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    Author Topic: My 71 Challenger RT Project  (Read 42804 times)

    Offline Bluemonster71RT

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    My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « on: February 28, 2009 - 10:34:10 AM »
    Here is my 71 Challenger RT.  I am starting finally.  The short story of the car is;  My father bought it brand new in Nov of 1970 in Texas when he was in the Air Force. It is/was a 383 4 speed B5 blue with a ton of stuff from the 1970 model year on it. That always causes arguements with people saying that things were incorrecty replaced. ARRG!!!..   It had a few things added to it at the time of purchase such as a new Holley carb( didn't like the carter) headers and intake. I also have the original carb intake and manifolds. I took the car over from him in 2000 as he bought a Corvette.  I added a MSD distributor,New street avenger 670cfm, TT 3 inch exhaust and Fm delta 40's.  Prior to buying a house I though it would be a good time to have the car restored so I would not have to deal with it and also not be able to afford it. So I brought it in to one of the best shops around here and things were going well until the owner took his life and left me with a pile of parts(many missing) and a car welded to a dolly. 4 and a half years of probate court and what little money I was able to get back brings us to today and me doing the project myself.  It's a huge project for a first timer but I know I can do it. (with your help) :bigsmile:     
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    1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd


    Offline usraptr

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #1 on: February 28, 2009 - 11:07:52 AM »
    Welcome.  Looks like a good solid platform to work with.  Your car reminds me a lot of my '70 'Cuda that I just started.  It had been in storage since 1983 when the previous owner took it almost all apart and naturally didn't label anything.  Fortuanately most everything is there, it's just going to be fun to figure out where everything goes.  It will be fun to compare projects and progress.  Check mine out at Brad's second '70 cuda and first and last restoration project under Restorations. 

    Good luck.
    Brad :wavingflag:
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    1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

    Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
    (Edited 8-1-17)

    "usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

    Offline bb71challenger

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #2 on: February 28, 2009 - 11:26:24 AM »
    Welcome to here! Sorry to hear that you had a mess with the restoration shop. Sounds like its going to be a real looker. Anything you need to know about the mighty E-body(notice I did not choose one over the other   :wave:  ) you can find out right here from some of the most wonderful Mopar addicts around. Looking forward to seeing your progress and you must be psychic because you have already avoided the dreaded   :useless:      :bigsmile:
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    1971 Challenger (OO==== ====OO) getting close!
    1970 Challenger (OO########OO) long ways off
    *Brett*

    Offline Bluemonster71RT

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #3 on: February 28, 2009 - 11:39:16 AM »
    usraptr, I looked at your project and looks similar. Finding where things go is only fun when you know you have everything. Like I just noticed that I dont have the bars that the front sway bar bushing brackets bolt to or the bushing brackets.

    bb71challenger,
     I looked at alot of the other projects already so I put some pics in but yet you snuck it in anyway lol.
    So off to that garage to  :working: clean all the grime,dirt ,sand out of my axle housing and put it together.  If I get it done today I'll post pics.
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    1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

    Offline kmyles

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #4 on: February 28, 2009 - 11:39:20 AM »
     :2thumbs:
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    _________
    Kevin



    Mopar Lover....Cuda's....Challengers Rule!!!!
    - 1951 Dodge - 2 door hardtop (Sold!!)
    - 1971 Dodge Challenger
    - 2012 Dodge Challenger Yellowjacket

    Hard to believe what 20 years will do!!!!

    Offline 340Challman

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    • 70 Challenger B5 A66 4 spd
    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #5 on: February 28, 2009 - 08:43:19 PM »
     :ylsuper: :ylsuper:  Go for it man.

