New Member - 1974 Spring Special

[Steve1578]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to introduce myself. I will be picking up my first Charger in a few days.
It is a 1974 Spring Special. Overall, the car is in very good condition. Clean title, runs and drives, straight frame.
It does have a slipping transmission(3 spd auto) but included with the car comes another transmission.
The car has a rebuilt 360 sb, a pozi diff, and other small things. The interior just had new carpet added.
The most this car really needs is a good paint job and some patching from small rust spots.
I have a lot in mind to do to this car. Even though it won't be classified as a restoration because it's not in bad shape, it will certainly be a "build".
I have a lot of ideas and can't wait to get it back to its former glory.
Can't wait to progress with this car and see everyone progress with theirs! 

I am trading with a friend, value on my end is about 4k, which I feel is fair considering the condition and extras it comes with(transmission, also another 360 sb which is attached to the transmission, a new hood, and lots of other parts like interior pieces, etc. etc.
I don't have many pics, but included the ones I do have.

[Pat1973charger]

Welcome! Sounds like a cool build and your off to a good start having a resonably solid body! Good luck!

[Steve1578]

Welcome! Sounds like a cool build and your off to a good start having a resonably solid body! Good luck!

Thank you! Can't wait to get started on it.

[polywideblock]

welcome to the site        the fun begins



                         posi is a chev term    mopars  have  a sure grip

[skip68]

Welcome to the site Steve.       
Cool car.   

[Ghoste]

Looks like a nice car, welcome to the site.

[VegasCharger]

Welcome aboard

Yea not too many of those Charger options with the "squared out" fixed rear quarter glass.

Is it titled as an SE?

Nice start BTW.

[Steve1578]

Welcome aboard

Yea not too many of those Charger options with the "squared out" fixed rear quarter glass.

Is it titled as an SE?

Nice start BTW.

Thanks! 
I'm actually not too sure yet, we will be exchanging titles and everything this weekend, I'll take a close look and report back to you!
I've done a lot of research trying to figure out just what the spring special came with, how it was different, etc., etc.
I've heard that it's quite rare though, possibly less than 200 made with the full vinyl roof & fixed opera window. I have no credible source to back that up though. Regardless, can't wait to get started on her 

[Baldwinvette77]

Thats a pretty neat quarter window, did they come like that? 

[Steve1578]

Thats a pretty neat quarter window, did they come like that? 

From what I've read, the spring specials came with the full vinyl roof and fixed quarter window like that.
It's suprisingly difficult to get any "solid" info, seeing as the records were not very well kept back then.
And to be honest, I'm still a little confused myself.
I've seen a few others like this when searching google for "1974 Dodge Charger Spring Special", I think it might have been an option though?
Here's another that resembles mine :

http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=138407

[VegasCharger]

Thats a pretty neat quarter window, did they come like that?  

To the best of my knowledge 73-74 Chargers came with 4 different rear quarter window options. Three pics below describing my knowledge.

pic 1. This covers two of the 4 options in which these came roll down style (hardtop) and fixed style (coupe).

pic 2. SE option, the louvered 3 port opera windows with a 3/4 vinyl top. Some SE's came with a hardtop and a halo vinyl top. Full vinyl with a narrow strip of body color between the roofline and vinyl.

pic 3 "Squared" fixed window like Steve1578's. Maybe Spring Special only? Not sure if SE cars that this was an option or at least through the whole model year

[Baldwinvette77]

i have to say the spring special is my favourite, especially in black with those wheels 

[Steve1578]

i have to say the spring special is my favourite, especially in black with those wheels 

I might be biased but I have to agree 
I'm not too sure if that style is spring special exclusive or not, but I definitely don't see many of them, and it's my favorite of all the options.

I intend to get mine painted black and I just have to steal those wheels 

[EccentricMagpies]

Welcome to the site!

I agree.  Your car looks sharp.  Great price too!!

[Steve1578]

Welcome to the site!

I agree.  Your car looks sharp.  Great price too!!

Thank you! Looking forward to getting more pictures of it and laying out some details for my plan with it.

[ralley72]

Welcome abroad,you certainly don't see that style of roof very often.Good luck with your projectand drive the wheels off it.

Mike

[Steve1578]

Welcome abroad,you certainly don't see that style of roof very often.Good luck with your projectand drive the wheels off it.

Mike

Thanks Mike! I intend to! Lots of plans. I hope to have the exterior finished in a few months, completing it with a nice high gloss black.

[RallyeMike]

Welcome.

I had no idea they even made that roof/window style from the factory. I always assumed that it was an SE car with the plastic gills removed    Again proving that you can be immersed in this stuff for years and years and still learn new things.

[Steve1578]

Welcome.

