1971 383 4spd Dodge Challenger R/T
Now this is a beauty !
Originally from Texas, this 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T is factory equipped with a 383 4spd and the desirable N96 SHAKER hood option all documented with the factory fender tag.
Picture this: FC7 Plum Crazy paint with factory white stripes and white interior to boot.
Can't wait to get started on this one !
Spent a couple hours getting this down to a stripped roller. Talk about rust free ! Found a little bit of rust around the rear window and behind the rear wheels...That's it.
Once I get the suspension out, it's of to the blasters to find all the hiding rust.
With the car completely stripped apart, it's time for blasting to find out what we have left to work with. The folks at Eramosa Autobody will take good care of it, and get her all cleaned up and primed. Can't wait !
NO MORE SECRETS !!!!
Some owners are afraid to go this far with their restoration, but if you truly want to fully restore a car, then this stage is a must !
This car is really solid compared to most. A lot of the issues stem from older repair work and some rust pin holes.
The green colour you see is a nice quality epoxy primer that seals up everything from future rust and is a great base for any body work and future paint.
With the car now up at Boothill Auto in Erin ON the metal work can begin.
First step is to properly mount it to a frame table and check all the measurements against factory specs. This should be done before any panels are cut off the car.
Finishing up the front end, Boothill has installed one replacement inner apron, but was able to save the passenger side original piece.
Front end done...moving rearward. Boothill does nice clean work, even removing the old trunk pan which is trash....No hack job here !
Coming right along, metal work should be wrapped up soon!
Off with the old!
The finished floor pan and rear quarter panel look great. Boothill is doing a fantastic job !
Moving on to the restoration of the original shaker hood!
Starting on the small components.
Here's some "before" shots of the complete suspension. I'll be restoring more components over the next few months. Look for some crazy upgrades to this Challenger !
Had Scott Davis install the new Legendary seat covers, excellent quality as always.
Tackled the heater box as well. Started out looking like a pile of trash...Turned out very nice !
More components getting started....
Finished up the clutch and brake pedals. Converted the housing to the manual style with two studs that go through the firewall. This was needed to remove the power brakes in favor of the new aftermarket disc brakes I'll be adding.
That old clutch spring is not needed either....Going to upgrade to a hydraulic assisted clutch pedal !
Okay, out come some of the aftermarket upgrades. First up is a set of 2" drop spindles supplied by MAGNUM FORCE, then a complete 12.90" disc brake set-up from WILWOOD, look for these at the rear of the car as well.
Firm Feel stepped up next with the Stage III steering box and huge 11/16 tie rods with adjuster sleeves, can't wait to see how she steers.
Got some of the other small parts restored for underneath as well. Doesn't hurt to be ahead of the game!
Bumper brackets restored and bumpers all pre-assembled.
Check out the upgrades up front ! Altogether it's one very nice package...Sweet !
Dash assembly all done! Quartz clock, electronic tachometer upgrades, and of course all new wiring. Dash pad is a beautiful reproduction from Ultimate Rides out of Elpaso Texas.
Got the tail light assemblies restored using the excellent gaskets from DMT !
Also restored the rare spare tire and jack assembly.
As you can imagine, this car is going to re-assemble very quick !
While the car is at Waterdown Collision getting a fresh coat of FC7 Purple paint I'm going crazy getting all the small parts restored and ready to go. As you can imagine, this is a very important step to insure the car will re-assembly
quickly !
Some of the mods have started. I had to fabricate an adjustable rod to mount the new Wilwood master cylinder to the factory brake pedal. Had to incorporate a 5/16 return line into the gas tank for the new Holley Fuel injection. Bought an awesome set of factory style 3" exhaust tips as well.
Summit Racing supplied the MARCH serpentine pulleys powder coated black for that stealthy look !
Gas tank is assembled with the modified sending unit in preparation for the new HOLLEY TERMENATOR EFI...real cool !
The new 17" rims from YearOne have arrived along with the sticky NITTO tires.
Another neat trick is the stock appearing PS pump, but take note of the upgraded serpentine belt pulley.
While the car itself is out getting painted, I'm busy at work making sure everything is restored to better then new !
Dick's Transmission has expertly installed the new Motive 4:10 gears with an Auburn Sure Grip differential. Wilwood 12.90" rear disc's round out the brake system.
While all this id going on, Waterdown Collision is perfecting the body work for the new FC7 paint to follow!
The guys at Waterdown Collision are moving right along working their magic !
By the time you read this, the guys at Waterdown will have sprayed the beautiful factory FC7 Plum Crazy paint on this super straight shell of a car.
Watch for the full re-assembly to start next month in May....cruising by this Summer !
Another incredible paint job !
Time to start re-assembly, can't wait.
Re-assembly has started. I chose to start with exterior trim and then move on to both sides of the firewall. A lot of aftermarket sound deadener is being used along the way to quite down the cockpit !
Moving to the back of the car...Also had Scott Davis over to install the headliner, windshield and back glass...Looks sweet !
Have all the exterior trim done as well as the awesome white stripes...Car looks fantastic ! Can't wait to get the sparkling white interior in there...
With the sound deadener finished, the wires for the stereo installed, it was time to install that beautiful new white interior. The Metro panels are the best !
Finished off the trunk and went back to work on the Wilwood disc brake system and a HydraMax clutch pedal set-up.....very nice products!
With the rear end installed those 17" meats look right at home with all that high tech modern suspension !
Car will have a nice low stance.
Corry Heynen of Top Gun Body & Paint is handling the engine build.
The poor little stock 383 is being stroked to .030 over 496 cu in STUMP PULLER....440Source supplied the stroker kit and the complete aluminum top end.
Corry has had the combustion chambers ceramic coated as well as a slip coat on the piston skirts for optimum performance. Can't wait to see what this monster does on the dyno !
Installed the aftermarket kick panel speakers and the new CD player...This thing has all the bells and whistles..
This is a wolf in sheep's clothing. This Monster turned out over 580 ft/lbs of torque and 465 HP. I've dressed her up to look as stock as possible, hiding the aluminum heads and intake etc...The shaker will hide the rest. No one will know what lurks inside this beast !
Has a complete Holley fuel system to feed on....
With all the parts for the Tremec 5 speed conversion, it's time to install this Bad Boy ! In from the bottom is always the best way.
After the drivetrain is complete, the steering column and interior can be finished up...
Won't be long now...
Now with the Shaker in place, it's hard to tell there's any funny business going on under the hood ! Check out the 3" TTI Exhaust !
ALL DONE !
