Have you ever torn apart an all-original car to build what you wanted?

[71GSSDemon]

My dream paint would be similar.
Saved this pic years ago.

Although, as the clearcoat falls off our car and the paint fades even more, we like it more as is.

View attachment 1716453294

I had thoughts of going full paint like above, but the $$$ and plans to take the Charger to Bonneville changed that

 

[MMissile]

I sold this, right before I was gonna mini-tub it, and put a big hemi in it. Probably the only time I didn't tear one up for my pleasure.
It was only because it was too heavy.

 

[Davco]

I bought the car in 1979 and like a MORON I started drag racing it. As it got quicker and faster I added a roll bar (just dumb) and it went downhill from there.

Then I bought a 64 Barracuda and sold that car in 1985. Just sickening.

Nothing wrong with that. I hate it got scrapped. There was a time in the late 90’s where everyone around here was scrapping to make supplemental income. All the salvage yards dried up as well and we lost a fair amount of solid cars. Stock or altered is always better than crushed.

 

[71GSSDemon]

I sold this, right before I was gonna mini-tub it, and put a big hemi in it. Probably the only time I didn't tear one up for my pleasure.
It was only because it was too heavy.
View attachment 1716453295

I am glad you didnt molest a C500, but also wouldn't be mad if you did. Just something nice to see them. Hens teeth

 

[matthon]

If I had a Superbird I'd do something like this to it faster than Superman folding clothes on laundry day.

 

[mopowers]

There are enough original Hemi ‘Cudas (probably even more that were actually built). I find no fault in a period correct Day 2 or 3 build with mostly vintage correct speed parts.

Exactly. Day 2? Hell, I'd go all the way to day 2,000. Full tubs, tunnel ram, the whole 9. And I'd drive the piss out of it with the biggest grin on my face while all the purists ***** and moan.

 

[8formulas]

In 1986 when I was 16, I bought a stock original all #'s matching 68 Formulas S 340 Barracuda with broadcast sheet, fender tag and certicard. Everyone in high school was installing headers and modifying their cars as much as they could afford. I wanted to follow suite but something inside me told me to leave the car alone. "Don't phuck with it. Just leave it stock". That's all I kept telling myself.

39 years later I'm thanking 16 year old me for preserving the integrity of the car.

 

[ajarofclay]

I bought my bone stock 72 340 Demon in 74 and immediately started customizing it. IDIOT, Still have it and trying to get it back to stock as best as possible with a few logical updates. Would have been nice if I kept all the original parts.

 

[Bogie]

Bought my 66 cause I needed a car had a 340/727 in it. Come to find it’s a 170 W/273-4bb 4 speed car and I have the original drivetrain. Since it ls slightly rare I’m not doing any non reversible mods. But now it’s a Hellcat 4-speed with mini tubs and lots of chassis stiffing

 

[rmchrgr]

Yep. My old '68 Coronet 440 was 1 of 934 numbers-matching big block cars. I was starting to acquire parts to make it into an R/T. That never happened but it was changed from a bench seat, column shift auto to a bucket seat console 4 speed. I re-wired the entire car front to back, converted to Holley EFI, installed frame connectors, all new suspension and steering, re-did the interior, gauges etc. Only things that were not changed were the original 10:1 short block, the rear axle, some of the interior and the front brakes.

Thankfully the paint was re-done (original '68-only color QQ1 metallic) before I got it. AFter I was finished with it, it still looked pretty much stock. Nobody could tell it was converted to EFI or that it was originally an automatic.

When I first got it, it felt like I was like driving around in a couch, it was boring. After all the mods. it was way more fun to drive. Had it pretty well sorted out and drove it for 1000's of miles (almost to the point of daily driving).

Eventually I wanted an E body and sold it. Gave the new owner all the original numbers-matching parts. Actually made some money on that one, I was proud of that.

