Good morning Nick, What a way to start the day, watching another fantastic episode of Nick's Garage, and having my morning coffee. Wow, what a difference a week makes, the Charger looks so different in bare metal. The chemical strip worked it's magic, and removed everything down to bare metal. Everything looks like brand new. This will make Roger's job much easier, now that everything is so clean. I have seen some new pics that are on Roger's website, and he has made a lot of progress in a very short time, especially around the rear window. The car is in grey epoxy primer all over, and it looks amazing. Thank you Roger, and your talented crew. I'm very anxious to see the Charger in it's new coat of Y2 yellow, I know it will look beautiful. The car is in very good hands at Nick's Garage, and Showtime Muscle Cars. There are many very passionate and talented people that have helped me get the Charger to where it is now, I want to thank everyone who has been involved with making my dream slowly become a reality. Thank you George for another great video, I can't wait until I see the next episode.
What a beautiful car. It came through the dipping process very well. This is going to be a fantastic build of a very rare Charger 500. Kudos to you Eugene, this car is going to be a killer ride for you. Stay safe, God bless.
You have an amazing car there. I live in the rust belt. I have never seen a body that rust free and clean after 50 years. Yeah a few minor dents but that's nothing... what a beauty. When this car is done, you will have a treasure!
Every Monday must seem like Christmas and your birthday all rolled into one! Hope to see you use the extra horses Nick is going to pack into that 440! Enjoy it!
Thank you Don.. There was a sense of responsibility to catch this car in bare metal.. she has been around since 1969.. but was only in that state for a few dozen hours.
The passion in Nick's voice, just proves his passion! I also like how he said they will do their homework first. Some people come to my shop and they think that we either do know everything or that we know nothing about cars. But when your dealing with a car they made only 500 of, who would be an "expert"? No one has the experience on that can. So you learn what you can and use the knowledge you do know to get the job done. That dip proces I have used before. It works amazingly. It gets every where on the part. And like nick said, no sand everywhere. Nice job guys!
@@munzamy Not sure of everyone's location that does it but its an acid dip. So you will just have to check your area and see if someone does it locally. It is a specialty thing. I dont think that every one has the capacity to dip a whole car...... so just search the internet.
Nick said less than 400 were made. The 500 figure is that it's a Charger 500. Edit: from Wikipedia; A total of 392 Charger 500s were made, of which only 67 had the 426 Hemi engine; 27 with a 4-speed and 40 with an automatic transmission.
No matter how you strip it, this is doing it right! I can't get over how solid it is, a trunk pan and a patch or two on the floor pans, you never get a mopar that solid. She's gonna be one sweet ride, can't wait to see her finished.
A Beautiful part of Automotive History Looks Beautiful. ALmost brought me to tears to see how beautiful she turned out. Now in the Hands of Masters for putting her back together . Cheers and much Respect
Wow! This is what it is all about! Many car guys, over the years, did not need to be convinced about the merits of chemical dip because they already understood, experienced, believed and could see the car underneath years of wear, tear, neglect, paint and rust. This is something unique. Nick and Roger help all viewers see what they see! You work together to show us that these parts are not only still good, but through modern processes like chemical dip, can be even better than the traditional restoration, and can be BRAND NEW metal again. Thank-you for bringing these details into focus.
Good morning To Nick and his crew. What a great way to wake up and see this new video with my morning coffee. A truly rare car that will be brought back from being near dead, to perfection that even the factory could never attain. Chemical dipping is the way to go and it brings the car back to a true reset and what a great, clean platform to work with. No rust or hidden body filler to deal with and a perfect platform to begin body and paint work on and I can only imagine how the car will look when finished. The owner of this Charger 500 was smart in sending it to Nick and it's in good hands. Look forward to seeing more videos on this restoration.
In reality when finished this car will be much better than when it was born. It's in the hands of very passionate craftsmen directed by Mr Nick. Cheers guys
Wow, years of storage has kept most of that out of rustville, hardly looking it's age. So used to seeing rot when they're stripped nowadays, that's an awesome starting point. Great series of videos to come I'm sure. Thanks for sharing your world with ours. Love seeing what you get to work on.
I applaud Eugene for keeping his beauty factory original. These cars are getting very scarce and finding one like a H.D. in original shape is rare or non existent for both bike and car. Man, this is outstanding work for the dip shop and Nick's guys will do their magic, Can't wait to see the finished car.
Oh my god Nick! That car is in such fantastic condition. I’m shocked at how little rust that thing has!? I’m excited for you ... wish I could be a part of that rebuild. That is history right there.
