Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
1970 Challenger RT Convertible #992432
05/14/11 09:49 PM
05/14/11 09:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
1
1970 Drop Top Offline OP
member
1970 Drop Top  Offline OP
member
1

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
Hello Everyone

I am new to the site, I recently accured a 1970 Challenger Convertible with 25000 miles on it. It has been off the road since 1988. It was stored inside buy not well taken care of. The cast tank in full of rust and now leaks. Who make a good repro tank? Paint and interior are in good condition. I would like to keep it original and show is as a survior. The jack has never been used. Most of the marking a still on the car. I would like to clean it up and get it running again. The heads were pull off to check the cyclinders. They look really good. The brakes are still hard. I would like some information on how to bring it back to life. The paint needs cleaning and buffing. There is some 40 year road crud and what appears to tar. The door panel are white and has turned like a cream color from age. Does anyone make a paint or dye for them? It has the orginal carb. Should just buy a replacement or have someone rebuild it? The color of the car is mango orange with a white top and interior.

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970 Drop Top] #992433
05/14/11 10:15 PM
05/14/11 10:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,106
CANADA
Desmond Offline
super stock
Desmond  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,106
CANADA
Be careful. Survivors are hard to come by. Try and disturb as little as possible. Don't replace the carb, get it rebuilt by a knowledgeable builder. Get the tank refinished if possible, not replaced - there are folks who can check the inside of the tank for rust and dip it in a solution that removes all scale and rust. Is the engine free? or stuck? Put the heads back on with fresh gaskets, change the oil, put on a new filter (save the old one if it is Mopar). Use a good zinc-content oil like Valvoline Racing Oil or Shell rotella. Remove the distributor and drill up the oil through the engine using an old mopar distributor shaft stuck in a high-speed electric drill.

Remove your plugs and spray a good loosening agent down the cylinders every day for three or four days. When you stick the distributor back in, keep the cap off and check that the points are opening and closing properly - if not, replace them.

When you go to start the car, have help - someone to prime the carb etc., watch points...

Hook up the battery and use booster cables on another car or a battery charger with a "helper" setting for extra help spinning over the engine - fast turnover speed is really important.

You're lucky. Sounds like a fun project. Survivors are a badge of honor, don't worry too much about the dis-colored interior, people will love it at shows because it's "patina"

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970 Drop Top] #992434
05/14/11 10:16 PM
05/14/11 10:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
WV.
C
Challenger_Nut Offline
enthusiast
Challenger_Nut  Offline
enthusiast
C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
WV.
I sent you a PM.

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: Challenger_Nut] #992435
05/14/11 11:22 PM
05/14/11 11:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,103
East Coast, NJ
F
fig426 Offline
top fuel
fig426  Offline
top fuel
F

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,103
East Coast, NJ
Any pics for all of us to drool over?


Chris from New Jersey
Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970 Drop Top] #992436
05/15/11 03:38 PM
05/15/11 03:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,482
Cold Spring, NY
1970GTX Offline
master
1970GTX  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,482
Cold Spring, NY
Carlisle has a "barn finds" display. I wouldn't touch a thing and show it in there for the first year. Then I would display it in with the survivors.

BARN FINDS AND TIME BANDITS BARN FINDS AND TIME BANDITS
Less than perfect time capsules

The 2010 Barn Finds display was such a huge hit that we have decided to make them a regular part of the show. If you have a car that’s solid but not nice enough to be considered a Survivor, why not do the mechanical repairs to make it safe and reliable? Once it’s roadworthy, drive it!! You can always restore it later but this way you can start having fun with it now. Call us at (717) 243-7855 or register online today!

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970GTX] #992437
05/15/11 03:49 PM
05/15/11 03:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,189
M
MoreParts Offline
super stock
MoreParts  Offline
super stock
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,189
My two cents worth...I'd look for a nice used gas tank. Also, verify the color really is off on those door panels. Although the whites were notorious for fading and decaying, they were never really white to begin with. If you do need to paint them, I think Just Dashes sells the correct color. I've also heard of people wiping the plastic with one stroke of a turpentine dampened cloth to remove the dead layer of plastic with some luck, but definitely practice first or try it in an unseen area.

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: MoreParts] #992438
05/15/11 04:57 PM
05/15/11 04:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,177
People's Republic of Kali
70runner Offline
super stock
70runner  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,177
People's Republic of Kali
My neighbor just bought a 69 Charger RT (440) one owner survivor. I've known the owner (and the car) since he bought it here in SOCAL at Crenshaw Dodge in 1968. Anyway, neighbor is going through the same "survivor" deliberations.

The car sat for about 10yrs. The gas tank had a big dent and a plugged hole (owner occasionally used it for camping ) so we replaced it. Inside was NASTY. Fuel lines were OK. Orig carb was totally gummed up - rebuilt. Steering gear leaked badly so he had it rebuilt. Trunk floor is very rusty, so (after much debate) he's having it replaced. Instructed the bodyshop to take pix of the panel seams and reproduce the "factory" look - sloppy. Rear window lower channel showing some signs of rust, so he's having that taken care of also. Can be difficult to balance the survivor, safety, and rust considerations.

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 70runner] #992439
05/15/11 05:03 PM
05/15/11 05:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 116
MAIne
M
MoparABE Offline
member
MoparABE  Offline
member
M

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 116
MAIne
You should bring it to a shop that knows how to work on survivors w/out ruining their survivor status. I would contact either Frank Badalson or Mike Mancini. Both shops know how to handle survivors.

