Body off restoration 1973 Challenger

[Srobinson4]

Is a body off restoration practical for a 1973 challenger?  I love this car and wish to drive it when complete.  However, I do want to be fiscally responsible with my resources.  From an investment standpoint would it be better to locate a 70-71 in need of TLC and restore that instead?  The 73 is a straight H code car non Rally but I intend to change the gauges and paint scheme.

SRR 

[360 'CUDA]

A detailed chassis and floor panels are always gonna be worth it and you get extra money on E-bay when you sell, that's for sure.

But you wouldn't call it a body off restoration.  That's a GM thing.
Unless you want to drill out all the spot welds 

[ambitions2]

..rotessire job is a better term?--

[torredcuda]

A body off resto refers to a full frame type car,your Challenger is a uni-body type.All year Challengers and Barracudas are worth good money restored but you are correct in that a `70-71 will always be worth more.Of course finding a nice `70-71 model will cost more so you need to consider how much $ you have into yours and what shape it`s in.Also consider that if you drive it often that will quickly devalue the car due to wear on the undercarriage,if you want a driver I wouldn`t go too crazy detailing everything to show quality.

[Street_Challenged73]

If I were you, I'd just continue working on your very clean '73.  Trying to track down a reasonable '70-'71 to work on will cost quite a bit of $$.  One alternative you may want to think about is painting the undercarriage body color, but line the wheel wells with a good undercoating.  That way you're not getting your paint all chipped up and it will still look very nice under there.