Well, this time has finally come for this car to get a proper restoration. The owner purchased the car about three years ago and it has been waiting it's turn ever since. Just about the same time that I was wrapping up the restoration of a real '68 L89 Camaro RS/SS, a major hail storm hit the area. For the last year I have been swamped with hail cars. Now that it is starting to slack off and I am able to get back on restorations.
I took this picture the other day when the car was brought to me and came out of hibernation.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/F2ADBBC2-C3DF-4533-8A50-58D48001FF7C_zpssunqewqo.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/EA4D1A4D-2259-449D-ABE5-081B5331A4FF_zpsjrku3ndg.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/7C6860DE-8EF2-4FF0-AEC9-D0AFD5B53711_zpsipanzbfb.jpg)
Looks pretty soild :popcrn:
That does look very very solid. :popcrn:
X3 , :yesnod: looks good from the pictures :scratchchin: , looking forward to seeing pictures & up dates & stuff :cheers: :popcrn:
The Mr. Norm part is cool too. :drool5:
So youre going to wash it and send it out the door? :shruggy: :lol: Wow.
Quote from: RallyeMike on April 23, 2014, 08:40:57 PM
So youre going to wash it and send it out the door? :shruggy: :lol: Wow.
You're right! In order to get a VERY thorough cleaning... this morning, I started dismantling the car. You know, to clean every nook and cranny. Haha!
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/1BAE8EE8-0A9D-432E-8A14-EA225202C334_zpssm1yidaw.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/87C4BA37-C3E1-434F-A51D-FE2C1710BA38_zpsrhtaztpm.jpg)
The car "appears" to be very solid, and for the most part, it really is. But the car has been hacked together. The car had the original quarters rough-cut off and new quarter skins applied right over the others. The floors have been patched and not properly replaced. It appears that someone installed a used interior floor panel, and it looks decent, but the panels were not drawn up tight before welding... so I'll install a new one. The previous owner bought the car in primer and all of the parts were in boxes. He sent the car to a Maaco body shop to be painted, so you can only image what the paint job looks like in person. When the car was reassembled, apparently there was a fully stocked bolt bin close by because just about every nut, bolt, screw, etc was mismatched and wrong. I'm sure I'll have a few hardware questions that are pertaining to C500 specific parts.
Justin
"CornDog"
A Maaco job would be about what a properly restored car from that vintage should look like. :Twocents:
If you see an original paint car today, keep in mind that years of cleaning and waxing make it look nice and smooth! :2thumbs:
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on April 23, 2014, 09:19:36 PM
... I'm sure I'll have a few hardware questions that are pertaining to C500 specific parts.
Justin
"CornDog"
Luckily, there aren't too many...........
Awwwwwwwwwww, it's a four speed car too....... :2thumbs:
Quote from: odcics2 on April 23, 2014, 09:42:12 PM
A Maaco job would be about what a properly restored car from that vintage should look like. :Twocents:
If you see an original paint car today, keep in mind that years of cleaning and waxing make it look nice and smooth! :2thumbs:
The thing that is very sad about it... it was painted by Maaco only 5-10 years ago. I don't think he even got his $400 worth! Ha. They also did him a favor by running a 40grit inline sander across the original real glass. So another glass will need to be located.
Justin
"CornDog"
Here is a post that I made about the car last year. This will give little bit of history on the car. "Alaskan_TA" is the one who gave me about the lead of it being a real Mr. Norm car. We have since contacted Larry Weiner and acquired all of the original Grand Spaulding Dodge paperwork.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,99032.msg1152787.html#msg1152787
Justin
"CornDog"
Sad they didn't do a good job the first time. At least it's getting done right this time. :2thumbs:
:popcrn: :popcrn: :popcrn: :popcrn:
That's gonna be one super clean 500 when you are done :icon_smile_big:
A quickie paint job right around the time of the musclecar price peak and it was in AZ, the car didn't beling to someone trying to make a quick buck did it?
very nice project :cheers:
Quote from: XS29L9B2 on April 24, 2014, 08:23:05 AM
very nice project :cheers:
It certainly is. :2thumbs:
wonder how many C500s were sold from MR Norms , did he still have all the invoices etc still of all the cars he sold , or have I imagined this :P
Quote from: tan top on April 24, 2014, 04:12:39 PM
wonder how many C500s were sold from MR Norms , did he still have all the invoices etc still of all the cars he sold , or have I imagined this :P
Well, when I spoke with Larry Weiner about the paperwork, he told me that he purchased all of the boxes of paperwork from the dealership. He went inside and rescued boxes and boxes full of stuff. He said, at the time, homeless people had gotten into the building and used some of the papers to start fires, wipe themselves, etc. So as far as 'actual numbers' of cars... it's hard to say for sure. He did tell me that in all of the records that he acquired, he only showed records on two Charger 500s being sold at GS. I started a post the other day asking about another Mr Norm C500 that I found on the net and it appears that particular car was originally F8 Green. ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,109377.0.html ) The car I am working on was originally B5 Blue with black interior, white stripe, and Road Wheels... just like the car in the old picture posted above. I'm not positive, and would like to research it a little more, but I believe this could be the same car. The picture was taken in the Fall of 1969. Grand Spaulding purchased this car on Jul 25, 1969 from Chrysler and did not sell the car until Apr 27, 1970... so it is very possibly that this is the same car in the picture.
Justin
"CornDog"
It would have to be the blue 500 in the above picture for sure .
