It's time to start a build thread on my next project. Like, the Challenger, it will be build over the coarse of a few years as money allows. I still haven't decided exactly what I want the finished product to look like. I know, that's not the right way to start out. The problem is that I like a lot of different styles. I like the stock look as well as the Pro Touring look. I keep going back and forth between these two looks.

Option 1. Stock looking engine, body colored steel wheels with dog dish hub caps and redline tires. I'd keep the GT body side mouldings as well as the DART letters on the quarters and the finish panel on the trunk lid. I'd return the interior to stock except for a volt meter conversion and a small tach on the front of the console.

Option 2. Newer aluminum master cylinder, aluminum intake and fabricated valve covers.(basically try to make the engine not look like a typical SBM) Large diameter wheels. Remove GT side mouldings, DART letters on the quarters and finish panel on the trunk. Interior close to stock except custom gauges in the dash and maybe an aftermarket shifter in the stock console. Rear disc brake kit.

OK, here's the car. It has a 318/904, PS, manual drum brakes, no sway bar, 7 1/4 rear, white bucket seat interior with center console.




I got a GTS hood with the deal. That will be going on the car no matter which option I decide to go with.


I found a complete disc brake front suspension on craigslist and bought it. I'll most likely do a BBP conversion with the Mustang rotors. I also have a C-body 8 3/4 rear that will be narrowed. I'm going to fit the widest tires on the back that I can. I'll move the springs in with the Dr Diff relocation kit and role the quarter lips if I have to. I don't want to do a mini tub although that would probably give me a nicer look.

The car is in a lot better shape then the Challenger was. The door bottoms look good. Check out the nice mask job.


The door panel cardboard is pretty nasty and the vinyl is torn. I did take some 0000 steel wool to the upper door panel trim and it looks like it will clean up really nice.


The metal is cracked around the door strikers which I guess is very common on A-bodies.


The upper dash pad will be replaced but the lower two pads look good. The interior of this car is the worst thing about it. It has some newer seat covers but the seat frames are very rusty. I hope they can be reused. The floor looked nasty too but I think it will be OK. The metal under the sill plates was perfect and once I vacuumed out the inside it didn't look as bad.




The trunk is in good shape too. The spare tire well is very solid. There is just some surface rust that will clean up. The picture makes it look worse then it is.


I haven't checked any of the engine stampings but there has been work done to it. The block, intake and valve covers are orange and the heads are turquoise. It really doesn't matter to me if it's original because a 360 will be going in its place.


A little power washing made things look a little better. The engine looks red in the picture but it looks more orange in person. Maybe the factory red fades to an orangish color?


There are labels on either side of the firewall with timing instructions, spark plug numbers, points gap exc...

The hydraulic lines for the top are split, so fluid was leaking under the back seats. It soaked into all the dirt and made a mess.


The interior is starting to come out.


The windshield was broken already so I just broke it even more and pushed it out. The original gasket is in good shape.


Dad came over and gave me a hand with the dash. The interior has been completely removed. I'll work on the heater box and steering column this winter. Then when I decide what I want to do with the gauges, I'll start working on the dash assembly. There's no point in removing all the side glass and tracks right now. I'd just have to find a place to store them. I'll disassemble everything in the doors before the bodywork starts.

That looks fun to play with.

Something thing to keep the mind busy, good for you.

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Something thing to keep the mind busy, good for you.

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Exactly...I need something to focus on so life doesn't get overwhelming.

My friend Paul came over yesterday and helped me get the engine out. He's helped me a lot this year with everything that's been going on. He's never seen an engine removed this way so it was exciting for him.



I didn't have much time out in the garage today. Most everything is out of the engine compartment except for the brake lines. The grill came out today too.

Be very careful with the pot metal transition moldings near the quarter windows to the stainless pieces, those are almost impossible to find! There is a tab underneath the quarter window stainless that has a tendency to break. I sold one side this year for $125! Also, the door and quarter glass are unique to a convertible too.

I haven't started removing any of the trim. I'll make sure to be extra careful. If I'm not sure how something comes apart, I'll ask.

nice soild car ,good luck with it

I still haven't found any surprises. Everything is looking very clean. Here's a good pic of the rad blackout.

Very cool car. Makes me want to get my butt in gear on my GTS. You seem to be moving right along.

I think that is the most haphazard black out picture I've seen yet, thanks for posting.

I did a sedan pro street a few years ago that we painted viper silver then laid out the butt stripe. Took the viper silver put in couple drops of black then put two light dust coats on it. Then cleared the entire car. It just shows up but at times blends in that you can't see it. Customer loved it. I took a scrap piece of metal and colored it in viper silver then tried various ideas with tinting the actual color with blacks & various pearls. Gave them it and let them decide. Wish I had a picture on my phone I could up load. Maybe I'll try from wife's computer tomorrow. Just an idea for you.

I'm toying with the idea of taking the GTS tail stripe and moving it between the tail lights...inplace of the trim panel. A friend is going to photoshop it for me.

Still slowly taking it apart. I got the tail lights and bumper removed today. All I basically have to do yet is remove the rear end and convertible top.


The upper control arms came off today too. I figured the cam bolts would be rusted solid inside the uca bushings but they came right out. Then I test fit the disc brake suspension I bought. Everything bolted right up.

The Challenger is back from the bodyshop and now I have no where to work. Remind me why I bought another project when I have no room for what I already had. I can't work this way. The Challenger needs to find another home for the winter.


I started cleaning up the 11" backing plates that came with the 8 3/4 I got. They are heavily pitted from sitting on the ground for who knows how long. I don't feel comfortable useing them. The one on the right is decent except for the pitting on the bottom. That doesn't affect the function but it looks awful. The one on the left cleaned up nice on the outside but the inside is very bad. Some of the contact pads are almost completely corroded away.

Darren, You can store it at my place if you want...:) Just make sure to leave the keys in the ignition... You knew it was coming

Word has it that my aunt has a nice big shop that she isn't using. I may have to give her a call and see if I can store the Challenger there.

The headlight buckets cleaned up nicely. A 20 minute soak in EvapoRust and a light rub down with 0000 steel wool did the trick.