     :working:  =   :burnout:

     :bigsmile:


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    Don't look back, I might be gaining on you.
            ___               ___
                 ]            [
            _______________
    (OO (____________R/T_) OO)
     \______________________/
          \______/    \______/

    Offline wally426ci

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      • maryland mopars
    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #6 on: March 01, 2009 - 09:22:01 AM »
     :2thumbs:

    Yep, mine came with '70 trunk lid/quarter trim........ crazy how they mixed stuff up sometimes... good project you got!!  :swaying:
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    {OOI====I====IOO}
          '71 Challenger
          [O[]=====[]O]
          '68 D100

    Offline Bluemonster71RT

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #7 on: March 03, 2009 - 06:10:00 PM »
    Quote from: wally426ci on March 01, 2009 - 09:22:01 AM
    :2thumbs:

    Yep, mine came with '70 trunk lid/quarter trim........ crazy how they mixed stuff up sometimes... good project you got!!  :swaying:

    Is your body trim half blacked out as well? The trunk and hood trim on mine have like a black tape or something similer on it where most of the others I have seen are all stainless with no black out.

    Update:
    This weekend I'm doing the front suspension so I can get it off the dolly and flat bed it to my house. Stupid snow. The car is at the wifes machine shop and been there for about 4 years. I can't wait to blow all the dust of it.

    Also Where can I get the sway bar bushing brackets and bolts besides Y1? If I buy them there that would be like $150
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    1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

    Offline wally426ci

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #8 on: March 03, 2009 - 07:29:30 PM »
    The blackout is an RT only thing. Maybe Just Suspension would have the sway bar stuff?  :dunno:
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    {OOI====I====IOO}
          '71 Challenger
          [O[]=====[]O]
          '68 D100

    Offline moparmaniac59

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    • Drive it like ya stole it!
    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #9 on: March 03, 2009 - 08:00:02 PM »
    Hey Blue,
    Welcome to the site. So glad to hear the car is still in the family, that is awesome! :2thumbs: Glad you didn't sell it. Sorry to hear about the body shop. You've come to the right place. There's plenty of experience here from folks that have been where you are at and have completed some awesome projects. Feel free to ask questions and seek help. Keep us posted on your project and once again...WELCOME!!! :bigsmile:


                                                   Matt B.
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    Matt

    Offline RT Dude

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #10 on: March 03, 2009 - 08:45:12 PM »
    Nice looking Challenger Bluemonster. Great to hear is was bought new by your dad, and that its still in the family :2thumbs:
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    Brent

    Offline Bluemonster71RT

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #11 on: March 08, 2009 - 12:06:36 AM »
    Update is not so grate.  In hopes of putting the front suspension on I ran into a few issues and was only able to do the right side.  The dolly that you see in the pics above is in the way of putting the LH side tbar in. Also I find that I do not have the bolt for the idler arm to K-member. Gotta find one some where :clueless:.  However the main idea is to get the car on 4 wheels and get it safely back to my house to (paint and finish project). I have to find a way to get the dolly out from under it. I planed on getting front and rear items on and using jacks to hold it and cut the dolly off. now with the damn thing in the way I guess I'll have to make it (the car) do a wheelie or something??? and cut off the front half.  I'll post more tomorrow cause I'm going back for more.
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    1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

    Offline 1black71rt

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #12 on: March 10, 2009 - 07:46:30 PM »
    I sent you a idler arm bolt & nut today. It will be there in two or three days. Good luck  :2thumbs:
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    Joe
    1971 triple black challenger r/t
    1971 charger se
    1997 dodge ram SST
    2010 challenger r/t

    Offline Bluemonster71RT

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #13 on: March 10, 2009 - 08:10:22 PM »
    Quote from: 1black71rt on March 10, 2009 - 07:46:30 PM
    I sent you a idler arm bolt & nut today. It will be there in two or three days. Good luck  :2thumbs:
    And you Sir kick A** :cheers:
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    1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

    Offline e-tek

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    Re: My 71 Challenger RT Project
    « Reply #14 on: March 10, 2009 - 11:18:27 PM »
    Be nice to see some photo's of the entire car - or is my computer?
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