1970 Challenger pro touring rebuild

[mopargnome]

This is a pretty rough 70 Challenger R/T that I am rebuilding for my number one customer. When I arrived it was mostly torn apart and bolted to a rotisserie. He had some of the parts and we have been ordering more, alot more. It was an original 383 car but the original engine, transmission, fender tag and broadcast sheet were gone. He is into the pro touring look so that's the route this build is taking.

 

[mopargnome]

I started by cutting out the bad. The fender lips had been cut by someone who thought this should be a race car. There was also a little rust involved.

 

[mopargnome]

Then I got the new wheel tub, quarter panel extension and quarter panels mocked up. At this point they are attached with self tapping screws.

 

[moparlee]

Looks like it's going to be a big project. Good job at getting right to it, great progress. BTW, welcome to site from mid Michigan.

 

[mopargnome]

The inner bracing for the quarter windows had been cut out by a previous owner. I installed donor patches that weren't quite complete so I had to make the missing pieces. The rear window had rust all around so while waiting on parts I patched that and a hole cut in the inner structure of the door.

 

[mopargnome]

New inner front fender were installed and rust in the side of the cowl was patched. The cowl rust was about the same on both sides but my picture of the driver side sucks!

 

[gdrill]

Cool, I'm watching. It looks like stuff I will be doing eventually.

 

[mopargnome]

This is where the modifications start! We decided to widen the wheel tubs 2 inches to give room for some big rear tires. This mod has opened up a can of worms but I am tackling each problem as it presents itself.

 

[mopargnome]

The stock rear interior panels fit without any modification. The rear seat frame needs a little trimming to make it fit. The trunk hinge supports needed modified to fit the wider tubs. We are still retaining a little of the factory look with the modifications.

 

[gdrill]

Wow, I was thinking about mini tubs, but I thought there was only a smidge of room to the frame rail. Maybe I'll have to look again, or maybe that is one of the cans!

 

[mopargnome]

The door shells were stripped of the old skin, blasted and new skins put on. I then installed the new front fenders, decklid and shaker hood to see how it all lined up. Looked pretty good so the wheel tubs, trunk extensions and quarters were welded on. It's starting to look like a car again!

 

[mopargnome]

Wow, I was thinking about mini tubs, but I thought there was only a smidge of room to the frame rail. Maybe I'll have to look again, or maybe that is one of the cans!

I did have to cut into the frame rail a little to make room. If you do it just reinforce it well!

 

[mopargnome]

Several boxes of good stuff showed up! I did a couple gussets around the steering box mount and a full weld job on the K frame and boxed the lower control arms. I also did a leaf spring relocation kit for the Hotchkis springs to utilize the whole wheel tub. Im waiting on the bearings for the rear axle shafts to mock up the rear disc brake kit. The front spindles are cleaned, painted with new ball joints and a disc brake conversion. This is where the car currently sits. Stay tuned for more pictures as more work gets done.

 

[gdrill]

I did have to cut into the frame rail a little to make room. If you do it just reinforce it well!

I don't think I will attempt that! That is a ways above my skill level. This sure is looking good so far. Definitely keep the pics coming. It's good motivation for guys like me.

 

[mopargnome]

Got a few things mocked up on the Challenger. The K member is in with all the Hotchkis kit. The brakes are mocked up front and rear. The fuel tank is in. The power window kit is in and working. Got another parts order to make but it's getting there. The engine is at my friends place to be rebuilt as well. Lots to do yet but I am enjoying the process!

 

[moparleo]

Awesome job.

 

[mopargnome]

Got some more progress made. The pics pretty much explain themselves.

 

[mopargnome]

The first round of bodywork has been done and the car has been primed. Waiting on a couple more mockup items then it get taken apart, blasted then the coatings start.

 

[Donny]

I have James' Challenger, and we both noticed the limited room until we hit the Frame Rails. However, We can cut into it then reinforce it, I did a mini tub on a 69 Camaro earlier this year, had to do the same thing. I like your work.

 

[mopargnome]

Sorry for not posting in a while. I have been pretty busy since SEMA. The car is coming along nicely though. The Ididit column was mocked up. After blasting it became apparent that the front driver floor needed replaced, so that was done. The bodywork has all gotten done and then bottom and interior were bedlined.