The General

[FormTA]

So even though this will be a long slow project *especially since I'm just collecting parts right now) I decided to start a thread to keep all of my ideas and pictures in one place.

I asked on here if you guys would be interested and if you thought it would be ok to start a thread on a non Pontiac build. This is a mix mash build that many folks won't like but to me it's what makes me happy and I enjoy the process. Here goes...

I always like cars from movies, hence the reason I have a black 79 trans am and parts to a Delorean.... I am not brand loyal, I just love cars. The orange car from a 79s TV show was one of them. I enjoy being able to hop in my TA and just drive it anywhere, anytime (I LS swapped it and I love it). Purchasing a real 1969 Dodge Charger is almost out of the question as the cost of Mopars is out of this world. Guys are getting 25k for a pile of rust where only the vin plate and title are good.... And I know rust, my formula was almost unsavilable.  So I had heard a few years ago the stunt guy who does all the jumps for Dukefest was tired of killing Chargers and he wanted a safer car to jump. So he took a 1999 Crown Vic and purchased all AMD sheet metal and built a 1969 Charger. It worked so well others have now started do it. Problem is, you can't get sheet metal now, I think demand and Covid have pinched that and original parts are like gold. I saw a FB market add for a hood for 4k. 4k for a hood!!!

Update, I have decided to look for a 2012 or so charger to build this body on. That way it will all be a charger of some sort. Yes the wheelbase is off but i will adjustthe wheel openins to make it fit. With the lengthof this car you will not noticethe 3" difference.

So I joined a FB group for body swap chargers a while back and recently a guy posted a front clip for sale for $600. As I want to have functional doors (unlike what guys do, they weld just skins to to body on the CVGL, Crown Vic General Lee). The price was right and he was not far from me. So I picked this up. Not the engine,  that's a Pontiac, the 69 Charger front clip. It's in pretty good shape. I'll use the cowl, hinge pillers and windshield posts. The A pillers are not available repop so if you want functional doors you pretty much have to have a real charge to cup up. Well I have the part I need and I didn't kill a real Charger.



Once I got to the guys house I find out he and a friend of his have a few more parts they want to get rid of for reasonable money.  So I cane home with a decent hood, driver fender, valance panel, roof and trunk lid.





I found a near perfect set of tail lights on ebay so, into the collection those went.


That was last month. Well the other dayas I was searching classic industries I found they had got in the tail panel and the duchman panel (part in front of the trunk lid). So I grabbed those.




Today I'm driving back to the guy I got this stuff from as he is now selling me a pair of doors. So stay tuned for more parts collection.

[ryeguy2006a]

Love this build! I'd say that any threads that will bring traffic to the site is a great thing, but that's my opinion.

[kentucky yeti]

I'm with Ryan 

[5th T/A]

I agree with Ryan and Mike, keep the updates coming Luke!

Plus I am a big fan of 68-70 Chargers.

[tajoe]

Will it have a "Rebel" flag on the roof? 

[FormTA]

I plan to just do the 01 and have a sticker made that says "The General" for the roof.

I picked up these doors today for $50 a piece! They have glass and internals plus perfect trim on the top that cost around $300. So I feel I stole these.

[Jack]

I love it, the general is ALMOST as iconic as the Trans Am.

[JDMopar]

I guess you can tell by my screen name that I'm interested in watching the thread....lol. If you don't know about it, there is a place in Alabama named Stephens Performance. Ted Stephens and I have been car buddies for most of our adult lives, and he owns Stephens Performance. He is the largest distributor of AMD sheet metal in the country, and will have the most up to date info on what's available or will be available again in the future. Ted is also a Trans Am fan and collector. If he has or can get what you need, you could pick it up at The Mopar Nationals in Ohio to save shipping. The Mopar Nats are held at National Trails Dragway outside of Columbus every year, the 2nd weekend in August. The swap meet at that show may also be a good source to look for parts. The best days are Friday and Saturday.
  I hope this helped some. I check in here every few days since I will soon be starting a resto on my 77 Trans Am SE, so I will check back in on this thread. 

[FormTA]

Thanks! That really does help. I am collecting parts right now ad I'm I'm deep with mt 49 ford F1 crazy project (also posted on this site as these guys are like friends after years of being on here).