If that B5 car was sold at mr. Norms then it would be the 3rd 500 that I know of that was sold there. I have paperwork on a Hemi 500 that was sold there as well.
Is it the only blue one Danny?
The 500 in front of Mr/ Norms looks a lot darker than B5, but perhaps it's the age of the photo? Seems like it will be next to impossible to prove it IS that car, but sure would be neat.
I have a blown up picture of that pic off of the original negative. I'll see if I can identify the color. I am sure Norm sold more than 3 or 4 500's. Not all the paperwork was salavaged by Larry.
Quote from: maxwellwedge on April 25, 2014, 10:21:59 AM
I have a blown up picture of that pic off of the original negative. I'll see if I can identify the color. I am sure Norm sold more than 3 or 4 500's. Not all the paperwork was salavaged by Larry.
That would be great. I think Danny mention that he did not have any records of a B7 Blue C500, but I'm not possitive. I would have thought Mr Norm would have sold more than 2 but who knows. This car sat on the lot for a while... maybe they didn't sell as good as he would have thought. It would be nice talk with him about the car because he seems pretty sharp on remembering details, from what I've gathered.
Justin
"CornDog"
Quote from: RallyeMike on April 24, 2014, 09:22:09 PM
The 500 in front of Mr/ Norms looks a lot darker than B5, but perhaps it's the age of the photo? Seems like it will be next to impossible to prove it IS that car, but sure would be neat.
I vote for B7... :Twocents:
I originally thought it was B7 too but I studied the picture and, in my opinion, it is now a toss up between B5 and B7. But I am leaning towards B5. I think this because 1. The photo that you commonly see is old and the quality of color is not very accurate... and 2. You can not go by the passenger side of the car, due to a heavy shadow. Just look at the red Super Bee. The best spot is to focus on the rear valance of the car. I would like to see a very high quality clear version of this picture. Either way, it's still pretty cool that this car was sold new at Grand Spaulding.
Justin
"CornDog"
a good clue to how "off" the blue is, is the mailbox on the right
I was wondering about the mailbox color too but wasn`t sure if they had changed over the years or not.
Valid points!! :cheers:
I know a certain car that looks different in various vintage color photos, too!
Let me dig around a bit and see if I have a better copy of that picture. I know I have one that is super sized. It is blown up to 6'x8'. Bought it to hang in barn once it is finished.
6 foot by 8 foot!!?? Thats enormous! :o
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on April 24, 2014, 07:09:09 PM
Quote from: tan top on April 24, 2014, 04:12:39 PM
wonder how many C500s were sold from MR Norms , did he still have all the invoices etc still of all the cars he sold , or have I imagined this :P
Well, when I spoke with Larry Weiner about the paperwork, he told me that he purchased all of the boxes of paperwork from the dealership. He went inside and rescued boxes and boxes full of stuff. He said, at the time, homeless people had gotten into the building and used some of the papers to start fires, wipe themselves, etc. So as far as 'actual numbers' of cars... it's hard to say for sure. He did tell me that in all of the records that he acquired, he only showed records on two Charger 500s being sold at GS. I started a post the other day asking about another Mr Norm C500 that I found on the net and it appears that particular car was originally F8 Green. ( http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,109377.0.html ) The car I am working on was originally B5 Blue with black interior, white stripe, and Road Wheels... just like the car in the old picture posted above. I'm not positive, and would like to research it a little more, but I believe this could be the same car. The picture was taken in the Fall of 1969. Grand Spaulding purchased this car on Jul 25, 1969 from Chrysler and did not sell the car until Apr 27, 1970... so it is very possibly that this is the same car in the picture.
Justin
"CornDog"
:cheers:
oh right , could well be the same car , although like whats been mentioned looks darker B7 , but old pictures , with the lighting & scans of could make things look way off :shruggy:
My vote is for it being the same car , is the owner going to go back bone stock original with it ??
The car will be restored back to 100% stock in appearance. The only thing that will be altered is the engine internals. We usually clean up the ports a little, gaskets match the openings, will sometimes add roller lifters and rockers, install a mild cam, and balance the rotating assembly. Nothing radical though... all in all, it will be a very tight and responsive engine. Like I said, other than that, everything will be stone stock... even the polyglass red line tires.
Justin
"CornDog"
Quote from: Ghoste on April 25, 2014, 08:46:58 PM
I was wondering about the mailbox color too but wasn`t sure if they had changed over the years or not.
Here's a vintage unrestored 1960s stamp dispenser! Note the "Post Office Blue" !
All one has to do is adjust the original Charger 500 photo color so the mailbox matches this photo and the car should be
closer to the real color. May not be exact, but closer... :Twocents:
Good reference photo! My brother does graphic design knows photoshop very well. I'll see if he can adjust the color on the GS photo.
Justin
"CornDog"
My brother played with the color a bit and this is what he came up with. Still too hard to tell 100%
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/9766205D-081E-49AB-AA9E-5E4A3845CFFC_zpsx9hxkbm1.jpg)
Quote from: 69_500 on April 26, 2014, 02:56:53 PM
It is blown up to 6'x8'. Bought it to hang in barn once it is finished.
Just read the vin off this photo. :lol:
:popcrn:
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on April 29, 2014, 12:41:55 PM
My brother played with the color a bit and this is what he came up with. Still too hard to tell 100%
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/9766205D-081E-49AB-AA9E-5E4A3845CFFC_zpsx9hxkbm1.jpg)
I'll tell ya what - that leasing sign blue is dead nuts on.
