Greetings all. I just bought a '74 Duster 225 (first father/son project car) that needs a piece of the frame rail repaired where it's partly rusted through, near the right side steering linkage. It also needs new floor pans and the bracket that the rear of the front seat bolts onto--and probably other similar work I don't know about yet. Does anyone know anyone in the Annapolis, MD area (or nearby) that specializes in that kind of work? I found a guy who seems good and honest but he hasn't worked on Mopars.

I know the Ruster is rough for a first project car, but it has a lot of personality. The motor needs work of course, but it starts right up. There is rust all over the body which we don't intend to fix, at least not right away. I don't intend to make it a show car or a race car--actually its purpose is to be a daily driver for my teenage son. My goal is to make it safe to drive first (frame, brakes, front end, seat belts, etc.), and then start tuning up the motor--not to make it fast, just to make it run cleaner, not drip oil, and not smell so much like fuel.

First things first, gotta get a solid frame under her. If anyone has a guy in this area, please let me know.

Thanks,
Rich

i know a guy who restores cars he does great work and has a lot on his plate right now he lives in frederick if youre willing to bring the duster that far pm me if you want his number

_________________
trying to keep it low key here in my Valiant200

i know a guy who restores cars he does great work and has a lot on his plate right now he lives in frederick if youre willing to bring the duster that far pm me if you want his number

_________________
trying to keep it low key here in my Valiant200

Call Tommy Reed at 240-620-6644. He is in Gaithersburg, and likely cannot do your work personally, but will know someone near you who can. There are patch pieces you can buy for most of the areas that typically get rust on these old Mopars.

Is is capable of doing your welding, but he does not have a lift. He goes to my mechanic Tommy Tessier in Gaithersburg when things must be put up to work on them. In any event,give him a call. Tell him Sam sent you, and be prepared to talk, (or listen) for awhile.
Sam

_________________

Sam and Valiant200,
Thanks for the info. The first guy I went to told me to get rid of the car. He said it was a $1000 job to fix the frame, but he wouldn't even do it unless it was part of a total restoration. I'll give Tommy a call and see if he has different advice. I really like the car, but I can't keep it unless I can get this fixed.

Valiant200, you have a PM!

Rick

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

OK, so Tom Reed said the same thing my local guy said--it's a dirty, difficult job that nobody will want to do. His recommendation was to find a good shop nearby that will do it. And so, I'm back where I started--looking for a shop.

Anybody want to buy a red '74 Duster? :-)

Once a car starts to get a lot of frame rot in it, especially northern cars, you really are opening a can of worms when you try to start tackling this type of repair, that's why so many are reluctant to do it. What you see on the outside is often the tip of the iceburg, and its the damage you don't see that will consume a project like this. It might be a better alternative to seek out a good southern body and swap all your drivetrain in to it, especially if all your mechanical stuff is good on that car. You will likely end up being way ahead on money and having a more solid car when your finished. Craigslist is full of them all the time, i've seen them running and driving for $500 all the time. A lot of times, we don't really realize how fortunate it is to live in a place where the car doesn't rust out from under you before you get it payed for.
Search Tempest is a good internet search tool also.

_________________
There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

Thanks, CNC. If I only knew then what I know now...

I now know that this is, or should be, a parts car. Unfortunately I don't have room in my driveway, or my marriage, for a parts car in addition to a classic daily driver. I'm probably going to have to get rid of this one in order to start over with one that is more sound underneath.

Update: I took the car to a large body shop just to see what they would say. The estimate came to more than $5400 (they would remove the engine and transmission to do the work).

Next stop: the "for sale" forum.

I'm in Annapolis tomorrow the 12th of october. Can I come take a look towards the end of the day?
Sam

_________________