That's so amazing how well it cleaned everything!!!! Thanks! I would put a coat of paint and oil everything else on the 440 so there is no surface rust development
Watching this project develop has been a real treat, and I speak for everyone when I say I am really looking forward to seeing this Charger 500 progress and rolling down the road under its own power.
Labor of Love. I'm really impressed how well the acid dip job went as well. That's one solid body. Especially the floor boards in the driver's seat area, trunk and quarter panels. I have never seen such a well preserved body. So straight looking. This body will look amazing when all is said and done. Really you can't get any better than that. Interesting to actually see all weld joints in the window area and roof where the modifications took place. A lot of engineering went into designing a streamlined Charger back in the day. Really is a beautiful looking Charger. What makes this Charger so special is Nick's Garage amazing team and their passion to build the best 1969 Charger 500 the world has never seen. Nick, George and team thank you for sharing. This is one exciting build. CHEERS!
I love how much these guys love what they do, I get excited just watching them. I don't know how Eugene is not pacing around outside like he's waiting for a baby to be born!
Thanks to Eugine and Nick as well as everyone involved for having the desire and ability to preserve this beautiful piece of history! I can't wait to see it completed.
Wow, they did a great job with the chemical dipping on Eugene's Charger! 👍 Thanks, Nick for showing us this video of the before the chemical dipping and after 👍.
If he fills the factory panel gaps with hot lead I’ll definitely be impressed 🤪. Like this build Nick!! These full body rebuilds takes me back to watching my dad starting at 2-3 years old. Amazing
Those leaded spots shouldn't have come off in the acid dip & the factory actually used a hard putty that went over the lead that looks like seam sealer but it's harder & still flexible.
@@peteloomis8456 i admit that I don’t know at all how those gaps were completed prior to prep and finishing, this is merely the technique I watched my dad use on restorations of this type and intended quality.
This car will be better than the factory when done! When I watch Nick he explains the process and teaches guys like me who love cars but are not mechanics but have a passion for classic cars. One day I plan to get another classic or muscle car like my first but second hand when I bought it 1969 Firebird back in high school..miss that car and a couple others ones too. We had NO idea as young guys they would be worth so much but we drove em like they should and enjoyed it !! Today the prices are so high now a restoration would be more expensive but one already done as a driver car would be my choice. Following this build as well as Nicks Challenger Kowalski !! I would love to visit Nicks Garage someday..Hello from Ontario Canada !! Bonjour...
As a 37 year old Mopar and AMC muscle car guy I have never thought to acid dip any parts! I mean I know that Dan Gurney's Cuda', and Sam Posey's T/A challenger along with some of the Super Stockers like Dick Landy's Coronet was acid dipped but I never thought that part restoration would benefit from that. Genius! I like that R/T hoodie too. Thanks Nick and George!
I've done some checking and yes Showtime Muscle Cars is owned by a man with a very French Canadian last name so like I said before as a Maine resident very familiar with the quality of our Canadian descendant owned body shops, Eugene, your body is in the best hands.
@@NicksGarage Is the car going to be E coated? If not, there are going to be lots of hidden bare areas that are going to rust. I found the vid of Dave Meyer's Northern Bell being dipped " E-coating Northern Bel " on the channel " NorthernBel "
Bob Roberts......You Tube is not allowing me to read past "if" ! That's what is was saying in the hidden areas will be bare metal. The Dipping Company's should provide a Dipping of primer on the car. Once stripped. The whole body completely dipped in primer. The body shop will likely spray primer on. And hidden areas get no primer. Even Boyd Cunnington of American Hot Rod. Never dipped.
@@diycarhome9151 REPOST " If not, there are going to be lots of hidden bare areas that are going to rust. I found the vid of Dave Meyer's Northern Bell being dipped " E-coating Northern Bel " on the channel " NorthernBel "
I look forward to watching the build... I would love to be able to do what you do. I am so glad that there are still guys out there who still have the passion to still do it.
So much talent in this episode! What a wonderful start to the week! Thank you Nick and everyone involved! This 500 will be amazing when it’s finished!!
I’ve had cars sand blasted and chemically dipped. This car has been done the right way. It’s left all the original lead loading used in the panel shop in place which should be saved. The cost of dipping is a saving and investment as the originality and integrity is preserved. Also, it makes it easier for the body shop to create a fantastic paint finish - no body filler or sanding required. A wise move, Nick. To preserve everything as bare metal, spray panels and pieces with a fine coating of machine oil to prevent rusting in the air. Then when you need to work on it, clean it off! Superb job, Nick.
