My Last Restoration

[thrashingcows]

Great work Chris...absolutely stunning as usual!

I love the sunfire yellow, my 68 coronet rag was that hue....but I like my old mopars in their factory born with colors, so I would have wanted it back in the factory F8... ;)

What's worse, not having its original engine or not being the original colour?, a combination which will lower its value quite a bit, I'd imagine. Other than that, it's going to be a killer car when finished.

On a 68 having a date correct engine is as good as having the original, it is impossible to tell otherwise. They didn't start putting the VIN on the engines till 69.


Alan

My original 383/4bbl was missing from my Coronet rag, so I bought a complete 4dr Coroent parts car with a build date close to the rags, so it ended up with as close to an original motor as possible. So for the Hemi Bee, the colour change will definetly hurt the overall value of the car. Personally I love the F8 green....classy colour!

 

[azblackhemi]

As far as the color change if it was me I'd leave it the original F8 green but the owner doesn't care about resale value. He's owned it for almost 20 years and plans on keeping it until he dies and passes it to his son.

 

[crv]

Good on him.

 

[detmatt]

On a 68 having a date correct engine is as good as having the original, it is impossible to tell otherwise. They didn't start putting the VIN on the engines till 69.


Alan

That's not entirely true. They started stamping the vin on the blocks and transmissions in '68. On the blocks it was stamped at the rear of the block next to the oil pressure switch and on automatics the stamp was adjacent to the one on the engine. The 4 speeds were stamped with the vin at the same location as in '69 and on. Both the engine and trans from my Coronet R/T are stamped and so are the engine and trans that are going in my RR, they match each other but not my car...

 

[MrMoparCHP]

That's not entirely true. They started stamping the vin on the blocks and transmissions in '68. On the blocks it was stamped at the rear of the block next to the oil pressure switch and on automatics the stamp was adjacent to the one on the engine. The 4 speeds were stamped with the vin at the same location as in '69 and on. Both the engine and trans from my Coronet R/T are stamped and so are the engine and trans that are going in my RR, they match each other but not my car...
View attachment 120034 View attachment 120035

I'm trying to remember, this may have been one of the January One things. I know the bodies didn't get it till 69, maybe I'm just getting it all mixed up.


Alan

 

[thrashingcows]

I thought it was late in the 68 production that they actually started doing the VIN's....March/April???

 

[polara71]

I'm trying to remember, this may have been one of the January One things. I know the bodies didn't get it till 69, maybe I'm just getting it all mixed up.


Alan

Easy to do, Ive forgotten far more than I remember

 

[azblackhemi]

Making more progress. Painted the doors inside and out and shot underneath the hood and trunk. Should have everything painted by end of next week.

 

[azblackhemi]

Haven't updated in a while so here it is. All painted and buffed. Off the rotisserie and putting the suspension back under it. As soon as that's done the sheet metal goes back on as do the stripes and it's done!

 

[GJS]

Gorgeous work, man.

 

[Polara_500]

Yup, that's purdy.........

 

[1978 NYB]

Exceptional work Chris!!!

 

[detmatt]

You feel like doing one of those in black???

 

[commando1]

This is your Mona Lisa, Leonardo.

 

[live4theking]

Chris,
That is sweet. What is the finish on the suspension parts?

 

[Zymurgy]

Drool drool, man that is beautiful work. Second on the suspension finish, I don't know what it is but it looks great almost brushed nickel like. Powder coated?

 

[azblackhemi]

Thanks guys! I'm not sure what color the powder coat is on the suspension. The customer had it done.

 

[1978 NYB]

Chris, I was hoping your last project was going to be a Formal.

PB3 Blue....

 

[polara71]

Too bad, the automotive world is going to miss your talents. I presume my 2018 appointment has been postponed indefinitely?

 

[commando1]

Too bad, the automotive world is going to miss your talents. I presume my 2018 appointment has been postponed indefinitely?

Kiss the appointment goodbye. I weaseled BitterSweet in right after you. Chris's "retirement" is the real reason why BitterSweet is in Australia now.

I remember Chris's exact words to me. "This is gonna kill Dave"