Moparts
70 Challenger T/A project - burnt
Posted By: jeff968
70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/11/09 05:59 PM
Interesting category for posts. I'll add my project story. You can see from the photo above that my T/A had a very bad day back in June of 2001. Due to a spark and a electronic fuel pump a nice fire took off and took out the owner's garage as well. Up to that point the car had lived a nice life in NY and MA racing with a 440 6 pack in it (fender call outs had been modified to say 440 6 pak, know the car?). I'm told it only had 18K miles on it at the time of the fire.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/11/09 06:33 PM
Here she is in January of 2004, shortly after I took ownership. I had removed the roof which was badly warped along with the bar that holds the courtesy light. The roof frame was fine.
Posted By: FY1TA & 65 Wedge
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/11/09 07:09 PM
This will be worth watching....
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/12/09 09:26 PM
March of 2004. Lots of welding done. New roof installed with dome light support. New rear window finish panel, a couple of patches at the lower a-pillars.
Posted By: basketcase
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/13/09 12:10 AM
keep'm comming!
Posted By: 69bronzeT5
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/13/09 12:48 AM
Can you please give some more info on what caused the fire?
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/26/09 03:01 AM
Summer 2004, roof bodywork completed
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/26/09 03:12 AM
Okay, big decision at this point. My T/A is actually a significant T/A. The bulk of the T/As had their production completed by Friday, April 17th 1970. My T/A is one of 4 built after that day. My car was built on Tuesday, April 21st 1970 and is the 3 highest VIN of all the T/A's registered. It also only had 18K miles on it. The car when new was FK5 Burnt orange with a black interior and a console shifted automatic. But the original drivetrain was long gone and I only had the history back to 1990. I knew I wouldn't be happy with the car restored to original so I decided to build it my way. It would be EK2 Go-mango with a H6XW black and white interior and a 4 speed. Otherwise, I would always be looking at other cars and wishing I owned that one. Besides, I'm 47 years old. How many more cars do I want to restore??? So the Orange went on.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/26/09 03:19 AM
Engine compartment, spring 2005, had to weld the bracket on for the clutch fork. This is the only e-body I've ever restored that didn't have the rust blowout by the hinges!
Posted By: 4speeds4me
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/26/09 04:06 AM
Quote:
...so I decided to build it my way. It would be EK2 Go-mango with a H6XW black and white interior and a 4 speed. Otherwise, I would always be looking at other cars and wishing I owned that one. Besides, I'm 47 years old. How many more cars do I want to restore??? So the Orange went on.
Amen Brother. Preach on!
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/28/09 03:08 AM
Engine compartment all cleaned and primed. I swapped out the radiator support, which was badly warped, and transfered the VIN. It came out great.
Posted By: Moparman440
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/28/09 04:11 AM
Looking great !
Posted By: JeffsCustomPaint
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/29/09 10:24 AM
well it's Spring 09 is that T/A done yet what's takin so long????????
Posted By: HPMike
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/29/09 03:54 PM
Jeff:
Nice job and good thing it survived the fire...
I would have left it FK5. That color is just awesome when freshly applied. But it's your car and if you wanted to paint it chartreuse, that would be fine with me.
Good luck and look forward to the progress pics.
MB
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/29/09 05:44 PM
I can understand him not wanting to paint it "burnt" orange.
Sheldon
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 02:54 AM
New trunk floor in 2005
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 02:58 AM
Late 2005, patches done in the interior floors but overall they were nice. Notice that "hump" that wasn't there before.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:00 AM
More late 2005, engine compartment painted and front suspension cleaned, painted, and installed.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:06 AM
With the engine compartment done now I need an engine for it. Like I said, the original drivetrain was gone. I found a 1970 non-T/A 340 in Rhode Island out of a 70 'Cuda which I purchased and had rebuilt to stock specs.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:12 AM
Summer 2006, after spending 2.5 years wire-wheeling, cleaning, priming, and painting without the aid of a rotisserie it was great to be bolting parts onto the car.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:13 AM
Interior, pedals (notice I have an extra one now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:14 AM
Heater box...
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:16 AM
And a dash!!!! My T/A originally came with a standard dash and I found a 70 only one to use.
Posted By: CuriousYella70
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 03:48 AM
Very Very nice! I've watched your progress for a long time, I cant wait to see it done! Are you doing a vinyl top as well?
And i love that you chose Go-mango! My 70 R/T is that color with burnt orange interior, i LOVE go-mango
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/02/09 01:40 PM
Quote:
Are you doing a vinyl top as well?
