Newbie with a '70 Challenger WSS *More Pics Added 9/26/08*

[carguybradd]

Hello folks! I was searching the web looking for some info to troubleshoot my Challenger, and stumbled across this forum. I was already on another Challenger forum, but for some reason it won't let me post anymore, so I decided to give this one a try...

My car is a '70 Challenger Western Sport Special, which was a special option/trim package only sold in the LA & SF areas (mine was built in the LA plant and originally sold in the SF area). It's B7 blue with a white top & blue interior with split-bench seat, and a 318-2v/TF904 with 72k original miles. I inherited this from my sister (who bought it from the original owner), and I used it in my wedding 15 years ago, so it's special to me. It's been sitting outdoors for the last ten years so it needs some TLC, which I've already begun to administer. It'll keep my '73 340 Duster company nicely (had that one since I was 17).



BTW, since you allow A-body 'cudas, I'll have to tell my father about this site - He has a '65 Barracuda with the Commando 273 & 4-spd, gold-on-gold, bought new by him in Texas while in the service.

Thanks for looking.

Brad

[hooD]

   Welcome, Brad!  Great story about the Challenger.  Do you have any pictures of your Duster?  And by all means tell your dad to join up and post some pictures of his '65.  What are some of your plans for the Challenger?

[bb71challenger]

Very nice Challenger and cool story. Love the mopar 4 life guys 

[Alaskan_TA]

It does my heart good to see a Challenger with the flat hood and body side protective mouldings still intact. 

Welcome!

[carguybradd]

Thanks guys! My immediate plans for the Chally have been to get it roadworthy again (which I've done) and then tend to the cosmetics and electrics. I've been told the WSS models are somewhat rare, especially with the color & interior mine has, so I'll keep those aspects stock. The engine & trans are stock & original, and they run fine so I'm not messing with them right now. However, I do have both a spare 360 and a 440 lurking in my garage, so down the road I may have to bolt in some more power...


The Duster's in primer at the moment and so it isn't much to look at, but I'll post up a pic anyway. It was originally B5 blue with a white & black interior (w/ buckets & console), which is what I'm gonna put it back to. The '70 340 in it is .040" over, 11.3:1, with '71 "J" heads (ported & polished), a big cam, Mopar M1 single-plane, 650 double-pumper, Milodon gear drive, Mopar distributor with Accel coil (and the original '73 brain box!), and Hedman headers (poor fit) and dual 2.5" exhaust with flowmasters. The trans is a 727 w/ a 10" converter & shift kit, and an 8-1/4" rear with 3.21's. The lack of traction with this thing is ridiculous, so I'm looking to install a sure-grip & make some suspension tweaks. This one means a lot to me too, as it was my HS car, and my wife & I dated in it. I've been doing some work on it, but here's an old pic:

[hooD]

Are you the original owner of your Duster?

[Jacksboys]

Welcome to the site   

[carguybradd]

Thanks Jacksboys!

Hood,
No, I was a little kid when it was built! LOL

I bought it in '86 from the 2nd owner for $650 as a solid, all-original driver. Try doing that today! 

Now that I'm older & wiser, I find myself undoing a lot of the "cool" things I did to the car in my youth (like dyeing the interior all black). My vision for it now is a "resto-mod" (or whatever they're calling it nowadays).

Oh, and that brochure looks familiar too. I have that one, and brochures for the whole 1973 lineup for that matter, as my father was contemplating buying a new car that year and visited the dealership. He put them away somewhere and forgot about them until I bought my Duster, at which point he gave them to me (all in mint condition).

[plumcrazy704406]

welcome aboard!

nice starting point by the looks of it!

enjoy

 

[carguybradd]

Thanks Plumcrazy704406. Other than a rust hole in the trunk floor (due to a water leak, it's straight and rust-free. The vinyl top (now removed due to poor condition) and most of the paint are original.

So far I've made some mecahical repairs (motor mounts, rebuilt the carb, new fuel pump & ignition tune-up), replaced the carpet, and attempted to redye the door panels in their original color (they're scratched up and I'm not satisfied with them at the moment).

Had to fix numerous electrical glitches so far, but up until my brake lights started acting up (details in another thread), I had everything working but the factory A/C and horn (rim-blow wheel is missing the insert).

High on my priority list are a new windshield, vinyl top, paint, and seat covers.

Brad

[b570]

Nice! Looks like the one I just bought.Post some more pics and interrior pics too please.Mine is a bench seat too.I dont think mine is a wss though.Very nice.

[b570]

Pic of mine.

[NoMope Greg]

Welcome to the site! 

[hezzel]

Welcome Nice ride

[71340RT]

Welcome to the site Brad and looks and sounds like a great Challenger.