Might be a while before I can dig my large print out. It is back in a corner. My plan was to get it out once the out building is built. But with a kid on the way this year, it might get pushed off for a bit.
They have a way of doing that. (and congratulations :cheers:)
You guys always impress me with your knowledge and resources, not to hijack this thread about this 500, but anybody have a picture on the 1969 sales show in St. Louis - Gene told me my car was there. Great 500 and looking forward to the history on this car.
Just a few parts will need replacing....
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7597_zpsdf384401.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
At least its nothing minor. :o
What no Dutchman panel , :popcrn:
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on April 30, 2014, 08:49:48 PM
Just a few parts will need replacing....
Justin
"CornDog"
Didn't the "Bluesmobile" look like that at the end of the movie?
Too bad you aren't working on this Mr. Norm's Charger 500...
(http://www.nhra.com/blog/dragster-insider/)
There's one I wish I had seen make a pass. :laugh:
Pulled the engine/trans out
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/BD84F88D-0E3C-4C9D-B4CD-0E9650EBC4BB_zpstpf9m0m8.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/CF49FA98-4DAF-4D87-AF12-AF248A71B449_zpsuh0t6vzc.jpg)
With the interior and rear glass removed, you can see the original blue paint as well as the grinding marks on the Dutchman panel that was done at Creative Industries. If you look carefully, you can see where the original Charger glass was cut out. You can also see the original black primer that was applied to the lip before regular charger glass was installed. The original rubber block spacers were still in place too. That really shocked me
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7687_zpsb5fba3c2.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7689_zpsa8bf9bc1.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7690_zps7e003344.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7691_zpsd2798540.jpg)
So it's going back to original colour?
It's in great shape , saw the original colour to area near door hinges
Quote from: fy469rtse on May 06, 2014, 09:12:51 AM
So it's going back to original colour?
It's in great shape , saw the original colour to area near door hinges
It is going back to the original B5 blue, black interior, white stripe, 14in road wheels, and redline tires. The car is solid for the most part, but the work that was done to the car was not so great. Someone went to a lot of work repairing the car, but they cut a lot of corners. It will be done right this time.
Justin
"CornDog"
I melted out all of the led from the seams to prepare the rear window plug removal.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7721_zpse0d1e3bf.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7720_zps3e144971.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7719_zps87a8abe8.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7718_zpse91c2945.jpg)
Are you planning to use lead when you put it back or kevlar or what?
Quote from: Ghoste on May 06, 2014, 11:46:40 AM
Are you planning to use lead when you put it back or kevlar or what?
I usually cut thin strips of metal and weld them in place and grinding it all smooth. It ends up looking like one big panel.
Justin
"CornDog"
:coolgleamA: :2thumbs:
looks like it was bare metaled at one stage , painted orange ? by the looks of it or could be different primers :scratchchin: then painted red base & clear .......
Quote from: tan top on May 06, 2014, 06:04:26 PM
:coolgleamA: :2thumbs:
looks like it was bare metaled at one stage , painted orange ? by the looks of it or could be different primers :scratchchin: then painted red base & clear .......
At some point in the car's life, it was stripped to metal (at least the parts I have seen so far), primed, then painted gold. It was then primed again and Maaco painted it with a single stage red. I'm still trying to dig up as much history on the car that I can. I have a name and address for the original owner, in Chicago, then there is a lapse until the early-mid 80's
Justin
"CornDog"
Justin - Wow that car looks really solid, which makes me wonder why the plug has to come out, and why you would not put it back the way Creative did it orignally. I suppose the reason is to avoid shrinkage and cracking 20 years down the road.... but it just seems wierdly wrong to add metal and weld it all up in a different manner.
One of the things that is interesting to me is preserving the conversion work as it was done back in the day (Of course some people say it would be wrong to use synthetic oil or radial tires too I guess... :lol: )
I'll enjoy watching this thread and maybe picking up some tips.
I mostly only add strips of metal in the recessed areas of the seam where the quarter panel and roof panel meet up. Actually, where the plug meets up with the quarter panel, that seam isn't recessed or wide at all... so there is no need for a metal strip to be added. I'll put it back like Creative Industries did, just without the lead.
As far as removing the rear window plug, it must come out in order to properly install the two full quarters, which the car does need. Someone installed quarter skins. They rough-cut the original quarter and just lapped the new quarter skin right over the old. Looks very sloppy from inside the trunk.
Justin
"CornDog"
Ouch. Looks a lot more solid than that, but you never know what is hiding under there when a car has already been "restored" once.
A previous owner told me that this car sat in a field in Wisconsin back in the 80's. He would stop and ask about the car, but it never was for sale. One day, the car was no longer sitting in the field and he thought that someone finally bought the old car. Years went by and, out of the blue, and man called him and asked if he was still interested in the old 500. Since he had asked about a few cars, he wasn't sure which 500 the man was talking about. Finally it dawned on him that it was the car that say in the field. The man in Wisconsin had moved the car into a barn where it was out of sight. While in the barn, rats made a big nest inside the car's floorboard, right under the dash. With many years if rat droppings and urine, the acid ate away the floor pan and both sections where the front frame rails and torsion bar crossmember intersect.
The previous owner purchased the car and started collecting clean sheet metal from the west. He purchased a complete front clip from a donor car which included torsion bar crossmember, both rails, inner fenders, and radiator support. He collected all sorts of parts to go on the car but, if I remember correctly, he sold the car and parts before getting started on the restoration. Somewhere along the line the car was restored using these parts. THANKFULLY, they retained the 500's original upper radiator support and put it on the new clip.
