Author Topic: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?  (Read 3988 times)

Offline JH27N0B

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1324
40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« on: December 29, 2010 - 07:12:39 PM »
Interesting what a media blasting will reveal.
I've had the car since 1978, and when we tore off what I believe to be the original vinyl top, it looked like the original paint underneath it. 
So I have to think this dent happened at the plant, and then they filled it with filler, painted and covered the evidence with the vinyl top.
I'd love to know how they managed to dent the roof!




Offline the_engineers

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2639
  • Cheap, fast, reliable...pick 2
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2010 - 07:59:17 PM »
Was vinyl on the fender tag?
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Offline JH27N0B

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1324
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2010 - 09:03:27 PM »
Was vinyl on the fender tag?
Yes, in fact the car is one of 4 sequentially VIN'd identical cars.  If all were identical except for mine being the only one with a vinyl top, then a mystery would have been solved! :naughty:

Offline Challenger6pak

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4084
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2010 - 09:06:06 PM »
I have seen dented and filled roofs a couple of times.  My thought is that if a roof was damaged before it was installed, it was repaired and kept for a vinyl top car such as yours.
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline Katfish

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3733
  • 70 Challenger
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2010 - 09:40:12 PM »
Makes sense, think about it.

Would you go to the expense of replacing the whole top, or just use the car for a vinyl top optioned car?

Remember their only motive when making these cars was profit, pure and simple.

Offline Topcat

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 15376
  • Member since 9/16/04
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2010 - 09:54:52 PM »
My left rear roof area where it attaches to the quarter area was slightly warped inward. That caused the seam to need additional filler when it was done originally.

Since then, I welded up the gap depth and leaded it.
I'm guessing they dropped my roof on that corner, bent it out and used it anyway. 
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline the_engineers

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2639
  • Cheap, fast, reliable...pick 2
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2010 - 10:30:31 PM »
So are you keeping your factory dent?
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Offline JH27N0B

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1324
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2010 - 12:20:05 AM »
It'll be there hidden there buried under some filler and covered with a vinyl top, just like she left the factory with!

Offline BP23G0B

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 211
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2010 - 08:44:40 PM »
Remember their only motive when making these cars was profit, pure and simple.

Not much has changed :naughty:
'70 Barracuda Gran Coupe
'14 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition

Offline dodj

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6197
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2011 - 08:59:46 AM »
So are you keeping your factory dent?
An original factory dent could make it more rare/valuable?  :bigsmile: 
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #10 on: January 01, 2011 - 10:34:24 AM »
Aww heck, I'd take it back for warranty work! :bigsmile:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 9341
  • Miss NIKKI - were you this hot at 48?
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2011 - 10:36:33 AM »
Aww heck, I'd take it back for warranty work! :bigsmile:

 :roflsmiley:

I'm sure that stuff still happens.....  :grinyes:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-D-Truck-and-Auto-Parts/67427352555?ref=hl

Offline js27

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1380
  • MOPAR OR NO CAR
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2011 - 09:40:18 PM »
My 70 Challenger also had 3 small factory dings in the driver side door. There was a small amount of bondo under the factory orange paint we found when we restored it.
JS27
1967 GTX
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.

Offline Super Blue 72

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12711
  • "Big 'n Little" Member since 8/9/05
    • Phil's Super Blue '72
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2011 - 10:23:42 PM »
An original factory dent could make it more rare/valuable?  :bigsmile:

Factory original dent?  What was the fender tag code for that?  :roflsmiley:
1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

Pic #2 and 3 of my ARII 1/24 scale model car 

Phil in New England-Massachusetts  Always thank God for what you have!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/456046/1972-dodge-challenger

Offline moparmaniac59

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3772
  • Drive it like ya stole it!
Re: 40 year old Hamtramck goof revealed?
« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2011 - 11:23:35 PM »
I can't remember who told me (I think my grandfather) of having an annoying rattle in the door. Upon removing the door panel a coke bottle was found. The car was purchased new and the bottle was probably a prank by an assembly line worker.  :roflsmiley:

                                                  Matt B.
Matt