MrMopar's 1969 California Highway Patrol restoration

[MrMoparCHP]

This weekend I was able to get some work done, I had a friend in town so I felt it was a good time to get the rear bumper on.

Before the bumper could go on I needed to touch up the blackout on the taillights, once that was done I put them on the car.

It took a little effort to get the end brackets with the spacer blocks to set right. They are in (those are spares on the floor).

While we were working on the bumper FedEx dropped off the trunk mat

The material is almost as heavy as the original and it is uncut for the spare. The only real downside is that they needed to add material on the portion over the differential.
I got it from a seller on ebay not knowing it was a REM part. I compared it to the original intact one out of my other Polara and it was correct, there is about 3" more over the differential.

I needed to cut the hole for the spare tire hold-down (in my case it is like the convertible) the original was used as a template.

(I guess the bracket is a little off)

With that in I was able to install the first aid kit bracket.

License plate bracket...

...and plate (temporary because I had to)

Not seen I also got the rear harness in.


Alan

 

[68plymouth383]

That's some great work!!

 

[forzav12]

Looks great!

 

[Aidan1976]

Excellent. Excellent.

 

[monaco75]

Coming along real nice Alan! Always enjoy seeing updates.

 

[Beep Beep Dave]

Coming along real nice Alan! Always enjoy seeing updates.

Me too!

Dave

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Saturday marks the 5 year anniversary of this project, I got the car August 22, 2009 and work started immediately.

Nothing much to report;

1. Just Dashes ran the charge for the dash pad a couple weeks ago so I should see that soon.
2. Quality Restorations said it would be about 12 weeks so I hope to see the steering wheel soon.
3. The steering column is completely apart and in the process of being cleaned up and refinished.


Alan

 

[commando1]

Alan, thank you for putting a running progress on this beautiful car here on FCBO over the last two years.
I have learned a lot and now have a new appreciation for you cop car devotees.
Truly saving history.

 

[ZedR]

Absolutely, thanks. The pictures and info you post have been a valuable asset to my own restoration project

 

[polarus]

Same here, you've pushed me to take my project to next level. Keep those updates coming.

 

[A38E86D32]

Beautiful car!

 

[1978 NYB]

One of my favorite threads....

 

[MrMoparCHP]

I'm still waiting on a few parts that are holding up different areas of work.
Waiting on:
Dash Pad, Soon?
Evaporator, being inspected, Soon?
Steering column mounting plates at powder coater, Soon.

With the dash pad I can finalize the dash assembly, I haven't started on it as everything takes up space and i already have the steering column apart.

With the evaporator I can get the ac box back together and in the car, that will allow me to get the wheel liner in and finish under the hood.

With the steering column plates I can get the steering column together as the bottom two go on first.


While I'm waiting on all that I chose to pull the rear end and start on it.

and after a couple hours cleaning...

The center will be done later when I can get it on a lift.


Alan

 

[commando1]

Now that's the way it is done. Hung correctly with appropriate hangers.
The devil is in the details.

 

[73Coupe]

Now that's the way it is done. Hung correctly with appropriate hangers.
The devil is in the details.

Where do you get them appropriate hangers at?

 

[jct]

what's the gear ratio in the diff?

 

[Samplingman]

Where do you get them appropriate hangers at?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380528671849?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Where do you get them appropriate hangers at?

These are the factory ones that were on the car when I got it, it still had the original exhaust on it when I got it.

what's the gear ratio in the diff?

3.23 open

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380528671849?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Whereas those have the same general look and may be functional replacements but are not identical.


Alan

 

[Samplingman]

Those hangers look new, how did you clean them up so nicely?

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Sandblast and paint...

Eastwood exhaust manifold paint.


Alan