Restoration thread 1969 St Albans charger

[ScottyDave]

Awesome pics thanks for the update, December drive...what a pressie for yourself

[Derek]

It's a credit to you mate, a lot would have thrown in the towel a long time ago, so you're not going with a vinyl roof then.

[Chargingatchya]

It's a credit to you mate, a lot would have thrown in the towel a long time ago, so you're not going with a vinyl roof then.

You know mate I love a vinyl roof and that was the initial intention but as the build’s progressed Iv slowly moved away from it and think this particular car will be without it.

[Chargingatchya]

Awesome pics thanks for the update, December drive...what a pressie for yourself

Indeed, I just hope that there’s no more gremlins waiting for me and I have a smooth run from here on

[cadboy]

well done

[Dave999]

Fantastic news

looking good


Dave

[Matt74]

An epic build and in such a short amount of time as well!

Well done!

[Stu]

Saw a couple of pics on FB and came over hoping to find this.

Excellent news and progress! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the updates and photos of the maiden voyage.

[Chargingatchya]

Hello Mopar family.

Wow my last post on this thread was one year and five days ago!

Decided to post for reading material for you as the weather has been pretty useless for us car enthusiasts (classics in particular as let’s be honest, you only cover it so you don’t get your feet wet next time you want to go for a drive)

Anyways, I wanted to update here as it’s been so long. This community is what got me started and the dream of bringing this car to life possible. So the thread must continue, relentless just like the St Albarns Charger!

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Okay okay enough with the build up and my attempt to make this post fun. I guess what I’m trying to say is, sorry Iv been away so long. I have been busy driving, enjoying and building the car.

Many have seen this car in person now and the reality of my work, without hiding behind camera angle and perspective, is out! Busted!

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I didn’t make my December drive as previously planned in my Nov’23 post but I did make it in Feb. It was eventful but fun. I broke down as my alternator wasn’t charging, tranny was leaking as I overfilled it and I have two temp gauges of which each was showing a different temperature, both within limits but neither correct.

Aaahhhh and a tiny issue when sudden loss of oil pressure (two gauges, one mechanical one electrical confirming this) which left me stranded. All came back to a tiny bit of plastic (from the old timing sprocket? Who knows) worked its way in to the oil pump snapping the drive shaft. These things were designed great as had it not snapped where it did, engine damage could have been catastrophic. I was obviously very aware and monitoring gauges it being newly released on the road so car was switched off soon as gauges fell to zero. No damage there. Bearings were removed and checked. But the car literally never run for more than 5 seconds after I watched the gauges drop.

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From there on there has been all sorts of challenges. Hesitation on accelerating (carb issue), no vac on dizzy so just replaced the whole thing (I know I could have replaced the pod) leaking sump (don’t they all?) brand new alternator bad from the box, killing voltage regulator after voltage regulator, replaced with another, this time the VR was actually bad that killed my battery. Honestly, challenge after challenge has made me a better (hobby) mechanic. Also I realise why everyone moans about these replacement parts that are so often frowned upon. They are so “hit and miss”.

Anyhow one by one each mechanical and electrical gremlin was dealt with. At times I really felt like booting it! Car has made me much poorer financially! I even called Derek a month or two back telling him I’m gonna sell the damn thing but, she’s still here and when she’s good, she’s oh so good and worth it! She’s still here and really won’t be going anywhere. We all say horrible things in anger, don’t we?

Fast forward to today and a bouncy Speedo has somehow ended up making me to pretty much dissemble of the whole interior.

Last seat is being restored as I type this, waiting on a heater core so I can use the car over the winter without the Mrs moaning she’s cold, a full overhaul of gauges so all my gauges work. Headliner installed, headliner rails overhauled and installed, pitted steering wheel attended to, all plastics sprayed satin black the lid goes on and on. I will finally have an original nice functional interior. Can’t wait

Sum up of recent interior work:
Re built clock to work from a battery using quartz
New restored steering wheel
New flasher cam
New speedometer
New temp gauge
Restored headliner rail trims
New headliner
Seat frames blasted
New seat foams (most part) and covers
New door cards
Sprayed gauge cluster plastics
New carpet
New lap belts
And so so much more that I am forgetting to list.

Foe the record the seats look much better in real life and a little heat removed those creases!

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Thanks for reading, and I’m so sorry that the updates are not organised and a complete mess. Il try to update more often from here on as it will keep things better organised.

The car has done 2300 miles on the newly built engine now and I decided to get a borescope in the cylinders to have a nosey. Really happy with how it’s all looking and despite my moaning and the teething issues the car starts every time on the button and I’m having an absolute blast with it. Can’t wait to see what the year ahead has in store.

Next up, leaf springs as they are really exhausted and not serving any real purpose! If you look at the pics of the car you can see how the car doesn’t have the Charger “stance” as the rear should be higher than the front, and the body line straight. I cannot achieve this with flat leaf springs. Not without wrecking my new front fender anyway Every week I tell myself il drop them in to be re tempered and every week for the last 6 I have failed!

I have even done a wedding a few months back for a friend who asked. Who knows, I may even get to fulfil the dream of making NEC Birmingham next year, I did miss the opportunity this year due to work commitments. But the plan is to use the car this year and make new memories and experiences. There really is something so special about these cars. I really don’t need to do 1/4 mile in 10, I have zero interest in that. V8 at sunset with no traffic ahead, that’s my happy place.

Sorry some of the pics are upside down! Not sure what I’m doing wrong here.
Il post pics in a week or two with interior complete

[Derek]

All looks good from here, so glad you changed your mind about selling, You've put so much in to this car and you know in your heart it's here to stay, coming on leaps and bounds now mate, I'll get to you after Christmas to have a nosey when Liz is able to get about after her opperation next month.

[mygasser]

it looks very 'general mayhem' now
neil.

[Chargingatchya]

All looks good from here, so glad you changed your mind about selling, You've put so much in to this car and you know in your heart it's here to stay, coming on leaps and bounds now mate, I'll get to you after Christmas to have a nosey when Liz is able to get about after her opperation next month.

I could never give her up! It be like getting rid of one of my kids

You’re always welcome Del. Pop round for a cuppa when you can mate.

[Chargingatchya]

it looks very 'general mayhem' now
neil.

General mayhem indeed. Wont be for long though, as plans next year should have her looking, well… somewhat different!

[cadboy]

You have done great work in making the Charger alive and driving again, well done

[Stu]

Great update. I love seeing “built in a driveway” stuff. Bet your other half is chuffed to bits with the interior all over the house.

Good to hear you are enjoying using it, that’s the important bit.

Keep the updates coming, the board is very quiet these days, it’s great to see a few threads with what work is going on.