1971 Challenger build ?

[DoNotChallengeHer]

I agree, keep that Challenger origin. It has too many rare options. Doing something like that to mine wouldn't be half as bad.

[Super Blue 72]

Ok anyone know of a clean 71 Challenger body. I dont care what engine size or if even has an engine. Thanks

Where are you located? 

[1971only]

 

[1971only]

I brought the car up here about three years ago from Florida and before that it came from California. Since I got it home all I have done is collected parts for it.

[barracuda7199]

that is a really nice challenger!!! i love the wide chrome on the front! also a really nice road runner!

[EB3-GranCoupe]

i'd go original.  it's probably one of one, and there are plenty of folks that would love to have something like that!  you can make your clone/dream car from anything.  it's an awesome combo!  if you do restore to original, it would make a great show car!

[71 SHAKR]

Does anyone know the earliest date you could get the M28 wide hood moulding?  I thought you could only get it in the spring of 1971.  This car has a October of 1970 build date.  It Could possibly be one of the first cars to ever get that moulding.   I would def. keep the car original, super cool and highly optioned car.

[EB3-GranCoupe]

I just saw the Y39 code (Special Order) on the fender tag.  i would guess that it is the only car like it!

[ShelbyDogg]

I say build it as your dream car but save all of the original parts to go with it in the future.  Getting another car would be  another question of should I modify it or restore it.   Your car is already slightly modified when someone took off the vinyl roof.

Does you car have the rear hood and fender trim too?   

[Rare_T_A]

I agree it's to rare to mess with. I would keep it origional but you could always add the 440 Six Pak and keep the OEM engine with the car. That way if you ever sold it, it could be put back origional easy. I'm a hot rodder also so I built the engine in my T/A a little wild but I didn't change anything that cannot be undone.

[1971only]

Yes it does have the chrome on the back of the hood and on the tops of the doors, as well as the chrome in the front valance and the wide rocker molding not the narrow molding like most. I do have the vinyl roof molding as well so I am going to put the vinyl roof back on the car. If I could find another car to work with I would but here where I live most old cars have way to much rust in them to even think about restoring. If I could find a nice clean 70 or 71 shell to start with I would even consider a trade.

['Cuda Hunter]

Keep it original !!!!!

That is an awesome car !!

Definitely resale as it is  !!

I am working on a 70 with little rust.  No tag.

In the next day or so I am going to post up some pics of the 70 to see what folks think.

You might consider it.

['Cuda Hunter]

Oh yeah, it is a yellow car originally. 

[ShelbyDogg]

Yes it does have the chrome on the back of the hood

My convertible had the rear hood and fender moulding too.  It is different from the 70 SE trim as it has an extra lip side to side, just like the trunk and front hood mouldings did for '71.  My rocker plates and door sill plates were unique too and I have never seen them on other '71s either. (but my car also came with those dumb 14" wire hubcaps)

[Jesus H Chrysler]

That is an awesome Challenger there.  If I was looking for an original high option car I'd be all over this one.

If you look at the car in light of the hobby as a whole, you'd see that you have a money car, and "investment" car.  That is the type of thing the originality guys and OEM purists are looking for.  And when they find it they pay top dollar.  It's rare, has a great color and combination of options and who knows what kind of story behind it.  You just have to make the hard decision now:  Do I destroy it's originality by rebuilding it my way, or send it off to someone who really wants THIS CAR and start over with another?

I made a decision years ago.  I don't care about originality.  If I came across an original Hemi car I'd be happy to sell it to someone willing to restore it and keep my 318 Challenger.  My Challenger is built the way I want it and I suspect that's what you're looking to do here.  A clone is a clone no matter what the car was originally.  Repainting the car hurts the value.  Removing the S/E chrome hurts the value.  If you don't care about the value of the car, pass it off to someone who does.  I'm willing to bet if you market it properly you could probably sell it for a hefty profit and use that money to buy a "plain" car in great shape to build the way you want.  In the end the car you build will still be a clone but you wouldn't have trashed an original rare car to get it.

Just my humble opinion.  Obviously it's your car and you can do whatever you want with it.  Just remember there aren't many original cars left with those options.  Good luck with your build!