Mikes shop is American Muscle Car Restorations, Inc 401-267-0055
Franks is American Performance LLC 804-275-2155

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: MoparABE] #992440
05/15/11 05:58 PM
05/15/11 05:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,085
NotRussia
2
2fast4yourBrain Offline
Whack top Dodger
2fast4yourBrain  Offline
Whack top Dodger
2

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,085
NotRussia
I think the gas tanks made in Canada are just fine. Forgot the name. Think you can buy them from any vendor, like Herb's, YO, etc.

I'd try to find an NOS sending unit.

Buy some new stainless brake and gas lines. Probably have to rebuild the carburetor; no biggie.

Let's see some pics of this thing dang it!

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 2fast4yourBrain] #992441
05/16/11 04:49 PM
05/16/11 04:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,049
Connecticut
jeff968 Offline
master
jeff968  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,049
Connecticut
The car was on eBay a few months ago out of NJ. Looked very nice but the cost was high. You got a nice one there.


1970 Dodge Challenger T/A

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 2fast4yourBrain] #992442
05/16/11 05:03 PM
05/16/11 05:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
D
DPelletier Offline
I Live Here
DPelletier  Offline
I Live Here
D

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Quote:

I think the gas tanks made in Canada are just fine. Forgot the name. Think you can buy them from any vendor, like Herb's, YO, etc.






www.spectrapremium.com

Cool car; don't get to aggressive with the cleaner, don't paint anything and if you replace anything (like the fuel tank) make sure you keep the original.

Dave


1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: jeff968] #992443
05/16/11 08:02 PM
05/16/11 08:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
1
1970 Drop Top Offline OP
member
1970 Drop Top  Offline OP
member
1

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
Yep I got it out of NJ, it is a really in good shape, but he did want too much. Did you look at the car? It has been something a wanted for a long time. If I knew how to post photos! The car was actually described pretty good. Send me a pm on what you think it was worth?

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970 Drop Top] #992444
05/16/11 08:52 PM
05/16/11 08:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,085
NotRussia
2
2fast4yourBrain Offline
Whack top Dodger
2fast4yourBrain  Offline
Whack top Dodger
2

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,085
NotRussia
This it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-CHAL...=item3cb77cd885

$44k for a clean 340 with AC Challenger that's been rotisserie restored (or at least painted underneath) to me is a good buy! Sucker is clean!

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 2fast4yourBrain] #992445
05/16/11 09:07 PM
05/16/11 09:07 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
1
1970 Drop Top Offline OP
member
1970 Drop Top  Offline OP
member
1

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
I think that one would have been a better buy. I got the mango orange with a white top 1970 Challenger Convertible RT, the one I got was unrestored. This one was a great buy!!

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970 Drop Top] #992446
05/17/11 09:17 AM
05/17/11 09:17 AM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



please dont tell me it was one with a black interior and had an aftermarket radio in it. It wasn't from Boonton Township, NJ by chance was it?

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: ] #992447
05/17/11 09:43 AM
05/17/11 09:43 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,687
Boston, MA
C
crocha617 Offline
top fuel
crocha617  Offline
top fuel
C

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,687
Boston, MA
He said above GO MANGO with WHITE Top and Interior. I remember the car looked nice but had a huge opening bid price and limited pictures.

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: crocha617] #992448
05/17/11 09:49 AM
05/17/11 09:49 AM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



oops missed the white top and white interior part

Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: ] #992449
05/17/11 01:12 PM
05/17/11 01:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,536
o
wunderless Offline
master
wunderless  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,536
o
There is some good advice on here. Just remember, if you go painting door panels and replacing parts it loses it's "survivor" status you are wanting to keep. The more you keep the car as is, the more it is a survivor.
Personally, I would try and keep everything I could and just get what I can working. Wash it and leave the rest.
Regardless, you really need to show us some pictures!! Congrats! And there are a LOT of smart people here willing to help. (I'm not one of the smart ones...)


But existing is basically all I do.
Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: 1970 Drop Top] #992450
05/20/11 12:18 PM
05/20/11 12:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 110
Aurora
E
ebodiesonly Offline
member
ebodiesonly  Offline
member
E

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 110
Aurora
Quote:

Yep I got it out of NJ, it is a really in good shape, but he did want too much. Did you look at the car? It has been something a wanted for a long time. If I knew how to post photos! The car was actually described pretty good. Send me a pm on what you think it was worth?




Wow, how many low mileage Challenger verts there are still hidden in the garages of the Garden State?

I bought mine with 25k miles two years ago also from New Jersey where it had been sitting in the garage for a long time


1970 Challenger R/T 383
1970 Challenger Convertible 383
Re: 1970 Challenger RT Convertible [Re: ebodiesonly] #992451
05/20/11 06:17 PM
05/20/11 06:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
1
1970 Drop Top Offline OP
member
1970 Drop Top  Offline OP
member
1

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Morgantown, WV
I did not beleive it at first, but now I am sold. There are still lots of untouch car in garages just waiting to be found. The guy who found it, probally got a great deal on it and I had to pay what it was worth. However, you can not put a price your dream car with low miles. I would post some picture, but I did not really understand the directions. Do I have to post the to another photo site first? Can anyone simplify them from.

Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1