
Troy

[BB1]

I would restore the whole thing, cool to have twins SB. 

[tan top]

i woulda left it alone.  one to drive and one to show.   

I was thinking the same thing.

sounds a good plan 

[billssuperbird]

 

[CornDogsCharger]

Looks like you have your work cut out for you on this 4bbl 'Bird........... But, it's a 'Bird after all............. Working on these things, is that your full-time gig?

Keep up the good work..
Troy

Since August '08 it pretty much has been my full time job.  There have only been a handful of other wrecks that I have fixed since then due to them being request jobs, one being my own personal truck when I hit a deer in Nov.  

As for everyone saying the car should have been left alone as a driver.... the owner REALLY considered it.  He probably would have if the paint didn't show so many signs of age and rust.  Rust bubbles are popping up everywhere.  



The owner wants both cars to be nice but make this car more of a "driver"  the underside of this car will not be detailed like the other car.  It will probably stay undercoated.  The black interior is nice enough to be left alone.  I don't even know that I will pull out the headliner.  It shows age, but it's in pretty good shape.  I'm sure the carpet and the package tray will be replaced.  He plans on reusing the dealer installed A/C unit and will probably have a nice radio in it.  The dash has already been cut.  The wheels and tires will stay the same but I'm sure a set of correct '70 center caps will be mounted on it.  All in all, this car will be nice... but still be a driver.  If you knew the owner of these cars then you would understand why they need to be nice.  Owning four body shops in Jackson, MS... everyone in and around Jackson who are in the automotive business/hobby knows him.  If he is seen in a "so-so" quality car at a cruise in or car show, they will automaticlly look at the car and think this is the kind of work that is done at his shops.  Hope that makes sense.

Justin
"CornDog"

[teamroth]

Best of luck bro. Would you say its worse than the first one? I must admit I always look forward to your updates.
You should tell your boss, you want a raise....lol 

[BPTRacing]

Justin - too bad your so far from me, I just removed two rust free inner fender wells I could make available.