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This is pretty much how the car is as of 8/29/00
Unsure when this photo was taken.

I bought this beast back in 1980... October, I believe, and wrecked it Dec 1st, about 4PM.
Hydroplaned on a curve, and went pretty much head-on - into 2 trees. I hit the 1st with the left fender, and that put me into a spin into the 2nd. I was found, unconscious, in the floor - between the front and rear seats. I still recall a 'face' just prior to the wreck - must've been an angel! I walked out of the car, with a concussion, a cut on my right pinky, and a gouged left knee (it wasn't that bad) - no broken bones, very little blood. I think I hit my head on the passenger side A post - I knew I couldn't recognize my brother right afterwards.

Searching for parts... and thanks to Dad's superb welding skills - we found a '68 body, cut the 2 cars in 1/2.... and well... the pictures tell the story.

It was way back in 1990, when I reluctantly parked my charger.

'I'll get back to it soon.'

That day came - 10 years later

Seems that marriage, kids, life in general, and the fact that the car was stored about 50 miles away (THANKS DAVE and DAD)
(I wish I had a garage!) put the 'slowdown' on restoration.

I finally got back to it, though too briefly, in June of 2000. It had set for 10 years - with no running.

After about 15 minutes of - removing the plugs, squirting some oil down the cylinders, dumping some gas in the carb, and pumping the pedal... it roared to life. No coughing, no sputtering. It wasn't a perfect run, but still impressive (or lucky? nah - Dodges never die -.)

What it sounded like after setting for 10 years!!!

(Hint - press the stop button 1st)

It's a 318, bored .10 over, with older 340 cam, milled 340 heads(older is better), 340 intake manifold (yep, older style), and Headman headers.
I run Turbo Sonic mufflers. Carter AVS 4BBL.

Sometimes I just call it my 'Mean Lean Green Machine'

You can see how the transmission hump was twisted. The transmission case was broken, the motor mounts ripped off, the cast block - broken. The alternator could fit in your hand. The weld here was ripped apart.

The two halves of the 69 - cut @ the A post seam, and behind the front seats (overlapped this - and welded a continuous bead - the factory is a spot weld.) The vinyl top got a bit hot and melted some

.

Motors look nice with that fresh coat of paint.

Up on the stands and ramps. I traced the quarterpanels from our '70. Cut the panel out with tin-snips. Hammered, riveted and spot welded the metal on - both rear quarters had to be repaired. Take a look at the top - not too bad for a kid with a hammer and a vice... and no training.   The '68 fenders were 'rough' - there is a hole in front of the drivers' door I patched. Actually, the paint here on the door and upper rear quarter isn't bad, has a nice shine.Take a look at the door below too... that's how it's all supposed to look!

The 71 bed/camper in the back stores many of our parts. I used the engine out of it (318-1)plus the 727 trans. Dad (in the bibs) and Jim help Sam (the truck owner - a good friend who helped much too...(bought theradiator from him.)) guide the motor. A shirtless me approves the situation

Sam checks the alignment.	Lookin good.

Now just to 'hook it all up'

Trav's '69 Charger Page is under construction.

So is the car... check back soon

Last update 11/03/00

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