bigtone
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Re: Black RT/SE '70 Challenger-Anyone actually seen it?
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2006 - 12:29:27 pm » Quote
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Yes, that car used to be mine. I restored it back in the 1980's, and sold it around 1991. First off, I don't want to point fingers, but when I restored it, it was a non original engine and trans. The engine was a cast crank 440 intercepter engine from around 1972, which the seller gave me with the car, along with the transmission. The car looks nearly identical as when I sold it, with the exception of the carpet, which for some reason was changed to black from burnt orange, and the chin spoilers. It was a shell when I bought it, and I did a ground up (amatuer) restoration on it. Remember, this was the 80's, and the cars were not worth that much back then. The burnt orange/column shift always bothered me. I came really close to putting a black houndstooth interior that I had with the floor shift, but then I decided to keep it as original as possible. I did dye the dash and door panels, as burnt orange parts were just not available. I redid the headliner and overhead console also.
Basically, the interior and underneath look like they were not touched since I restored them in the 80's. I cleaned and painted the underneath black (it was white!) The interior looks as if it held up rather well. The engine compartment looks untouched, as does the exterior paint. I painted the door jambs, underhood, and the trunk, then I had a local shop paint the exterior. It looks like the same paint, buffed out alot, but I cannot be sure. The hood tape treatment and luggage rack were original options. I did add the af/fm radio.
I had a line on a previous owner who may have had the original engine in Virginia. I could never get in contact with him. Possibly someone who owned it after me found the original engine, although I would really find that hard to believe. As I said, most of the car looks untouched since I restored it. Also, the carburators and intake were not original, and they were parts I collected for the restoration. Back in the 80's matching numbers on engines and trannys really weren't all that common on these cars.
I have seen this car on ebay for awhile now, a dealer in Long Island was posting it. Now it apparently is in New Jersey. I have no idea why. I always felt that although rare, it was not really a desirable car, because of the interior color and column shift.
Any other questions please feel free to ask.
« Last Edit: June 24, 2006 - 12:10:51 pm by bigtone »
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Topic: 1970 Challenger RT/SE 440 SIX PACK! Matching #s with Broadcast Sheet!GOVIER DOCS (Read 11685 times)
