'72 Challenger - Money Pit Green

[rmchrgr]

This will be my resto/build thread for my '72 Challenger. For the back story, please refer to this link.

Here's a quick outline of what is planned for this thing;

• 4 speed conversion
• install Trick-Flow headed, low-deck 470" stroker to replace the blown up small block
• Complete rewire with modern aftermarket wiring
• Suspension/running gear refurb/upgrades but nothing wild - frame connectors, QA1 front end, nice shocks
• Convert to Holley Terminator EFI
• Interior refurb/color change to black. (Yes. Sorry to those that would prefer to see it stay green but it's beat and needs to be re-done)
• Get the A/C system working
• For now, change the front grille and tail panel to Rallye-style blackout.
• And here's the big one - fix the internal rust issues and change the body panels to make it look like a '71.

So yeah, that's a pretty ambitious plan. Save for the panel replacement stuff, I've done everything on the list already on other cars and I'm confident I can handle the work. The mechanical things will make the car 110% more fun to drive. The original intent was to drive the car as-is but the engine damage put the kibosh on that. I'm the type of guy that willfully snowballs projects - it's what I do. Even if the car was drivable I likely would have done most of what is on my list as I prefer to put my own stamp on things.

The reason for the panel replacement is because of some initially unseen rust issues and poorly-executed repairs done many years ago. After all the initial jive I went through with this thing (see the Welcome Wagon post) finding rust issues around the deck filler panel was a huge bummer. Though it looks OK from the outside and the rust is not as bad as it could be, it's not going to fix itself.

I started a thread on the other E-body forum about the rust issues. Since everything will have to come apart, "might as well" make into a '71. Funny too, because the '70-'71 quarter panels were actually cheaper than the '72-up ones. The front end of the car is in really nice shape though so when it's time to do the changeover I should be able to recoup some money by selling the front clip.

For now though, the plan is to do whatever it takes to get the car back together and get it running. My thought is that will be 'better' to do the body stuff once all the mechanical stuff is ironed out. It will allow me to get some seat time and work out any bugs before it goes down for the rust repairs. Could the mechanical stuff be done by the end of this year? That's the hope but realistically it will probably be next year at some point.

Most of the big-ticket items including all the body panels are already on hand. Besides the body panels, I have most of the suspension and chassis parts, a good chunk of the 4 speed stuff, the wiring kit and the EFI pieces. The interior is out of the car and I have begun fitting the floor hump. I restored the heat/ac box so that's ready to go back in when the time comes.

AMD panel shipment from last week. I've since put the parts in my storage spot and cleaned up the garage. The LH quarter was damaged in shipping but AMD took care of it and has another one on the way. Great people to deal with.

Restored a/c heater box using a DMT kit. Good stuff.

Interior parts. Most of it is in decent shape but it's faded and worn. There's also like 12 shades of green, it will be much cleaner when it's all uniform.

Here's the low deck 470" stroker waiting in the wings. Has a Scat ultralight crank and 10:1 Diamond pistons. Will be getting Trick Flow 240 heads.

I'll leave things here for now because there isn't much else to show. I'll update as I get through whatever tasks I take on.

Thanks for reading. More to come.

- Greg

 

[terrywalker]

Nice project. I see you want to make it into a 1971 Challenger. Were you able to get the 71 front grille? Everywhere I check states out of stock or on backorder. It looks like OER is reproducing them at times. It will look great when complete. I'll keep checking your updates.
Terry W.

 

[rmchrgr]

Nice project. I see you want to make it into a 1971 Challenger. Were you able to get the 71 front grille? Everywhere I check states out of stock or on backorder. It looks like OER is reproducing them at times. It will look great when complete. I'll keep checking your updates.
Terry W.

Thanks. Yes, the plan is to make it into a '71, I prefer the look over the '70s. Not sure if I will go full R/T with the '69 Camaro side scoops but probably...

I have not purchased a grille yet. I'm nowhere near needing one right now so I let it slide for the moment. I'll need tail lights and side markers as well. I'll start thinking about those things when I start cutting sheet metal out.

To be clear - I bought the panels now because of all the current global market uncertainty. I figured if I could swing it that it was wise to get them while it's all in stock and before prices go up. It's out of the way in my storage until I'm ready to move forward with the rust repairs.