I am waiting it out right now for the AMD quarter panels. I really don't care if they are 68 or 69, I'll just alter them. If I don't source them by now I will definitely order them from him if he has them. I'm in the Toledo Ohio area so running to the show to pick them up would be awesome to save some money.  Thanks again for the info!

[5th T/A]

Don't shoot me, but many decades ago I too was into Mopar's. I owned a 67 Dodge Coronet RT and a 69 Super Bee, also a 72 Dodge Dart. Staying in the Mopar family, I also had a 1970 Road Runner. One of my brothers used to live in Dublin Ohio, so I managed to attend the Mopar Nat's, well worth it.

Luke I am a little confused about parts interchangeability on your second-generation Charger. The first generation was 66-67 and second generation was 68-70. I am not aware of any body panels that interchange between Gen I and Gen II?

[FormTA]

That was a typo.  I'll go back and fix it. Thanks.

The 68 had the small round markers and 69 the rectangle.

[FormTA]

So, I check AMDs stock everyday and the other day a 1970 right quarter panel showed in stock so I ordered it and a lower rear valance panel and the door jam latch panels.

Talk about packaging! I had then shipped to my work because I knew they would be big but dang. This quarter panel is a mile long.



Unlike Kerry,  I did open the panels but I forgot to get a picture...



I still need a driver side quarter and something for a roof. Speaking of that, I am headed to Indiana to pick up a roof section from a roadrunner. They are almost the same as a Charger but the back glass and quarter area is different. My plan is to manipulate this area and turn it into a charger roof. Most of the inner structure is the same and the windshield and side glass is the same so it should be do able.

On a side note, I have changed direction in my mine a bit. I am going to look for a 2012 or there abouts year to build this 1969 body on. Mopar power and interior. I figure with this much money in it it should all be a charger of some year. The wheelbase is off by 3" buy I saw a Daytona built on a 2009 Charger chassis and he mover the rear wheel opening only and with the long quarters you couldn't tell.

[5th T/A]

Luke, you likely already know this, there is a company that takes current model Chargers and finishes the exterior to look like a 68-70 Charger. I saw one roll across the auction block for Mecum in Kissimmee last month. I thought it sold for over 200K. The current Charger is probably a superior chassis to the old Ford Crown Vic.

[5th T/A]

FYI, I guess they use carbon fiber. Looking at the pictures the proportions look a little different from a real 2nd generation Charger.

Here is a link,
https://moparinsiders.com/meet-the-carbon-fiber-bodied-c68-carbon-from-exomod/

[FormTA]

Ya, I just red that. Thanks! I got my roof section but while I was there he talked me into buying a 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner.... It is a hulk but I need the inner quarter structure and trunk hinges and I'm sure other parts. He really twisted my arm at $200. Could it be saved, probably but a Roadrunner just isn't worth the same money as a Charger. Again, I need the inner structure which is 90% the same as a Charger. The problem is, it is a 9 hrs round trip and I didn't bring my car hauler so now I have to go back.....

[ryeguy2006a]

I think that's a great move building it on that charger platform. Nice score on the parts! I'm sure the Mopar fans will look the other way that you will be destroying two cars to build a third. 

[roadking77]

Wow I admire your energy level. And looking forward to this build as well. I too am geeky about movie cars. I had always thought if I hit the lotto it would be cool to have a collection of tv/movie cars. What you have going on makes my next project look like a walk in the park.

[FormTA]

It's all unrealistic optimism.... I have pipe dreams and then slowly try to make them reality.  This will be a long project, some of you will never see it completed.... I have to build the dar F1 first and I am not moving very fast on it....

The only reason the Charger is moving is because I am finding parts and they don't come up often and when they do they are crazy expensive. So, if I see a good deal or a part I will need, I grab it.

[FormTA]

Nice score on the parts! I'm sure the Mopar fans will look the other way that you will be destroying two cars to build a third. 

Hence the reason the build is posted on a Trans Am site

[FormTA]

Just so there are some pictures.  Here is the roof section I picked up.


Here's the Roadrunner but he has since pulled the front clip, doors and trunk lid. I'm just getting the rolling shell.

[5th T/A]

Looks like a good score on the RR., from the picture it looks to be in decent shape.

And, you must have a very understanding wife!

[FormTA]

Well..... This recent acquisition took some smoothing over..... I still may be sleeping on the couch tonight though... 

