Mopar restoration parts

[340Keefer]

Hi Guy’s, just joined the site, I purchased a 1973 dodge Challenger at Carlisle last week.I'm no stranger to restoration this car is a matching numbers 340 slap stick ralley car and thought it was worth doing. That’s until I started the parts search and found there’s not much available for these cars as far as replacement parts and what’s out there is hellish expensive. It’s not like Gm or ford . Mopar is limited as far as suppliers. Is there a reason for this? Is there anyone you’d recommend? Thanks. Dave

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Need photos to know what you got to start with.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Is there a reason for this?

Yeah. We have all them here! No really it's about the production numbers. They weren't cheap when new either. That's at lest how I always seen it.

 

[gran coupe john]

They made a gazillion Ford, and GM. Dodge, and Plymouth not so much. Found out hard way too, prices are double when you say you have an e body. Anyways welcome, and good luck on your parts hunt

 

[Deathproofcuda]

Hi Guy’s, just joined the site, I purchased a 1973 dodge Challenger at Carlisle last week.I'm no stranger to restoration this car is a matching numbers 340 slap stick ralley car and thought it was worth doing. That’s until I started the parts search and found there’s not much available for these cars as far as replacement parts and what’s out there is hellish expensive. It’s not like Gm or ford . Mopar is limited as far as suppliers. Is there a reason for this? Is there anyone you’d recommend? Thanks. Dave

My apologies, but this story about long-time Ford and GM guys coming over to the Mopar camp and then bitching about parts prices is so common that it's just funny now...

A quick Google search suggests the following production totals for 1973:
175K Mustangs
97K Camaros
33K Challengers
19K Barracudas

So at least you didn't buy a Cuda!

Good luck with your project!

 

[MoparCarGuy]

I agree with @Challenger RTA and @gran coupe john.
Mopars were rare the day they rolled off the assembly line.
About 1/4 - 1/5 as many cars when compared to the ever popular `69 Camaro and `70 Mustang.

Example:
1969 Camaro 243,085 Total
Production: 225,512 coupe, 17,573 convertible.

1970 Mustang 191,239 Total.
Production: 96,150 coupe, 86,904 fastback, 7.673 convertible, 7,512 Boss302/429.

1970 Barracuda/Cuda 48,867 Total.
Production: 46,366 coupe, 2,501 convertible.

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Best advice...
Buy the most complete car in the best quality that your budget can afford. Piecing together a car with missing parts is more expensive in the long run.
Just sayin'!

 

[Challenger RTA]

complete car

One of the first things I have always ask when buying a car. Is everything there!

I don't care if it's broke, bent, cut, twisted, rusted, smashed or in pieces! I know what I have to find or make! Saves a lot of time searching.

 

[340Keefer]

So in summary there’s not as much money to be made by making replacement parts for a 1973 challenger. Even though it’s an e body it’s only worth about $20,000 restored . So I guess it’s the labor of love to restore a car like this .

 

[Challenger RTA]

Service manual

A wealth of information here. Use it. Service manual download: 1 MyMopar 2 Service Manuals, Parts Catalogs & How-To Guides 3 Your 'Guide' to the 727/904 transmission 4 70 71 COLLISION GUIDE

www.forebodiesonly.com

 

[340Keefer]

One of the first things I have always ask when buying a car. Is everything there!

I don't care if it's broke, bent, cut, twisted, rusted, smashed or in pieces! I know what I have to find or make! Saves a lot of time searching.

My mistake, I saw an e body with a good frame and workable body built sheet and matching numbers 340 and thought it was a deal for 3500. No interior, wiring, every part on the car has an issue, dented chrome cracked lenses, cracked grill. Can I do it ? Yes it doesn’t scare me . Just surprised at finding parts.

 

[gran coupe john]

The gran coupe was all there, but still cost way more than restoring a mustang that is missing parts. Just my opinion

 

[340Keefer]

My apologies, but this story about long-time Ford and GM guys coming over to the Mopar camp and then bitching about parts prices is so common that it's just funny now...

A quick Google search suggests the following production totals for 1973:
175K Mustangs
97K Camaros
33K Challengers
19K Barracudas

So at least you didn't buy a Cuda!

Good luck with your project!

I have a 71 Cuda , fairly complete, that was 30 years ago things are different today

 

[Challenger RTA]

My mistake, I saw an e body with a good frame and workable body built sheet and matching numbers 340 and thought it was a deal for 3500. No interior, wiring, every part on the car has an issue, dented chrome cracked lenses, cracked grill. Can I do it ? Yes it doesn’t scare me . Just surprised at finding parts.

Condition is everything. from what you described. By all means I think you got a good deal. E bodies in general are worth more than other car manufactures. Aside from the fact there are less mopars. I have seen rusted out hulks go for a lot more. I don't know what some people think. Post some pictures.

 

[540HemiCuda]

And besides being expensive, many of the aftermarket parts are J..U..N..K!

We have always said that Mopars are made of special materials collectively called Unobtainium.

 

[Challenger RTA]

The other thing is. Just because it is rare does not mean it's worth a lot. It desirability. There are no big block per se after 71 in a E body.

 

[Deathproofcuda]

My mistake, I saw an e body with a good frame and workable body built sheet and matching numbers 340 and thought it was a deal for 3500. No interior, wiring, every part on the car has an issue, dented chrome cracked lenses, cracked grill. Can I do it ? Yes it doesn’t scare me . Just surprised at finding parts.

I haven't seen the car, but $3,500 does sound like a good deal for what you described. However, if your goal is to make money, your best bet would probably be to flip this one as is. It's pretty tough to make money on restoring cars these days.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Keep in mind there are a lot of chassis, suspension, engine, transmission, rear that are interchangeable. It's most body and trim that are E body specific.

 

[Xcudame]

Welcome to the site. Mopars are rare, but more fun to drive than Shivvies and Phords!! Lots of original parts out there, but they aren't cheap. Post WTB items in that forum. Guys here are pretty good and help each other (when we're not teasing each other)! Certainly wouldn't restore a rolling shell with engine hoping to make a profit! These E-Bodies are a labor of love.

 

[340Keefer]

And besides being expensive, many of the aftermarket parts are J..U..N..K!

We have always said that Mopars are made of special materials collectively called Unobtainium.

Great I love it ! Thanks