Most perfectly restored E-Body ever

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Aug 23, 08 2:43 pm

A lot of you will have seen this car on Moparts and other forums but I think it is worth while posting a few images of it here to.

The car belongs to Dave Walden and he went further than anyone has before to ensure that what we are left with here is a Challenger that is EXACTLY as it would have looked like brand spanking new in your Dodge dealership.
Or at least what most of them would have looked like given that there was some variation due to the cars being built by people rather than robots.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Aug 23, 08 2:44 pm

Some details on this car.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Aug 23, 08 2:50 pm

And, to further my long standing quest to try and convince Jim Wilson that these cars are supposed to have black paint shot onto the pinch weld on the bottom of the sills, here is a detail shot of that paint as well as the engineering drawing showing the instruction to do so.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Sat Aug 23, 08 5:11 pm

Crikey! Well whether you like this sort of thing or not, you have to admire the hard work and attention to detail that's gone into the car.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sat Aug 23, 08 5:23 pm

Beautiful car but I hope he's going to get on and drive it now

RayC · Post by **RayC** » Sat Aug 23, 08 5:27 pm

Never gonna get used but what a nice bit of kit

, lovely garage ornament

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Aug 23, 08 5:58 pm

He did it to try and achieve perfection. He knows he has spent many times as much as he could ever hope the car would sell for.

It was done for love and to raise the standard. It has also caused many many arguments. Both from the point of view of "why?" and also between the rivet polishers who argue about "what is correct"

Not many of us here would like to own a car like this for sure. But you have to admire the work and research the guy has put in.
If nothing else the car has stirred up a lot of debate within the hobby. And that is never a bad thing.

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Sat Aug 23, 08 6:13 pm

Dave wrote:He did it to try and achieve perfection. He knows he has spent many times as much as he could ever hope the car would sell for

I dont think these people do it, looking for a return on their investment. It becomes an obsession or a quest. Full credit to the guy for doing what looks like an unbelievable job.

Me, I wouldn't have the patience, but I admire what they do. The years & years of collecting the right parts must be a nightmare.

For me, I would be hapy to buy a car from these sort of guys, at least then you can drive it with much less worry, apart from it devaluating.

As for the rivet counters, thats another story. A lot of RC's do full on rebuilds, but a lot are knowledable, but dont do the work & are prepared to pull another mans toys to bits. Me, I know what I would tell them what to do.

Scooby · Post by **Scooby** » Sat Aug 23, 08 6:23 pm

Its good to see an original car....a great example..

Rich..

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Sat Aug 23, 08 6:25 pm

Did brand new cars ever look that good though? I see no drips or orange peel in the paint. I appreciate it might be as correct as you can get it, but to be really authentic you'd have to chuck it together with a lot less care, and I don't suppose anyone is going to do that.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sat Aug 23, 08 7:21 pm

Interesting point Blue. I bought my Mustang new, and was quite surprised at the slap dash assembly: broken clips, peeling tape, surface rust on bare metal parts, paint runs etc. The damn thing had only done 25 miles.

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Sat Aug 23, 08 7:55 pm

Adam wrote:Interesting point Blue. I bought my Mustang new, and was quite surprised at the slap dash assembly: broken clips, peeling tape, surface rust on bare metal parts, paint runs etc. The damn thing had only done 25 miles.

When back in 64 or you talking about a new one !

the dodge · Post by **the dodge** » Sat Aug 23, 08 8:15 pm

are you sure thats restored and not brand new and been hidden away in a controlled environment for years and years, its almost too good to be true

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Sat Aug 23, 08 8:30 pm

the dodge wrote:are you sure thats restored and not brand new and been hidden away in a controlled environment for years and years, its almost too good to be true

Yeah, like when Mother Mopar decided to bury one for prosperity

What were they ever thinking

latil · Post by **latil** » Sat Aug 23, 08 8:42 pm

That's a superb job. Just ready for 30 years thrashing,neglect and bodging