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1970 Dodge Challenger R/T #'s Matching 383, Restoration Page 1

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1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
#'s Matching 383, Restoration Page 1

This page will be used to document the restoration of my #'s Matching 383 R/T.

This car came to me in pretty much pieces.  The interior had been removed, engine & drive shaft disconnected, brake lines cut, grille tossed away (or sold), and the original seats were missing. You get the picture. It was either destined to become a parts car or it was a "Someday I'm Gonna" project.  To make matters worse (for my website at least), my camera/computer lost the pictures of it in the condition I bought it in. I had already started to work on it when I realized this.  As a result, these pictures are kind of picking up midstream.

 The car itself is a numbers matching 383 R/T with automatic trans, factory FK5 Burnt Orange with a Burnt Orange interior. This was evidenced by the burnt Orange dash and a tiny bit of headliner remnant.  I don't know what seats it came with so I am going to put the standard R/T interior in it.  It was also a vinyl roof car and I plan on putting one back on it in white along with a white R/T stripe. I have a full set of 1970 Road Wheels that are currently on my 72 RR Clone that will finish out the car.  Overall the body was in pretty good condition.  I had to weld one patch panel in the passenger rear lower quarter plus one small fabricated patch under the windshield on the driver side.  After I sand blasted the engine compartment, I found evidence of a minor fender bender from days gone by.  So, I had to re-weld one of the inner fender braces, a slight tear in the cowl, and a tear in one of the inner fenders as well.  This is where the pictures pick up.

I have a goal of finishing the car within the next 3 months, so keep popping in from time to time to check out my progress.  I will document as much of the resto as possible and will make sure to keep my kids away from my camera :)


Sandblasted Engine Compartment

These next few pictures show some of the work in the engine compartment. You'll notice the torn inner fender brace. What you cannot see, because I lost the picture, is the patches that were necessary in the cowl (due to a tear) and the windshield frame (due to minor rust). Sorry those pictures got deleted somehow.

 

Nice Clean Frame Rails

Amazing what a little hard work and some paint will do:)

I've also decided to drop the K-Frame and restore it out of the car.  I'll possibly even install the engine like the factory did; from the bottom.  It's going to be pretty tough to do without a lift, but I've seen it done.  What the heck, if some else can do it, so can I!


Under carriage & Frame Rails In GREAT shap

Well, I figured before I went much further I should show how the underside of the car looks before I do anything to it.  The car is Very Very clean and rust free underneath.  Frankly, I was shocked!  I had to patch one part of the driver's front floor pan due to the leaky windshield frame.  Otherwise, I am only going to have to prep and paint the bottom.  I've dropped the K-frame and fuel tank already and plan on removing the rear end tomorrow.  Once the body work is done and the threat of primer overspray is gone, I will be fully painting the bottom of this car.

Another pleasant surprise is the presence of a Sure-Grip 3.23 in the 8-3/4.  Thought for sure it would be gone since a lot of these cars have had their gears removed over the years for other projects.  Already ordered the poly front end rebuild kit and new leaf springs from Espo.  They should all be here by the weekend.  Also, have the carpet, headliner, seat covers, vinyl top and all weatherstirping due to arrive shortly.

Body is coming along nicely.  I sanded the car down, smoothed over a few rough spots, and then Epoxy Primed the whole thing. I have now started the process of sanding & priming,sanding & priming,sanding & priming,sanding & priming, - well you get the picture - I want this car to be STRAIGHT if it KILLS ME!


Yes, that is the Factory Trunk Pan