The Mitchell & Mitchell 1968 Charger Restoration BLOG

THE CHARGER IS RESTORED! PROJECT COMPLETE!

Administrator — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:49:06 +0000

It’s been a long and often bumpy road but we have completed our journey. The restoration of our 1968 Dodge Charger is complete. We were able to complete the vehicle in time for it to debut at the 11th Annual Lakes Area Cruisers Rod Run held November 18-20, 2011 in Jasper, Texas. In her debut, the car won Top 5 in her class and took 2 sponsor awards!

What follows is a slide show which chronicles the progress made during the restoration from mid August 2011 through completion in November 2011.

Thanks for your interest in this project. Check back often. We will be posting pictures from future car shows in which we enter the Charger.

Enjoy!!

The Mitchells

Interior / Exterior Updates

Administrator — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:13:52 +0000

I’ve been hard at work getting the car ready to make its debut in Nov at our local car show. Here is a slide show if the latest developments. Its coming together nicely!

Engine, AC & Transmission Updates

Administrator — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:58:48 +0000

There has been some progress made on the Charger. As you can see in the accompanying slide show the engine compartment is nearly complete. All the needed peripheral engine parts (pulleys, brackets, PS pump, alternator and such) have been found and installed. Additionally, a new AC / Heater system, new power brake booster and master cylinder, radiator, electric fan and all new hoses have been added. Other than for adding fluids and connecting the neutral safety switch connect the engine is ready to be fired up. Even a throttle solenoid as been added to raise the engine RPM’s when the AC is switched on.

The past few days have been spent tracking down a different tail stock housing for the transmission, refurbishing interior parts, installing the steering column, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal and putting the finishing touches on the carpet installation. During the installation of the console shifter mechanism it was discovered the transmission tailstock did not have the mounting tables required to support the console shifter. Who knew that not all 727 tail stock housing weren’t made the same? Obviously our chief builder didn’t.

We located the needed housing which is good news. The bad news is we must disassemble our pretty transmission to make the tail stock swap.

Steady Progress – The Dash

Administrator — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:36:07 +0000

We liked how well the Eastwood Thermal – Coustic Barrier material installed on the firewall and the floor in the passenger compartment that we extended it into the trunk. Following that installation and in preparation for installing the dash we installed the refurbished fresh air duct and brake pedal assembly. Lastly, we installed the refurbished dash.

Early in its restoration the dash frame was gutted, modified, sand blasted and then repainted before being reassembled. The frame was modified to accept left and right side AC / heater vents. This vehicle left the factory as a heater only car but we will be installing an AC / heater system and wanted the dash to appear it came from the factor with AC.

Other dash modifications include the amp meter being converted to a volt meter; the radio modified to accept MP3 player input, the instrument panel lights converted to LED’s, the installation of a delayed off key light and a map light and a fader for the radio speaker system. Additionally as part of the refurbishment a dash cap was installed and all lenses and trim pieces refinished.

Our next activity will be to make various connections between the dash wiring and the wiring serving other parts of the vehicle.

Check out the slide show below to see just how far the dash has come and pictures of its recent installation.