The clip was from an A/C car and where the aprons meet the firewall were real sloppy. Plus, the radiator support was cut on the left side in front of the battery. The lower support was damaged a little, so realistically, just the upper support and right side were all that was good. We decided to replace the radiator support and both aprons. Of course, I will reattach the original upper support afterwards.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/F182F3DA-5D7B-4FA5-AA28-E77D0BE94BA2_zpsv5qnkjio.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/C068B1C2-E44B-423A-8BF7-8A0CC8B2D0AF_zpsnxapxsny.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/78E2F906-6DA2-42A2-A962-015E6FE0FA7F_zpsx0nwsbuq.jpg)
My next question is this...
While stripping the firewall, I noticed a big spash of orange paint on the passenger side. It looks exactly like Vitamin C / Go Mango, even though that color was not in use during this car's build (Nov '68). The paint was only on the passenger side and was applied directly to the bare metal... With no primer under it. On top of it was the factory red primer and then the original factory B5 Blue paint. Anyone know what this would have been for??
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/D90A1731-8BE8-4FB3-B2A9-B03F3EE2B905_zpsaimzn50k.jpg)
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on May 08, 2014, 04:03:12 PM
My next question is this...
While stripping the firewall, I noticed a big slash of orange paint on the passenger side. It looks exactly like Vitamin C / Go Mango, even though that color was not in used during this car's build (Nov '68). The paint was only on the passenger side and was applied directly to the bare metal... With not primer under it. On top of it was the factory red primer and then the original factory B5 Blue paint. Anyone know what this would have been for??
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/D90A1731-8BE8-4FB3-B2A9-B03F3EE2B905_zpsaimzn50k.jpg)
think that could be a letter !! a letter & a number applied at the factory , think it was A 11 from memory , it was mentioned in a thread a long time ago , will look for the thread & post here :yesnod:
found it , was spoke about in HemiGeno's awesome Daytona thread :drool5: :coolgleamA: :2thumbs:
page 4 scroll down near the bottom of the page , post by FJMG , then on page 5 posted picture
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48725.75.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48725.100.html
You're exactly right! There was actually a section of orange that was very faint just to the right. When you compare the pictures, you can see the "A" in orange. Thanks for sharing!
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/41E46C09-1008-4C2F-8AE2-56C36BCEEAC5_zpsdaqjcfdg.jpg)
Here you can see the "1" a little better. It's very faint though.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7873_zpse7457918.jpg)
Blue is a nice color to my eyes on a 500.
Quote from: XS29LA47V21 on May 12, 2014, 04:11:13 PM
Blue is a nice color to my eyes on a 500.
I agree! I love B5 blue! Especially on a Charger
Justin
"CornDog"
Here are a few pictures from last week. I cut away the metal that needed replacing, took everything to bare metal, etched & primed.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/F491225F-BC53-42F5-9D79-596BD410890B_zps7z3fpjoe.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/78E2F906-6DA2-42A2-A962-015E6FE0FA7F_zpsx0nwsbuq.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/29016A8B-0EA9-445B-9158-D1E3F3FF9872_zpser2yigur.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/815496CE-320E-4DC9-92C8-B4EF389E18D8_zpsqu3jewdy.jpg)
The new AMD sheet metal is in place and ready to be welded in place. Today I welded it all up. Don't worry... I am going to install the original upper radiator support once it returns from being dipped and e-coated.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/ECF809E4-8D89-49A4-BDF5-5139EA4189FB_zpsxgszoykx.jpg)
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on May 12, 2014, 06:30:17 PM
Here are a few pictures from last week. I cut away the metal that needed replacing, took everything to bare metal, etched & primed.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/29016A8B-0EA9-445B-9158-D1E3F3FF9872_zpser2yigur.jpg)
Justin,
I always love following along on these projects you do, keep up the good work and picture sharing!
I do have a question with probably an easy answer for an experienced body guy like you but what did you use to strip the firewall down to metal like that? I'm going to be painting an engine compartment in the near future and I would like to know the best method. Mine has a little more rust and pitting that the 500 you are working on, but I was just curious.
Thanks
Scott
Thanks Scott! I used a wire wheel to remove the majority of the paint and rust. In the tight spots I used a needle scaler and then used an abrasive roloc-pad over everything. After that, I finished it off with 80DA sander. If you have a lot of pitted rust, you may want to use a sandblaster.
Justin
"CornDog"
Was there a YES or NO in yellow crayon on top of the left taillight housing for the light package that Chrysler put on to let creative know to weld the tab for the trunk light switch. My 500 that I sold had a yes. (Wingman)
Quote from: WINGMAN on May 18, 2014, 02:42:16 PM
Was there a YES or NO in yellow crayon on top of the left taillight housing for the light package that Chrysler put on to let creative know to weld the tab for the trunk light switch. My 500 that I sold had a yes. (Wingman)
If there was at one time, it is no longer there. This car was pieced together and it would not surprise me if the original tail light housings were replaced. I will double check tomorrow just to be sure but I do not recall seeing it. This car did not have the trunk light switch bracket in the new trunk opening, so I guess it should have said "NO", correct?
