71 Challenger R/T M28

[71ChallengerSE]

Barry informed me that the car is not stolen and the vin on the dash matches the title.

[TommySS]

When I bought my 70 R/T, the title read that it was a 71.   As I purchased it from the original owner, I got the straight skinny first hand.

The story on my car was that it was built in Sep69 with virtually no options in an undesirable color.  It simply didn't sell.  It sat on the dealer's lot from Sep69 until it was sold at a substantial discount in Jan71.   A clerical error (yes, they happened back then also) showed the car as a 71 on the title and on each of the license registration cards.  When I purchased the car in 1978, I "righted the wrong" with the DMV (which isn't always easy from folks who claim they never make mistakes), and enjoyed the car.

There's no sin with installing 71 parts on a 70 unless it's being done for unsavory reasons (i.e., fraud).

[MEK-Dangerfield]

When I bought my 70 R/T, the title read that it was a 71.   As I purchased it from the original owner, I got the straight skinny first hand.

The story on my car was that it was built in Sep69 with virtually no options in an undesirable color.  It simply didn't sell.  It sat on the dealer's lot from Sep69 until it was sold at a substantial discount in Jan71.   A clerical error (yes, they happened back then also) showed the car as a 71 on the title and on each of the license registration cards.  When I purchased the car in 1978, I "righted the wrong" with the DMV (which isn't always easy from folks who claim they never make mistakes), and enjoyed the car.

That's an interesting story. You would have thought the original owner might of had that error cleared up right away. I would be afraid of the hassle I might get when I tried to trade it in.   



  Mike

[hemi71]

Looks like you have a nice project to work on, good luck !

 

I did notice it looks like you have the car sitting on concrete blocks. They are not sufficient to bear the load of the car and may fail under that load. What you need are some heavy duty jackstands to support the car, and they need to sit on some 1/4" minimum thickness steel plates at least 2 X 2 foot square. This will distribute the load over a larger area on the ground and make for a stable support.   

[TommySS]

That's an interesting story. You would have thought the original owner might of had that error cleared up right away. I would be afraid of the hassle I might get when I tried to trade it in.   



  Mike

Hi Mike,
The original owner needed a tow vehicle for his boat, obviously wasn't picky, and got the car for a literal steal.  Since he bought the car in 71, and it was still "new", nobody caught the error.  For me, it was very easy to prove the car was a 70 since all the original documentation was intact.  No hassle from the DMV, but again, we're talking 1978.  Barry will tell ya, I miss it a lot.

[NoMope Greg]

Looks like you have your work cut out for you.  We're all behind you.

I agree with hemi71 - get it on a good solid foundation and some good jackstands.  I made the error of having mine on jackstands, but on wood.  In San Diego, that's mostly safe, because it doesn't rain much.  However, I let the car sit that way too long, we got a good storm and I came out one day to find the car on the ground.  I had the front suspension apart and had the tires under it, so it didn't fall all the way, but the left front fender and front valance were damaged.    Fortunately, the damage isn't very bad - just folded under a little.

[71ChallengerSE]

UPDATE!!

Motor and trans are out
Now does anybody know what the motor came out of by the #s on the block.

[70shaker6pk]

Looks like a great project, you'll have fun working on it.

[71ChallengerSE]

Update

Now that school has started up I will have very little time to work on it so progress will be slow.

What are my options for the rust around the windshield, I know they make the corners now (are they worth it?), I can fabricate all the pieces to fix it but I was wondering if somebody made some other pieces for the A pillars and the top of the windshield channel

Thanks,
Chris

[71ChallengerSE]

Does anybody make the a-pillars for the challenger? 

 

[71ChallengerSE]

so there are no reproduction a-pillar sections? 

[ChallengerGary]

I believe you are correct - there are no repro a-pillars available.  Time to fab 

[71ChallengerSE]

Thats what I thought I was going to have to do 

[Moparpena]

Nice to read that your vin-issues are ok.

Man, you have a nice pile of rust repairs to do there. Good luck, nice project.

[wally426ci]

I remember when the issue came up as a newbie. So, no need to re-iterate, I just hope it all works out fine. Its just wierd that its titled as a 71 with that VIN number.... i guess there is nothing on the door sticker??

looks like a good project. take your time. do it right the first time but dont freak over the little stuff. It will be nice someday!!