I had no idea they even made that roof/window style from the factory. I always assumed that it was an SE car with the plastic gills removed    Again proving that you can be immersed in this stuff for years and years and still learn new things.

I'm new to mopar in general(previously owned a mustang and a corvette, thought it was about time I give a Charger a try), so I've just been soaking in as much as possible about these beauties. Can't wait to start wrenching on it. 

[Nacho-RT74]

hi and welcome!

Spring specials are WH23 on vin, standard with hardtop setup ( roll down windows ) but with opera window option ( M07 on tag/buildsheet, new for 74 only ). These are assemblied like SEs, same flass and all but not louvers... a frame on the opening instead and STILL WH23 on vin


whats the rallye strip code on it ?

[Nacho-RT74]

Being said that, not all M07 coded cars are Spring Specials, and not all Spring Specials are M07 ( although most of them )

[Steve1578]

hi and welcome!

Spring specials are WH23 on vin, standard with hardtop setup ( roll down windows ) but with opera window option ( M07 on tag/buildsheet, new for 74 only ). These are assemblied like SEs, same flass and all but not louvers... a frame on the opening instead and STILL WH23 on vin


whats the rallye strip code on it ?

Hi,

The VIN for this one is WH23G4G207384.

As far as the Rallye strip code goes, I'm not honestly not sure what that is.

[Nacho-RT74]

its on Tag, must be V6 something

[Steve1578]

its on Tag, must be V6 something

I'm assuming V6K, as it says it comes standard on all the Spring Special models.

[Nacho-RT74]

I guess that... but it got discolored somehow diff that I have seen on some others... it looks some "grayshy"

[VegasCharger]

Thanks Nacho for clearing up for what has been a mystery to me for years. That is this "squared" rear quarter window treatment on these Chargers.

So bottom line these were available on late 1974 Charger hardtops only. No SE's.

I've attached the pic you posted with some editing stating what the fine print says next to the Charger on that ad

[EccentricMagpies]

I guess that... but it got discolored somehow diff that I have seen on some others... it looks some "grayshy"

I was wondering that same thing.  At first I thought maybe someone painted the stripe on and it eventually faded.
Car would look pretty cool with the original stripe back on with that body color I'm guessing. 

So what are the plans with the car?   You mentioned black.  Are you sticking with the original drivetrain?

[tan top]

 hello & welcome 

[Nacho-RT74]

So bottom line these were available on late 1974 Charger hardtops only. No SE's.

Dunno if just lates or full 74 year. My APRIL 74 parts catalog shows it though. What is definitelly true it was a Hardtop option, not coupe or SE. This would make it not anymore a real hardtop though... since ads a B pillar. It's at the end same SE assembly, but just the lack of louvers and a frame instead.

Remember IS NOT an ONLY Springs Special option, it was simply an added option for WH23 cars coded M07.

[Chargerguy74]

Welcome! Beautiful car. Please post the stripe code, I'd guess it's V6K as well. The stripes do fade like that, one of my parts cars looks exactly the same stripe wise.

My WL21 coupe Spring Special car has the normal fixed coupe windows. How do you like that interior, W1LL?

Ryan

[Steve1578]

I guess that... but it got discolored somehow diff that I have seen on some others... it looks some "grayshy"

I was wondering that same thing.  At first I thought maybe someone painted the stripe on and it eventually faded.
Car would look pretty cool with the original stripe back on with that body color I'm guessing.  

So what are the plans with the car?   You mentioned black.  Are you sticking with the original drivetrain?

My current plans are to get it painted(black as I stated), and get the interior finished. Needs seats, new dash, headliner, small stuff.
Mechanically, I haven't looked into it too much to be honest.
The car comes with another transmission, as the one currently on it is slipping. I'm not sure what transmission is, I'll find that out. I know it's not a 727 though. I think I'll be sticking with the rebuilt 360, and I know it has a sure grip, not sure of the gear ratio though.

I'm still laying out all the details of the build. I haven't had much experience with mopar, so it's going to be an exciting experience.

[EccentricMagpies]

I guess that... but it got discolored somehow diff that I have seen on some others... it looks some "grayshy"

I was wondering that same thing.  At first I thought maybe someone painted the stripe on and it eventually faded.
Car would look pretty cool with the original stripe back on with that body color I'm guessing.  

So what are the plans with the car?   You mentioned black.  Are you sticking with the original drivetrain?

My current plans are to get it painted(black as I stated), and get the interior finished. Needs seats, new dash, headliner, small stuff.
Mechanically, I haven't looked into it too much to be honest.
The car comes with another transmission, as the one currently on it is slipping. I'm not sure what transmission is, I'll find that out. I know it's not a 727 though. I think I'll be sticking with the rebuilt 360, and I know it has a sure grip, not sure of the gear ratio though.

