Challenger and Barracuda body question.

[eventhorizon]

My first post.  My question, what is the difference (if any) between 70-74 challenger body parts and 70-74 barracuda body parts?  Can any year challenger grille and rear panel fit any other year challenger?  Can any year barracuda grille and rear panel fit any other year barracuda?  Pardon the ford reference but I know that even though the 71-73 mustangs look exactly the same, the 71-72 fenders are different from the 73 fenders and will not switch easily without body altering.

Thanks ahead of time.

TCH   

[pink panther]

Eventhorizon,
Typically all 70 & 71 Cuda and challenger parts are interchangeable, 72-74 Cuda and Challenger parts are the same way, so to answer your question, NO you can't use any year parts on any Cuda or Chally.

[AARudy]

yeah, the Cuda fenders and quarters are different from 70/71 to 72/74....

[Challenger6pak]

Is there something you are trying to do; or are you just curious?  If you could let us know what you are trying to do we can give specific answers.  There are many differences as the cars evolved from 1970 through 1974. 

[eventhorizon]

Specifically, pertaining to E-bodies, I was wondering (to help me decide what year to buy) if a 71 barracuda grille and rear panel will fit any other year barracuda OR if a 70-71 challenger grill and rear panel will fit any other year challenger.

TCH

[AARudy]

why, do you have the grill and rear panel already?
70 and 71 are the hottest E-body years you can buy....have you priced a 71 versus a 74 Cuda yet??? This is what you need to look at first in my opinnion...then go from there...
R-

[eventhorizon]

Just personal preference really.  I like the 70-71 challenger front and rear ends more.  I like the 70-71 barracuda front and rear end more.  Should I bite the bullet and save to buy a really beat up 70-71, or should I buy a 72-74 and then replace the front and rear parts?  Basically, like you said, its cheaper by far to by a 72-74 and make it look the way I want, if possible.  That's why I need to know if the grilles and rear panels are interchangable between years.

TCH 

[pink panther]

let's clarify 70-71 Cuda parts are typically the same, the 71 has 2 sets of headlights and the 70 has one set. the 70 and 71 Chally parts are typically the same.
72-74 Cuda parts are typically the same, 72-74 Chally parts are typically the same.

If you are planning on buying a 72-74 cuda or chally and plan on using 70-71 parts on it you are in for a huge undertaking. You would have to do a ton of fabrication work to modify existing car and parts to be used.  the 72-74 cars are more readily available and at a cheaper price right now.

[4Cruizn]

I would say all barracuda parts are interchangable with minor difficulty.  The 71 model poses the most problems.   

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I'll state the obvious... Challenger and Cuda body parts are NOT interchangeable. 

To be serious, if you want a 70 or 71, then save for it. I know it is tough, and even rust buckets bring big money now.  Converting a later year E-Body to look like a 70 or 71 definitely takes some doing. You better be good at cutting and welding.

  Mike

[pink panther]

I'll state the obvious... Challenger and Cuda body parts are NOT interchangeable. 

To be serious, if you want a 70 or 71, then save for it. I know it is tough, and even rust buckets bring big money now.  Converting a later year E-Body to look like a 70 or 71 definitely takes some doing. You better be good at cutting and welding.

  Mike

That is what I was trying to say when I talked about fabricating. 

[daves70]

Yes, if you want a 70-71 cuda or challey you better be ready for sticker shock. They are by far the most desireable.

[pettybluecuda]

Hello,
 It can be done but is it worth it when it comes down to it. I would say it is if you can find all the parts at a good price. What year are you going for? If a 71 you will need the rear panel and tail lights,(the rear panel will fit from a 70-71) the side marker lights and a cut out removed from a 70 or 71, the fenders because like the others said thay have the dual head lights, the 71s had two styles one that was the barracuda and the other was the cuda that had the gills in the side, there are companies that make the sheet metal cut outs and the gills,.... now the fun parts... the lower valance panel is 71 only bacause of the driving lights in it. The header panel I have heard will fit from a 71 to 74, but not 70 do to the lower grill strip. then of corse you will need the 71 grill....Big bucks!....The bumbers and bumber brackets will fit from a 70 to 72 but the 72 had slots for the jack on the bumber.....It can be done if you are a good welder, but everything will bolt up just fine. There are some minor differness but to a untrained eye who is going to know....there was a few different things like
70 fire wall had no "E" stamped in it 71-74 did
70 hood hinges had no teeth gears but 71-74 did
70 doors had a curve to the door handels 71-74 were flat
70 doors...the belt trim had holes for push clips 71-74 had pin syle for clips
70 quarter glass had felt then 71-74 sealed with a rubber vertical strip
70 trunk lid had slots on the under side for the aar style spoiler
70 dash had it stiched barracuda then 71-74 had a glue on emblem
70 console had a holder for the seat belts 71-74 didnt

The interior had a bunch of mis. changes....But i would say the 71 would be easyer to do then the 70...thats if you were trying to look 100% correct.  I hope all my rambeling didnt scare you! LOL I hope this helps.

later,
Jesse Lee
Cudaregistry

[AARudy]

I also feel taht converted cars are hard to sell....if you decide to get rid of it later on....?

[Challenger6pak]

My advice is to always purchase the most valuable non-clone car you can afford.  When values change or you decide to sell, you end up in the best position possible.