And i love that you chose Go-mango! My 70 R/T is that color with burnt orange interior, i LOVE go-mango
Me too, my first T/A in 1979 was go-mango and it has always been my favorite mopar color. No vinyl top as the car didn't come with one and I don't want to drill any holes. Wait until i get to 2009. I've made a lot of progress. Stay tuned.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/08/09 03:07 AM
Sept 2006, doors are done...
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/08/09 03:08 AM
Engine/Tranny dropped in....
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/08/09 03:09 AM
It's been a while since a 340 has sat there....
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/08/09 03:13 AM
Almost starting to look like a car again, but I would have to wait until spring of 2007 to hear her run...
Posted By: CuriousYella70
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/08/09 03:58 AM
We need more pictures man! Post em!
I love your T/A ! It looks amazing so far!
Posted By: jrwoodjoe
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/08/09 05:39 PM
I think it's great that you can paint yourself Jeff. I sure wish I could. But your killing me...must see more pics.
Joe
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 02:41 AM
I spent the winter of 06-07 restoring the rear end and redoning many other small parts. When spring of 07 rolled around the new rear/springs/lines went in.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 02:45 AM
May of 2007, the big day, with everything hooked up and my brand new six pack carbs installed (boy are they expensive) the T/A fired to life for the first time in 6 years. It runs great and still does. As mentioned before, the engine is stock but I added electronic ignition and I do love that moparformance mini starter.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 02:48 AM
By the end of 2007 I restored the front fenders and bolted them on. I had also driven the car up the street. I had some brake issues that I was still dealing with but it was really starting to look and act like a car.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 02:49 AM
More from December 2007.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 02:50 AM
One more from 12/07.
Posted By: PAINT IT BLACK
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 02:57 AM
NICE!
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/20/09 04:20 AM
Awesome job.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/12/09 03:43 AM
I figured it was time for another update. I did not get much done in 2008, just the bodywork on the left quarter. I was busy with work and I got real sick toward the end of the year but 2009 saw a new beginning so I started with the Grill. I had the headlight bezels redone (by specialty-bill from MCG, came out nice). I didn't have the funds to do the grill so I cleaned and fixed it myself. I was happy with the result.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/12/09 03:49 AM
Light assemblies ready to go (beautiful repro bezels by PC classics of canada, cost some bucks but worth every penny, I cleaned and restored my original lenses and housings)...
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/12/09 03:51 AM
Valances all done. The rear was an original perfect 70 piece from the car, unscathed by the fire.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/12/09 03:54 AM
Wow!!! It looks like a car from the front now!!! This is from June. Work continues and I've been busy...
Posted By: basketcase
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/12/09 09:05 PM
beautiful
Posted By: stickman
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/12/09 11:57 PM
wow
Posted By: 69bronzeT5
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/13/09 03:07 AM
Wow!
Posted By: jrwoodjoe
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/13/09 12:05 PM
Hey Jeff,
Didn't know you were sick but hope you are doing better. Car looks AWESOME!
Joe
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/14/09 08:08 PM
Quote:
Hey Jeff,
Didn't know you were sick but hope you are doing better. Car looks AWESOME!
Joe
Thanks Joe (and everyone else), it is a big week for progress this week. I'll keep you posted.
Posted By: 70shaker6pk
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/17/09 06:55 PM
Looks real good!!
Posted By: big-block-dave
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/31/09 06:28 AM
The car looks great!!!! I saw it before you bought it, or maybe before you picked it up???? I remember seeing those melted carbs!!! He was messing around with the carbs and i think he said a carb backfired caught the fibre glass hood on fire and before he could get the hood under control the ceiling in the garage caught fire. Ever since i met the guy i roll my cars out of the garage before i start them, you NEVER know!!!!
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/31/09 06:55 AM
Wow!!!
Looking Great!! Your a brave man... I've seen your little sig picture for years, I never realised it's significance..
Posted By: jrwoodjoe
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/13/09 01:21 AM
Hey Jeff, was wondering if you had any other updates? Have you applied the stripes yet?
Joe
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/13/09 10:05 PM
Quote:
Hey Jeff, was wondering if you had any other updates? Have you applied the stripes yet?
Joe
Joe,
Yes, much to report. I'll get the update in ASAP.
Jeff
Posted By: JDMopar
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/14/09 02:53 PM
Hey Jeff...hope you're doing well. Look forward to the updates as well.