Looks great Nick now I know the reason Chrysler was pushing their vinyl tops on cars save them time and money on lead work and the customer paid extra for the vinyl top. I had a 1970 Dodge Charger 500 that I bought in 1972 from a Vietnam vet and he told me when he ordered the car that the dealer was pushing vinyl tops but he opted to go without the vinyl top option and I always liked it that way because there was not that many that didn't have the vinyl top. Thanks for the great video Nick I'm really enjoying this. 👍.
Back in the day, late 60's & early 70's, those vinyl tops were a sporty hot item. A pain in the but to keep up with & keep clean, but they were on just about every muscle car you could find back than.
So good to see a straight body with so little rust Nick. Parts turned out really great. All those saying acid stays in the body. Would be neutralised in a Soda bath longer to stop the acid. E coated is good also. Going to be better than new soon.
Nick, you have by far the most coolest and awesome channel on RU-vid. You're employees are so absolutely lucky to have you as a teacher. Thank you again for being on here sharing your astounding expertise. Please take great care of that beautiful Kowalski car. I truly do love it as much as you do. It's what brought me to you.
*EUGENE!* It's good to see you there, along for the ride with the rest of us as we watch the progress on your car - and reading your comments is a bonus! I am just so happy for you, sir.... Not very many people get to see their baby restored like this to begin with - and it's a freaking 500 to boot! I'm so very happy you're doing right by this car AND you're allowing the rest of us to witness the whole process in the bargain as well. Thank you! *NICK!* Your positive attitude and energy is such a wonderful thing to see on this project. You're not pressuring Eugene to do anything crazy with his car; instead, you're totally respectful of HIS wishes and I know for fact you will faithfully execute those wishes to the best of your abilities. Oh - and I've never said this before, but THANK YOU for not trying to do a scripted, "phony" show here on NG RU-vid channel. I hate fake drama and people trying to act on these types of things.... Your positivity and work ethic are infectious and wonderful to witness! Awesome job as always, *George*. Best production of any YT channel I've ever seen, right here! Now, everyone go support NG on Patreon for a buck or two a month and we'll be golden! Ya'll take care, here until I'm not allowed to be, -Ed on the Ridge
How nice, a professional chemical cleaning for this vintage Mopar muscle car after 50 years of dirt / grime. Can’t wait to see the finished cleaning Nick & Team! Keep the videos rolling guys; much fun and enjoyment to watch during these unprecedented times. cpw440
Due to the condition of the car before restoration & Nicks expertise this will be one of the best Charger 500's in the world, not to mention most valuable, amazing !
Nick I know you did this charger 3 Years ago and I'm just seeing it now I am 71 years old and I have been doing motors and cars and restorations not like you have butt on the smaller orders That is the first time I've ever seen a full car get an I am really impressed Hopefully sometime I might get to meet you home from the iron range northern Minnesota and I am a mole part of Chevrolet builder but I love my mole Pierce keep it up neck I'm sure you're close to retirement now you're a good man
That's going to be a beautiful car! I wish they were all still in that good of shape! Great to see it in good hands with you Nick! I can't wait to see it finished!
@@todd53b77 No e coat after dipping is bad. I found the vid of Dave Meyer's Northern Bell being dipped " E-coating Northern Bel " on the channel " NorthernBel "
Chrysler engineers did a terrific job of matching engine and drivetrain components. They also took it out the "back door" and raced. They weren't fooling around.
Eugene's dream is finally coming true. He is getting his car restored to it's former glory and he knows exactly what it looked like because he bought it brand new.
I've been working with dipped cars for 15 years. Its good and bad since it stays in areas like pinch welds and frame rails. Normally they drill 1/8" holes for it to drain out. All you can do is blow it out with air, use torch on the seams, and sandblast the seams and pinch welds. Basically everything is dipped in paint remover then goes into a food acid and rinsed with water/metal prep solution.
Thanks Nick. That beats sand blasting, especially body panels. Some might not know what damage sand blasting can do to sheet metal. The heat and pressure imparted from blasting is severe. When it comes to body panels, sand blasting warps and waves it into an autobody shop's nightmare. If a panel is sand blasted, just know it will warp so badly that it will need 1/8" of plastic filler everywhere to get it boarded out straight again. I wanted to dip my 66 Mustang back in the 80's. But there is no facility that will dip metal here for automotive work. There was a place that opened up a long time ago, but they folded in 6 months. When they first opened, they said it would cost about $800 for the unibody alone. When I went back 6 months later to arrange for the work on my car, they were out of business. I have motorcycle tanks I need dipped, but don't know anywhere local that will do it. With tanks that are nearly impossible to replace at any price, I'm just not willing to stick them in a UPS or FedEx bouncy toy box and say bye-bye, maybe forever.
