Moparts

73 Challenger

Posted By: Motoman172

73 Challenger - 03/03/11 07:48 PM

Hello Moparts family... I am not new to Mopars but am about to embark on my newest project...
1973 Challenger 340 4speed...

I will start the post with pictures of what car looked like in 1984 and what it looks like now...

This car has not been on the road since 1992
The guy I bought it from has been a friend since High School, typical story, he wanted to restore it but just never had the funds.

Car sat in someone's garage awaiting quarter panel work for 10 yrs, then it sat outside at his brothers driveway for another two years before being pushed off to woodline where it has sat ever since.

The car ran when it was parked 9 yrs ago but it hasn't been touched ever since.

I am planning on getting it out of there over the next few weeks (Delicate process)

Gonna use 2 4x4's across the width and using 4 bottle jacks get her up to change the tires...

Any suggestions would be appreciated, Car is complete but I have no idea how bad the bottom is...

Enjoy

Attached picture 6508019-10841.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/03/11 07:50 PM

Here is where she sits now

Attached picture 6508020-20101.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/03/11 07:51 PM

Interior

Attached picture 6508023-20103.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/03/11 07:52 PM

Another shot from 1984

Attached picture 6508024-19842.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/03/11 07:52 PM

and today

notice the tree growing up

Attached picture 6508025-20102.jpg
Posted By: burdar

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/03/11 09:16 PM

Good luck with it! I hope the under side is in decent shape. When you get it home, post the SPD and MDH code on the door sticker.
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/03/11 09:30 PM

Absolutely... Ill post all the tag info and pics as we raise her from the grave
Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/04/11 02:43 AM

Welcome to Moparts Brian! Glad to see that tree grew beside the car and not through it.
Scott
Posted By: 19cuda73

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/04/11 03:28 AM

Quote:

Here is where she sits now




Good luck with your new endeavor. Looks pretty complete everything appears to be there. Thats a good start in itself..

Dennis
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/04/11 03:49 AM

Welcome aboard and good luck on the project, we like lots of pics.
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/04/11 03:45 PM

I just ordered 4) 20 ton bottle jacks today and will pick up some 4x4's this weekend... still searching craigslist for some wheels and tires to move her... 14/15" dont really care what shape they are in as long as they hold air and roll...

If anyone has any suggestions Im in Southern Maryland, Car is in PA

Thanks
Posted By: 451 D*O*D*G*E

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/05/11 04:03 PM

Why put them on right there?Hook a chain round the k-frame and drag it out (slowly) where you can work on it.Chain saw,4x4 and little tcl you'll have up and out of there.. ...but thats a killer project..i see the filler inthe quarters but that car doesnt say "rot" to me.You are a lucky man.I want it!
Posted By: Mapandjlp

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/05/11 05:01 PM

Where at in PA? If it's close, I'll be glad to offer a hand...I'm in York.
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/10/11 05:52 PM

Car is close to Allentown... In business of looking for some wheels and tires and also find someone with a car trailer and winch... My buddy just fried his winch...
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/10/11 05:54 PM

Thanks for the advice... I appreciate it...
Raining really bad here now so it will probably be a few weeks before I head up
Posted By: The70RTChallenge

Re: 73 Challenger - 03/11/11 12:54 AM

Just goes to show, there's still some good stories out there. Keep us updated on your project. You can start by showing us some pictures during the process of diggin it outa the dirt and gettin it on the trailer!!
Good Luck
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:44 PM

Finally got the car!!! I am actually suprised that after sitting for 20 yrs it is not in worse shape... There is plenty to do but I have seen worse from some of you all and your projects...

Old BIAS Tires pumped right up!!!!

Enjoy the pics

Attached picture 7333215-inwoods.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:46 PM

Pulling her out

Attached picture 7333217-pullout.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:49 PM

On trailer and heading home

Attached picture 7333223-ontrailer.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:50 PM

At home and on the lift she goes

Attached picture 7333226-onlift.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:51 PM

Interior shot

Attached picture 7333228-interior.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:52 PM

LOOK... There was a dead snake hanging from the dashboard!!!

Haven't found any live one's YET!!!

Attached picture 7333230-deadsnake.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:54 PM

This is not the original motor but I do have the 340 motor for it... This is a 318... but engine compartment looks good

Attached picture 7333234-enginecomp.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:55 PM

This is the floorpan looking towards rear on drivers side...
Sub frame is solid... I can hardly believe it...

Attached picture 7333238-floorpan.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:56 PM

This is the rear, typical holes in rear floorpan but once again I am suprised by the condition after sitting in woods for so long

Attached picture 7333242-underrear.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 02:57 PM

This is a view at drivers side front, will be hard to tell exactly what I am dealing with until after I start disassembly next weekend.

