Mopar Metal Repair 1970 Road Runner

Every once in awhile we stumble across an "original" car, which isn't quite as un-molested as we were led to believe. Unfortunately this very low mileage B-body Mopar had some hidden history despite rarely seeing the road. 
The owner of this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner did in fact know about the previous repairs in the lower quarters, however, the rocker panel was a surprise. 1" of mud is NOT how to repair major damage. Ever. No excuses. Here we take you step by step through the repair process, to correct a horrendous repair job done several years ago. 

1970 Plymouth Road Runner being mechanically stripped of all paint

The work is just getting started. Continue reading...

1968-1970 B-Body Mopar Windshield Replacement

1970 Road Runner

1968-1970 B-Body Mopar Windshield replacement

In the event that you have to replace your windshield on your 1968-1970 B-body Mopar, you need to know what you're getting into before getting started. This is a step by step guide to the process of replacing or removing and reinstalling the original glass. 

In our example, this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner was receiving a complete paint job with interior and exterior color change. To paint a car properly, the windshield must be removed. 

Read on for our step by step process of handling the windshield. 

BEFORE: This 1970 Roadrunner will receive a complete interior and exterior color change and the vinyl top will be eliminated

Before: Existing trim and glass

Before: Existing trim and glass

1. Remove the existing stainless trim around the windshield. Careful not to bend or crease your trim, look at the clip type and location(more photos later in this post), and use a clip removal tool (looks like a forked pry bar in most cases) suitable for your application.

2. Remove the windshield gasket and glass. It is likely that you will need to cut the rubber weatherstripping gasket that is holding the glass in place to remove the glass without breaking it. There are a variety of tools made for this purpose which will allow you to cut the gasket without gouging your windshield. 

NOTE- Save any and all clips that are screwed into the body of the car which hold the trim in place. You will need these or their replacements. 

1973 Pontiac 400 Built for HP and Fun!

Years of storage and memories on the road have this 1973 Pontiac Grand Am showing it's age with a moldy and mouse infested interior and worn out smog motor. It pulled into the shop running on 7 cylinders with a plume of blue smoke behind it. This wasn't quite what the owner remembered enjoying about the car when he first got it in the mid 70's.

 It was quickly decided that a complete mechanical overhaul was a necessity. With orders to add a lot more power, enhance handling and freshen the interior, we began tear down on this customer project in the summer of 2015. It's going to be a sleeper, keeping the original look and paint of the classic Pontiac. The Hooker Aerochamber mufflers and new Crager wheels are the only hints at what's hiding under the hood. 

BEFORE: 1973 Pontiac 400 smog motor, stock

BEFORE: 1973 Pontiac Grand Am: broken front facia

The seats have seen better days. Mice and mold are eating the upholstery away bit by bit. All new interior is on  the way!

Let the work begin!

Engine is removed and mechanical dis-assembly is under way

1968-1970 B-body Mopar Heater Box with A/C Rebuild

Rebuilding a heater box is hopefully something you'll only have to do once. For that one time you choose to complete it, do it right.

Begin with the correct heater box for your make, model and year. This one will fit a 1968-1970 B-Body Mopar, in this case, a Dodge Charger WITH AIR CONDITIONING. 

There is a big difference between an A/C box and one without A/C. They are not interchangeable.

1970 B-Body heater box as purchased used from an online seller. The lip is typically folded over but the seller had already had this unit apart and didn't bother to re-fold the seam. It will need a little flattening to get it to seal up and fold over properly.

Close-up of bottom of linkage system and vacuum actuator. Taking pictures before you begin the re-build will help you put it back together again...correctly.

1970 Charger Heater box, side view. Most of the hardware is 1/4".

Car Parts Art

 As a restoration shop, we end up with a lot of parts that no longer work for their intended purpose. It's become my favorite hobby to create and weld these used up parts into items that are functional, or just plain fun!

Ready to weld!

Stool for our office counter

The Fully Restored 1951 Ford Custom Convertible Revealed!!!!!

THANK YOU TO OUR CUSTOMERS!!!!!

The frame-off restoration of the 1951 Ford Custom Convertible was an honor to complete for the family that has loved this car since it was bought from the dealer in 1951. Complete with eagle emblem, original black WI license plate, dealer purchase receipts and service stickers, this Ford is in a class all her own. 

More details about this car will follow in a future blog post.

See more project photos in our photo gallery!

1951 Ford Custom Convertible: BEFORE

1951 Ford Custom Convertible: AFTER complete frame off restoration

Click below to see the video of the complete restoration process

http://blog.drivenrestorations.com/2015/09/the-completed-1951-ford-custom.html
Questions? Please email us at drivenrestorations@gmail.com

For the Love of Mopar

It's "Mopar or no car"

1969 Dodge Charger

This 1969 Dodge Charger can snap your head back as it launches down the quarter mile, drown out conversation with open headers, or quietly join the area car cruises. The owner of this car is a die hard Mopar man and has found ways to enjoy his car to fullest for the decades that he's owned it.

1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Fastback: SOLD!!!!

3/1/15 Update: SOLD

This car took a long time to finish. We'll admit to that. But we had a great reason for it. Our customers. Due to a very high volume of customer work in our shop, we pushed this shop owned builder to the "back of line" to make sure our customer work stayed on schedule. We kept in mind, that if the right buyer came along she could be ready to roll within a few weeks and could even be finished to buyer specifications upon request. Her future owner called us in March of 2015, saw the car online (we never listed it, just had it on our website) and wanted to know more about it. Well, one thing led to another and she found her new home with a Ford collector in the Virginia area. 

1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Fastback

The project started with 2, pretty rough cars owned by a collector in the Eastern WI area. He had left the Galaxies out in the weather to fend for themselves.

However, this story has a pretty happy ending....




 

The Valkyrie Project: 1969 AMX all Woman Build

 Every once in awhile an opportunity to do something new, different and a little bit scary presents itself. I took a leap and I said yes to my most recent opportunity: to be a part of the Valkyrie Project build team.

This leap of faith involved...

Family Tractor: A Different Type of Restoration

1959 International 460 Utility Tractor

221C Gas Engine

This International Tractor has been in the same family for the entirety of it's existence. Although there are some missing parts, and a few repairs that are anything but "original", it has served the family well and they hope to have it re-painted and restored to it's former glory in an effort to preserve the tractor for use around the family farm for many years to come. It was still in use when we first met  the owners. It's primarily used for mowing, and this International still runs like a top! The side panels were removed somewhere along the line and are hidden in the depths of the property. One of the control levers is sheared off and held together with a bolt and hose clamp, and the upholstery on the seat is almost completely gone, but this tractor is a staple of it's home farm. 

We are going to help make sure it stays that way.

Please enjoy these photos of this International tractor as we progress down the long, winding road of our shops first ever tractor restoration. 

The International 460 Utility tractor, ready for delivery to our shop