It's going to take some time, getting the car put back together. It's going to be a labor of love, seeing that Charger 500 come back to life, in all it's beautiful glory, along with some extra horsepower. It's going to be nice to see the car all finished, and ready for the street once again.
That car is in amazing shape!!!! You can only hope that you can get your hands on one that is that good!!!! Take care, stay safe and stay healthy. God bless!!!
Really enjoyed the one week later episode of this video ..nice touch guys. Car came out really beautiful. Good luck with the build, looking forward to seeing it over this long, virus winter.
Nick this car is in good hands and you know the right guy to do the body work.when someone lets there car go for a face lift its like letting your daughter go to school far away. Good job Nick and god bless you and you family Jesus Christ mighty name Amen
Good morning brother!!!!! Love the video that 500 gonna be sweet Your a real awesome mechanic you put customers first that’s waassup Keep up the kool videos
Good morning Nick did you mention that Eugene raced this Charger 500 and if so does he have any film doing so I'm sure a lot of subscribers would love to see it. I for one would love it. thank you, LDL. By the way, you are an amazing Muscle car Tech.
Hey Nick, I was also a model car fiend as a child. I knew all the names of the parts and how they went together before I ever turned a wrench. Really cool builds you have going on in your shop! Cheers.
I worked at Dodge and Plymouth dealers between 1968 and 1972... my "test drives" were legendary! Broke a u-joint on a 340 Cuda right in front of the dealer checking for a "click" in a u-joint! Passed the boss at about 120 mph while testing a 6 Pack Super Bee... got a good talking too!
That is so awesome Nick...The dipping does an amazing job...I've never seen that before,it is just bad ass...wow what an amazing job it does...this car is going to be beautiful when its completed...and the car is in such great shape to begin with....your the man Nick....Love your videos, you guys do awesome work....
Wow, I'm in awe as to how great all those pieces look for the Charger 500. Someone is going to have one ''almost brand new' again'' sweet ride. going to be fun watching all future episodes of that build. I don't normally comment on anything, but watch everything, but this deserves mention. That 500 will be every bit, as of impressive, as Nick's Kowalski car, and maybe more, lol...
Giasou Nikola, What a great video just sit back & enjoy. How many years experience is there between Roger & you, best part of 80 to 90 years. 2 old hands showing care & tenderness to an old girl Esmeralda. She couldn't be in safer hands. This is history, you are saving history & everyone should be commended for there actions. It is so good to see the old girl returning to her youthful self. If only we could do the same, someone strip us down & rebuild us like new again. Like the Greek song " Na eiha ta natia dio fores " translates too " If I could have my youth twice " Your number 1 Fan in Australia Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤
Great video Nick, showing the car before & after the chemical dipping process. Excellent restoration tip & video. There are some cons I've heard of about the after effects of corrosion from the chemical dipping process, but like you said in the video, you have a certain number of days to start at least putting a primer coat on for protection. Also it looked like the way to go if you were going to powder coat parts. You were correct when you said parts were going to come out looking new. I think the process was worth the expense as you will probably be able to reuse just about every part you took off. After the parts are repainted & rebuilt they will be just like new parts. This is saving big bucks in the long run of the restoration. I have a 69' El Camino & a 70' Chevelle both awaiting your loving touch.
Spraydown that block with fluid film so it doesn't rust while you are waiting to get to it. I am interested in how it etched the bearing surfaces in the mains. I can only think acid would have to etch it some. That is going to be one sweet Charger500 lucky it got to spend most of its life indoors so it survived so well.
@@NicksGarage I'm 68 yrs old,and I'm restoring a 1967 Barracuda,for a friend of mine. He set a gallon of body filler on my bench,and I told him to take it back. After 48 years of working metal,I can get low spots to less than 1 mill. I'm old school,all the way,so I use filler,only when I have to. I'm originally from Michigan,but I moved to Arkansas,8 yrs ago. Like Nick,the 'Cuda is my passion,.even though I'm a Gm guy.
Watching the 69 500 brings back so many cool memories for me. In 69 I was 16 years old. When I was 15 I bought my first car. A 1956 Dodge coronet. It had the 272 hemi . But what I really wanted was a 68 Charger. But the 69 500 was the ultimate! Can't wait to see the finished car!
Like kids in a candy store. Amazing job from the acid dip for sure! Looks like that is exactly what was needed to get started. Looking forward to the finish product
