Dave's Charger 770 1982-89

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 10, 09 10:28 am

Bought this 318 Charger 770 in 1982 after separating from my first wife.

I left her the house so had no mortgage to pay and for the first (and last) time in my life I had a little disposable income. Still had to borrow £500 from my mother to pay for it but I was able to pay her back over 6 months.

The bodywork and chassis were quite rotten. It came with an MOT from a dodgy second hand car dealer.

The engine had a blown head gasket and rotten core plugs. The points in the dizzy were giving a bit of trouble too.

But despite that I loved this car. It might not have been a "real" Charger but it was as close as i could get on my money.

Shortly after this I was offered a Hemi Cuda (minus engine) for £1300. But that sort of money was way over my head. I had only paid £3000 for the house my wife now owned.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 10, 09 10:40 am

I eventually got around to fixing all the rust. This was my first car and I had a lot to learn. Although I had been helping my Dad with his cars since i was a toddler and I had already started playing with various Fords. In fact I soon also owned an Avenger and then my first Escort.

The work I did on this Charger really taught me a lot. Mainly not to buy a rusty car again.

The bottom 10 inches of the bodywork had to be totally replaced. I made all the patch panels, sills, front and rear valances etc myself. Brazed on I might add as at first I couldn't weld!

The top third of each front fender I scratch built from chicken wire and fibreglass with a healthy layer of bodge.

The trunk lid skin I scratch built from steel but I never got the wrinkles out of it.

When I finally did learn to weld (gas weld) I accidentally set fire to the interior while welding the chassis. So I made my own door cards, fitted two racing seats with race harnesses, bathroom carpet neatly fitted to the floor, two hi-fi speakers instead of a back seat (which could be placed outside the car at parties) and a hand made ally dash.

The only bit I did not do was the Ford Carnival Red paint.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 10, 09 10:43 am

Sadly this car completely vanished in 1989. Just before I ordered my Challenger I was having imported from Texas.

The only trace I ever found of that car was one of the 318 fender badges. It must have fallen off the car before it vanished.

Scooby · Post by **Scooby** » Sat Jan 10, 09 1:23 pm

Good story Dave, I found this whole group of threads refreshing.

Rich.

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Sat Jan 10, 09 2:34 pm

considering you dismiss the bodywork you did as practice it looks bloody good.

when you say disappeared does that mean nicked or just never saw it around Newcastle again?

Dave

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 10, 09 3:17 pm

It simply vanished and I reported it stolen. It has never been seen since and if I were you I wouldn't put money on ever finding a trace of it.

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Sat Jan 10, 09 5:47 pm

dave in the first photo, i'm suprised you let a chimp sit in your car

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 10, 09 6:35 pm

Less of the mick taking fat boy.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Sat Jan 17, 09 10:15 am

They had nt left you much room to get out Dave, looks like the neighbours have had enough of your antics already

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Sat Jan 17, 09 4:51 pm

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 17, 09 6:32 pm

AllKiller wrote:They had nt left you much room to get out Dave, looks like the neighbours have had enough of your antics already

Well I parked it in that gap no problem by spinning in sideways. Usually to get out again I just shunt backward and forwards until there is enough room to pull out.

Actually. If that is a mk2 Escort at the back it is probably mine as well. Can't really tell from that photo and don't ask me to remember reg numbers.

The one in front is my Dads 2.3 Vauxhall Estate. What a rot box that one was.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Jun 15, 09 12:28 pm

Dave this "IS" the original picture you sent in for your Charger Club membership 1988

Post by **MattH** » Mon Jun 15, 09 2:27 pm

Steve, sounds like you have hit a little gold mine today. Keep it coming, fabulous stuff, would love pics of my car when it was in the club, bear in mind mine was an Oz market car imported privately in 76, LTA150P, owned by Andrew ??. It was red.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Jun 15, 09 2:31 pm

Now your asking...checkin

Post by **MattH** » Mon Jun 15, 09 2:35 pm

He lived in Bournemouth area. Andrew Trayford from Poole.
Found an old delivery note for spares from Hemi Perfomance dated 1991, and a Australian Chrysler Charger club renewal form !