70 Gran Coupe ?s from a Noob

[tommyg29]

Hi everyone:
I'm looking at a 70 GC with the E63 code (4bbl 383) and I have several questions please. I've read lots of posts about the GC and have learned about the options. Lots of people have different ideas about the standard features. For example, some stay a/c was standard on the GC, but not according to some of the manuals I have seen. It doesnt have the a/c code on the tag, but it does have a/c. It also has power windows, but no code for it on the tag. The car seems pretty highly optioned but only 3 lines of codes. Also, even though its a dual exhaust car, did GCs have the exhaust through the valance as an option? This is a built 383 non matching, but the original motor and tranny are available, but "shot" according to the seller. Since its a driver anyways, it doesnt matter to me.
One last observation. I've never driven a stock perfect cuda so I dont know how it "should" feel. This GC seems very soft, the steering vague, and the brakes seem to take forever to stop... compared to my Jeep SRT8 or Ram SRT10. How would you compare the handling and feel of a stock '70 to a 2008? Looking for all the advice I can get.
Thanks

[myhorsepower.com]

its an old car. I perfer power disc in the front at least. A front end rebuild with poly bushings sway bars front and rear. A nice set of 17 or 18 inch rims as well. quick ratio steering box. as for the rattles in the doors its a mopar. I have some tricks to help with that. Cost to restore is twice as much as a Camaro. Compare a 2008 to 1970 it's just not the same I love all my  ebodys  I sold my pace car because it was too original for my taste 4 wheel manual drum 318. The wallet is limit srt8 with tremec 5 speed alterkation front end 4 link in the rear shock waves air ride vintage air.. Go big or go home

[tommyg29]

The car has 18" Cragars, power front discs and rear drums that appear stock, and the front sway bar, but I didnt say it had rattles. At least not real noticeable ones. It also has vintage air using what I assume were the existing dash vents (unless they can be cut in and added) and power windows, though neither is specified on the tag. Does anyone know for sure if a/c and pw were standard on these GCs, and therefor wouldnt necessarily be coded on the fender tag?

[myhorsepower.com]

sounds like a good car. rattles... that big mopar clang when you shut the 200 lb door. In this market cash is king. maybe its missing a second tag. at the end of the day who cares it a Cuda  not 1 of 250,000 69 camaro's on the planet. were those 69's all Z's and SS and RS what happened to the plain jane's.

[Moparal]

Did you check out all the body vin #'s on the car. Like radiator support, cowel, door tag and what not?  I have never seen an ac car with out it being on a fender tag before. And did you look to see if you could find the build sheet inside the seats or over the glove box?

What does the fender tag read ?   It may say something we could help you with.

[426HEMI]

Was it factory A/C through the dash or was it under the dash?  Just wondered you did not say is all.

[71ChallengerSE]

Sounds like you might have a 2-Tag car that is missing its 1st tag, any pictures?

 

[tommyg29]

It is a 1 tag 3 line car. The top line (actually the 4th line) says only EN1. Maybe it was not originally an a/c car, or a pw car for that matter. I assume those things can be added. Maybe the dash vents were installed to look factory. That cant be too hard. What I like about it is the bottom line: E63 D32 BP23 NOB. Which makes it one of only about 720 GC with the 383 4bbl, and from what I understand many of them are no longer around in anywhere near their original form. Other codes are EK2 (vit C), PRX9 (Premium Trim/leather setas/black), 000, V1X (black vinyl top), M21, M31, R11 and V5X. I have decoded the car, and it still looks mostly like a GC... still wears its badges, and a nom "built" 383 4 bbl which supposedly puts out about 500hp. The vin matches on the door tag, and of course the car title which I saw. Did not check the radiator support of the cowl? Is that a stamp up near the cabin air intakes below the trailing edge of the hood? I think I saw a picture of one on Ebay somewhere but couldnt tell exactly where. Also dont know exactly where I would find it on the rad support, and if I knew where its probably several times painted over, so I'd need to know exactly where before I go sanding on someone else nice car. Thanks.

[tommyg29]

Forgot to mention the vin under the windshield also matches and appears original. One thing, the door tag says manuf date is 10-1969, but the fender tag date says 910, which the decoder says is a build date of 9/10/1969.  Is that ok?
Anyways, I like the car and am planning on making an offer soon. It needs some work, but other than some frame rust issues they are not serious. The door locks may not work. The little door lock switch thingies are missing. The power windows are VERY weak. Wiper blades were removed...the whole system is probably inoperable. The door glass brush trim on the inside is missing...the tach, speedo and clock dont work. I think these are typical of many.

[426HEMI]

The date could be different like that and not be a problem.  Make the offer what matters most is that you like the car.  the electrical problems sound normal for this old of a car.  best of luck with getting it.  Gran Coupes are my favorite and may have another one some day I hope. 

[moparnut]

My numbers 70 GC had all the original equipment, even has the am/8 track. Mine is a BP23NOE as well. If you buy it i would snag the numbers stuff even if he says its shot. You can sleeve an engine, its no big deal, most race engines are sleeved many times on the strip. Once its gone its gone if you dont get it with the car.

[ragtopdodge]

Check the radiator support and cowl for VINs.

There HAS to be an H51 on the fender tag if it has the cowl for AC.  I seriously doubt someone would go through the trouble to install all that AC junk on a non-AC car, unless it's one of those dealer-installed, underdash units.

PWs can easily be retrofitted, but the AC stuff on the car bothers me.  Don't want to buy a re-bodied car.

[tommyg29]

Mooboy,
that's a pretty good set of pictures you have of your GC resto. I especially like the shot with the Taco Bell cup on the car. reminds me of myself on a saturday afternoon. And yes, I will definitely try to get the original motor and tranny with the car.
Two questions: The car currently has a built 383 4 bbl, edelbrock intake holley carb, hooker headers. Dont know any more details about it but the pics show two things.
One, there is obviously some oil spray on the front of the pan but not evident from up above. Two, the header flange, especially the right one hangs down to only about 4" above the ground. In fact I couldnt tell for sure but it may have been repaired from a speedbump hit already. Anyone see anything else I should be concerned about?