Originality of 71 Conv Challenger

[ShelbyDogg]

Farouk,

Any chance of you posting the VIN numbers of your 2 cars for addition to the Challenger Registry? You also may have one of the Original Pace cars.

Rob

[Challenger_7]

Hi Rob. Sure thing. The vert: JH27N1B278371, The R/T: JS23N1B435388.
What is the meaning of "Original Pace cars"?

I have been told that there is one more 71 vert which I will go to check out in a few minutes. I will be very happy if it is all orig too

[ShelbyDogg]

1971 Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars were 71 Hemi-Orange convertible Challengers.
After the pace car crashed at the start of the race, Many dealers took off the decals and sold the cars as regular converts.
I think there was a picture archived somewhere showing at least 50 '71 Challengers all with the Decals on them.

Any Chance that yours was originally orange (EV2) ?

[Challenger_7]

Hello friends; long time!

It has been long since I posted on this site, and feel I should post a small update, especially that one member has requested that I do, when I start doing my convertible.
I have not started yet, but have ordered all the body/mechanical/upholstry parts needed for a ground up resto (should get them in the next 3-4 weeks), and currently discussing with the pros on Dodgecharger group on what kit to put on the engine. No disrespect to the pros here, it was just a coinsidence that I started discussing this topic with a member there, and continued. I also noted that many of the Gurus here are there too
On the color of the vert, still I have not decided, but leaning strongly towards plum crazy, but perhaps in a metallic tone, as I have decided to go all white interior.
Shelbydog I checked the car and it is a white body. No traces of any orange anywhere. Whilst putting back its original manual trans, we exposed the body there and it is all white. So not a Pace Car!

In the meantime, I have added yet a few more mopars to my collection, B's and E's, but the most prominant of them is another 71 auto with a 400 block in it. Pls see photo attached.

I will update in due course.

Cheers, Farouk

[ShelbyDogg]

The one in your picture is also a very good looking car. It looks like it was well taken care of during it's life.
Rob

[Super Blue 72]

Glad to see you checkin' in!

That '71 looks very cool!

[Challenger_7]

Thank you both for your comments.
Yes Rob, the car has been well kept as the body is very nice, intact and no rust. I bought this one about 9 months ago and only had a chance to drive it a couple of months ago to experience engine vibrations.
To make a story short, a new transmission/converter have been installed, B&M "Flexplate" imported, but before installation, I decided to open the engine up for checking, as I was not happy with what I saw in the trans.
My suspicion was justified as there was leakage between the cylinders on the heads, and there are traces of corrosion in one of the cylinders which has left pitmarks there. Crank/cam shafts having some un-even wear justifying regrind and as such will re-do the whole engine, which has a performance cam in it. Still waiting for some measurements from the machinist to decide if I will rebore the cylinders or put sleeves to bring it back to standard, as currently it is 20 thou over.
Once this is done, the car should be in perfect mechanical condition, and will need very little interior cosmetics to make it look what it should

Cheers, Farouk