Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body

Posted By: GTX MATT

Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/24/09 05:04 PM

Not sure if this should go here or in the resto section but here goes.

I always liked the 71 Road Runners and GTXs. They are just a mean looking car, and they're pretty cool, I always think of them as being pretty much an E body, when you sit in them you're low, it has a really long hood, short deck, and with an air grabber hood when they're done in a high impact color MAN do they look mean, strobe stripe, go wing, those megaphone exhaust tips.

Parts for them seem pretty cheap too compared to earlier B bodies. They don't get much love but I'd like a '71 Road Runner with a 4 speed. What don't they make for this car? It seems you can find a decent project for 6-7K that an earlier car in the same shape would bring 15 for. It'd also be easier to find parts as I know where I can find parts car for them, within 20 minutes of my house.

So what dont they reproduce for these cars? Tell me your complaints about them, I want to know. I'd kind of like to get one.

Posted By: 72roadrunnergtx

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/24/09 05:59 PM

Quote:

So what dont they reproduce for these cars?

Door skins, fenders, hoods & bumpers. After years of waiting, rear quarters have just become available.
Have you checked out the Roadrunnernest.com yet? Best source of current info specific to these cars.

Posted By: steved033

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/24/09 06:01 PM

Well, I was in the same boat. I've ALWAYS loved the '71.

I found a GTX in GY9 Tawny Gold. 440-4 automatic, console car. not matching.

AMD is making lots of parts for them now. Floors, trunk, drip rails, full rear fenders/quarters. No front fenders yet. I hear door skins are in the works.

search Ebay for parts. most everything is out there new or used. check the link in my sig to see how bad my car was.

With more and more re-pop stuff showing up daily, I think that these cars will be the next big thing, esp. with the prices of the late 60's cars getting out of reach for some of us.

sjd

Posted By: steved033

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/24/09 06:04 PM

Quote:

Quote:

So what dont they reproduce for these cars?

Door skins, fenders, hoods & bumpers. After years of waiting, rear quarters have just become available. Have you checked out the Roadrunnernest.com yet? Best source of current info specific to these cars.

and forbbodiesonly.com

sjd

Posted By: rtman

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/24/09 10:52 PM

I have nothing meaningful to add to your thread...

I had a ratty '70 Charger R/T SE that overwhelmed common sense 'cuz it was a numbers car.

Overspent and undersold. Then I fell into a survivor '72 Satellite Sebring right in my town. 40k miles, clean as a whistle. I'm converting it into a non-RR badged Roadrunner. I was, and still am, a fan of the '68-70 B-bodies. But since owning this car for about 4 years, the style has grown on me.

I see you're from CT; I took my car to Vernon for the Chrysler Classic in '08.

Good luck. My sled: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2648850

Posted By: RUNCHARGER

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/24/09 11:54 PM

Go for it! They now make quarters and either soon or already they make trunk floors and extensions. Doors, fenders and Satellite hoods can be bought cheap. Theres just no good reason not to do one.

Sheldon

$Attached picture 5624756-Sean\'sfieldtrip2007047(Large).jpg$

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 12:37 AM

Fix one up and be happy there's repro sheet metal available. Not so much for us 73-74 guys, even though visually the car is so similar.

Posted By: GTX MATT

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 12:53 AM

Quote:

Go for it! They now make quarters and either soon or already they make trunk floors and extensions. Doors, fenders and Satellite hoods can be bought cheap. Theres just no good reason not to do one.

Sheldon

Thats exactly the vision I have in my head as how I would want it to look. One thing I'd have to have is those chin spoilers, which I understand were dealer installed. Are they available?

rtman, I was there and I think I remember seeing that car. Its very clean

Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 01:28 AM

I've done several 71 GTXs, including an OE Certified car. I love them. BUT, they are some of the most difficult Mopars to find GOOD parts for. They are very rust prone, especially compared to the earlier models. They changed a lot of stuff every year, so little fits one year to the next. They were very low production. Almost nothing from the 4 door cars fit the 2 door cars. Many, many items that often need to be replaced are difficult to find, in particular the valances and upper door panels. Heck, the RRs used no less than 4 different rear valances in 71 and 72. And none of them are in repop. I could go on and on. I really do love these cars, but you should look real hard at what your potential project needs and what is available. In my humble opinion, these cars are some of the most problematic cars to fix right. Sorry to be a downer.