The purple vert is on the move again. It was on here for sale a few months ago, and was in Maine. I saved the pics on my computer at work if you would like to have them. Just shoot me a PM with your e-mail address if you do.
Posted By: sogtx
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/22/09 01:07 AM
I think I know that car , I didnt have the guts to buy it
Great job !
Posted By: DusterKrazy
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/27/09 04:37 AM
It looks fantastic!
Posted By: Kirby
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/19/10 08:28 PM
Looks great! But, I have to ask. Why the heck did you paint it in so many different stages? I hope you don't have any matching issues.
Posted By: plumcrazy704406
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/21/10 02:46 AM
nice work
Posted By: DetMatt
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/21/10 01:53 PM
Beautiful car and great work, keep it up.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/26/10 09:18 PM
Quote:
Looks great! But, I have to ask. Why the heck did you paint it in so many different stages? I hope you don't have any matching issues.
No problem. Nothing keeps the panels in good shape like paint. My plan has always been to work on each area of the car over the years, get it registered andsort out any operational issues, and then block the entire car down and repaint the whole thing at once. I'm on the "sort it out" phase now. The car looks good from 5 feet but it does have 8 different shades of EK2. 
I put on a set of extra stripes I had and I have to admit, I very much enjoyed driving it around last year. I plan to attend Carlisle this year with the car. i probably won't paint the entire car until 2011, having too much fun with it after 7 years of working on it.
Jeff
Posted By: jrwoodjoe
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/26/10 10:04 PM
Stripes? Stripes? I don't see no stinkin' stripes.
Pics man...Pics!
Posted By: aspenrt360
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/27/10 03:12 PM
really awsome effort! the car looks good and i am glad you made it so you would be happy with it and want to drive it! that is what these cars are for.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/09/10 03:22 AM
Last August 2009, both quarters are done and painted and blackout applied to tail area.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/09/10 03:23 AM
And those nice taillights from PG classic...
Posted By: 79machocharger
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/09/10 08:34 PM
The cars looking very nice, great job!!
Posted By: 68427vette
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/05/10 10:53 PM
is this car done?????
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/06/10 02:55 AM
Quote:
is this car done?????
Not quite but I decided on a slightly different direction for the car. I've been painting the individual panels, in my garage, as I have completed them. Needless to say, the car got to the point where everything was painted orange but slightly different shades. My plan was then to sand it down and repaint the entire car after I spent some time driving it and sorting out any issues. But then I decided I was having too much fun with it after 7 years sanding and painting. So I decided, what the heck, I'm going to spend a few years sorting it out before the repaint so I started to put more of it together. The stripes went on....
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/06/10 02:56 AM
The interior went in (most of it)...
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/06/10 03:00 AM
And I had a definate "5 footer" that ran and drove like new. sure, I'm not going to win any awards but I don't care about that. It was never my intention for this car and it sure draws lots of comments.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/06/10 03:07 AM
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/06/10 03:09 AM
But my main goal was to attend the 2010 Chrysler's at Carlisle show as 2010 was the 40th anniversary of the 70 Challenger and Barry Washington and the Challenger T/A registry were putting together a special meet. i wanted to be there as I've owned T/As since 1979 and how could i go without the T/A? I was nervous, would it make it? But my buddy Brian helped me work out the last few issues and in early July my son Greg, Brian, and I headed to Carlisle for the event. We made it and had a blast!!! I have much more to do but I think I'll enjoy the car for a few more years before that new paint job.
Posted By: jrwoodjoe
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 11/07/10 02:34 PM
I think that it's great you are finally able to drive it some. Looks good and I had saved one your pics for my desktop pic.
Posted By: CDN72SE
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 12/06/10 05:41 PM
Very inspirational Jeff, the car looks great. I haven't driven my Charger since '92 and am in the process of stripping the paint off. I like the idea of driving it while working on it. Keep up the good work.
Alan
Posted By: Dartman440
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 12/16/10 03:29 PM
I have a few good pics of this car Burnt. The first pic in your thread I took just after it burn't and they removed the drivetrain. Yes, many Corona's and trying to tune a six pack does not mix. LOL. This was a mint 13,000 original mile T/A that had a built 440 Six Pack. It was real clean. I am glad it was saved. I had a 71 340 Duster 4 speed that burnt but it was too bad. Saved the drivetrain but that was it. Car looks awesome great job.
Posted By: Moparmaniacc
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 12/16/10 03:45 PM
What size are the tires? Looks just right.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 12/26/10 06:06 PM
Quote:
What size are the tires? Looks just right.
