Australian Petty Blue Superbird Restoration

[ozcuda67]

G Day Rick, you've never been good at technology. Here's a photo I took of your car.

[pettybird]

I get chills just looking at it--awesome to see another 999 car! 

[rainbow4jd]

G Day Rick, you've never been good at technology. Here's a photo I took of your car.

Now we know more about Rick than perhaps he wanted shared!   

Welcome, Rick's friend!

[rickroadrunner]

In the future, maybe I'll have to check for cameras before entering my workshop!!!

[tan top]

G Day Rick, you've never been good at technology. Here's a photo I took of your car.

  ...........

[CornDogsCharger]

Welcome to the board. Awesome car. Good to see another one brought out of the wood works. Keep us updated. We all love to see the progress on these cars as they are restored.

Hey maxwellwedge, great info on the valve covers. I always wondered what that was.

Justin
"CornDog"

[rainbow4jd]

Has anyone ever thought of putting together a restoration pictorial?

I think you would have to segment the car (kind of like they do in the archeological digs) - so that each area of the car was well organized.   Then you could post photos of original cars or cars in partial repair in that segment

For example....

Segment 367: Trunk opening - 7 photos
1) Bare opening - no weather stripping left side
2) Bare opening - no weather stripping right side
3) Bare opening - full view
4) Stamping number example 1
5) Stamping number example 2
6) Weather stripping
7) Weather stripping close up of seam

[rickroadrunner]

I think I have managed to re size photos. attached is picture of markings on RH valve cover

[Bob T]

Welcome Rick, and My what a find you have there, well done 
Looking forward to seeing more pics of the resto



Bob ( NZ )

[rickroadrunner]

I am currently restoring the hood. on the underside on the leading edge near the nose cone, there is a small rectangular hole and dent.
Should this rectangular hole be there, or has somebody just slammed the hood shut with a tool of some description left there which punched a hole. picture attached

[rickroadrunner]

Thought I better keep in  touch as to the progress. As the vehicle is being stripped, there are not many glorious photos to post. The front sheetmetal is off and being metal finished.
I am extremely happy with the condition of the body work from a rust point of view. I have found no rust whatsoever so far. Attached is a photo of the inner fender after paint stripping with a clean and strip disc. All sheetmetal is being hand stripped, not blasted, to ensure the integrity of the steel for metal finishing. As you would all know, this is normally a favourite spot for rust. Both fenders are like this, so I'm pretty pleased so far.

[GULFGLENY]

Nice find

[rickroadrunner]

I am about to remove the rear glass. Rear stainless is in perfect condition, so will arrange an expert so I don't bend it at all!
Any suggestions about the glass removal? Thanks

[maxwellwedge]

Go slow!  Front - Lots and lots of dish soap. Go slow!   

[nvrbdn]

 

[pettybird]

Go slow!  Front - Lots and lots of dish soap. Go slow!   

it also helps to have an assistant, and from my experience neither of us breathed until the glass was resting safely on soft towels. 

[rickroadrunner]

The 'Bird now has all interior and glass out, just the dash and drive train to go. The hood and fenders are being worked on at the moment.
I mentioned earlier that the car was believed to have been located in Central America around 1989-90.
Upon removing the interior I found a 1959 El Salvador coin under the passenger seat!!
So the story was true!
It would be interesting to know how long it was down there. It must be the most traveled Superbird ever!
Also, need to match the paint, does anybody have the code for 999 corporation blue? I want to make up a sample and see how it matched the existing paint.
I also mentioned recently I am in need of a R/H wing washer, does anybody have one or have any contacts where I could chase one up/
Thanks

[pettybird]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner--I read your PM and got busy at work.

Here is the original PPG color code for Corporation Blue:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/aclchip.aspx?image=1968-plymouth-pg01.jpg


It's on the 1967 and 1968 sheets.  I don't think your paint store will be able to mix based on that code, though.  I would have them scan your car and tint the paint until it matches.  Make sure you keep the formula!

I would definitely do base/clear paint, as well.

[rickroadrunner]

The 'Bird is progressing nicely. These are shots from last week. Car is currently on the rack squaring everything up. Very happy that there was no rust in any panels, just plenty of dents to metal finish. My body guy is working 3 days a week on it , so it should progress well over the next few months.
I have been dealing with Dave at Roseville Moparts, got to say he has been good to deal with.

[rickroadrunner]

Shot from the front. About to color match the paint from  the R/h door , as door panel and rubbers have never been off, so paint match should be good.

[moparstuart]

 

[Indygenerallee]

Lookin' nice!! I love Petty blue birds!!!

[nascarxx29]

158632 what I could find on its past history Franscisco Toledo Pacioma Ca.If the car originally sold in Ca the dealer ads included the vin .Any idea what dealer its was from find anyhing on or with the car.Interesting how you found a El Salvador coin in it .Never know where these cars traveled before. But sometimes you get more pieces to its past puzzle when you start a search
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,90145.0.html

[rainbow4jd]

Rick, just a note on restoration.

It appears that you've left the rear window plug intact as part of your restoration.    That may or may not prove to be a problem later on.

I made the decision to remove the window plug and I am glad I did.   Underneath was tons of rust as the metal was never prepped or even primered from the factory.   They apparently took the bare shell to Creative Industries and Creative welded in the window plug - without ever doing any protective work.  Then, the car was shipped to primer and paint.

Left untreated or unaddressed, my window plug would have rusted from the inside out, with most of the rust eating into the thinnest part of the plug, the window channels.

It does sound like you have a pretty rust free car and may not ever have to worry about it - but I just wanted to give you a heads up on what I found with my car.

[pettybird]

They apparently took the bare shell to Creative Industries and Creative welded in the window plug - without ever doing any protective work.  Then, the car was shipped to primer and paint.

Good advice aside, Lynch Rd installed the 'bird plugs, and the cars never went to Creative.  Chrysler only dipped a car to the tops of the headlights (about) and nothing above it was protected in any way...