70 Challenger RT/SE restoration started

[tomps]

lookin' good tomps. its gonna be a good car.

Thanks.....should be done by spring at this rate!

 

[tomps]

Vinyl top installed.......

...the list is shrinking ever so slightly :icon_super:

 

[moparlee]

That white vinyl top looks great with the plum crazy paint. Nice job!

 

[burntorange70]

I love that color combo. Nice work.

 

[tomps]

The only credit I can take is picking and paying the upholstery shop :toothy12:

Very happy....the top was a Legendary Interiors piece. Fit and form look pretty good.

The color combo (original) will really pop I think once the white R/T stripe goes on which should be soon......final buffing of the paint next week I think.

 

[tomps]

Exhaust on, suspension done, disc brake conversion from SSBC bolted up nicely to existing spindles.

Closer everyday.....

 

[tomps]

Well we're out of the body shop and back to my garage for final assembly :toothy12:

Hopefully by summer. Got a complete new interior to do...full engine compartment to dress.....lots of trim...R/T stripe. Just need some warmer weather....

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

Very nice

 

[jfreakofkorn]

looking good =)

 

[Mopar Fan]

Damn that's purdy...

 

[quapman]

Looks pretty awesome. I have the same color combo on my 70 U code R/T. Previous owner deleted the white top, but I'm thinking of putting one back on.

A few comments to your questions:

Whatever was "gooped" around your rear window plug was not factory. Those were screwed into place with no additional sealing. Some jute or ?? padding was put around the lower areas prior to top install and the only thing that sealed the whole mess was the vinyl itself.

The black you found near your windshield was probably factory. R/T's and T/A's got the top of the cowl blacked out, but I don't think that started until a couple months into production, so you might not find it on early cars.

How are your ceiling console and headliner? Rear finish panel? Belt moldings? I know these are the hard parts to find when you need them.

Did you have the original rear vinyl top moldings and the thin strip with all the holes in it? These are S.E. specific and are different from non S.E.'s.

 

[challenger6pak]

What is the thin strip with all the holes in it for? I have one off of an SE and do not know where it goes? Thanks.

 

[quapman]

Since the distance between the original large window opening is so close to the edge of the vinyl, it's supposed to hold the vinyl down to the deck panel. I probably have pics of an original, but they're so old, they're in a drawer somewhere, not in a computer. LOL

 

[quapman]

Found Some Pics!

Here are pics of an original S.E. I think the clips for the stainless moldings are wrong.

 

[challenger6pak]

OK. Now it makes sense. I took it off of a car so long ago I forgot where it went. I believe it is also why the SE has the wide rear moulding. It is to clear the strip. Thanks for the pics.

 

[tomps]

Thanks for all the info guys. Not much new progress.....been a loooong cold winter, no room and no heat in the garage so work came to a stand still until today. Gutted the rest of the interior. All seats are already out for upholstery. Pulled the carpet, rear package tray, rear trunk divider. Floors look original and except for a couple of dents the body shop pounded out looks good....

I think the worse thing was trying to put on the SE emblem on the vinyl top......3 plus hours! I couldn't get my hands in that tight area and get the speed nut started. I gave up. Put the altenator on the engine and did some general cleaning. Going to paint/dye all the kick panels.

The headliner, ceiling console (everything works), sail panels, belts all in excellent believed to be original condition.

I have a question on the center console. On the back of the console behind the opening console door what am I missing here...

Here's a close up.....

Trying to find a diagram or something. Is there an ash tray insert and door/cover I'm missing? It was like this when I bought the car.

-Mark

 

[moparleo]

The console you have is a 1970 item only. Empty pockets were for the seat belt buckles. 71 and up have a different lower console with an ashtray. Nothing is missing.

 

[tomps]

Ahhhh cool...thanks Leo. The 71 up were throwing me off I kept seeing ash tray inserts. One less thing.....for a change!

 

[challenger6pak]

Here's a pic.

 

[tomps]

Here's a pic. View attachment 15369

Ahhh......I did not know that! Thanks for the reference pics!!