70 Challenger RT/SE restoration started

[tomps]

Well I've started the resto on my '70 RT/SE. 383 auto (not original I don't think.....my car had a build date of Jan. 1970 and the code on the block I think is April??), AC, PW, PS, leather front seats, am radio, appears to be all correct. Found the vin stamped on the radiator support as well as cowl. t has drum brakes all around. they seem good.....not sure if I should convert to disc in the front? I want to do the car all stock and original and have a solid #2 driver quality car.

It took my about 8-10 hours (really took my time) but the motor is ready to come out almost. I'm having the body shop take it down to bare metal, repair any areas and re-paint the original plum crazy. After getting the radiator out, I found the right front frame rail bent. Looks like it can be straighten....but now I know why the front valance didn't look right. I didn't notice this when I bought the car....

 

[rbbruno3]

Nice car , keep us posted on the rebuild. Like the color

 

[moparleo]

Looks very nice! Safety first. Especially if it is to be a driver, go with the disc brake conversion. You can always put it back.

 

[challenger6pak]

Nice looking car. I agree with Leo. Disc brakes are a must. Keep the old spindles and drums since they came with the car.

 

[DetMatt1]

Agree with Leo and 6pak on the disc conversion, nice car, best of luck with it.

 

[tomps]

Well a little progress is being made. Lower quarters good, a bit of rot and holes uncovered in the usual area in front of the wheel wells. Did find evidence of the car getting hit in the right side. The door hinge post is pushed in, we'll be able to straighten along with the bent front frame rail. Motor coming put this weekend.

Did decide to go with disc brakes....anyone recommend a good kit or place to shop??

Fender not bad.....a bit of rot of the corner typical

 

[tomps]

A little more progress by the body shop the last few weeks. They pulled the frame back in to alignment. The right front rail was 2 3/4" out of whack.....and the left rail which I couldn't even tell a little under 1" out....

Before....

After....

The lower rear quarters had been done sometime along the way already.....

 

[challenger6pak]

Looks like you are making great progress. You car is in better condition than a lot of them. It will really be a nice car done.

 

[ramenth]

Looks like the shop did a nice job bringing the rails back over.

Nice progress, so far!

 

[tomps]

More progress.....going a bit slow but that is fine with me. Ended up replacing the inner fender apron. Also ordered a taillight panel and lower rear crossmember which was pretty punky. The tail panel had a lot of peppering corrosion so we decided to replace instead of trying to repair.
Progress is progress though!

 

[tomps]

Little bit more progress.....














I'm guessing this is how the factory filled in the area to accept the smaller SE formal rear glass? You can see the seam all the way around. Was "gummed up" pretty heavy which caused it to bubble. Going with new top to match the new paint.

 

[tomps]

Moving along pretty good now. Quarters looking good. Peeled back the vinyl top and of course un-covered some minor issues. A few dents and some rust will need to be taken care of.

I'm guessing the RT/SE rear window is considered "Un-obtainium"? Doesn't seem to be an easy piece to find. This one is ok just afraid of it being damaged.

 

[Rotax]

I don't have pics but I am working on a 70 EV2 440 4 speed

 

[tomps]

Well it's been a while but we're slowly moving forward.......





Panels are loosely hung on but fit very nice. Hopeful for paint in the next month just some final sanding to do...

 

[rbbruno3]

Looking good

 

[a68postcar]

darn nice car man, darn nice car.

 

[tomps]

Back at it.....got some chassis black paint on it finally. All new suspension/bushings prior to painting. Body has had it's final block sanding. Phil (dude in the background) doing final blocking/sanding on all the panels. Might actually have some paint on it soon! Been at the shop a year now.......man I can't wait to get it back....just in time for SNOW probably.









Question: On the very top of the firewall near the windshield (where the VIN is stamped on to firewall) I've seen that area painted black and others the same color of the car. I've chosen to paint same as car....was kind of curious as to what is correct?

-Mark

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

Steady progress. Looks very straight now.
Cannot tell if you converted the car to front disc brakes by the recent pictures.
Did you/or will you change them out for the safety factor as recommended?

Not sure if my 74 would be the same, but all areas from firewall all the way up to the windshield are painted same as the car.

 

[tomps]

Steady progress. Looks very straight now.
Cannot tell if you converted the car to front disc brakes by the recent pictures.
Did you/or will you change them out for the safety factor as recommended?

Not sure if my 74 would be the same, but all areas from firewall all the way up to the windshield are painted same as the car.

Good eye! The body is real straight and smooooth.

Having a real hard time finding exactly what I am looking for as far as a disc brake conversion kit. There seem to be plenty of kits available but they all seem to require upgrading to 15" wheels. I want to keep the original 14" wheels the car came with as seen in pics. Plus my wallet has taken a steady hit on this project. I'm leaning towards holding off on the disc brake conversion for those reason unless I can come up with what I'm looking for? I keep going back and forth on this............

I plan on painting the firewall all the way from the body "pinch" line/weld from the bottom up to the windshield. Not spraying the underside floors etc. color coordinated.

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

I brought up the brake issue again from past experiences.
I was driving my 68 mustang all drum car years ago on the freeway. Wasn't even raining at the time but the roads were still wet.
Take the off ramp that requires a quick slow down and sharp probably 270deg looping turn. Nothin...
Many pumps later they finally grabbed and I miraculously fishtail slid all the way around. Promptly cleaned my shorts and then converted it to the discs.
Possibly just convert it over to a later year factory version. Most likely lower cost and the 14"s can be retained. Master cylinder and proportioning valve would also be changed.