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I have a very nice T/A that I'm not sure what to do with. It has had a very nice repaint FY1 in the past, factory interior etc with what I believe to be only 68k miles. (It spent a lot of its life in Alaska). The motor is down on power (matching #) I think due to a cam going flat. The car is a bit of a survivor, originally a Calif car, the second owner in the mid 70' started to "customize" the car was was popular then. Over the years he removed and chromed all sorts of things under the hood; pulleys, brackets, linkage, hard lines, hinges, brake booster, M/C, intake, fasteners, shocks, sway bar and links, shocks, T-bars, and ALOT more. You get the idea. It is all super quality "show" chrome and in perfect shape! The dilemma is, do I keep it as a "survivor" of sorts or replace it with factory painted parts? How difficult and $$ is finding the correct date code parts? Is the car more valuable in "stock" appearing condition? I am thinking of building a stroker motor to make the car more fun to drive and putting the # matching 340 in a bag to keep it safe or should I just freshen it up ( I don't beat too hard on it). Thanks!





Hmmmmm....sounds like your describing my Challenger T/A except its white, I did the same thing with the car in the early 80's, chromed EVERYTHING under the hood, including the exhaust system, plus EVERY hose/tubing is braided stainless , outwardly the car has a stock appearance, but once the hood is open you need sunglasses


Your first issue is to address the engine, stock 340's are fun, but strokers are more fun, I have a 410 CI stroker in mine, IMHO I'd spend the $$$ on a stroker, whether you use your existing engine or purchase a "crate" motor that's your call to make

If the stock/OEM look is your bag, then either replace the chrome components, sell them off to those that want chromed components or have them de-chromed at a plating shop (be careful if they are aluminum/potmetal pcs)...or keep the chrome if that's what you like?, as long as it's not pitted/rusted....

But you have to ask yourself how YOU like your car's appearance, don't worry how others perceive it, or tailor it to fit the current trend, whether it be OEM, restomod, custom, etc

Mike