Moparts

71 challenger convertible

Posted By: scottyb1955

71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 08:34 PM

I bought two mopars just a few months ago and this being the first mopars I have owned I am learning a lot but this has me stumped, I bought a factory 69 hemi road runner and this 71 big block challenger convertible I have quite a few diehard mopar friends and they were confused to. dose anyone know why ther would be two seat catches I looked in the roadrunner and it only had one set I didn't know if it was common for E body's to have this's?

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Posted By: burdar

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 08:41 PM

Did the converts have the catch in a different location? Maybe one was install wrong at the factory and a new one was welded on in the correct place.
Posted By: scottyb1955

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 08:44 PM

They are on both driver and passenger side
Posted By: Andrewh

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 08:57 PM

which one does it latch to?
front one looks odd, is that seam sealer or a blob of weld?
Posted By: Finoke

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 09:11 PM

My 71 chally vert also had two sets. I'm not sure why
Posted By: scottyb1955

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 09:12 PM

The seat latches on the back ones, it's seam sealer in the pick not weld they are spot welded and looks to be factory
Posted By: Finoke

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 09:34 PM

I will check my 70 vert when I get home. I'm positive my 71 was like that. I will try to find a picture.
Posted By: filmsurgeon

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 11:29 PM

Same on my '70 Challenger convertible. Also don't know why there are two.

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Posted By: crocha617

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/08/14 11:39 PM

I've had a bunch of convertibles and I can't remember any of them having 2 catches on each side. I'll have to check my photos and my current car.
Posted By: larry4406

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 12:14 AM

My 71 barracuda vert does not have that. Only one seat catch per side.

I recall seeing double seat catches before either here or on cuda-challerger.com
Posted By: 70mopes

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 12:16 AM

My '70 cuda convert (SPD 4/10) only has one on each side.
Posted By: HEMIDOG 70

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 12:24 AM

My 70 Challenger vert has two latches on each side.My car was built in Sept 69 if that matters.
Posted By: filmsurgeon

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 12:27 AM

Mine was built 11/14/69.
Posted By: chargervert

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 12:51 AM

All three of the Challenger convertibles I have owned were like that. One is a 71,the other two are 70s. The two Barracuda convertibles only had one catch per side. One was a 70 the other was a 71. I'm guessing it may be because the Challenger has a two inch longer wheelbase than the Cuda,right in that area. Maybe all the pans were made to fit Cuda's,and the second bracket was added when it was used for a Challenger.
Posted By: Stewpar

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 01:30 AM

Compare notes on what plant the cars were built at........
Posted By: HEMIDOG 70

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 02:21 AM

Hamtramck 9-30-69 for mine.
Posted By: biggE

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 02:36 AM

I believe that in the original position when the rear seat bottom was installed that there was a gap between the seat bottom and back that was large enough to see the rear floor pan. By mounting the seat bottom back further the problem was eliminated.
Posted By: chargervert

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 02:59 AM

Quote:

I believe that in the original position when the rear seat bottom was installed that there was a gap between the seat bottom and back that was large enough to see the rear floor pan. By mounting the seat bottom back further the problem was eliminated.



If that was the case,then Cuda convertibles would have the same double bracket too. They use the same convertible top frame as the Challenger,and the seat is in the same position. I still believe it is because there is a two inch wheelbase difference. The Cuda has a 108 inch wheelbase,and the Challenger has a 110 inch wheelbase. The difference is found between the rear of the door jamb and the rear wheelwell. If you look at the photos of the Challenger convertibles double seat bracket,it is about two inches difference.
Posted By: YYZ

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 03:09 AM

My '71 Challenger ragtops had the double clips

'71 340 rag - Dec '70 SPD

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Posted By: PasiR

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 07:56 AM

One per side.
GranCoupe 8-69 built.
Posted By: Alaskan_TA

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 08:52 AM

Quote:

Compare notes on what plant the cars were built at........



All Challenger (& Barracuda) convertibles were built at Hamtramck.
Posted By: HemiRick

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 09:07 AM

My Chall vert also has 2 per side. built 9/69 I asked about this before on this board and was told it was normal but dont remember the reason.
Posted By: Finoke

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/09/14 04:52 PM

Quote:

My Chall vert also has 2 per side. built 9/69 I asked about this before on this board and was told it was normal but dont remember the reason.



My 70 Challenger vert also has two sets. Built 9/02 69. I agree, it sounds like a Challenger vert only thing.

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Posted By: fbernard

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 12:40 AM

I have the same thing on my car, and I too think it's a way to catch up the 2 inches differences between Challenger and cuda.
Besides, the same thing goes for the seat belt bolts (additional brackets welded 2 inches forward from the "normal one") :

Posted By: larry4406

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 01:45 AM

Quote:

I have the same thing on my car, and I too think it's a way to catch up the 2 inches differences between Challenger and cuda.
Besides, the same thing goes for the seat belt bolts (additional brackets welded 2 inches forward from the "normal one") :



The OP has the same seat belt bracket welded on as you yet his belt is attached to the rear most hole.
Posted By: fbernard

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 02:00 AM

Quote:


The OP has the same seat belt bracket welded on as you yet his belt is attached to the rear most hole.



Saw that. Mine was attached to the front hole.

Funy things about these parts is that OEM hardtop parts are welded most professionally, whereas the convertible parts are put together in a quite sloppy fashion.

I'd like to know at which point on the assembly line convertibles started to differ from the hardtops.
At least the workers didn't have to hammer the wheelhouses flat like they did on ragtop Mustangs...
Posted By: Convertcuda

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 02:58 AM

The reason the extra bracket is there is because the rear seat sets forward more than the Cuda. Challenger and Cuda convertibles may look similar but there are great differences in the convertible sheet metal structure.

Ken
Posted By: Darryls-Demon

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 05:30 PM

My 70 also has two per side.

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Posted By: crocha617

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 05:35 PM

I checked photos of 5 of my past 70 & 71 Barracuda verts. and they all had single seat catches. I had a couple of Challengers as well but I didn't have good pictures of that area.
Posted By: Shoet1

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/10/14 11:35 PM

I have a 70 challenger convertible also with two each seat mounts on the floor. I thought it was something to do with the placement of the seat being moved fwd just a little, because the seat back was moved for the top well. Btw mine is a mid Aug build.
Posted By: 62BT409

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/11/14 12:36 AM

Maybe it is for the 6-way seat adjust mechanism? They only come on the drivers side.
Posted By: efisixpack

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/11/14 09:22 PM

Mine has two on each side as well. Built 5-28-71. Obviously a late build.
Posted By: YYZ

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/11/14 11:44 PM

Oddly enough, my late production JS27R1E car only has the single clips....maybe a timing thing...







Posted By: fbernard

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/14/14 09:37 PM

Quote:

Challenger and Cuda convertibles may look similar but there are great differences in the convertible sheet metal structure.



Not sure about what you mean by "sheet metal" here. Do you mean the convertible top assembly is different between a Challenger and a cuda?
Posted By: daveh1971

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/15/14 06:30 PM

My 71 Challenger Convertible has the single seat catches. The production date is 12/10/70.
Posted By: mikeysmopars

Re: 71 challenger convertible - 01/15/14 11:30 PM

Mine is a 10/69 and it has two and the belts are in the rear mount holes

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