Posted By: gygeneral

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 01:38 AM

I'm in the process of restoring a 71RR and compared to the 70 Challenger I finished 3 years ago, they are much more difficult to restore. Just like it was mentioned already low production numbers and only 2 yrs in production. Now on the good side, AMD now has some sheetmetal just out earlier this year. I just picked up a set of quarters for my project and they do look nice. If this is your first restoration buy the best project you can find and do your homework.
Lastly, they are very cars when done, well worth the effort. Good luck

Posted By: 71DemonRON

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 02:14 AM

Quote:

I've done several 71 GTXs, including an OE Certified car. I love them. BUT, they are some of the most difficult Mopars to find GOOD parts for. They are very rust prone, especially compared to the earlier models. They changed a lot of stuff every year, so little fits one year to the next. They were very low production. Almost nothing from the 4 door cars fit the 2 door cars. Many, many items that often need to be replaced are difficult to find, in particular the valances and upper door panels. Heck, the RRs used no less than 4 different rear valances in 71 and 72. And none of them are in repop. I could go on and on. I really do love these cars, but you should look real hard at what your potential project needs and what is available. In my humble opinion, these cars are some of the most problematic cars to fix right. Sorry to be a downer.

Rear valances soon to be released, check the AMD site !

Posted By: 71DemonRON

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 02:19 AM

And the front one also !

Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 02:39 AM

I'ld have just about killed for those pieces 6 or 8 years ago. I remember paying $350 for a decent '71 rear valance for tips and $250 for a front. That was after looking for what seemed like forever.

Posted By: Butterscotch71

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 03:07 AM

Quote:

I've done several 71 GTXs, including an OE Certified car. I love them. BUT, they are some of the most difficult Mopars to find GOOD parts for. They are very rust prone, especially compared to the earlier models. They changed a lot of stuff every year, so little fits one year to the next. They were very low production. Almost nothing from the 4 door cars fit the 2 door cars. Many, many items that often need to be replaced are difficult to find, in particular the valances and upper door panels. Heck, the RRs used no less than 4 different rear valances in 71 and 72. And none of them are in repop. I could go on and on. I really do love these cars, but you should look real hard at what your potential project needs and what is available. In my humble opinion, these cars are some of the most problematic cars to fix right. Sorry to be a downer.

X2
Even 10-15 years ago when I was buying parts for mine, good NOS was hard to find for these cars. Most of the repop stuff out there is close but not completely correct.
Then throw in the fact that there were a LOT of mid year part changes in the 71 model year. I know of at least three different style 71 rear cut out valances alone! If you want to build a nice driver you should be ok, but finding concourse correct parts is a big challenge.
With prices where they are now, you'd be better finding one that's already done.

Posted By: steved033

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 12:40 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Go for it! They now make quarters and either soon or already they make trunk floors and extensions. Doors, fenders and Satellite hoods can be bought cheap. Theres just no good reason not to do one.

Sheldon

Thats exactly the vision I have in my head as how I would want it to look. One thing I'd have to have is those chin spoilers, which I understand were dealer installed. Are they available?

rtman, I was there and I think I remember seeing that car. Its very clean

yes, the chin spoilers are available, either alone or as a kit with the wing. 400 bucks for the set IIRC. (mopar restoration piece)

sjd

Posted By: Mr T2U

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 01:34 PM

Quote:

With prices where they are now, you'd be better finding one that's already done.

look in B bodies for sale.
mine is for sale but if the seller accepts my offer on a house it won't be for long.
original N96 V21 V25 hood and deck lid stripe car. have matching numbers engine and trans in storage. 572 hemi in it now. have build sheet, fender tags. all body numbers match. asking 30K for everything with extra parts. remove and sell the hemi, install original parts you will be in the car for about 15K. you can't even come close to building a car for that price.

