Anyone that gets up tight about different interior pieces, spark plug wire holders on valve covers, painted versus non-painted trim rings, exact color specifications, etc has multiple issues with which to contend.

1) They've likely never worked in a large scale manufacturing environment. While quality is WAY up from the 60s and 70s, cars still roll off the assembly line with mismatched interior parts.

2) Things like poka-yoke were not yet used in American factories. Assemblers were often left to their own devices. Ergonomic assembly processes weren't used yet either. So an assembler may have changed the way they did something from time to time just because their arm or leg got tired. Things varied from person to person as well. So this idea that they were all built the same is a pipe dream.

3) Anyone that thinks they can tell you exactly how every car that came off the assembly line was made has a big ego and a narrow view of reality. Even with all of our capabilities today mistakes are still made. There should be no mistakes if we have perfect control of the processes. Without perfect control, no one can be confident.

4) Mopar = Made of Parts Assembled Randomly. When one bin of parts ran out the assembler got another bin. Those parts may have been from another supplier who did things somewhat differently. If the assembler couldn't find the correct part he may have used an incorrect one or left it off depending.

I love my Mopars but these experts need to get their heads out of the sand.

If I ever own an old Corvette I think I'll install a 2.5L Turbo from an 80s Dodge and a Ford 9" just to watch the experts faces.

"Your car's not correct!"


"Yes I know, that’s why I entered it in the 'remedial' class."

Yes, got it from them too. I've done numerous BowTies too. I did a 1969 Z28, perfect, except for I had a 350 instead of a 302. The 302 has DZ on the ID pad. Bunch of guys leaned over the fender to see if there was the DZ! Didn't care if they scratched the fender as long as she had the DZ! I do ignore the remarks etc, But, I wasn't sure about the woodgrain. Thanks!! Jeff

The looks and comments I get when the critics, oops, I mean experts look at my fendertag is priceless. I built it my way, for me and no one else.

I've been waiting for 4 years for someone to notice the bullett mirrors on mine are actually GM- Camaro/Monte/Olds, etc... -easy to find, easy to get repro parts for...apparently there aren't enough Mopars in my area for there to be many of the 'experts'...Of course, it's also funny when they say they had one just like mine- And mine is a one-off combination of Duster and Dart options that never actually existed

A car show...

Ahh yes...a large colllection of DOUCHEBAGS that will tell you what's not correct even though they did not even restore thier own car

Those are the same types that let the car sit and collect dust. You know, it makes that long journey off and on the trailer. IMO, a car that is not driven might as well be a useless paperweight

I think a lot of this happens mostly to A-B-E musclecar guys. That segment of the hobby has always had an undertow toward reproducing parts, documenting survivor cars, determining paint dabs, what type of windshield washer fluid was used in which month of the year, etc.

However, take a C-body (or other oddball car) to a show and several things happen:
1. The jerky 'experts' bypass your car completely.

2. The ‘researchers’ who are looking for specific details of your car, to assist their own restoration, bypass your car completely.

3.The people that *do* stop to talk remember the car they learned to drive in, maybe the car their parents had, or maybe they were those parents from years ago. Then they talk about life, not nitpicky car details. You’ll experience more smiles. The kind of conversation where you later think ‘gee, I talked to that guy for 15min but forgot to even ask his name.’

Ditto with everything everyone's said.. I've gotten the "That's not a real Daytona".. I blow them off or just ask them to get back to me and point out what's "not correct". I either never see them again or have a field day explaining the errs in their thinking.....

Then, I go back to my cold drink and chair...

Jeff

Don't let these so called experts get you down. I bought a very late production 1970 challenger r/t brand new, and it did not have the woodgrain inserts in the door. I bought this car new in sept. 1970.

Tom

Your car could have come without the wood grain inserts or it could have come with them. If you don't have holes in the panels, yours came without them.

As for the "experts", ignore them. I have a friend in Dallas that used to say, "There is an ass for every seat." It is your car, the only thing that matters is that you like it.

I just nod and smile at them.

My car built the way I want, including making a great deal of it stock looking as possible.

Last time it happened to me I responded by saying, "yeah my car is a real piece of crap compared to others here." Then I looked right at his girlfriend and said "Good thing I have a huge c*** to compensate for it."

Seems to shut em up pretty quick.

I know how you feel...Ya know how many people at car shows used to have a '57 chevy just like mine ( pictured )well the fins are similar anyway