Justin
"CornDog"
I guess it's time for an update, huh?? Well on this day, my daughter came up to the shop for just a little while. She felt the need to working the car too.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/46E68ED6-0A2B-4E15-A07C-84CD25B8A577_zpsadr5xp8r.jpg)
Earlier that day, I discovered that someone decided to cut out the rust from the lower sections of the striker posts. That was good and all but instead of welding in new metal, they just filled it up with body filler. When I took these pictures, all I did was clean it up with a wire wheel... that's it.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/88D57F4F-B1EB-44DB-819F-1C47DCE8301C_zpsojysrf5r.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/38D8BD58-46AB-4CA5-B5C2-741B8961D08D_zpsn07j7vab.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
The main floor section was replaced at one time, the work was poorly done. The rear floor sections and the panel under the seat had been patched... so it all had to go.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/443FDD60-5699-4AF0-835B-59CA8C202C3D_zpso0rctwbe.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/A5ABC48F-D853-448B-B053-731E245877D7_zpsjqfv6ghc.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/20778F3D-D14C-4BB0-8840-CB1EC70872EA_zpskqsvg7pv.jpg)
Wow !!!
But once installed, it'll be like a new car.........
There was a rusted section on the firewall that I needed to patch before the floors went in.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/2430D5F8-35F8-4B30-9725-CCD57E2258DD_zps6uf5fy7n.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/7EFD5DD0-6333-4896-8DEB-8FC1B339D168_zpslfrv2ame.jpg)
New floor is installed and being welded into place. I still need to install the 4speed hump and console brackets.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/F004F04B-8E4F-48E4-8A40-2C27FFF0E1DA_zpstvxrdvht.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/2752121B-1FAF-4AFD-8B95-9174FAE05D39_zpspo1eywdv.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/F8E6ED32-05FF-408D-A798-E0C01550E720_zpskc1nmhhi.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/B4420FC5-25C4-4D3E-B1E7-86DD2D6C0A28_zpszwkusah8.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on July 09, 2014, 08:18:34 AM
I guess it's time for an update, huh?? Well on this day, my daughter came up to the shop for just a little while. She felt the need to working the car too.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/46E68ED6-0A2B-4E15-A07C-84CD25B8A577_zpsadr5xp8r.jpg)
"CornDog"
Good Stuff...
My 8 year old daughter Julie helped me last night as well. She assisted me when I reinstalled the sway bar back on the Daytona.......... Wanted her to help guide the drag link into the hole of the sway bar on the opposite side from where I was working to reconnect to the draglink.... Mission accomplished... :2thumbs:
Great work!
Coming along. :2thumbs:
:coolgleamA: looking good , nice work :2thumbs: , keep the pictures & updates coming :cheers: :cheers: :popcrn:
The car is coming along really nice. I got to stop in and see it and meet Justin on Monday, great guy and great work!
Thanks Dave! It was great to meet you too. I look forward to seeing you again, along with everyone else, at the Aero car meet in Oct. I need to update this thread too.
Justin
"CornDog"
Just found this, hope you don't mind a friendly comment or two?
SUPERSONIC WORK GOING ON THERE JUSTIN!!! :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
Who would paint a B5 blue Charger 500............... RED??? :slap: :slap: :slap:
Red or green or yellow to BLUE is coolio!!! :drool5:
You sure can get the job done quick with all those good repro panels!
Any more pics of Mr.Norms Charger-500 Dragcar???
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and the C500!!! :notworthy:
Hi Aero's,
Just found a thread on another Mr.Norm car, a 440 4-speed C500.
Was bought up North then taken and raced in California, Green with Gold flames!!! :flame:
Any news on this car??? :drool5:
Back in 2006 Supercar registry states 'one of 26' 440 4speeds.
Still true today I believe....
Full resto needed, no engine or axle $47,000 and sold!!!
Where is she now??? :scratchchin: :scratchchin: :scratchchin:
Quote from: 500Jon on December 29, 2014, 06:52:23 AM
Hi Aero's,
Just found a thread on another Mr.Norm car, a 440 4-speed C500.
Was bought up North then taken and raced in California, Green with Gold flames!!! :flame:
Any news on this car??? :drool5:
Back in 2006 Supercar registry states 'one of 26' 440 4speeds.
Still true today I believe....
Full resto needed, no engine or axle $47,000 and sold!!!
Where is she now??? :scratchchin: :scratchchin: :scratchchin:
That car is being restored as well.
Nice one!
Mr. Norm's C500's have survived the frozen wastes of North Americaland!
Thankfully at least one was taken to the sunny South, to be used and abused on the 1320!!! :drive:
Any pics???
whooooooo very nice work :popcrn:
I'm sorry for not updating this tread as often as I should. I get carried away with posting updates on my Facebook page, I forget to take the time and post them here too. I scrolled through my pictures and it looks like this is where I left off. The car was patched together and nothing lined up well at all. You can see here where the original quarter were cut off and new skins wee welded right over them. It was best to go ahead and replace both full quarter panels with new AMD sheet metal.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_8112_zpscdd9weuj.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_8113_zpsp75da5u5.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_8115_zpsuj6t66ea.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_8114_zpsabodg7yd.jpg)
The original rear window plug removed to prepare for the quarters to come off.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_8107_zps9o6fcsah.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/756D95E0-F229-4516-BB6B-1B57A3CAF98C_zps97h2jono.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/32F78743-863B-43E1-A772-3A88D3D9C764_zpsybu73cmh.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/88C606B2-6D74-4A6F-9D11-C39528C0605D_zpsvgrrmsm0.jpg)
Great thread, Thanks for your detailed pictures and explanation
Huge undertaking and one I guess that not would have been very possible a few years ago before the availability of AMD pieces
Keep up the good work
:cheers:
Still digging through pictures to find shots of the pinch welds being painted black. I know I have some.
