Chapter 4: Bodywork
Stripping to Bare Metal
Condition Assessment
Patch Installation
Subframe Repair
Floorpan Patch
Roof Skin Replacement
Quarter Panel Replacement
Quarter Panel Installation
Door Hinge Rebuild
Wheel-Opening Molding Installation
Chapter 5: Paint Prep and Painting
Pulling Out Dents
Body Filler Basics
Primed and Ready
Paint Types
Paint Booth
Vehicle Preparation
How the Factory Did It
Painting Your Car Body
Interior Color
Grille Blackout
Body Stripes
Emblems and Decals
Vinyl Tops
Inner Fender Masking
Polyurethane Underbody Painting
Undercoating Application
Cowl Painting
Wet Sanding
Paint Buffing
Chapter 6: Suspension Overview
Rebuilding a Front Suspension
Upper Control Arms
Lower Control Arms
Brake System
Leaf Springs
Steering System
Chapter 7: Powertrain
Type of Restoration
383/440 Strategy
Engine Assembly
Engine Painting
Engine Installation
Transmission
Rear-End Rebuild
Chapter 8: Miscellaneous Mechanicals
Wiper Motor
Grille
Trim Repair
Re-Chroming
Phosphating
Weatherstrip
Windows
Rear Window Trim 1968–1970
Fresh-Air Induction
Non-A/C Heater Box
Interior
Headliner
Electrical
Dashboard
Chapter 9: Detailing and Showing Your Car
A Detail Job Worthy of Judging
Show Venues
Source Guide
Commencing a project of this magnitude was very similar to the old adage of eating an elephant. Although daunting, the task was possible, but needed to be done one bite at a time. Both of us were very fortunate to have access to years of original Chrysler authentication and are indebted to the many who precede us and share in the passion of documenting these amazing machines.
We want to thank Wes Eisenschenk and Bob Wilson of CarTech for the opportunity to undertake this project, and their patience in guiding us through the necessary hoops to bring this together.
Additionally, we would be at a loss without Rick Kreuziger from Restorations by Rick; Jefferson Bryant of Red Dirt Rods; Mike Saless of Legendary Auto Interiors; Jeff Leonard and Ray Yager of Classic Industries; Kevin King of YearOne; Jason Tessler of Just Dashes; Steve, Chris, and Jeremiah at Spicer Automotive and Four Wheel Drive; Ryan Brutt; and Diego Rosenberg.
Kevin Shaw
I would like to thank my wife, Heather, for her support, encouragement, and patience throughout this past year; my daughters, Morgan and Natalie; my father, Kerry, for passing down his passion for absurdly expensive toys; and my brother Cameron for encouraging me to buy my first Dodge more than a dozen years ago.
Special thanks go to Randy Bolig for giving me my start, to Dave Young for his insight, to Dave Everhart of HP Performance, to Bobby Kimbrough for keeping me sane when I needed help the most, and to Mike Wilkins for joining me on this journey.
Thanks to all the people who specifically contributed to the book: Duane Cates, Chet Biggers, Gary Faulkner, Mitch Spicer, and others who love these cars enough to share everything about them for those who are trying to bring these cars back to life.
Mike Wilkins
I would like to thank the following people for fostering love and knowledge of these wonderful cars over the years. First, my hometown pastor Bob Post, who had a friendly connection to a small town Chrysler dealer, Bynum Chrysler dealership in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Because he was interested in helping everyone get a “good deal” on a new car the parking lot was always full of great Mopars. So I grew up with many Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge cars in my life over the years of 1960–1975. Next were all my buds with Mopars, including Mike Bush, Darrel “Buzz” McGuire, Wes Burton, Todd Kidd, Jimmy Johnson, and my brother Rogzilla, who always had these cool cars.
I also want to thank all the people I came in contact with over the years who knew way more than I did about these awesome cars: Roger Gibson, Cliff Gromer, Kevin Diossi, Paul Jacobs, Robert Wolf, Richard Ehrenberg, Frank Badalson, Ken Mosier, Dave Walden, and Galen Govier; they answered all of my questions when none of this information was available to the average guy. To all my buds in the Music City Mopar Club in Nashville, Tennessee, and my special Mopar judge bud, brother Ron.
To my wonderful wife, Sulyn, who had no idea how dedicated to these cars I was when she married me, and to my way cool kids, Valerie and Blake.
Thank you to Kevin Shaw who has been more than a brother to me over the years of writing this book.
Authors Kevin Shaw (left) and Mike