[71Charger_fan]

I've been very disappointed in the quality of the paint job I received when I color changed from Plum Crazy to Ivory Tri-Coat Pearl. So, I'm sucking it up and stripping it down for paint again. The paint shop won't be ready to take it in until mid-February, but since it really doesn't get used much this time of year, might as well get started on tear down. No sense paying someone to do simple disassembly.

 

[71Charger_fan]

A few more.

 

[Scrounge]

I like the detailed reporting of your projects. In this case, I don't see the quality issues with your Charger's current paint job, but you're closer to the car than we are. Have you decided on the color?

 

[71Charger_fan]

Probably some shade of purple. Looking for just the right one. My painter also runs a local paint supply business. He knows what I'm looking for and I'm confident he'll come up with something.

 

[73chargerse]

Man, I was recently searching the site to see if you had pictures up of this car. I never found any, so I'm very happy to see these. Sweet looking Charger. Way nicer than my 73 ever was.

 

[71Charger_fan]

Holy crap it's been cold. I've not touched it since just before Christmas and, given the forecast, I doubt I'll be touching it for at least a few more days.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I took advantage of one of Year One's 30% off specials and bought new engine and forward light harnesses. I may convert it to HEI using my MP distributor and a bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion (at http://www.designed2drive.com/ )
I currently have a Firecore RTR distributor, but am considering switching to HEI so that I could buy an ignition module at any auto parts store should I need to.
I should warm up enough this week to get back out into the garage.

 

[71Charger_fan]

 

[71Charger_fan]

It finally warmed up enough to get back out in the garage. Today, I pulled and disassembled the front valance. The air is warmer, but the garage slab is still frigid. So, the valance will be enough for today.

 

[71Charger_fan]

Today, I pulled the antenna, cleaned out the trunk, and organized the parts that have come off.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I packed up the wiper motor to send it out for restoration. Of course, I drove all the way to the Post Office before I realized it's a holiday.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I switched an old set of Jeep wheels/tires onto the rear. Unfortunately, the Jeep wheels didn't fit on the front. I'll probably take a Dremel to the inside of the wheel center bore and see if I can make them fit..

 

[71Charger_fan]

It took a light touch with the Dremel inside the wheels' center bores, removal of the center caps, and a stack of washers to keep them from binding on the tie rod ends, but I got the Jeep wheels on the front of the Charger. Now, I don't care about overspray on the rolling stock.

 

[Volunteer]

I took advantage of one of Year One's 30% off specials and bought new engine and forward light harnesses. I may convert it to HEI using my MP distributor and a bracket from Mopar HEI Conversion (at http://www.designed2drive.com/ )
I currently have a Firecore RTR distributor, but am considering switching to HEI so that I could buy an ignition module at any auto parts store should I need to.
I should warm up enough this week to get back out into the garage.

Lots of options here - - - just promise me (and I'm sure a few others) that you will not ever consider getting one of those (Goddawful looking) ORANGE (M.P.) modules. Even (G.M.) HEI is better because it's more 'discrete' and, (arguably) more reliable.
As far as the color of the car - was it originally Plum Crazy or ? Note that the only year for a brighter white was indeed 1971 - (brite white- GY3) but, when pearlized, it does the opposite of enhancing the magnificent 'glow'.
Point I make is that (in most cases), with a car this 'special', it is generally better (more profitable) to maintain original body color - but of course this is your car - to do with what you wish.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I started with a GY9 SE, 383-2V car. It was never going to be a very valuable car. It's the perfect car to turn into the Charger I want, even if it's a combination of parts and trim levels Dodge never built.

I have a Mopar Peformance electronic ignition system on the shelf, orange box and all. That's the distributor I'm thinking of converting to HEI.

 

[hemirunner426]

Lots of options here - - - just promise me (and I'm sure a few others) that you will not ever consider getting one of those (Goddawful looking) ORANGE (M.P.) modules. Even (G.M.) HEI is better because it's more 'discrete' and, (arguably) more reliable.
As far as the color of the car - was it originally Plum Crazy or ? Note that the only year for a brighter white was indeed 1971 - (brite white- GY3) but, when pearlized, it does the opposite of enhancing the magnificent 'glow'.
Point I make is that (in most cases), with a car this 'special', it is generally better (more profitable) to maintain original body color - but of course this is your car - to do with what you wish.

I disagree,anything GM is just wrong.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I removed the door and trunk weather stripping and have about run out of things I can strip off before it goes to the shop.

The stainless at the bottom of the windshield was deeply scratched. I sanded it with 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600, then polished it with a rag and Flitz. I only went to 1600 as I didn't have anything finer on hand. It'll be mostly hidden at the back of hood, so 1600 will be good enough and it looks lots better than it did.
View attachment 13625

 

[71Charger_fan]

Temperatures have dropped again, cooling my interest in being out in the garage, but I did pull the front bumper.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I bought some new hood pins which. They're smaller in diameter than the old ones, so I fitted them this afternoon.

 

[71Charger_fan]

I think I've stripped the front down as much as I'm going to. I'm hoping the painter will come get it soon.