Attached picture 7333247-underfront.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/13/12 03:04 PM

Fender Tag... From what I can make out it is..

N85 R11 V6X 26 EN2
G36 J54 M08 M21 N41 N42
FE5 U A57 B41 C16 G56
FE5 A6X 000 423 344267
55 D21 JH23 JH23 H3B 45_209

73 Ralley Challenger 340 4 barrell with heavy duty 4 speed transmission, bright red with black horizontal stripe...
It's a start!!!

Can't wait to get started

Attached picture 7333253-fendertag.jpg
Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/14/12 09:01 PM

Quote:

Finally got the car!!! I am actually suprised that after sitting for 20 yrs it is not in worse shape...



Congrats Brian! Now comes the fun part, teardown!
Scott
Posted By: Black 69 Beeper

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/14/12 10:08 PM

sweet car. i have a friend who used to cruise around w/ me who has a 72 340 4 speed challenger rallye and it has also been sitting for years rotting away. i never thought he would be that guy. he keeps telling me when he is ready to sell i will be the first to get the call. hopefully there is something left. he see's my 74 challenger rally and says he wants his car to look the same but the guy has no money or ambition. sucky situation. great project you have though.

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Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/15/12 06:13 PM

Beautiful car you got there copper...
Funny thing about this car is that I rode in this car when I was 15... thats 30 yrs ago and this thing was super clean... It's amazing how they deteriorate over the years...

Similar story with this guy, just no money or time to do anything... He left this thing at his brothers for 20yrs in the woods for 10... Would never sell... Many people stopped by but he wouldn't budge... his brother even told me I would be wasting my time asking him to sell...
He was suprised when he did... I basically told him another few years and the car will be done forever...

Also made him a deal where if I ever decided to sell the car he would have first dibs...

The rest is history... now it's my turn to turn it around...

The car is a mess for sure but like I said I have seen worse...
Biggest thing is it's out of the weather... Tear it down and just complete it a piece at a time... Im not rich but I am sure I can afford a part or two every few months...

I have the desire!!!

Thanks again for your post
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/16/12 02:54 PM

Well I figured I would post pictures as I disassembled her...

I am actually pleasantly suprised at the condition considering where I got her from...
Only goes to show that you might get lucky in the barn/field finds...

The hood was garbage... Trunk lid I can probably save.
The driverside floor is gone as well as the passenger side rear floor...

And E body with a Trunk left? unbelievable...

Only found 1 dead snake, a dead bird and a dead mouse...

Attached picture 7337434-driversidefrnt.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/16/12 02:55 PM

Passenger side

Attached picture 7337438-passengersidefront.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/16/12 02:56 PM

Back seat

Attached picture 7337440-backseatfloor.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/16/12 02:57 PM

Left Trunk
LOOK the entire factory Jack retaining spring and all
WOW...

Attached picture 7337445-leftsidetrunk.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/16/12 02:58 PM

Right side Trunk

Attached picture 7337447-rightsidetrunk.jpg
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/17/12 01:12 PM

Well my story and this car made it in this weeks featured saves
on carsinbarns.com

See link here
http://www.carsinbarns.com/new170.html
Posted By: Revhard

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/17/12 10:18 PM

I seen that. Good job!
Posted By: scatcity

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/19/12 01:58 AM

Nice save! Can you varnish that snake skeleton or put in a jar of formaldyhyde (sp) or something..That's sick!!!

Attached picture 7340918-017.JPG
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/19/12 05:16 PM

I have not removed the dash yet or the snake... How sick would it be to make into an ornament to hang on rear view mirror LOL
Posted By: flatiron

Re: 73 Challenger - 08/20/12 02:08 AM

Quote:

I have not removed the dash yet or the snake... How sick would it be to make into an ornament to hang on rear view mirror LOL


Think it would make or a really cool conversation pc
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 09/10/12 07:19 PM

Pulled motor and trans out this weekend.... The motor is a 318, I can post the numbers later... If anyone is interested in it let me know... It turns and oil looks good....

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Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 09/10/12 07:20 PM

Thank goodness it's the original tranny

Attached picture 7373270-IMG_3790.JPG
Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 09/10/12 07:21 PM

Motor and Tranny OUT

Attached picture 7373273-IMG_3788.JPG
Posted By: Scotts72Rallye

Re: 73 Challenger - 09/17/12 10:06 PM

Posted By: Motoman172

Re: 73 Challenger - 05/24/22 10:16 AM

Opening up this thread…

Follow my build on YouTube

https://youtube.com/user/motoman172
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