Late 70's Challenger?

[RabidScott]

I know where one of these cars are in a field near me.  I never really gave it much thought until just now.  I could probably buy it complete for $100, if that.  These things are rear wheel drive and were advertised as getting decent mileage.

What's the general thinking about these little piles?  Best left hidden as skeletons in Chrysler's closet?  Kinda neat? 

Just wondering what you all thought.   

[71bigblock]

I will never own another DSM car.  Too many dang things to go wrong.   

[bb71challenger]

Little piles is the right description. Naming that warm loaf Challenger was much worse than naming the new 4 door Charger.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

To be honest, my first Challenger was a 1978.   

It had a 2.6 liter Japanese engine. I wasn't real impressed with the power, or gas mileage... although I can't throw a figure at you.

I liked the car though. It had a pretty much useless back seat too. I only sold it because when I moved further South, I about died because it didn't have AC.    Nice plaid black and gray/red seats. Overhead console. Really, if it had AC, I would have kept it.

You hardly ever see these cars anywhere. I know most people frown on them, but if it is fixable....   


   Mike

[NoMope Greg]

That back seat was not so useless as you think.  I once shared a ride home from college in the Plymouth Sapporo version with four other people.  From Corvallis, Oregon to Los Angeles.  850 miles.  And nobody in the car was stoned. 

[HemiOrange70]

I would buy it and fix it or store it.....it is like seeing a 70's Datsun B210 out there.....you think it is neat as very few are around today

[Ornamental]

Even if we frown upon them now, by time they'll become nice old cars too. Seeing any old car in good condition is eyecandy for me.
If there's to be any future old cars from the late seventies, early eighties, we'll have to save a few now.
And even if we today feel it's a disgrace to the name, that car do have the Challenger nameplate on it...
If you have the room and time for it, go for it! I would!

[fantum]

Maybe fixing it up with a newer drivetrain would give it the "get-up-and-go" that it didn't come with.  Perhaps the 3.5 v-6 with the 5-speed autotrans would work well in it.  Oh, well, just a thought.  Whatever you decided to do, like others have said, by the time you get it fixed up it will be something that attracts attention when it's done.


fantum

[Ornamental]

Maybe fixing it up with a newer drivetrain would give it the "get-up-and-go" that it didn't come with.  Perhaps the 3.5 v-6 with the 5-speed autotrans would work well in it.  Oh, well, just a thought.  Whatever you decided to do, like others have said, by the time you get it fixed up it will be something that attracts attention when it's done.


fantum

Just a thought, but that was a good thought!

[Super Blue 72]

I dunno, in their day, I thought they were pretty cool cars.  I think if I had the room and a couple hundred $$$ lying around and I wanted a 4 cyl. car, this might not be a bad idea...

Then I would have 2 Dodge Challengers...     

[vinb]

I had a bunch of those Chrysler/Mitsubishi cars in the mid 70's.
All 5spd 2600 engines.
3 Dodge Colt GT's , 3 Plymouth Arrow GT's and a new '80 Plymouth Sapparo which was the same as a Challenger back then.
I would love to find a Arrow GT today, I would buy it in a minute,
Good on gas too....

[NoMope Greg]

I would love to find a Arrow GT today, I would buy it in a minute,
Good on gas too....

Not all of them are good on gas...

I always liked those too - when I was about 15, I thought the Fire Arrow was about as cool as they came.

I'm better now. 

[vinb]

Funny you mention a Fire Arrow, last week I was driving down the parkway and on the other side going north was a white Fire Arrow. I think it was a '79 or '80, couldn't tell. If I could have got off and turn around I would have stop the guy. It looked pretty neat...

Was that your Arrow racer in the picture? Nice......

[cudax34me]

i got one of those out the boneyard. 100 bucks, clear title, body only. had a idea.  install smallblock,tub it out & go to the track  :burnout:but,got sidetracked.ended up selling it to the scrap man for 25. :banghead:i thought it was a good idea at the time

[NoMope Greg]

Funny you mention a Fire Arrow, last week I was driving down the parkway and on the other side going north was a white Fire Arrow. I think it was a '79 or '80, couldn't tell. If I could have got off and turn around I would have stop the guy. It looked pretty neat...

Was that your Arrow racer in the picture? Nice......

No, just one I pulled off the Internet.  I understand those were a handful - not as bad as an Fiat Topolino or Anglia Gasser, but pretty scary.