I bought my Challenger because I always wanted one and it didn't really matter what year it was, body wise and trim wise they all looked the same (other than colors). Mine was a 318 car from the factory but it was one of the last Ralley (April 1974) cars built and in a rare color. I got it from a guy in Oregon and it had a 360 in it and was pretty much original and had all it's original sheet metal. I could have taken it back to stock but why? I put what I wanted in the engine changed drivetrain parts and exterior trim to what I liked. I do keep it looking stock but with stock aftermarkets parts. I took it to shows this summer and won 6 out of 8 times, 2 best Mopars, 2 first places in my class, a top 30 and a top 50. In the one first place I beat out two 1970 Plumb Crazy Challenger RT's (very nice cars) sitting on each side of me at a Midwest MOPAR show! One actually sold at Barrett Jackson. Does that tell you anything? Build what you want and enjoy it, it will still run and drive the same as the original with the same parts in it. Once the cars left the factory VERY few stayed original and still aren't unless they are survivors ..... then prove it to me. Original points, plugs.... you get my drift. If it is then it doesn't get driven like they were meant to be, clone or whatever you call it I love the cars.
