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Question about 74 Charger

Started by ppaavvss, April 03, 2017, 05:32:13 PM

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ppaavvss

Hi my friends, my name is Paul and I am new in this forum and also with Chargers.

I just bought a 74 Charger and I am really happy because I always wanted one of them, My father is helping me with this project, we are not from the US, and for that reason we import all the replacement parts from the States.

So far so good, we have bougth the rocker panel and other small things, but reading in a book that I got from amazon I notice that my Charger says "Charger R/T" in the wooden like panel located in the dash of the car.

Does the 74 Charger line has R/T?

If it is true, what is the difference between the R/T and none?

Here are some pics (please believe me that I will restore the glory of this Charger PD. see the pictures to see the horrible interior colors)
I do not need a reason to help!

HANDM

Nachos venezuelan 74 Charger is an R/T so maybe?

Where are you located?

Nacho-RT74

My Charger was assemblied in Venezuela, and all down here were marketed as R/T which is just a local markt deal, not a real R/T. Real R/Ts were 68/71 period, being 71 as the only year for 3rd gens R/Ts.

71 R/Ts should got 440 as standard engine, ( 440 sixpack or Hemi as option ), bigger rear brakes, front disc brakes, rallye cluster, performance hood ( louvered or Rammed ), thick suspension,  louvered doors, decals, etc...

But no, 74s never were R/Ts no matter if 440 equipped.

There is one interesting stuff, you got a Standard Cluster IN KILOMETERS! Thats how Venezuelan Chargers "R/Ts" were assemblied.

Need to ask, Where your car got the VIN plate riveted? Its at the door jam area? Does it have a 400 4bbls engine? Bulged hood?  Shortback or highback buckets? Do you know where that car came from? Where are you located?
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

sdweatherman

Hello Paul,
The last year for the Charger R/T was 1971. The R/T (Road & Track) was the high end performance model of Charger. But by the early 1970s, insurance premiums were getting very high for "performance" models. So Dodge and other brands started going away from the high performance cars after 1972 and leaned more towards person luxury in their cars.

So from 1972 through 1974 you could get three flavors of Charger

Charger
Charger Rallye (semi-performance)
Charger SE (special edition - usually lots of options)

Hope this helps!
Scott.
1971 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus GY8/318/Auto
1971 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus GB7/318/Auto factory Sunroof
1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus EV2/400/Auto factory Sunroof

ppaavvss

I really appreciate your help!

I am from Costa Rica, I bought the Charger from a Venezuelan guy it was 1500$ USD, it was hell and expensive bring it to my country (it took two ships Venezuela-Jamaica, Jamaica-Costa Rica).

The car has a 400 engine (take a look at the picture), it is running just fine, the main issue with this car is the firewall, it is VERY rusty and needs a lot of work.

I will upload all pictures that you need to identify my car.
I do not need a reason to help!

alfaitalia

Quote from: sdweatherman on April 03, 2017, 07:31:17 PM
Hello Paul,
The last year for the Charger R/T was 1971. The R/T (Road & Track) was the high end performance model of Charger. But by the early 1970s, insurance premiums were getting very high for "performance" models. So Dodge and other brands started going away from the high performance cars after 1972 and leaned more towards person luxury in their cars.

So from 1972 through 1974 you could get three flavors of Charger

Charger
Charger Rallye (semi-performance)
Charger SE (special edition - usually lots of options)

Hope this helps!
Scott.


Just for detail....its Road/Track......no "and".
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you !!

ppaavvss

Quote from: Nacho-RT74 on April 03, 2017, 07:28:48 PM
My Charger was assemblied in Venezuela, and all down here were marketed as R/T which is just a local markt deal, not a real R/T. Real R/Ts were 68/71 period, being 71 as the only year for 3rd gens R/Ts.

71 R/Ts should got 440 as standard engine, ( 440 sixpack or Hemi as option ), bigger rear brakes, front disc brakes, rallye cluster, performance hood ( louvered or Rammed ), thick suspension,  louvered doors, decals, etc...

But no, 74s never were R/Ts no matter if 440 equipped.

There is one interesting stuff, you got a Standard Cluster IN KILOMETERS! Thats how Venezuelan Chargers "R/Ts" were assemblied.

Need to ask, Where your car got the VIN plate riveted? Its at the door jam area? Does it have a 400 4bbls engine? Bulged hood?  Shortback or highback buckets? Do you know where that car came from? Where are you located?

Here are some pictures!

I am from Costa Rica, Central America.

The Charger has a 400 engine

I bought the car in Merida, I do not know so much about Venezuela, I believe that the place is a valley (I never went there, a friend of mine helped me with all the stuff related with the exportation)

It has two emblems that says "400 Magnum" (they do not appear in the pics) the placement holes for those emblems are located on each side of the hood.
I do not need a reason to help!

Nacho-RT74

Just as I thought!

Venezuelan Chargers are exactly same body that USA cars but different equipments. I can tell you everything about them because I'm from Venezuela and my Charger is a 74 just like your one.

We can talk in Spanish, but just for the rest I think better in english.

Buckets seems to be modified to get headrest, or changed, because locally, second 71 half and up to 74 they were made shortbacks ( non headrest ) ALTHOUGHT same design than USA versions, ( just made shorter )

71s and 74s got bulged hoods ( 71s with louvers ) and 74s with magnum emblems on hood.