Attached picture 5625784-roadrunner001.JPG

Attached picture 5625784-roadrunner001.JPG

Posted By: mopars_1

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 04:47 PM

i wasn't aware of the different duel exhaust valance? whats correct for a march built 71 rr? I was incredibly lucky when I bought my roadrunner. It was pretty much all complete (minus the motor) and rust free, not to mention he had a ton of parts to go with it. these cars look flat out awsome when done.

Posted By: Butterscotch71

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/25/09 09:01 PM

Quote:

i wasn't aware of the different duel exhaust valance? whats correct for a march built 71 rr? I was incredibly lucky when I bought my roadrunner. It was pretty much all complete (minus the motor) and rust free, not to mention he had a ton of parts to go with it. these cars look flat out awsome when done.

Besides having two different valances for the exhaust (one with large cutouts for tips and the other with small cutouts for the turndown exhaust) there are at least three versions of cutouts for access to the gas talk strap bolts. Not really visible on the car (unless you're under it looking up) but just goes to show how difficult it is to built a concourse correct 71 B.

Posted By: moparmarks

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/26/09 12:39 AM

Quote:

Quote:

i wasn't aware of the different duel exhaust valance? whats correct for a march built 71 rr? I was incredibly lucky when I bought my roadrunner. It was pretty much all complete (minus the motor) and rust free, not to mention he had a ton of parts to go with it. these cars look flat out awsome when done.

Besides having two different valances for the exhaust (one with large cutouts for tips and the other with small cutouts for the turndown exhaust) there are at least three versions of cutouts for access to the gas talk strap bolts. Not really visible on the car (unless you're under it looking up) but just goes to show how difficult it is to built a concourse correct 71 B.

I never noticed that. Where are the differences?
The exhaust cutout itself? I have one for the tips and the tanks straps are a few inches inbroad from the cutouts.

Posted By: moparmarks

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/26/09 12:52 AM

Quote:

Quote:

With prices where they are now, you'd be better finding one that's already done.

look in B bodies for sale.
mine is for sale but if the seller accepts my offer on a house it won't be for long.
original N96 V21 V25 hood and deck lid stripe car. have matching numbers engine and trans in storage. 572 hemi in it now. have build sheet, fender tags. all body numbers match. asking 30K for everything with extra parts. remove and sell the hemi, install original parts you will be in the car for about 15K. you can't even come close to building a car for that price.

Or the 72 Charger 340/4-sp for 7500.00
I've owned a ton of these cars. Have 6 71/2 Plymouths right now. Right now is a great time to buy one thats mostly if not completly done. Way cheaper than restoring one. I do it because I've aquired so many parts over the years, and I'm anal.
Your right on the E-body thing. The 71 B is pretty much an E body with a big butt.

Posted By: Butterscotch71

Re: Restoring a 71/72 Plymouth B Body - 11/26/09 06:12 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

i wasn't aware of the different duel exhaust valance? whats correct for a march built 71 rr? I was incredibly lucky when I bought my roadrunner. It was pretty much all complete (minus the motor) and rust free, not to mention he had a ton of parts to go with it. these cars look flat out awsome when done.

Besides having two different valances for the exhaust (one with large cutouts for tips and the other with small cutouts for the turndown exhaust) there are at least three versions of cutouts for access to the gas talk strap bolts. Not really visible on the car (unless you're under it looking up) but just goes to show how difficult it is to built a concourse correct 71 B.

I never noticed that. Where are the differences?
The exhaust cutout itself? I have one for the tips and the tanks straps are a few inches inbroad from the cutouts.

Mark
Differences I've seen are in the cutout area for access to the tank attachment. Some early cars I've seen have a sort of oval cutout that almost looks to be done by hand as if the original stampings didn't account for it. Others have a more circular cutout, and I've also seen a more oblong one.