deathproofdodge
New Member
(Extremely long post)
Hey everyone, I’m new to the forum and just starting to get into Mopars. I’m 16 and really interested in picking up a 1971 Dodge Challenger that I recently found, but I’d love some advice from people who know these cars better than I do before I pull the trigger.
Here’s what I know about the car so far:
It’s a stripped-down drag car project, The interior is completely gutted, it had a single seat (not sure if it’s E-body) no door panels, no interior dash, no headliner, but it has a center console. the inner fender unIbody metal has been cut out/removed. It has a fuel cell installed in the trunk.
It’s running a built 400 big block Mopar paired with a 727 Torqueflite transmission. Seller says it was driven into the shed and has been sitting since,
It needs spark plugs and brake lines to move again.
Suspension/Tires: It’s currently sitting on drag radials so it looks like it was mainly used for the strip.
The seller is asking $7,000.
From my perspective, I see potential since it’s already got a big block and transmission, but I also know it’s missing a lot (interior, sheet metal, possibly wiring, streetable suspension, etc.). My end goal isn’t necessarily a full-on race car. I’d like to have something I can work on, learn from, and eventually drive on the street and strip (on weekends)
My questions to the group are:
Does this sound like a fair deal for $7k, or should I hold out for something more complete? (If that ever shows up)
How hard is it to convert a gutted drag setup like this back into a usable street car?
Are there common rust or structural issues I should look out for on a Challenger that’s been cut up for drag racing?
Anything else you’d check or ask the seller before committing?
I know this is a big project, but I’m eager to learn, and I figure some of you have been down this road before. Any guidance, advice, or warnings you can share would mean a lot.
Thanks for having me here!
-dpd
Hey everyone, I’m new to the forum and just starting to get into Mopars. I’m 16 and really interested in picking up a 1971 Dodge Challenger that I recently found, but I’d love some advice from people who know these cars better than I do before I pull the trigger.
Here’s what I know about the car so far:
It’s a stripped-down drag car project, The interior is completely gutted, it had a single seat (not sure if it’s E-body) no door panels, no interior dash, no headliner, but it has a center console. the inner fender unIbody metal has been cut out/removed. It has a fuel cell installed in the trunk.
It’s running a built 400 big block Mopar paired with a 727 Torqueflite transmission. Seller says it was driven into the shed and has been sitting since,
It needs spark plugs and brake lines to move again.
Suspension/Tires: It’s currently sitting on drag radials so it looks like it was mainly used for the strip.
The seller is asking $7,000.
From my perspective, I see potential since it’s already got a big block and transmission, but I also know it’s missing a lot (interior, sheet metal, possibly wiring, streetable suspension, etc.). My end goal isn’t necessarily a full-on race car. I’d like to have something I can work on, learn from, and eventually drive on the street and strip (on weekends)
My questions to the group are:
Does this sound like a fair deal for $7k, or should I hold out for something more complete? (If that ever shows up)
How hard is it to convert a gutted drag setup like this back into a usable street car?
Are there common rust or structural issues I should look out for on a Challenger that’s been cut up for drag racing?
Anything else you’d check or ask the seller before committing?
I know this is a big project, but I’m eager to learn, and I figure some of you have been down this road before. Any guidance, advice, or warnings you can share would mean a lot.
Thanks for having me here!
-dpd