I'm still laying out all the details of the build. I haven't had much experience with mopar, so it's going to be an exciting experience.

Sounds like we might have two similar cars when done.  Mine isn't a spring special but will be black with a black top and black stripe.  360 auto as well. 

I'll be sure to keep an eye on your progress.   Maybe start a restore thread on this site

I agree with Ryan.  What does your tag have for the stripe?

[Steve1578]

I guess that... but it got discolored somehow diff that I have seen on some others... it looks some "grayshy"

I was wondering that same thing.  At first I thought maybe someone painted the stripe on and it eventually faded.
Car would look pretty cool with the original stripe back on with that body color I'm guessing.  

So what are the plans with the car?   You mentioned black.  Are you sticking with the original drivetrain?

My current plans are to get it painted(black as I stated), and get the interior finished. Needs seats, new dash, headliner, small stuff.
Mechanically, I haven't looked into it too much to be honest.
The car comes with another transmission, as the one currently on it is slipping. I'm not sure what transmission is, I'll find that out. I know it's not a 727 though. I think I'll be sticking with the rebuilt 360, and I know it has a sure grip, not sure of the gear ratio though.

I'm still laying out all the details of the build. I haven't had much experience with mopar, so it's going to be an exciting experience.

Sounds like we might have two similar cars when done.  Mine isn't a spring special but will be black with a black top and black stripe.  360 auto as well. 

I'll be sure to keep an eye on your progress.   Maybe start a restore thread on this site

I agree with Ryan.  What does your tag have for the stripe?

I was debating taking off the vinyl roof on mine, just not entirely sure yet. I like the uniqueness of it, but think it'd look smoother without it. Haven't decided yet. I'll definitely be starting a retore thread on here. I feel like I have too nice of a base to start on to really call it a "restore" but I'll go with it. Do you have a restore thread? Woudl be interested in checking it out.

And the stripe code is V6K.

[Homerr]

Welcome Steve! 

I suggest living with the car a while before you start in too far on it.  Helps get a clear picture of what needs to be done and the priority.

[EccentricMagpies]

I was debating taking off the vinyl roof on mine, just not entirely sure yet. I like the uniqueness of it, but think it'd look smoother without it. Haven't decided yet. I'll definitely be starting a retore thread on here. I feel like I have too nice of a base to start on to really call it a "restore" but I'll go with it. Do you have a restore thread? Woudl be interested in checking it out.

And the stripe code is V6K.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,112628.0.html

Been some time since I made an update.   But.  Still red. 

[Steve1578]

Welcome Steve! 

I suggest living with the car a while before you start in too far on it.  Helps get a clear picture of what needs to be done and the priority.

I agree  there's a few things that I know for sure I need to get done.
Throttle cable(currently sticks, not good! But an easy fix), and a new set of wheels/tires.
The tires have about 95% tread left, but have dry rotted from sitting .
Also one of the rims is bent, so I'll be getting a new set. Thinking Cragar 08/61 S/S, 8's in the front and 10's in the rear.
That's really all it needs to be streetable.

[Steve1578]

I was debating taking off the vinyl roof on mine, just not entirely sure yet. I like the uniqueness of it, but think it'd look smoother without it. Haven't decided yet. I'll definitely be starting a retore thread on here. I feel like I have too nice of a base to start on to really call it a "restore" but I'll go with it. Do you have a restore thread? Woudl be interested in checking it out.

And the stripe code is V6K.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,112628.0.html

Been some time since I made an update.   But.  Still red. 

Can't wait to see it finished 
Looks like you had a better starting point than most as well!

[Nacho-RT74]

Remove the vinyl on it will require bondo on glass filler panel. They usually end cracking around that

Ryan, WL21 SS ?

[MxRacer855]

Hey Steve!

Congrats and welcome!   

[Chargerguy74]

Remove the vinyl on it will require bondo on glass filler panel. They usually end cracking around that

Ryan, WL21 SS ?

Yup, WL21G4A, KT5 KT5 V6K W1LL interior. Definitely not a huge fan of the spring special interior I must say.

[Nacho-RT74]

well, the ad states clearly just Hardtops... sooo. that's weird

[Chargerguy74]

Not weird, it doesn't have the M07 window.

[VegasCharger]

I was debating taking off the vinyl roof on mine, just not entirely sure yet. I like the uniqueness of it, but think it'd look smoother without it. Haven't decided yet. I'll definitely be starting a retore thread on here. I feel like I have too nice of a base to start on to really call it a "restore" but I'll go with it. Do you have a restore thread? Woudl be interested in checking it out.

And the stripe code is V6K.

