71 Challenger Project

[troutstreamnm]

Hello all,
Been away from the site for a while, but I'd thought I'd get back and show you progress on my 71 Challenger project.  I'm doing a 95% restoration on the car (everything but putting it on a rack and stripping the undercarriage).  The car was in excellent shape to start (a New Mexico car all it's life!) and had almost no rust.  The 383 is being rebuilt (currently 0.03 over) and has oversize valves, forged pistons/crank and a hemi-grind cam.  I'm doing a A-833 4-spd conversion and rebuilding the brakes, suspension, exhaust, interior and complete rewire job.  The car had a cheap white paint job that covered the original Lt. Gunmetal color.  Guess the previous owner wanted the "Vanishing Point" look.  I stripped the car to the metal and it's being repainted Lt. Gunmetal.  It looks awesome.  Will eventually have flat-black hood blackout and 71 stripes with a black vinyl top.  Two years into the project and I hope to have it finished in 08.  Hell of a hobby, right! 

[72hemi]

I like it!

[71bigblock]

Wow, I likey!   

[Jacksboys]

Looking Good   

[71340RT]

71 Challenger my favorite year and Lt. Gunmetal to boot. Here are a few pictures of mine as it is Lt. Gunmetal with black vinyl top and interior. The color layout will look great and the stripes really add to the looks. Keep us posted with pictures of your progress getting it put back together.

[troutstreamnm]

71340RT...Absolutely beautiful lt gunmetal car!  Thanks for the pics.  That pretty much what mine should look like    I'll have a standard flat black hood blackout and side stripes, a T/A rear spoiler and eyebrow spoilers.  Can't wait till it's on the road.

[cudagirl4406pk]

NIce trout looking good.

[troutstreamnm]

Here is what I started with on this project.  A very solid 71.  The only body problems were a quarter-size rust spot on the left rear quarter, cracked welds on the rear quarters to roof seam, and a couple broken welds on the driver side front shock tower.  Humm...Wonder if this car was raced in it's former life?   

[hezzel]

Nice project you have there and good luck in the resto . This is my project...

[bb71challenger]

That is a beautiful car!!!!!!! I love Gunmetal Grey.

[troutstreamnm]

Thanks.  The hood, hood inserts, trunk lid, front/rear valances and mirrors were painted yesterday and color sanding has started on the body.  Vinyl top is going on today.  Will get some pics to post of the update.  Here's a pic that you'll enjoy...my new parts room.  Been collecting replacement parts for over a year now and have 95% of what is needed for the job.  Fortunately I have a wife with a fifth degree black belt to keep an eye on em 

Trout

[bb71challenger]

I like the 4 speed 

[troutstreamnm]

Wow, looks like this thread got nuked!    Here's the latest on the paint and body progress.  It's almost finished!    Color sanding of the body is finished and they are sanding the trunk lid and hood today.  Console bracket was welded in and the door hinge bushing were replaced.  Vinyl top is trimmed and the molding will go on shortly.  Stripe kit will go on later this week along along with a list of loose ends to deal with.  Hope to have it back home by next week.  Then it's in my court to put it back together 

[troutstreamnm]

A couple more pics

[wally426ci]

I must say, this is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

but please paint that vapor riser silver again!