1973 Dodge Challenger Restoration

[Marc Rieger]

Hi,
here I'll show you the progress of my first Restoration, a 1973 Challenger
First Pictures:









The Dashboard looked pretty bad under the new Plastic Cover.. :icon_silent:


More to come, Marc

 

[rbbruno3]

What are your plans for the car? upgrades/ changes? I see what you mean about the dash. Keep posting

 

[rbbruno3]

One other note, make sure you label and bag everything. I didnt think I needed to but guess what. I forgot where things went and where I put them.

 

[Marc Rieger]

What are your plans for the car? upgrades/ changes?

Here in Germany we have something called 'Historic Numberplate'. If your vehicle is 30 years or older you can drive with this Numberplate and you have to pay only 190€ (~240$) taxes for one year.
The only bad thing about it is.. your car has to be original. That means, no Disc Brakes on the Rear Axle, no 'modern' Radio, original Seats, original everything...

If you don't want the Historic Numberplate you have to pay ~1500€ (2000$) Taxes because of the bad emission of the engine.

So, I have a new little Motor:
Aluminium Block and Heads, 32Valves, EFI, Forged Pistons, finely balanced Rotating Assembly, 11:1 Compression Ratio, 302ci, and 400 Horsepower on the Dyno.
And a Six Speed Manual Transmission, should be Fun to drive.
And because of the EFi, I have to pay only 300€ (400$) taxes.

I'll make a Pic this evening..

 

[Marc Rieger]

Engine and Transmission have 35000Miles

 

[moparleo]

What engine and trans is that ?

 

[Marc Rieger]

It's a modified Mercedes Engine and the Transmission is from an BMW E39 M5

 

[moparleo]

Very good. Will it be trouble to modify the harnesses and ecm?

 

[AZkcar135]

Cool engine/trans combo!! can't wait to see it finished!!

 

[ramenth]

Here in Germany we have something called 'Historic Numberplate'. If your vehicle is 30 years or older you can drive with this Numberplate and you have to pay only 190€ (~240$) taxes for one year.
The only bad thing about it is.. your car has to be original. That means, no Disc Brakes on the Rear Axle, no 'modern' Radio, original Seats, original everything...

If you don't want the Historic Numberplate you have to pay ~1500€ (2000$) Taxes because of the bad emission of the engine.

So, I have a new little Motor:
Aluminium Block and Heads, 32Valves, EFI, Forged Pistons, finely balanced Rotating Assembly, 11:1 Compression Ratio, 302ci, and 400 Horsepower on the Dyno.
And a Six Speed Manual Transmission, should be Fun to drive.
And because of the EFi, I have to pay only 300€ (400$) taxes.

I'll make a Pic this evening..

Interesting. You're not allowed deviation from stock, yet you can swap to a modern engine combination. I can see that loophole in the law if they are charging for emissions, but seems rather strict in the idea that everything else has to be original.

Speaking of which, what else are you allowed deviation from stock on? Can you go with suspension upgrades like bigger sway bars, tube control arms, etc?

Build a suspension under that lightweight engine and it would be great for some canyon carving.

 

[Marc Rieger]

Very good. Will it be trouble to modify the harnesses and ecm?

No big deal, you need the original ECM and the Original Mercedes Key because of the immobilizer.. Hope thats the correct word
And thats all.

@ramenth: You are allowed to change a few things.. But it has to be contemporary.. For example, the wheel Size is limited to 16"
I hope you understand it..

 

[ramenth]

No big deal, you need the original ECM and the Original Mercedes Key because of the immobilizer.. Hope thats the correct word
And thats all.

@ramenth: You are allowed to change a few things.. But it has to be contemporary.. For example, the wheel Size is limited to 16"
I hope you understand it..

I get it. Just one of those examples of non-car guys making laws for the car guys.

 

[Marc Rieger]

Some progress

 

[ramenth]

That's a lot of cheap filler!

 

[Marc Rieger]

Sandblasting..
Better than expected under that much Bondo

 

[Marc Rieger]

Hey Guys,
I got a new GEN3 Hemi 5.7. So no Mercedes Engine, I think the HEMI is better.. Because.. It's a HEMI.
Now my Problem is the Transmission, I could also get a NAG1 Transmission that fits the Engine. But how to connect the Transmission and the Engine (Harness, ECU...) ??
Do you guys have some Tips for me?


Highly appreciated, Marc