235/60-15, 255/60-15 BFGR T/A. I'm happy with the look as well but I do like the original Polyglas, maybe someday.
Posted By: ricomondo
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/06/11 12:35 AM
Gr8 job Jeff!
I absolutely LOVE it!!
I have a soft spot for the T/A's, and now seeing yours and the thread for MasterShake's T/A makes me wanna sell the Cuda and go T/A shopping!
Keep up the good work! and congrats!
Posted By: dmoore
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/06/11 01:09 AM
How much?
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/17/11 04:37 PM
Dean sent me some additional pictures of the car in the summer of 2001. Thanks Dean!
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/17/11 04:38 PM
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/17/11 04:39 PM
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/17/11 04:39 PM
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/17/11 04:41 PM
Talk about a bad day.
Posted By: sleepyhead416
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 02/17/11 09:27 PM
Been there doing that.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 07/19/16 01:04 AM
Well, after 46 years look what showed up! Someone found my buildsheet! Now, I enjoy the car too much the way I built it so I won't be going back to FK5/D32 anytime soon but it is good to have!
Posted By: JcodeCharger
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 07/19/16 09:53 PM
Thats awesome! I bet it feels like winning the lottery.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/14/19 09:12 PM
Decided to go back to the original 2944450s. I always liked the look. These are Tony's repos.
Posted By: steve70
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/14/19 11:05 PM
It looks great!
Posted By: chargervert
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/15/19 02:45 AM
Those are great winter wheels,I hope you put the rallye's back on in the spring!
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/15/19 02:54 AM
Those are great winter wheels,I hope you put the rallye's back on in the spring!
Nope
They are on to stay. I like them and they are unique to T/As (15x7s in black with cap and trim ring). I'll have some rallys (071s) for sale shortly if you are interested.
Posted By: NANKET
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/15/19 03:51 AM
Congrats on the broadcast sheet. Nice tires too! not a bfgta fan
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/15/19 05:12 AM
I like the caps and rings on a T/A.
Posted By: Mastershake340
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 01/15/19 04:01 PM
I was bummed back around 20 years ago when I got the dealership records for my T/A, and from them found the rallys I had on the car were wrong, and that the car actually was built with steel wheels.
But I soon tracked down a set of '450s, and over time they grew on me. Now I'm bored with seeing rallys and prefer steel wheels on T/As!
Nice to find an alternative to BFGs too, car looks great Jeff!
Posted By: ricomondo
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/09/19 03:17 AM
Brad - (Mastershake) I haven't seen your T/A since it was finished. Will you have it out this summer?
Posted By: Mastershake340
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/09/19 06:02 PM
You missed it at MCACN last year!
I don’t know where it’s going this year besides maybe 2 cruises occasionally very close to home. No rig or place to park a trailer at home so hard to take it anywhere. Hoping to move to IN in the near future and have more garage space and parking space when I have a new place. Less than 1-1/2 years until the 50th T/A reunion at Carlisle and still no ideas how I’ll get it out there.
In the meantime I had a bunch of work done on my vert to update it and cure some ills that were getting worse while I was bogged down with the T/A project, and drove it a lot last year and will do the same this year. I can look at the garage queen T/A for a moment when I go fire up the convertible to head out for another cruise or show!
Posted By: ricomondo
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 03/14/19 11:12 PM
Sounds good.
We always seem to cross paths eventually...lol.
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 04/03/19 06:26 PM
Carbs refreshed.
Posted By: 1974 474 Duster
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 09/28/21 07:07 PM
Please paint the bypass hose, they are to be engine color. But man what a great job for what you were able to accomplish. Beautiful car overall, will always love them!!!
Posted By: jeff968
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 07/29/23 04:59 PM
I picked up a set of reproduction rear window louvers. I always liked the way they looked on the car.
Posted By: 69Cuda340S
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/19/23 03:50 AM
That car that color is fabulous love it! I probably would have not noticed paint not 100 percent match across the panels the car looks really good as is. And you get to drive it have a lot of fun which is the best part of owning these classic cars.
Posted By: CSK
Re: 70 Challenger T/A project - burnt - 08/20/23 08:53 PM
Great job & story, you did AWESOME work, love this car, my friend has one the same color, had it since 1978, I have a soft spot for the T/A's, so I bought a new one. not the same as the original T/A but at least the side stripes look the same
again, GREAT job !!!!!
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