1970 A-66 Challenger Convertible

[340challconvert]

I am finally starting to work on my 70 Challenger 340 convertible. Has been off the road since 1984, sitting in my garage, and was periodically started over that time. I retired and have started to put some time and effort into cleaning it up, repair and replace the needed mechanical s, and complete some needed body work. Initially, I am not looking to do a high dollar, ground up restoration, but to address various areas while getting the car running and more functional while addressing any mechanical and body issues the car may have.

Process so far:
- removed interior rugs, door panels to assess state of sheet metal, floors, inside quarters
- removing front end sheet metal
- rebuilding brakes with new calipers, rotors w new bearings, brake hoses, master cyl, and brake booster.

Feels really good to finally work on my car . This will be a slow process

 

[340challconvert]

70 Challenger A-66

- Driver's side fender is NOS I bought in the 70's. Sadly, I sold the original years ago. Needs to be cleaned up w surface rust
- Removed front end, surface rust on side cowl. Firewall looks solid
- Purchased Centric rotors and calipers, Raybestos master cyl., reproduction back plate shield, new factory style brake hoses, Wearever brake booster, new Goodmark upper control arms w new ball joints, and Timken US made wheel bearings-so far.
- Factory disc brakes in current condition

 

[340challconvert]

Interesting Notes:
- factory black out spray areas behind the grill and cowl area
- view of what I believe to be the factory undercoating in the wheel well area
- amazing that the paint on the frame rails still has a gloss after cleanup

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

Looks like a fun retirement project there.
Good luck and keep the updates coming.
Additional knowledge is just a click away now.

Mike

 

[js29]

Black out behind the grill area and upper cowl are correct, heavy undercoat is also. shiny paint on frame rail is A good thing! take pictures of the black out areas so you can duplicate it later. rhino liner truck bed liner is close to the factory treatment for the wheel wells.

 

[340challconvert]

Thank you for your thoughts.
I wanted to just clean up the wheel wells and respray with something that looked factory. I was thinking about cleaning up the wheel well surface rust with a wire wheel, using rust bullet inhibitor (especially in the upper control arm area) then spraying with undercoating like you are suggesting. Trying to keep it clean and neat

 

[340challconvert]

floors inside

Floors appear to have mostly surface rust, one spot only, looks like it needs a small weld. I had to work at making the small hole in the floor, directly over the frame rail, not visible from underneath the car. I will be looking at adding some rust neutralizer into the frame rail underneath the car as well as inside the doors

 

[340challconvert]

Inspection Sticker

NJ Inspection Sticker-last time on the road! Windshield is cracked, I am replacing with a tinted version.

 

[72chally440]

Real nice project. Looks like the rust is at a minimum from what is pictured. I'm jealous. Good luck moving forward. Keep us updated with pics.

 

[DetMatt1]

Love it! You lucky dog!!

 

[340challconvert]

Rt side original never removed fender taken off

Right side fender removed; all original-never been off of car

-Tar like sealer on the L bracket holding top of fender to cowl still intact
-Spongy type gasket material on top of inner fender where fender rests on top: What is this stuff? What would be a better material here when I re-install the fender?

Really like the acorns coming out of the cowl drain!

Thank you all for your positive comments

 

[340challconvert]

Love it! You lucky dog!!

Thanks Matt
I remember the work you posted when you were working on your 71 Challenger convertible earlier.
You did a great job on that cowl repair when you found the rust. You never know what you find when tearing down!

 

[340challconvert]

Control Arms and Reman Brake booster

Was very careful in ordering parts. Wanted good quality and close to stock as possible.

Ordered Goodmark upper C Arms-thought they looked good and close to stock looking (GMK2130972621 L&R)

Brake booster is a Wearever remanufactured unit (keeping original for future rebuild) (Part No 54-73701)

 

[moparlee]

Thanks for all the great pics! Would be great if you can keep as much of the factory original as possible. Just curious, why did you replace the upper A-arms rather than just re-bushing the originals?

 

[Bill]

Congratulations on your retirement. Keep us posted. Very, very cool project!

 

[doubleyellow]

Cool car. Belive it or not, I picked up my Yellow Convertible in New Jersey!! In 1984!!

 

[doubleyellow]

Trying to upload pix

 

[doubleyellow]

Car as it is now with body/paint done. Needs total reassembly.

 

[340challconvert]

Doubleyellow
Great job on your convertible
It's what I hope mine will look like!

 

[doubleyellow]

I picked mine up in Ft. Lee, NJ in 1984. I lived in CT at the time and almost did not make it over the GW and through South Bronx with the car. Was in bad shape. Live in Michigan now outside of Detroit. Keep going on your car and keep sending pics since I still have to put mine together and forgot where to put many of the parts!!