Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?

[Mpdlawdog]

Well....I know this is a question that has been asked before but just looking for opinions....my car is a 72 340 4 speed rally car....the car is apart waiting on me to put back together....the problem it is a non matching number car...the engine is a 73 and the 4 speed is a 70...the car was hit in the drivers side fender at some point in it's life so I don't have the fender tag:(...I looked for the  build sheet with no luck...the vin is a rally 340..the car was never apart from what I can tell...66k yellow with black int and console...I know it's a fairly rare car....my issue is I like the looks of the 70/71 better.....I hate to cut her up but without the matching numbers or fender tag I don't ever see it being worth as much as. 70.....I know it will take some body work (tail light panel...the marker lights...grill....guess I'm looking for opinions why I shouldn't do it.....and what else am I missing to switch it over?  thanks

[dave73chally]

I had the same debate with my 73 and decided not to change it over. I like the look of the rear tail panel when it's painted black. The sidemarkers can be changed over to the earlier style through aftermarket parts. They sell the new buckets you can weld into the fenders and then they accept the earlier sidemarkers. The front was the biggest problem area for me but I blacked out the header panel, grilles and "sad face" trim and I am so much happier with it. I was surprised how much it changed the look of the car and made it look mean. To each his own, but I'd keep it a 72 style and save yourself a ton of money and time.

[Fern]

If you want a 70. then sell the 72 and buy a 70.
In the long run you will never get back the money for the 72 that looks like a 70 . Better selling the 72 and investing in the 70 where it will be worth a little more and a better investment, since its not a frakenstine 70 from a 72.

 

[anlauto]

I'm building a 71 Cuda resto-mod using a 73 because I didn't want to cut up an original 71...

[moparman82]

My 73 is a 70 t/a clone in progress, and I'm happy with it, and I haven't gotten a single offer for my car that wasn't more than I have in it 

[jimynick]

At the end of the day, it's your car and your decision. If you like the 70-71 look, then do it and make yourself happy. You've already mentioned that the car is non #'s and it's not like there's a huge fan base for the later model- one of which I own- so why worry about what others think and go where your heart tells you to go. Enjoy; these cars don't mean diddly if you can't drive them and enjoy them, but that's just my   

[Katfish]

Change it, 70 style is hard to beat.

[Falbz]

I say make it a 70 if you want - it's your car and up to you.  Beats hacking up a real one and gives you a blank canvas to make it how you want

[cordodge]

well for me I searched everywhere for a descent 70 and found junk mostly. so I went to lower Tennessee to buy a very solid 73 shell basically that spent most of it's life in Texas. And knowing that it would not be restored to stock and will not likely sell it when it is done I did the change to a 70. I like any year challenger, I have had a 73&74 as well  but the tail lights/grill seem to appeal to me a little more(but that's just me) there was a bit of a cost there for sure grill/fenders/tail panel/tail lights & bezels/all the associated trim and other stuff I am sure im forgetting. But now that it is done and is what I wanted it to be im glad I did the change. that being said I would take a 71 to 74 e-body any day as well.  thx Bruce

[EbodyMod]

 :wavingflag:i know a guy with 70's and 71's. they are rough, not as bad as mine but I think it would make sense to get the one you want.

[dfrazz]

'71 is the best year of the Challenger IMHO, so this is a perfect time to change out your '73!

[cudasteve72]

At the end of the day, it's your car do what you want.  I turned my 72 cuda into a 70, but everything that needed to be changed needed to be replaced or was missing on my car to begin with.  That being said Its my car I built, and it is going to be exactly how I want it.

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

That's like taking a Classic 55 Chevy and converting it to look like a 57 Chevy??? It is what it is when you have it and then go to sell it.
Be happy with the '72, but it is your car and feel free to do what ever you like.

Well....I know this is a question that has been asked before but just looking for opinions....my car is a 72 340 4 speed rally car....the car is apart waiting on me to put back together....the problem it is a non matching number car...the engine is a 73 and the 4 speed is a 70...the car was hit in the drivers side fender at some point in it's life so I don't have the fender tag:(...I looked for the  build sheet with no luck...the vin is a rally 340..the car was never apart from what I can tell...66k yellow with black int and console...I know it's a fairly rare car....my issue is I like the looks of the 70/71 better.....I hate to cut her up but without the matching numbers or fender tag I don't ever see it being worth as much as. 70.....I know it will take some body work (tail light panel...the marker lights...grill....guess I'm looking for opinions why I shouldn't do it.....and what else am I missing to switch it over?  thanks

[djw383]

If the math ($$) works than make it whatever you like otherwise source a '70.

[HP2]

That's like taking a Classic 55 Chevy and converting it to look like a 57 Chevy??? It is what it is when you have it and then go to sell it.

I disagree with this analogy as the Tri 5 Chevys have a very loyal following similar to the 70-71 E bodies, but these owners tend to be respectful of the different years. Unlike the mopar camp, where A LOT of guys who look down on any post '72 car to a degree that is downright rude.

We have seen several post 72 E bodies converted to earlier models for sale on various links through out this sight over the years. Unless you have a low mileage, all original, highly optioned post '72, a '70 conversion rarely makes them less valuable.