69 Dodge Charger restoration after Carlton Complex Fire

[Hideogumperjr]

Hey guys, I have a friend you used to live in Methow, WA who had a 69 Charger for 20 years or so. This past July lightening sparked 4 fires in the Methow Valley which over the space of less than a couple of weeks all joined together creating the largest fire in Washington State history burning ~300 square miles of Eastern Washington.
The fire started on a Monday and early Wednesday morning came through my valley first hitting my friend's house burning it to the ground. He had been collecting motors and cars and parts and fixing things doing odd jobs etc. After the fire destroyed everything and his lack of insurance he was left with nothing but a few guns, a couple of cars, his wife, dog and cat. He moved to Tennessee a week ago and left everything as it was.
I thought about getting his Charger but went over today to look at it and here is what is left.
Cheers.
John

 

[Fisher]

Thats a 71-72 Charger not a 69. Sad yo see it like that none the less.

 

[Moparbrad]

Damn! That's sad. That appears to be a 72 Charger. I hate it when cool cars are lost in fires.

 

[mopar head]

Sad to see this stuff.
That car`s not a 69, I`d say 71 and done...

 

[1967 'cuda]

There might be a few usable parts left on that thing. Maybe miscellaneous brackets and such. But it's so thoroughly cooked that if you got it for free it would still be too expensive to repair.

 

[Princess Valiant]

you can even see in the deck lid how warped all the metal is from the heat. Im not sure I would trust structural parts that were heated that much, that is like taking a torch to suspension and structural parts and hoping they hold up.

I would treat it the same how the FAA treats wrecked planes and not use even a single bolt off it and send it off for disposal. IMO

 

[Princess Valiant]

not to be a pessimist but I would bet the vin tag is probably melted or damaged and if so, then good luck registering it.

 

[Hideogumperjr]

thanks for the clarification, he had said 69 so was not too sure on it. Sad to see it, I was thinking about asking him to sell it to me before the fire. Opps, missed an opportunity.
Remember what Smokey the Bear says: Damn what is a mess!

 

[Bulldozer]

that was one hot fire, it even melted the pot metal fender extensions. that is , if they were on the car.

 

[Hideogumperjr]

I believe it is all there.

My friend had multiple motorcycles, snowmobiles and golf carts around. The fire was so intense that the aluminum engines melted and ran down hill in rivulets. I have picked up several pounds of the stuff to hang for my wind chimes. Ill post pictures, it is pretty amazing looking.

 

[Hideogumperjr]

I checked this out again today, so depressing to go over there...
Is there anything that might be worth saving? Engine or possible rear-end? I looked at the springs in the rear and they go the wrong way, thought there might be less heat there but hey what can I say... seems so sad to see it all go at some point.
Found two shotguns and a rifle in what is left of the house.
Cheers.