We sent the original doors and fenders out to be dipped and e-coated. Besides dents and dings, they return looking like brand new sheet metal.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0758_zpstzy9jqoh.jpg)
Quote from: 69_500 on April 24, 2014, 08:21:05 PM
If that B5 car was sold at mr. Norms then it would be the 3rd 500 that I know of that was sold there. I have paperwork on a Hemi 500 that was sold there as well.
The bronze one that was here in Cincinnatti was also a Mr Norms car, If I rember right it was T5 or maybe T7 . Hemi , auto, tan interior.
I heard it was sold and is now in the Indianapolis area ,,same guy bought the Hemi 500 and the 69 Hemi GTX
Quote from: gtx6970 on February 02, 2015, 01:31:35 PM
Quote from: 69_500 on April 24, 2014, 08:21:05 PM
If that B5 car was sold at mr. Norms then it would be the 3rd 500 that I know of that was sold there. I have paperwork on a Hemi 500 that was sold there as well.
The bronze one that was here in Cincinnatti was also a Mr Norms car, If I rember right it was T5 or maybe T7 . Hemi , auto, tan interior.
I heard it was sold and is now in the Indianapolis area ,,same guy bought the Hemi 500 and the 69 Hemi GTX
Cool! That's the first I've heard about a copper colored GS C500. I knew of this B5 blue car and a F8 green car. Daniel, do you have any other GS 500s in your records?
Justin
"CornDog"
been wondering , whats been happening :yesnod: , :cheers: :2thumbs: :popcrn:
Justin,
when you expose hidden areas like at the bottom of the door jam that you cut out or the inside of the t-bar cross member or frame rails, do you paint or coat them with anything to prevent future rust?
Quote from: tan top on February 02, 2015, 03:36:54 PM
been wondering , whats been happening :yesnod: , :cheers: :2thumbs: :popcrn:
Yeah, I haven't taken much time to keep this post updated. Since my little boy in Aug, I don't get as much "computer time" at home in the evenings. Haha.
Justin
"CornDog"
Quote from: 70Sbird on February 02, 2015, 03:44:37 PM
Justin,
when you expose hidden areas like at the bottom of the door jam that you cut out or the inside of the t-bar cross member or frame rails, do you paint or coat them with anything to prevent future rust?
I always clean up and brush on POR-15 in the cavities when they are exposed.
Justin
"CornDog"
I'm still blown away by how good this car looked in the photos compared to how much steel is being cut of of it. You might have to add "AMD" to the title :lol:
This is the way it will be from now on!
Older restorations being re-done with all new 'AMD' panels...
Complete floors all the way through and one piece quarter skins replacing the half-skins of old!
Once you have the floors out then the frame rails can be replaced too. :2thumbs:
The trick is knowing what to change and what to leave behind....
There will always be rust in 50 year old cars, no matter how well they are kept! :scratchchin:
Great work and keep the Pictures coming, its good to see for the less brave Charger Folks of the World!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Nice so far , please tell me this car eventually will be on a rotisserie . I have not seen pic of the car upside down .
Also have any current day pics of what mr Norms looks like or has it been raised ?
Larry
Quote from: daytonalo on February 05, 2015, 08:36:55 PM
Also have any current day pics of what mr Norms looks like or has it been raised ?
There are a few threads on this subject, here's a couple of links:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,110062.0.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,37130.0/all.html
The body will eventually go on the rotisserie. I just need to upload other pictures leading up to that point.
Some of my pictures may jump around a bit because I am trying to keep them somewhat grouped together. Here are pictures from when I removed the original rear window plug. I like to take a little extra time when doing this to try and figure out the steps that were taken by Creative Industries while installing the original parts. You can clearly tell that the Chargers that were sent to Creative were complete with rear glass and trim in place. In the standard Charger glass channel, this car still had the little rubber rectangular blocks along the bottom channel that were used to keep the glass from sliding down after it was installed. You could also see where the urethane (or whatever was used at the time to hold the glass in) was cut out, using a windshield knife. It also appears that the inner half of the pinch weld (channel) was painted black. This would make sense because you wouldn't want to see 'body color' inside the glass after being installed.
Anyways, here was the removal process...
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7721_zpse0d1e3bf.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7831_zpshn1stxmw.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7824_zpsojhjnf26.jpg)
Here you can see how the original trunk gutter was cut by Creative, to allow for clarence of the new rear channel that is made on the window plug.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7827_zpspefwnoys.jpg)
There were some rust holes in the window opening that I had to weld up before we had the plug dipped and e-coated. Being a flimsy part, I welded a couple braces on to it just to be safe. Below is a picture of the window plug and the original upper radiator support after they returned from being e-coated.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/277B6E81-442F-4F41-AD83-9F76361D1738_zpsvninomup.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_7845_zpsgeaeqllq.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/174D2041-60C2-4791-9DDA-CAF7C9E11CA9_zpsoaaealax.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
Here you can see the inner wheelhouse rust. Instead of replacing the whole inner, I just made a patch for it. I'm not really crazy about AMD's inner or outer wheelhouses anyways. I installed outers but I wish I would have repaired them too.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0705_zps3ftzhd34.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0707_zpseoluvlwi.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0740_zpspaegx2gd.jpg)
Nice repair :2thumbs:
Very nice work on the repairs. :yesnod:
How did Creative attach the window plug to the roof/sail panels and how did you break it loose? I may be facing this prospect in the future...