At least I'm indoors   

[nas t eh]

Well..... This recent acquisition took some smoothing over..... I still may be sleeping on the couch tonight though... 

At least I'm indoors   

I recommend taking her out for a nice meal and some dancing.

[roadking77]

HA, I had to laugh at your last post. Reading things up to current, all I could think about was boy, your wife has way more patience and understanding with you than mine does for me. I need to get my TATA finished before my next project starts, the only reason she was on board with the one in waiting is because it came to me through her office. I am sure once I start 'beating panels' the attitude will change though.

[Pontiac Dreamer]

This is a really cool build and in true spirit of hot rodding - taking what you have and can find to make something else!

[ryeguy2006a]

Well..... This recent acquisition took some smoothing over..... I still may be sleeping on the couch tonight though... 

At least I'm indoors   

I know that feeling too well. I think a nice dinner would smooth things over too. Good advice Kerry.

[roadking77]

I will add, that the cost of my restoration time and final product of my 77 was having to buy my wife a new mustang convertible. Wasnt all that bad, its HER car but I do get to enjoy from time to time. A dinner out would have been a lot easier on the wallet

[FormTA]

Ya, maybe this weekend.  I did get B dubs yesterday and she seemed in a good mood (ya, not the nice dinner you are all suggesting). Too bad I'm leaving right after work today to go get the car... I won't make it home until after midnight....

She keeps asking "and what project is this for?" I say the charger (she know I ask for a Charger every year for Xmas, kind of an on going joke) build but it's not even a build I had planned until recently and I didn't think I'd be finding parts this quickly. I say I didn't have it planned because I always figured a charger would be way out of my financial reach plus spending that kind of money doesn't seem like a sound decision. So this is my best attempt creating something close and seems obtainable.

The real problem is where am I going to store this shell and extra roof now.... my 4 car shop is full with the F1, my TA and now my daughters car (she just started driving). My barn out back has the Formula, 67 Camaro, 4 trailers, boat, jetskis, 7 sleds plus other things..... Look at all these projects.... maybe I need to let something go.... na, I need something to do for retirement.

[ryeguy2006a]

You can let that Camaro come live with me

[rkellerjr]

Wow, what a project, you are ambitious if nothing else []

[FormTA]

Thanks, I think 

Was a late night. Got back at 1:30am...

Just a quick picture of it loaded in the trailer.

[5th T/A]

Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to graft the Charger body panels on to the Road Runner?

[FormTA]

That's the plan and then cut the finished Charger shell free from the "frame and drop it onto the 2010 LX platform.  I want to run the LX drivetrain and interior, pretty much a 2010 charger that looks like a 69.

[FormTA]

Placed another order for sheet metal with AMD. It was quite a few panels and all are is stock except the drivers quarter.  I had them hold the order until it cones in which they said will be June.  I didn't want to be hit with two freight charges of $200 and I don't need any of it now so this should be good as long as they hold the other panels too. They said they would so... We'll see.

I unloaded the shell the other day.

[ryeguy2006a]

What's all of that white stuff on the ground?

[FormTA]

Loads of awesomeness!

[stros]

Very excited to see how this turns out!  I've had both the LX Charger and Challenger - they were both very nice cars.

Best of luck on your project!

[FormTA]

Any thing to look for or avoid in the LX line? Any year better or one avoid?

[stros]

Any thing to look for or avoid in the LX line? Any year better or one avoid?

I had a 2017 Charger R/T (5.7L) and a 2017 Challenger Scat Pack (6.4L).  I had zero problems with either of them.  But those are the only years I have experience with. 

[FormTA]

I watch the stock at AMD like a hawk and I search 68,69 and 70s most parts are the same (at least for what I'm doing). I noticed the other day they got in 2 1968 left quarter panels so I called amd had them substitute the 68 for the 70 I had on order. The only difference is the marker light opening. At this point I don't know what I'm doing for marker lights, I hope to find something rectangular that is cheaper than anything Mopar. As you can tell I don't care if it's correct. So I'll have a 68 and a 70 quarter. Anyway they should be shipped soon. I have rockers, a fener, quarter panel, some miscellaneous panels and other small items and I'm in it for almost 3k. This thing will end up costing a pretty penny but it will be my ideal Charger.