 

[MMissile]

In the last 50 years, I've parted several hemi-cars, 2 Superbirds, 2 T/A Challengers, 1 AAR, 1 Hurst 300, and probably another hundred other mopar factory muscle-cars and convertibles.
Almost all, would be repaired these days.
After I took what I needed, sold what I could....then off to the auto-shred.

 

[Mopar603]

Hey all:

I'm in another dilemma. For a long time I've been contemplating building a Duel tribute car...the red '71 Valiant. Although at different times I owned both a '68 and a '73, I discarded the idea of using either as a core because both had body details that differed from a '69-72 and I didn't want to try to locate decent parts that always seemed to be valued at twice what i could ever sell them for if |I were attempting to.

Last year, I rescued a 1972 Valiant which I planned to use as my basis for my project. However...after getting it running and driving, it's proven to be a very nice, original car that I'm not sure I can bring myself to hack up. It's nearly all-original, no water leaks, good glass, NO RUST, runs and drives 100 percent. It's also nearly the exact car to use. It has all the right trim and options, and this and that, and it's right here and I own it, yadda yadda. But, it has all it's papers, two build sheets, original perfect headliner, perfect old Mopar smell. It would need a color change in and out, so there goes all that nice original upholstery, those deluxe door panels nobody wants to buy but also can't be found anymore...

Frankly, I don't think I can do it. In today's market it's a solid 5K car here in the Chevy south and even more honestly, I'm probably more capable of ruining an original car than capable of seeing this through. I don't drive it much as is, and my gut tells me to store it inside over the winter and sell it in the spring to someone who would continue to take care of it.

Anyone else been in this boat?

I am not into oem, so I say cut it up and make it your own. It's not a valuable car in stock form and the world is filled with OEM dust collectors.

 

[Cruisingram]

worse person in the world to ask that questions. I can't leave a cast iron skillet stock.

 

[Kegan B]

I mean, I did ruin a 72k mile '74 Gold Duster (we can leave out the part where it was rolled over and rusting away in a field since 2016). The car still had the factory chalk marks inside the trunk lid. Unless it is a P, H or M code car have at it and even those are fair game to cut up.

 

[BkrDude001]

I know that there are special cars out there. Even if I had the means and opportunity, I would pass on those. I like to my touch on my toys.

 

[TF360]

Let's see a Pick! Good work!

In 1986 when I was 16, I bought a stock original all #'s matching 68 Formulas S 340 Barracuda with broadcast sheet, fender tag and certicard. Everyone in high school was installing headers and modifying their cars as much as they could afford. I wanted to follow suite but something inside me told me to leave the car alone. "Don't phuck with it. Just leave it stock". That's all I kept telling myself.

39 years later I'm thanking 16 year old me for preserving the integrity of the car.

 

[middleagecrisis]

More than once, but none of them were limited production models. For example, a 225 or 318 Duster I wouldn't blink an eye to mod as I wanted. An original # matching 340 Duster, I'd have a hard time.

 

[Mattax]

Frankly, I don't think I can do it. In today's market it's a solid 5K car here in the Chevy south and even more honestly, I'm probably more capable of ruining an original car than capable of seeing this through.

If that's your honest assesment, then its the right call for you. Don't want to end up in this situation if you can can help it. Not many people want someone elses dream project - more so if its in pieces

 

[oldkimmer]

If that's your honest assesment, then it’s the right call for. Don't want to end up in this situation if you can can help it. Not many people want someone elses dream project - more so if its in pieces

@Dan the man

 

[oldkimmer]

I’ve built many big block A bodies. My 68 dart 270 started life with a slant. I put a 340 into it for about 6 years. Then I had the big block itch and put a 383 magnum into it. Drove it 5 years the sold it in 95. Got it back in 2025.

 

[nutz]

is that a 74 firebird formula 400

 

[oldkimmer]

is that a 74 firebird formula 400

I’ll ask my buddy as it’s his car. Kim

 

[nutz]

one of my fav cars early gen 2 birds ...think it might be a 75

 

[8formulas]

Good eye Nutz. Sure looks like a 74 Formula to me as the 75's have the turn signals in the grill.