Need Some Help with these Grilles

[RexDub]

Hey! So I've been thinking about getting a 73 Challenger lately but the biggest problem is the grille! But then I found this car the first pic is of the car before the restoration and the second is the car after restoration.. I love BOTH of these grilles! however I have no idea where to find them ( I believe the finished car has a custom grille and if so would it be tough to make?) But the first grille looks like an after market grille, if I can get a grille like either one of these for a 73 challenger I will buy one! Please let me know if you can help at all! Thanks

 

[Chryco Psycho]

The biggest problem with the Challenger is the 72 -74 used the plastic grille to hold the headlights , there were no steel buckets in the fender to mount to , the grille is also the trim at the front of the fender so you have to either use the headlight part of the grille & remake the center or fit steel headlight mounts into the fender , I would go the second route & then use the 70 or 71 headlight surrounds & work out something for the middle of the grille , I do not know of a custom grille assy that you can buy

 

[RexDub]

awe cmon' man! that's not what I wanted to hear at all! there's gotta be a way!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Well I could lie to you if it makes you feel better !!

 

[RexDub]

Haha perhaps! thanks for being honest I knew it was a long shot but damn I have a good deal lined up on a 73 and I want to change that front end, so how else could i change it?

 

[DetMatt1]

I would think that you could use `70 or `71 fenders on a `73 as well as the bumper and brackets. The hoods are the same but the catch and latching mechanism is probably different along with the piece that is parralel and in front of the top yoke of the radiator core support. It's doable but I don't know exactly how many things would have to be changed.

 

[RexDub]

Hmm maybe thats an idea cause 73 and 74's are much cheaper..

 

[RexDub]

anyone?

 

[Chryco Psycho]

not hard to swap the fenders , tailight panel & bumoer brakets am make it look like a 70 or 71 , still need to find a grille though

 

[RexDub]

is it that easy?

 

[DetMatt1]

Yes, at least in the front. Everything is bolt on. If you're into the change of the tail lights too, you would have to change out the tailpanel which is welded in. You're looking for a project anyway though, so it's not like it would be unheard of to have to change the tailpanel due to rust. what you are going to find is that the `70 & `71 only parts are very pricy.

 

[RexDub]

No I wouldn't change the rear but I hate the 72+ front end..