My "New" Challenger and another "What would you do?"(UPDATED)

[dfrazz]

                   Cute young ladies will love the butterflies.      Would work for me.       But I'm not married ( thank god )                 

 

        

[4406v]

The "cute young lady" I was referring to was about 30 (I'm 51) I am married and my wife was about 50' away glaring at her!!!

[70chall440]

no love for the tuff wheel... I have one on my challenger, Cuda and 52 PU rat rod.. a rim blow looks nice but is too big and expensive, the stock wheel, well is the stock wheel.

Can't say I dig the decals and butterflies, but then it isn't my car so it doesn't matter. Obviously the car is far from "stock", make it yours and be happy and don't worry about what everyone else thinks.

[4406v]

Trust me if I wasn't concerned with doing the "Right thing" I'd just strip it and paint it. BUT it's original even if it's a little weird. It was bought because it was the cleanest, original, 1 owner car I've ever had the chance (and money at the same time) to buy. They don't come any better than this as far as originality is concerned.

[70chall440]

its definitely a clean car and looks good. I really like the color combinations. I also understand the hesitation on path; I built my challenger as I would have back in the day, but recently focused a little bit on correcting some of the minor issues such as correct bolts in the grille, stainless windshield trim, etc. I am in no way an originality fanatic, far from it, but I do believe using the right bolts and such for things that remain factory. I guess a better way to put it is that I like that "year after" look/configuration because that's what I remember them being.

all that said, so long as whatever you do can be reversed or returned it shouldn't be an issue. 

[rUNCHARGER]

If it was MY car I would leave the DC decal in the engine compartment, make the other stuff original under the hood. I would maybe leave the factory (off a Dodge truck of the era) Dodge decals and buff off the butterflys.
First impression is I hate the butterflys, orange aircleaner and valvecovers. I say it that way because if it were my car I would probably get used to the non-stock items but that is my first impression.
Not my car though. BTW I love the car!

Sheldon

[4406v]

Took the car out for ride yesterday and took a few pictures in the fall leaves. It really runs "nice" and handles really well.




Just going to straighten out a few things for now and enjoy it.

[anlauto]

Did the owner say whether or not it had R/T emblems on the fenders ?

[4406v]

No there were never any on it. He was grilled by the "experts" who called when the car was advertised. Most acted like it was not a real RT without the fender emblems. This is an early production car (9-69) maybe they forgot them???



Yes the passenger fender has the Pentastar as it should. This is a "survivor" that has all original paint. It would be easy to add the emblems but they were never on the car according to the original owner.

[djw383]

Pentestar on pass fender?

[70chall440]

While I would say that the "Dodge" stickers and butterflies are not my taste, I have to say that car looks awesome, very late 70's/80's. it definitely gives the car some character. I guess what I am saying is that I would leave it alone and enjoy it. There are loads of restored and factory looking cars out there (not hating n any of them), but this one is exceptionally unique and will always be a conversation piece anywhere it goes (good, bad and general). The purists will comment on every aspect they perceive as non-stock, the performance people will focus on the drive train and the general public will think it is "cute" and/or interesting. Regardless, it looks to be a beautiful cool car.

[djais1801]

I gotta say...those decals really take away the simplicity and great contrast of the color scheme (orange/yellow). If it were mine, that'd be the 1st order of business, figuring out a way to safely remove both!

[rUNCHARGER]

Gorgeous car! Actually it's pretty easy to overlook the additions with the full car shots.

Sheldon

[MOPAR FANATIC]

While I would say that the "Dodge" stickers and butterflies are not my taste, I have to say that car looks awesome, very late 70's/80's. it definitely gives the car some character. I guess what I am saying is that I would leave it alone and enjoy it. There are loads of restored and factory looking cars out there (not hating n any of them), but this one is exceptionally unique and will always be a conversation piece anywhere it goes (good, bad and general). The purists will comment on every aspect they perceive as non-stock, the performance people will focus on the drive train and the general public will think it is "cute" and/or interesting. Regardless, it looks to be a beautiful cool car.

  I couldn't have said it any other way.Exactly what i was thinking.sometimes i wish i wouldn't have stripped my 71 chally down all the way and left it the way i got it with it's '70s custom stripe the P/O had on it,wide big tires and 5slot mags.although those are still on it i can't bring back that custom paint scheme. 

PS 4406V,THANKS for e-mailing me the pics,awesome car for sure,i'd drive it the way it is.back in the seventies/early '80si was always changeing things on the 70 and 71 charger i used to have,crome air cleaners.mickey thompson low profile tires.mickey thompson finned aluminum valve covers,the list goes on and on. lol

drive it and enjoy it... BU TI FUL RIDE MAN...............   

  Dave.............

[RzeroB]

Ron, those new pics of the car out in the sun look great! That is a great score and I can see why you are so stoked! I know I would be - that is a super-nice ride!

About those Dodge decals and butterflies, if your intent is to try and leave the car as original as possible, I would be hesitant to try and remove them. Because they have been on the car for decades, they are going to leave a noticeable "ghost" image behind regardless of how you try and take them off. To me, a "ghost" image would bug me more than the actual decals and butterflies. Besides, they make for some great conversation starters. However, if you decide that they "got to go" I would definitely look into hiring an experienced pro and hope for the best.

Either way, I hope that you will be taking it to Carlisle next year and if you leave the decals and butterflies on it you will be easy to find!