Duster project car "done right"

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gliderider06

gliderider06

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
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So I bought a Duster project car from a member that had lots of new parts AMD 1/4's and floors already installed and "ready for paint" as I was told. Almost everything on this car has been a nightmare! It was an unfinished project, all torn apart in boxes. Can't work on it cause of health... heard all the stories before.
Since I didn't want the color he picked ihad to strip all the paint fix more than I hoped for to make it correct and safe. As I mov into the inside of the car, the one piece AMD floor pan was held in by sheet metal screws and maybe a dozen spot welds through out the entire floor. As I weld the floor in I noticed cracks in the door jambs and rockers after I jacked the front of the car up. I grind away the paint and bondo and guess what? They were barely welded in either! 2 small tack welds holding the quarter to the jamb. Anything structure on this thing was not welded or improperly welded that a small whack with a body hammer breaks the welds. So much for it being "done right" as I was told by the seller. Looks like I will be doing quarters and rockers in my future.

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I will not mention the person. I believe he is no longer active after selling the car and became one, just to sell it. The really scary thing is that he really did think he was doing it right. Every and anything that was done prior to me had to be completely redone. I'm up to the task, and not the first car I've restored. I seriously doubt I will buy another persons unfinished project again.
 
Unfinished projects can be a nightmare or a steal. Find one that really has been done right and you're way ahead. Get one that has been done incorrectly and it's back to square one, and usually you're in worse shape than what the last guy started with. Not only do you still have to fix the original issue, you have to fix all the work that was done too. Seems like I know people that have really made out very well buying stuff like that, but I always seem to be on the short side when I buy.

I got totally hosed on my Challenger. When I bought it I knew it had been "flipped", I found some questionable work but the price matched my general expectations and it was a running, driving E-body that was in my budget so I overlooked some things because the car would do what I wanted it to do, be a daily driver with a little work. 60k miles later I was right about a lot of things, mechanically it's done everything I expected and more. I realized it was rougher than I originally thought in fairly short order, but nothing that stopped me from driving it. But after tearing into to car for another round of significant upgrades, I've realized the car was much rougher in the body and rust department than I thought. Lots of work, including full quarters to replace the partial "repairs" done by the flipper. It's a mess.

Personally, everything I've bought since then has been in original paint. At least that way you know what you're getting. There are plenty of people out there that are straight up trying to scam folks that you have to watch out for. But there are also a ton of well intentioned people that have no idea what they're doing, and they can be harder to spot.
 
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Good for you for taking the high road. As long as you got the car for a decent price, and are capable of doing the work yourself it could still be a good buy in the end. I see plenty of guys on the net and sites, who think they can build restore a car CHEAP then think its worth $30 grand with junk parts. The word budget should not come up in the car hobby to get it done right. If it does, get a new hobby. Too many junk cars for sale that are claimed to be minty cars.
 
After pictures of the same jamb in the first 2 photos. All I did was strip the paint and bondo. Everything is the way I find it after cleaning it up. Good job buddy! I hope you never touch another car again.
 
I feel your pain, My car was so called restored. all I'm finding is bobo. floor boards tacked in not finished. Questionable, rushed repair work. I knew I had some work to do but wtf. found a bunch of well hidden front frame rail steel patches today he covered with bondo and painted. I found some bad rust behind the upper control arm on both sides .this is my first resto and I will not by another without putting it up on a lift. live and learn. At least I didn't buy mine from a member
 
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