1971 Challenger Convertible - RT clone

[Cato Vinther]

Has been working on this car since october 2014.
Hopefully its done in the end of this year.

See pictures in this link.
Challenger projekt | Facebook

 

[challenger6pak]

Nice looking car. Welcome to the site. There are at least 2 other 71 convertible owners on the site. I have one also. What motor originally came in your car?

 

[Cato Vinther]

Nice looking car. Welcome to the site. There are at least 2 other 71 convertible owners on the site. I have one also. What motor originally came in your car?

it was "only" born with a 318

 

[moparleo]

Welcome aboard Cato.

 

[moparleo]

Welcome aboard Cato.

 

[DetMatt1]

I am one of the other '71 convertible owners, welcome to the site from the Motor City!
It looks like a great project. I like the "Rusted Totally" comment.

 

[challenger6pak]

it was "only" born with a 318

Same as mine. Most were 318's. Very few people care once they see the car with the top down. Matts 71 is a rare one.

 

[js29]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but what is the story on 71 challenger R/T convertibles. I have heard no 383 or 340 cars were built. and come to think about it I have never heard of A Hemi 71 convertible ether! so what was the facts about the 71 challenger R/T convertible. I do know in 70 A 340 challenger was not an R/T, but in 71 I thought it was.

 

[DetMatt1]

There were no JS27 cars built in '71, just JH27 and the biggest engine available was the 383 which could be had with 2 or 4 bbl carbs.

 

[340challconvert]

Cato, Saw your restoration pictures on Facebook.

A lot of hard work, but the car is looking great. Good luck with your project!

 

[Litchkar]

Cato,
Welcome, I am one of the '71 Convertible owners on the site. Mine was also born with a 318, but now has a 340 with a 727 trans and sure grip rear. I was lucky that it spent its entire life in So Cal, so rust is not bad. It is worth the sweat that you put in. Even when mine was a basket case, people went crazy over it because convertibles are so rare. Enjoy the journey, it will be worth it.

 

[Cato Vinther]

Never really updated this post. But I finished my challenger this year. It was very rotten!
Everything is refurbished or new. Nut and bolt restoration to nearly perfection in my opinion. Please note, I don't mean original wise. The car is built the way I like it, with the r/t options, color and so on.
New front fenders by AMD. Surprisingly it didn't fit 100%. Some cut and welding made them fit, and they turned out pretty nice!
To strengthening the body I welded in the US car tools stiffening kit
Engine is a 512 stroker built on a 67 440 block and 727 transmission I'm currently upgrading with 6 clutch front drum, steel planetary and other heavy duty parts.

This post would be miles long if I had to write everything done to this car. If there's is any questions, shoot.

TOP DOWN, SOME BURNOUT AND OFF WE GO!

 

[Cato Vinther]

More pictures

 

[challenger6pak]

Looks great!!!!

 

[challenger6pak]

Looks great!!!!

 

[Avalanche]

Very nice color combination.
I have a 70 vert. Green go with black int.

 

[moparlee]

Congrats on finishing your Challenger Cato! Nice work and it looks great. Is that your shop? I can see another 71 Challenger and several other cars/trucks. What did you have to modify on the AMD fenders, like you said they do look really good now.

 

[rbbruno3]

Very nice job !!! Looks great

 

[DetMatt1]

Beautiful!

 

[Cato Vinther]

Congrats on finishing your Challenger Cato! Nice work and it looks great. Is that your shop? I can see another 71 Challenger and several other cars/trucks. What did you have to modify on the AMD fenders, like you said they do look really good now.

The AMD fenders, i had to slice the inner support near the buttom, to bend it further in so I'd followed the door. there was some gapping issue, where I had to either remove material or add material. I guess 5-6 hours of work in each fender. But it was worth it