I would guess he used a die grinder to cut the welds out.
Quote from: 5hunert on February 10, 2015, 11:52:00 AM
How did Creative attach the window plug to the roof/sail panels and how did you break it loose? I may be facing this prospect in the future...
That is right. There is a small 90 degree strip of of metal that was attached to the inside of the sail panels and right along the top of the rear glass opening. You can see this in my pictures above with the plug removed. These strips were held in place with Phillips head screws. The window plug sits on top of the metal strips and was tack welded every few inches. I'm sure that some cars got more welds... some less. Then the thin gap/seam was leaded in. You will need to use a torch to melt the lead out. It will not need much heat though. Almost like soldiering. Then you can use a cut off wheel to cut the welds and then the panel will come loose.
There is about a 5in wide support that spot welds to the top of the window opening as well as a brace that sits on top of the Dutchman (filler) panel. Those weld will need to be cut too. Lastly, where the plug goes into the trunk gutter on both sides, it had a continuous weld across the gutter. The was probably the most time consuming part. If you're trying to save the gutters, then you will need to be careful cutting those welds. After that, the plug should come right out. Hope that helps.
Justin
"CornDog"
Thanks!
Here is where I first test-fit the AMD trunk floor. After everything was how it needed to me, I cleaned and coated the insides of the frame rails with POR-15 and then I painted the inner structure and wheelhouses before everything was welded in place. I also like to paint the hinge post because when the final paint goes on, I like for the hinges to be painted in place, where they're supposed to be. It's a pain to try and adjust the hinges on the fresh paint.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0739_zpsttivev1i.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0824_zpsrbfuuoag.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0825_zpsnaoylmsn.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0826_zpsnun93kx0.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0828_zps3po15iem.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0841_zpsg91wh8n1.jpg)
The original doors and fenders were dipped and e-coated... that's why they look new... but they're 45 yr old parts. I bolted them in place and lined them up to where they needed to be before the quarters were installed.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0842_zpsomsubjcs.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0863_zpsujieaf5z.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0864_zpskurnyut7.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_0874_zps2s3xcw3j.jpg)
Since the original decklid was full of rust across the rear lip and had a few questionable bondo spots on it, we decided to replace it. Here is the original decklid where I took many measurments to cross everything over to the new AMD decklid.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1062_zpsaiwg4vvc.jpg)
Here I removed the original close-out panel
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1076_zpsyoygdzwu.jpg)
Here I cut the new decklid frame and test fit the close-out panel
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1079_zpsksl6csjj.jpg)
Old and New
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1093_zps5jc6y2le.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1094_zpsu9ccm3tx.jpg)
:2thumbs: beautiful work , thanks for posting , love the level your going to with resto
I was not happy with the fitment of the rear valance corners. The gaps just did not seem to fit tight like I thought they should. I had the quarter where I knew it should be, as well as the tail light panel and rear valance. But when you tried to put the corners in, they would only fit decent on either the quarter side or the rear valance side... but never both at the same time. So I just put them where i felt they looked right and made the panels fit the corners. I wish I would have taken a good 'before' picture but I didn't. I ended up having to splice the quarter and valance to weld a wedge in place to straighten up the gaps. It seems like neither gap was perfectly vertical and even when they were, the fold of the metal into the gap was not tight enough. I know, I'm overly anal about things like this. So I cut and reworked everything so that it looked a lot better. I called a friend of mine who has restored a few Chargers with new AMD panels and he said that he never had a problem with the corners... but I may just be a little too picky. HAHA
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1156_zpsmhaxm3v5.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1157_zpsqsupequ7.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1160_zpsz8zzx6zf.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1161_zpstafikap4.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1162_zpsrhjffrjx.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1163_zpswvfciejy.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1166_zpsulmdx1fe.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1158_zps3pnhvn4e.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1171_zpsq0t9bgro.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1172_zpsbtyja3ec.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1173_zpsxm6uxcbl.jpg)
Here, you can see how much the inner sail panel fit up against the original dutchman panel. I cut a big slit in it to make the curve right in the window opening. I know you will never see this on the 500/Daytona models, but I couldn't just leave it alone... even though it is covered up.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1306_zps2zmgkh95.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
Great looking work! :2thumbs:
great job :2thumbs:
been busy , looks good :drool5: , nice work :2thumbs: :coolgleamA: :2thumbs:
Thanks guys! Yeah, been very busy. The car is much further along than these pictures... I just have neglected to keep this page up to date. Actually, I'm hoping to be finished with the car sometime in June... possibly July. The car was featured in the most recent issue of Mopar Collector's Guide (June 2015) in the Under Construction section. Long story, sort of... Randy Holden, who is the feature editor of the magazine, called me to ask what I knew about the current status of the Wheel Stander General Lee for an article he was doing on it. I run RealGeneralLee.com and he knew I keep track of all of the authentic GLs... anyways, during our conversation, he asked what my latest project was. I told him that I was working on a Mr. Norm C500. I told him the car was originally B5 blue and jokingly, he said it could have been the car in the famous picture. I told him that actually, we were wondering the same thing... there are only two documented C500's being sold at GS and the only other car I could find was a green one. The car in the picture is a carbon copy, as far as options and all, as the car in the picture... plus, it was on the lot at the time the picture was taken in Oct. '69.... so it was possible. In the article, he left some of that important information out... which I feel would have helped the article. Oh well. The article is still pretty good though. Hopefully it might generate some locals who remember the car... and possibly know the original owner, James Rainey.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/Screen%20shot%202015-04-23%20at%206.23.20%20PM_zpscjwj8bll.png)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/Screen%20shot%202015-04-23%20at%206.23.43%20PM_zps57pu4ohy.png)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/Screen%20shot%202015-04-23%20at%206.24.03%20PM_zpsd5jw2o7v.png)
Just to note but I know of another 500 that sold new at Mr. norms. It was a Hemi automatic car.
