Simon's 68 Charger 'Charlene'

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Mon Jul 14, 08 10:51 pm

Ok so I've had my Charger three years now and haven't got round to putting anything in the Member's Car Show yet, so here goes.

A few things for starters. I got this car as I just love the design of it - I don't have the mechanical know how to turn it into a strip monster, nor the money to turn it into an all original concourse restoration. So this is just an account of someone who has a passion for design and wanted to enjoy the hobby of tinkering with a classic. If it provides any info or guidance for anyone just starting out where I was three years ago that's cool too.

I'll try to stick on a few photos a night. Any comments appreciated and I'll answer any questions as best I can.

In 2004 I travelled to Brighton and Kent to look at a few Chargers from private sellers. I also went to see a blue Charger being sold by David Madders, the specialist California Classic importer in Manchester. Although I passed on this one, Dave struck me as a genuine, trustworthy enthusiast and when in early 2005 he sent me these pictures of a gold Charger in the states I agreed a first-view deposit and went to have a look.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jul 14, 08 11:15 pm

looks nice and solid underneath mate.

im an ex madders owner too.

what you done so far??

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Mon Jul 14, 08 11:16 pm

The Charger was imported from California in Spring 2005 with a horrible hoodscoop and some damage to the rear end and bumper. Atop the 383ci engine was a two-barrel carburettor which, when I decoded the VIN, would have been the case when she left the Hamtramck factory as the 29,186th vehicle made there in 1968. She also bore a GT sports steering wheel, air shocks which pumped the rear end up a few inches and 10 inch wide 15 inch diameter oversize chrome smoothie rear rims with 295 tyres. The scoop, the steering wheel, the air shocks and the oversize wheels were all for show, not performance: why else would you keep the original carb and two inch exhaust pipes? She also arrived with a 727 Torqueflite 3 speed automatic with console shift and 8¾ inch rear axle with factory 2.76 rear gears and open diff. Again if performance had been the last owners’ intention they would surely have bunged in more gears and a Suregrip in the back?

So the car was just what I wanted David Madders to find - a sturdy enough body with an engine which had not been modified or had the guts ripped out of it. With a 383 engine, 11 inch drum brakes and 83/4 axle she was still a Big Block car. And with the bare steel underneath and missing trim there was plenty of work I could do to keep me interested.

So I asked David to ditch the scoop, make it road legal, check over the wiring and mechanics and MOT it so I could come back and drive it down to Cornwall with confidence. The old 2 barrel carb was dead, so a four barrel was chosen - 650cfm to keep in line with this being a reliable car for road use. This then meant the air cleaner wouldn't fit so this was changed too and this is what I picked up.

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Mon Jul 14, 08 11:28 pm

After a thorough investigation the first job was fully wire brushing the excellent underside and painting it with layers (6 litres in all) of stone chip paint. Forty years in California is one thing, four winter months in Cornwall without any protection would have been quite another – even in a heated and dehumidified internal garage. The inner fenders were fully waxoyled and the boot and engine bay areas black hammerited. I virtually lived in the boot for two days rubbing down the underside of the parcel shelf and the rest of the interior before hammeriting that too. Being over six foot it was a tight squeeze getting round the fuel inlet but I learned a lot about how a Charger was put together in there. I also had a recurring fear that someone was going to come and slam the boot on me Goodfellas style. Given the wife’s hatred for anything to do with the vehicle I sure would not have been found for a while!

Here's some before and afters:

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jul 14, 08 11:28 pm

ummm i do like that

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 15, 08 7:29 am

Now that was an enjoyable read. Its great to see you got a good car for a price you were obviously happy with. I think you were right to ditch the scoop it was a bit pony. Now, the car looks cracking, and it looked very solid underneath wghich can be a bit of a rarity with B Bods.

Well done on the purchase and the work. Keep the pictures coming mate.

Charger · Post by **Charger** » Tue Jul 15, 08 10:28 am

that looks great Simon

, I’m sure your car was at DM’s one time when I called in for something or other, your photos have given me a kick to get the inside of my trunk sorted too, keep ‘em coming

bananaskin · Post by **bananaskin** » Tue Jul 15, 08 11:07 am

Love the story, and good to see one that isnt black

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 15, 08 11:08 am

Racist

bananaskin · Post by **bananaskin** » Tue Jul 15, 08 11:09 am

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 15, 08 11:16 am

Only kidding fella

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 15, 08 11:20 am

Hi Simon, great pics and write up! I'm looking forward to the next installment!! (I know how long it takes me to upload pics and add some creative text)

Love the car on the wide smoothies:thumbright: and glad you swapped the bonnet, that hood scoop was a proper blue peter Jobie!

Where did DM get another bonnet? Is it fiberglass????

TYREMAN · Post by **TYREMAN** » Tue Jul 15, 08 2:56 pm

Great car

two days in the boot

i would rather let it rust

bruvmopar · Post by **bruvmopar** » Tue Jul 15, 08 7:06 pm

Super Car, Simon.

How can Your Wife, Not Like It, Are You Still Together!

Was Your Car, Originally Gold. Looks Ace, in This Colour Combo!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 15, 08 10:07 pm

great looking car looks great with the painted roof