Hello, if you were to do this may I suggest that you convert the rear quarter window treatment to the roll down style quarter glass. I have yet to see a descent "smoothed over" fixed window treatment. IMO very hard to pull off. I've only seen this attempt on SE's (example below) and not the "squared" window. But I'm sure it would be very simular.

Just my  Please do your own desire

[Steve1578]

I was debating taking off the vinyl roof on mine, just not entirely sure yet. I like the uniqueness of it, but think it'd look smoother without it. Haven't decided yet. I'll definitely be starting a retore thread on here. I feel like I have too nice of a base to start on to really call it a "restore" but I'll go with it. Do you have a restore thread? Woudl be interested in checking it out.

And the stripe code is V6K.

Hello, if you were to do this may I suggest that you convert the rear quarter window treatment to the roll down style quarter glass. I have yet to see a descent "smoothed over" fixed window treatment. IMO very hard to pull off. I've only seen this attempt on SE's (example below) and not the "squared" window. But I'm sure it would be very simular.

Just my  Please do your own desire

I've decided just to buy a new vinyl replacement and keep it on. I've heard they're a real b*tch to get on though, shoudl be fun 
the squared window with the vinyl, I think it just fits the car well, especially since it's a Sring Special.

[r4daytona]

Nice car and welcome!  Ok, is it my 52 year old eyes or is there some kind of hood scoop on it?  Looks like an air grabber in the 1st photo??  Again, maybe it's me.

[Steve1578]

Nice car and welcome!  Ok, is it my 52 year old eyes or is there some kind of hood scoop on it?  Looks like an air grabber in the 1st photo??  Again, maybe it's me.

Thank you!
And yes, that is a hood scoop. The previous owner(the one before the guy I'm getting it from) did a really horrible job with it though. Luckily, it comes with a new hood as well. Basically, they installed a high rise and then cut a square out of the old hood to make room for it and screwed the scoop onto it.

[Steve1578]

Plans :

- Paint the car black
- Staggered Cragar SS set up
- Finish interior(all seats need redone, headliner, and some small accent pieces)
- New carb
- Master cylinder
- headers
- cam
- new gearing?

This is the majority of what I plan to do with the car.
I'm not entirely sure what gears would be best, I would like something that's still streetable but has really good bite.
I'm thinking something in the 3's, any suggestions would be great!

[EccentricMagpies]

That should look great keeping the top on.  Adds another dimension of black.
Adding the stipe too I hope!!

Sounds like good plans on the car.
What rear is currently in the car?  81/4?   

I have 3 rallyes.  1 has a 9-1/4. 1 has 8-3/4 and my black car has a 8-1/4

[Steve1578]

That should look great keeping the top on.  Adds another dimension of black.
Adding the stipe too I hope!!

Sounds like good plans on the car.
What rear is currently in the car?  81/4?   

I have 3 rallyes.  1 has a 9-1/4. 1 has 8-3/4 and my black car has a 8-1/4

I havne't decided on the stripe yet, it's a toss up right now!

And I will have to find that out - I'm not too knowledgeable in regards to that aspect. I do know that it has a sure grip.

[EccentricMagpies]

This'll help

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle.html

More specifically
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle/6.html

[Nacho-RT74]

Not weird, it doesn't have the M07 window.

that was just an option on SSs, not part of the package

[Chargerguy74]

Not weird, it doesn't have the M07 window.

that was just an option on SSs, not part of the package

Oh I know, I meant it's not really weird for a spring special to be a coupe. You said hard top only, but I wasn't referring to the M07 option, just that I have an A77 coupe.

[Steve1578]

This'll help

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle.html

More specifically
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle/6.html

Found out that it has a 9 1/4

[jhoop]

This'll help

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle.html

More specifically
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle/6.html

Found out that it has a 9 1/4

My 74 with a 400 HP has a 9 1/4 also.  I think they started to phase out the 8 3/4 in 73.

[Chargerguy74]

My '74 360 4 speed was coded for a 9.25 but received an 8 3/4. Lynch road.

[Nacho-RT74]

Not weird, it doesn't have the M07 window.

that was just an option on SSs, not part of the package

Oh I know, I meant it's not really weird for a spring special to be a coupe. You said hard top only, but I wasn't referring to the M07 option, just that I have an A77 coupe.

I said because the ad says LOL

[Steve1578]

This'll help

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle.html

More specifically
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/axle/6.html

Found out that it has a 9 1/4

My 74 with a 400 HP has a 9 1/4 also.  I think they started to phase out the 8 3/4 in 73.

I did a little research into the rear ends, like the Dana, 8 3/4.

How has the 9 1/4 held up for you with 400hp?

[Chargerguy74]

I think he means he has the P code 400 cubic inch High Performance engine.