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

[rhamson]

I think it is a matter of personal preference. I happen to like the '72 grille and tail lights the most. I plan on retrofitting a diamond insert farther back in the grille just to update it a little but the shape of the grille is really current to the sad mouth grilles you find on many modern cars today. But I say if you are restomoding for your own gratification go for it. Make it your statement and if others don't like it they can get an original of their own. Bottom line is how it feels to you and no one else. As Foose says "take the ugly out of it". The question is what that ugly is.

[HP2]

I've always found it amusing that so many refer to the 72-74 grill as a sad mouth. Its actually very closely related to the Shelby Mustangs of the era and as pointed out earlier, used in a number of late model offers these days.

I do think they missed the boat by eliminating the polished trim piece around the nose after '72. That is a  feature that really sets off the front and rear panels, especially on darker cars. But then, I also wonder why they never had a disappearing light option on Challengers like they did on Chargers. That would really be cool.

[Mpdlawdog]

 

Quick edit on my phone, not great but you get the idea. I'm liking Alan's idea 

Im liking that!  Now my question is will a 70/71 chrome that goes around the fenders and hood fit the 72??  I imagine the hood piece will

[anlauto]

The fender piece isn't seperate from the headlight bezel, so you would have to be creative

[Mpdlawdog]

The fender piece isn't seperate from the headlight bezel, so you would have to be creative

I havent looked at my fender piece for a while....I cant remember how it goes together.. if the holes in the front of the fender are for a seperate trim or is the trim attached to the grill (the "c" that goes around the outer upper headlight....if so Im guessing thats what would need to be painted or a piece made to cover it?  What does the 70 use to make the trim go around the front fenders?  Geesh if that all makes since

[Mpdlawdog]

ok I figured it out...the headlight bezels makes the chrome around the front of the fenders on the 70.........I need to get my hands on a junk 70 headlight bezel to figure this out!  Now another question... is the chrome piece on the front of the hood on the 70..I assume it will fit a 72 hood?

[dave73chally]

ok I figured it out...the headlight bezels makes the chrome around the front of the fenders on the 70.........I need to get my hands on a junk 70 headlight bezel to figure this out!  Now another question... is the chrome piece on the front of the hood on the 70..I assume it will fit a 72 hood?

I believe so. My hood is an AMD repro for 70-74, I reused my stock hood trim from my 73 without an issue.

[dodj]

I do miss my old car, a blast from the past

With 'cuda road lamps!
 

[jimynick]

As has been mentioned, there's lots of ways to personalize your car. Why not a 71 frt and 72 rear combo? The fndr frt edges are part of the header, but as Alan said, the chrome paint today is so good that you really have to look if it's done right. 

[dodj]

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 

How much do you figure it cost you to replicate the '70 nose? I'm thinking fenders, grille, headlight buckets (unless the same as 72-4?) headlight trim pieces, other stuff....$2500?

[dave73chally]

How much do you figure it cost you to replicate the '70 nose? I'm thinking fenders, grille, headlight buckets (unless the same as 72-4?) headlight trim pieces, other stuff....$2500?

If you didn't care about the sidemarkers do you still have to replace the fenders?

[4 speed fish]

Imo I would sell the 72 and find a 70 project car.You are going to spend a lot of money and time for parts,metal work,bodywork,and paint to make a 70.Are you going to get the correct 70 seats and the correct rallye gauges..The car will never be a 70 no matter what you do to it.Put your time and money into a real 70.

[dodj]

If you didn't care about the sidemarkers do you still have to replace the fenders?

Ya I think so. A 73 has the h-lights mounted to the grille assy. The 70 h-lights mount to the fenders.

[Mpdlawdog]

Imo I would sell the 72 and find a 70 project car.You are going to spend a lot of money and time for parts,metal work,bodywork,and paint to make a 70.Are you going to get the correct 70 seats and the correct rallye gauges,road lamps,and the fish gill rocker panels.The car will never be a 70 no matter what you do to it.Put your time and money into a real 70.

We all know a 70 4 speed project is $$$. I couldn't sell what I have and even find a project without adding $$.  I thought about looking for one and using my parts (4 speed stuff.. rally gages...) and doing the 72 for my son (his mom bought him a 69 dart father son project) but I just don't have the $$...

I REALLY like making the trim around the grill chrome...I think it will make a big difference...and wow. I can't find a 70 headlight bezel cheap!  I think I can fab something up... ..if anybody has a junk 70 bezel let me know...I'll put a ad on the parts wanted spot also

[Mopar Mitch]

I did exactly that... during 1977-78, I converted my 72 318 rally into a 70 body and T/A... specifically for racing rules/legality (SCCA Solo II... racing against Camaro SS and Z28s, FBird TransAms, Boss 302s, Mach 1s, AMX, etc) ... and have totally enjoyed the results... racing it, driving it, showing it, etc... not having to worry about the mega-buck value of an original... so many of them just collect dust and never driven to use their power or handling potential.... beauty is great, but driving it is better!

As Mopar Action 2006 August feature article on my car said... "Mitch's car didn't leave the factory with the T/A stripes, but he's more than earned them!"   I've also got a few hundred awards earned from racing it, as well as many show awards.

IF I ever sell it, I won't attempt to sell it as a 70, but the truth will be fully exposed.  Anywhere I go I get 2-thumbs up all the time!

Many cars are cloned and/or changed for model years for the owner's personal reasons... Shelby Mustangs, Hemi Darts/BCudas, RS/Z28, etc.. even plenty of foreign cars.