Pretty neat to see it in MCG. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product in a few months.
Just absolutely amazing to watch. Beyond words. Fantastic work. Jaw dropping.
Dane
Corndog, I came through Jackson yesterday about 2:00 and I blew the horn.Did you hear it? :icon_smile_big:
I have heard that Norm sold at least 11 500s.
Looking great Justin! Thanks for sharing...
Thanks guys for all of the comments. I have been busy the last few days and have not had a chance to check the forum. Wow!... up to 11 500's from Grand Spaulding! That's the first I've heard of that. I would like to know all of the color combos. When I talked to Randy, for the article, I told him that I didn't know for sure if it was the same car (as the car in the famous photo), but there is a possibility that it could be. Other than the car in the picture appearing like B7 blue (which I have not seen before), the car I am working on and the one in the photo share all the same characteristics. And I told him that I didn't know if anyone could ever prove that they were the same car. Unless the person who took the picture said "the 500 in the photo belonged to me and I just purchased it from the dealer"... then I don't think anyone will ever know for sure. He told me that people would have a harder time proving that it ISN'T the same car as in the photo. I guess it's kind of like the glass being half empty or half full??
Justin
"CornDog"
Quote from: jonw29 on April 27, 2015, 07:35:29 AM
Corndog, I came through Jackson yesterday about 2:00 and I blew the horn.Did you hear it? :icon_smile_big:
Sorry... I didn't hear you. I was out of town. Maybe next time. haha :smilielol:
Justin
"CornDog"
Original rear window plug re-installed.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1326_zpslqgzhrfz.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1327_zps4lfzrlqf.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1328_zpsyjmsqgld.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1471_zpsux1xwua1.jpg)
Justin
"CornDog"
I reinstalled the original fenders (that were dipped and e-coated) and the new AMD hood. These were actually some the pictures that I took for the MCG article but I guess he preferred the "cut-up" pictures instead.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1677_zpsdv9viyat.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1678_zpsveoibuit.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1682_zpsi0g4ur5h.jpg)
After all of the panels were bolted in place and aligned to where they needed to be, I started cutting and welding the panels to make the gaps look right. Maybe not exactly how it was when it left the factory.... but how it should have left the factory. Even the gaps between the OE panels needed some work.
Justin
"CornDog"
Before... I forgot to take a picture of the before.... before I started trimming on it.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1720_zpsitjpgzgs.jpg)
After:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1721_zpscbocm1ff.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1784_zpsqpi90psk.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1787_zpsfciooxcx.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1789_zps5i2ezuky.jpg)
I know this is probably a little bit on to Over Anal side... but if you look at the gap between the decklid and the rear window plug, you can see where it gets wide in the center. When I shortened the new AMD decklid, I made it exactly the same as the original decklid. I even traced it on paper. I guess the car originally had a funky gap. Not anymore! haha
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_2065_zpsqrvhwwvx.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_2074_zpscdh9lzeh.jpg)
The mud slinging begins. I know it looks like a lot filler, but really isn't. I always skim coat the whole panel and about 80% will end up on the floor.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_1830_zpsqgenxlxj.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/1969%20C500/IMG_2102_zpstoca5lhv.jpg)
Body lines on these cars were nothing to brag about even new. With mine the drivers door top would rub the quarter and there was always a shiny spot there. When the car was on a lift it would bind the right door so it could not be opened. The deck lid would almost touch on the right side quarter because it had to be in that position or it would hit the top panel and the list could go on but for me it is what it is. I do stand in awe of your "make it fit" skill and ambition .. :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
Wow, better than new! I just checked my 500s trunk lid, not only does it have the same gap yours showed, the decklid is also slightly flatter so the center of the deck lid is also is a little lower level than the plug as well.
Looks great! You do awesome work. :2thumbs:
Any new updates?
This 500 is in the latest Mopar Collector's Guide. :coolgleamA:
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on April 28, 2015, 09:09:25 PM
Thanks guys for all of the comments. I have been busy the last few days and have not had a chance to check the forum. Wow!... up to 11 500's from Grand Spaulding! That's the first I've heard of that. I would like to know all of the color combos. When I talked to Randy, for the article, I told him that I didn't know for sure if it was the same car (as the car in the famous photo), but there is a possibility that it could be. Other than the car in the picture appearing like B7 blue (which I have not seen before), the car I am working on and the one in the photo share all the same characteristics. And I told him that I didn't know if anyone could ever prove that they were the same car. Unless the person who took the picture said "the 500 in the photo belonged to me and I just purchased it from the dealer"... then I don't think anyone will ever know for sure. He told me that people would have a harder time proving that it ISN'T the same car as in the photo. I guess it's kind of like the glass being half empty or half full.
Here's a B7 500. Note the bar that's visible in the interior is B5.