Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?

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    Author Topic: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?  (Read 9987 times)

    Offline Beekeeper

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #30 on: September 18, 2017 - 10:25:38 AM »
    So this is a bit of a trip for you but might be worth considering...in Southern California, there is a huge Mopar show every April (Soring Fling) and every October (Fall Fling). They have a huge swap meet at both events. You can probably find a lot of the items you need at bargain prices. I always see big sheet metal items for our cars. Every show, I come home with tons of cool finds. It's like Christmas. People are really cool there too.

    Another advantage is the car show itself. You could examine dozens of Challengers and take reference photos of the things you need to aid you in your build. Seeing how things fit together up close can sometimes be way more helpful than a few photos. You might even find one that was converted to a 70, then you get the benefit of talking with the owner to learn more about the small details.
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    Offline ragtopdodge

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #31 on: December 15, 2017 - 05:33:08 PM »
    PUt a 2009 or 2015 grille and taillights in there instead?

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    '70 318-auto Chally 'vert
    '71 383-auto 'Cuda 'vert (sold)
    06 300c SRT8
    04 2500 QCLB 4x4 HO

    Offline DrEamer

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #32 on: December 19, 2017 - 11:10:14 PM »
    Quote from: ragtopdodge on December 15, 2017 - 05:33:08 PM
    PUt a 2009 or 2015 grille and taillights in there instead?



    If I were going to do that , I would just buy a new style Challenger. Plus, I hit pay dirt on a craigslist parts lot that had a bunch of parts that I needed.

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    Offline 70chall440

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #33 on: December 20, 2017 - 12:19:55 AM »
    Nice parts collection.
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    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline scf100

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #34 on: January 12, 2018 - 05:30:43 PM »
    I’ve got a 72;and will change to 70 taillights

    Wonder if I can find a rough 70 tail light panel and just cut out the lights and graft into 72 tail panel it that would be easier route
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    1970 Challenger R/T convertible 383…. 4-speed…3.91 suregrip

    Triple Black

    Offline 70chall440

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #35 on: January 13, 2018 - 12:32:04 AM »
    Quote from: scf100 on January 12, 2018 - 05:30:43 PM
    I’ve got a 72;and will change to 70 taillights

    Wonder if I can find a rough 70 tail light panel and just cut out the lights and graft into 72 tail panel it that would be easier route

    it would be cleaner to do the taillight panel.
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    Current Mopar
    70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
    05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
    Past Mopars
    9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

    Offline Mpdlawdog

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #36 on: January 16, 2018 - 01:30:45 PM »
    Quote from: 70chall440 on January 13, 2018 - 12:32:04 AM
    it would be cleaner to do the taillight panel.

    Im with 70challe440....I did mine...there are a lot of spot welds that need drilled out but do it right if your going to do it!
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    Offline Mopar Mitch

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #37 on: January 23, 2018 - 02:09:31 PM »
    A lonnnggg time ago (about 1977), I made the conversion from my '72... bought a new 70 grille, bought a new full tail light panel... cut out the fender side-light areas and welded in same from junk yard fenders (essentially changing my fenders to become 70-71 fenders.

    Took off the Rally front fender side pieces and strobe stripes, welded the holes..   Welded the antenna front fender whole; relocated to correct r/r quarter panel area.  Installed the different wiring harnesses for the lighting.   Repainted accordingly and added the T/A stripes (actually, perfectly painted on using a T/A for dimensions (the sided mirrors are located differently on 70-71 vs 72-74 doors, so the factory decal striping wouldn't match correctly.

    Some items new, some from cars stripping for parts (T/As and AARs).

    I owe it all to my best friend who owns a body shop and is Mopar guy and perfectionist in all his work.

    All this was done simply for SCCA Solo II AX rules, at that time.... later years... they changed the rules whereby I wouldn't have had to do this to the car.... was a nice rust-free 318 '72 Rally... now 340-6 T/A... clone/tribute... and I've continued to race it a lot for AX/HSAX/HPDE events.... won multiple season championships since the late 70's.  Enjoying the car as a '70 T/A in all my campaigns... races and shows.
    « Last Edit: January 23, 2018 - 02:12:16 PM by Mopar Mitch »
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    Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

    See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.

    Offline IRON MAN

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #38 on: January 23, 2018 - 07:32:23 PM »
    Mopar Mitch, Very nice conversion! I thought the steel hood rubber stops in front of the radiator cross bar had to be relocated behind the radiator cross bar for a T/A hood. Does it matter? see picture
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    Offline Mpdlawdog

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #39 on: January 24, 2018 - 10:42:33 AM »
    Mitch...does that mean the new motor is in and we are going to play this summer??  my car should be up and running in a few months...how cool would it be to have two 72 challengers converted to 70's on the track at the same time :burnout:
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    Offline Mopar Mitch

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    Re: Converting 1973 Challenger to 70-71?
    « Reply #40 on: January 25, 2018 - 02:31:58 PM »
    Rubber stops????  I honestly never knew or considered... nor concerned... my body shop man did the hood alignment, etc.  The fenders are still my original '72, just with modified side lights making them '70-71 style.

    My car is still all apart... slow progress... goal is this August 18-19, 2018 to run at the Joliet, IL Autobahn HSAX event for the club (NORTH SUBURBAN SPORTS CAR CLUB) which I'm now President for 2018... www.nsscc.org (see latest news letter, etc)... part of the MIDWESTERN COUNCIL OF SPORTS CAR CLUBS... www.mcscc.org   It'd be great to have more MOPARS at these HSAX events... Joliet Autobahn is a great "country club" track.  Most of our club's events have recently been held at Blackhawk Farms Raceway (just northwest of Rockford, IL).   This is the only "HSAX competition championship series" in the country... this year only 4-events planned, tentatively.
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    Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

    See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.
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