My 1970 Challenger R/T SE ground up restore - not too sure need some help

[HP2]

If it was really complete, you could pick up one of the dynacorn bodies mentioned earlier and start transferring your pices/parts to it. Of course it will not have pedigree like a real Chrysler product, but it will save you a ton of time and buckets of money.

Or, unload the parts you have and keep looking. Shouldn't be too difficult to recoup you money out of whats left.

[Skunkworks Challenger]

The Challenger is pretty far gone but what if you found for yourself or for some one else a better but less desirable Challenger , also in need of body work and transfer the cowl, radiator yoke and fender tag to it.

[Topcat]

Just saw on "What are you doing this week-end" thread that you sand blasted your car.

Any details on how much metal work ahead?
Pictures?

Good luck. Hope it goes well.

[jnjdragracing]

Thanks for the interest, Did not get as much done as i wanted, problems with sandblaster / sand. I purchased meduim grit for the frame and fine for the sheet metal, my friends blaster had to small of a tip, so i borrowed another one sand blaster same thing, then i borrowed another one sand blaster and finally had some progress. it appears most of the tips were too small, the last one had a 1/8 tip and that worked great. Glad i have friends that i can count on. I will post pics when i ger her done. I am loking for a donor challenger abd have a couple i am going to call on next week. here is the beast in the yard. More to come.


John

[jnjdragracing]

Donor challenger, I went and looked at one today. It is a 1971 challenger not a r/t, no engine, no hood. It does have a good front windshield and was a automatic with a console. Both door windows rolled down so inside is junk. Does seem to have solid fenders / quarter panels and deck lid and roof. Could not get under it to check the frame rails. It the inner front fenders need to be replaced. It does have a rearend not sure which but more than likely a 8 3/4. Had plain jane rims.

Not sure what to do, the guy wants at least $1500.00 for it. Sorry no pics left phone in car (stupid me). He also has a 73 challenger 340 engine in it but the widows were rolled up, not sure what he wants for it.

I think I need to continue to look, just not sure what to do. Should I just invest in new fenders / skins hood and deck lid and replace the frame rails and continue with mine?

John

[brads70]

Wow! Not trying to burst your bubble.... but like others have said, this one will take a lot of hard work and buckets of money to bring back!

If there is some sort of sentimental attachment to this car then I could understand it . ( Like your Dad's car or something) But you will be miles ahead financially finding a more solid complete car.

[ragtopdodge]

If you have the skilz to do a lot of the work yourself, I say save it.

R/T 383- four speeds are still worth some money and you're starting with numbers matching, documented, and it is a 1970. 

[Challenger6pak]

It's a tough call.  A 4 speed R/T with the original drivetrain is rare.  Are you planning to use the 71 for parts? I see 700 to 1000 hrs to rebuild your R/T. 

[jnjdragracing]

If I do purchase the 71 as a donor. I plan on taking my radiator support, cowl off my 70 and put it on the 71. I did not check the 71 for ac so if it does not have ac (firewall) then I would change that out as well. I think that is the only two places that woulg have the matching nubers. So I would basically make the 71 a 70.

John

[ragtopdodge]

If I do purchase the 71 as a donor. I plan on taking my radiator support, cowl off my 70 and put it on the 71. I did not check the 71 for ac so if it does not have ac (firewall) then I would change that out as well. I think that is the only two places that woulg have the matching nubers. So I would basically make the 71 a 70.

John

 

[jnjdragracing]

 

I see you say nono, so would you cut up the 71 and use the parts on my 70? I guess I could do that but it would be easier and most cost effective option to do it the way i stated earlier? Please be honest and give me your thoughts if you were in my shoes.

Thanks,

John

[Challenger6pak]

Use the 71 to rebuild your 70.  There are many differences between the two years.  If you were to rebuild the 70 on the 71 it would end up so incorrect that you would not have a restoration.  The other issue is with rebodying a car.  I'm not going to get into it.  You can use the search feature on the web board and learn all about it. 

[RzeroB]

Is that brown rectangular blob sitting on the floor next to the left rear wheel the gas tank?? Where did you find that car...buried in a coastal salt water marsh?? Looks like every major panel assembly is rusted through in some place. I'm surprised that the car didn't collapse or distort when you mounted it up on the rotisserie! It's a shame, cause from the fender tag codes we can tell that it was a nicely optioned RT at one point. How someone could have parked that car for 25 years and just let it rot is beyond me. It's just downright tragic - makes my eyes well up. That RT is going to need some major surgery to try and bring back - it's definitely on the edge. Personally I wish that they all could be saved, but sometimes they just can't be and you got to let them go. This one is going to take buckets of cash in addition to the investment of your time and skills. Time and skills you apparently have, but what about your budget? Whatever budget estimate you come up with on the sheetmetal repairs I would say you could probably triple it with that car. It's better to be realistic now before you get into and find you can't afford to finish it. Sorry, not trying to rain on your parade or anything, just being objective. Like I said, I wish that they all could be saved, but.....

[torredcuda]

If I do purchase the 71 as a donor. I plan on taking my radiator support, cowl off my 70 and put it on the 71. I did not check the 71 for ac so if it does not have ac (firewall) then I would change that out as well. I think that is the only two places that woulg have the matching nubers. So I would basically make the 71 a 70.

John

Rebodying a car is sort of a gray area but could get you in legal trouble when you sell it.I`d save the original car but realize going in that it is a major project and will take a lot of hours to do.My Barracuda was probably not worth saving to most espcially being just a 318 car but since I was emotionally attached I did it anyway and glad I did.Any restoration will probably cost you more than it`s worth nowadays even if you found a cleaner car to start with but if you decide to sell try and find someone who will restore restore it rather than part it out.They only made so many of these original musclecars-clones are everywhere.If you do tacle it you`ll hopefully find how rewarding it is to do a restoration rather than just buy a done car.

[jnjdragracing]

Is that brown rectangular blob sitting on the floor next to the left rear wheel the gas tank?? Where did you find that car...buried in a coastal salt water marsh?? Looks like every major panel assembly is rusted through in some place. I'm surprised that the car didn't collapse or distort when you mounted it up on the rotisserie! It's a shame, cause from the fender tag codes we can tell that it was a nicely optioned RT at one point. How someone could have parked that car for 25 years and just let it rot is beyond me. It's just downright tragic - makes my eyes well up. That RT is going to need some major surgery to try and bring back - it's definitely on the edge. Personally I wish that they all could be saved, but sometimes they just can't be and you got to let them go. This one is going to take buckets of cash in addition to the investment of your time and skills. Time and skills you apparently have, but what about your budget? Whatever budget estimate you come up with on the sheetmetal repairs I would say you could probably triple it with that car. It's better to be realistic now before you get into and find you can't afford to finish it. Sorry, not trying to rain on your parade or anything, just being objective. Like I said, I wish that they all could be saved, but.....

Yes that is the gas tank. We picked it up from a lot, but had been moved. I am not sure where it came from but I think it was parked under a tree and was always in the shade with very little sun. What is amazing is the rockers are not in too bad of shape.