Restoration of an origonal owner 73 Challenger Rallye

[burdar]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm pretty happy with how it looks and I'm happy that others feel the same. 

I'm very happy with the way the trim rings look.  I wasn't sure what I'd think of them but I think they'll work just fine.  I was going to waite to install them until the toe is readjusted but I really wanted to see what they'd look like.  As you probably know, the 14" brushed trim rings aren't repopped and NOS rings are big money.  I bought these new rings from a guy near Des Moines.  The valve stem hole isn't quite the right shape and there is an extra lip on the inside that the originals don't have.  I thought about painting that lip black but I don't think you really notice it unless you're really looking for it.  The main thing that's wrong is that the rings don't come brushed.  To fix that, the rings were installed on a bare wheel and the wheel was installed on a lathe.  Just a few minutes per ring with a scotchbrite pad is all it took.   Although not totally correct, $120 vers $600 is a huge savings.

[tony 73]

Looks fantastic. Must have been a great feeling seeing it parked there. Well done , you should be very proud of your hard work. It's paid off in a big way.

[Challenger III]

Awesome! You should be very proud of your accomplishment! 

[RusTy/SE]

I appreciate the time you've taken to keep us all updated with photos and how-you-did-it commentary. Beautiful and done for all the right reasons, thanks for the inspiration

[Challenger6pak]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm pretty happy with how it looks and I'm happy that others feel the same. 

I'm very happy with the way the trim rings look.  I wasn't sure what I'd think of them but I think they'll work just fine.  I was going to waite to install them until the toe is readjusted but I really wanted to see what they'd look like.  As you probably know, the 14" brushed trim rings aren't repopped and NOS rings are big money.  I bought these new rings from a guy near Des Moines.  The valve stem hole isn't quite the right shape and there is an extra lip on the inside that the originals don't have.  I thought about painting that lip black but I don't think you really notice it unless you're really looking for it.  The main thing that's wrong is that the rings don't come brushed.  To fix that, the rings were installed on a bare wheel and the wheel was installed on a lathe.  Just a few minutes per ring with a scotchbrite pad is all it took.   Although not totally correct, $120 vers $600 is a huge savings.

Now I know why someone recently stole the rings off of my Challenger. They were 14 inch and perfect.  Keep a good eye on your car.

[EB3-GranCoupe]

Hmmmmmm.....

...and Burdar just happened to GET a new set of brushed trim rings......


 

 

[burdar]

Now I know why someone recently stole the rings off of my Challenger.

That sucks.  Air cleaners and fender tags have been stolen recently at large shows.  With as much money as the brushed rings are bringing, it doesn't surprise me. 

[Challenger6pak]

I have two R/T's that were parked and the fender tags were stolen.  One, I have the build sheet.  The other I don't.  The car that is the non build sheet is a sunroof car; but now I can't prove it. These people that steal this stuff need something done to them.  I now have, and would recommend everyone making sure they have, good pics of their fender tag/tags.

burdar.  I am in the process of cleaning out my shop.  I may have an extra set of rings.  If I do come across a set, I will let you know.

[ChallengerHK]

I now have, and would recommend everyone making sure they have, good pics of their fender tag/tags.

I agree with this. If you have some really rare options, I'd say get a duplicate tag made to leave on the car, and keep the original safe, say with important papers. I'd also consider, if you're not going into an extreme show car circuit, to bolt the tag in place, maybe with a couple of spot welds on the underside, instead of using the screws.

[burdar]

A few weeks ago I gathered some bodyshop pictures of the car and made a little video out of them.  I need to try and add some sound to it at some point.  I'm posting it now because the car was built 40 years ago today.  The MDH code on the VIN sticker says 101218.

73 Challenger part 1

Last night I drained the radiator and filled it with antifreeze.  I tried removing the block plugs but there was no way to get to them easily.  I'm going to go for a drive around town tonight and check the strength.  I'll drain the rad down again if I have to in order to get the maxinum protection.

[brads70]

Makes me smile!    Congrats....and happy birthday! 

[Jocigar]

wow,  congrats!!!

Having been followed your thread since I became a member here,,. its amazing to see it show-ready done.    Looks great!!     must be great feeling.

[GranCuda1970]

Great vid of the whole process of body work. Happy B-day to your ride. 

[EB3-GranCoupe]

What a nice little birthday present for the car!  to get a new restoration like that! 

[hooD]

Happy 40th to you!  You've done a great job both on the challenger and on this fantastic thread.