You can check my signature links

71/72s got 318 4bbls and 73/74s got 400 4bbls ( 72/74 with thermoquads ) ALTHOUGHT some really weird 74s got 440 from the overstock engines Chrysler got when NewYorkers weren't anymore assembled since 74. All 727, 8 3/4", 3.23 gear ratio on 15" wheels, all with buckets and console, standard cluster in kilo, tuff wheel ( but 71s with rimblow wheels ) AM radio front speaker, 2 speeds wipers, manual crank windows, manual driver side door mirror, hardtop and with AC. And all with JUST lap seatbelts on front seats.

VIN plate is WAY DIFF than USA versions

And yes, Merida is the highest city in Venezuela located on a valley close to the higher mountain in Venezuela ( 5007 msnm ) in Los Andes mountain chain, only area where we get snow allmost all the year ( at the top of the mountains.
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

ppaavvss

Quote from: Nacho-RT74 on April 04, 2017, 08:18:22 PM
Just as I thought!

Venezuelan Chargers are exactly same body that USA cars but different equipments. I can tell you everything about them because I'm from Venezuela and my Charger is a 74 just like your one.

We can talk in Spanish, but just for the rest I think better in english.

Buckets seems to be modified to get headrest, or changed, because locally, second 71 half and up to 74 they were made shortbacks ( non headrest ) ALTHOUGHT same design than USA versions, ( just made shorter )

71s and 74s got bulged hoods ( 71s with louvers ) and 74s with magnum emblems on hood.

You can check my signature links

71/72s got 318 4bbls and 73/74s got 400 4bbls ( 72/74 with thermoquads ) ALTHOUGHT some really weird 74s got 440 from the overstock engines Chrysler got when NewYorkers weren't anymore assembled since 74. All 727, 8 3/4", 3.23 gear ratio on 15" wheels, all with buckets and console, standard cluster in kilo, tuff wheel ( but 71s with rimblow wheels ) AM radio front speaker, 2 speeds wipers, manual crank windows, manual driver side door mirror, hardtop and with AC. And all with JUST lap seatbelts on front seats.

VIN plate is WAY DIFF than USA versions

And yes, Merida is the highest city in Venezuela located on a valley close to the higher mountain in Venezuela ( 5007 msnm ) in Los Andes mountain chain, only area where we get snow allmost all the year ( at the top of the mountains.

thank you very much! Here in Costa Rica there are only 4 Chargers, I want to learn all about this car!
I do not need a reason to help!

JR

You're from Costa Rica?

Awesome. I love Costa Rica. Ive driven through much of your country and absolutely love it.

Although I have to admit, your roads are very rough. You may actually want to keep the soft springs and cushy ride, and 15 inch wheels that your 74 came with originally instead of going to firmer ones like I usually suggest.

I can't help much with your specific car, but good luck with your build.
70 Charger RT top bananna /68 Charger RT triple green

ppaavvss

Quote from: JR on April 05, 2017, 04:36:29 PM
You're from Costa Rica?

Awesome. I love Costa Rica. Ive driven through much of your country and absolutely love it.

Although I have to admit, your roads are very rough. You may actually want to keep the soft springs and cushy ride, and 15 inch wheels that your 74 came with originally instead of going to firmer ones like I usually suggest.

I can't help much with your specific car, but good luck with your build.

Hi JR,

thanks a lot for your words, you are invited to my country any time!

What you tell me is true, here the streets are in a very bad condition, I work for the University Of Costa Rica doing research on streets, and belive me that your words are a very polite way to discribe them! Here we find issues related with streets every day.

So your advice is well received, I was thinking to buy Polyurethane body mounts, but I have heard that because of the state of the streets here Polyurethane is not the best option.
I do not need a reason to help!

JR

Your particular case is the first time ive ever told anyone to keep the soft springs and rubber bushings your car came with, but they are very much needed on your roads.

You can still upgrade to big sway bars front and rear to tame the body roll, and get a huge benefit in handling. That maybe your best option.

Most of your roads are 50mph or less too from what I remember, so the three speed 727 transmission should be fine there too.

I think the biggest hurdle with restoring your car will be finding trim pieces specific to the 73-74. And then, importing them. Doing the bodywork and rust repair is straightforward enough, but those hard to find small parts will drive you crazy.

Do you have to pay a VAT or anything when you import parts from the U.S.?
70 Charger RT top bananna /68 Charger RT triple green

ppaavvss

Quote from: JR on April 05, 2017, 05:02:39 PM
Your particular case is the first time ive ever told anyone to keep the soft springs and rubber bushings your car came with, but they are very much needed on your roads.

You can still upgrade to big sway bars front and rear to tame the body roll, and get a huge benefit in handling. That maybe your best option.

Most of your roads are 50mph or less too from what I remember, so the three speed 727 transmission should be fine there too.

I think the biggest hurdle with restoring your car will be finding trim pieces specific to the 73-74. And then, importing them. Doing the bodywork and rust repair is straightforward enough, but those hard to find small parts will drive you crazy.

Do you have to pay a VAT or anything when you import parts from the U.S.?


Importing replacement parts here in Costa Rica is Expensive, let me show you an example:

Imagine that you need to buy a body replacement part:
    * Rear Left Floor Pan (71.79 $USD + shipment) let's say 90 $USD

But I need to pay a courier, for example "Aerocasillas" because of the weight of the replacement part I will have to pay around 60$USD (maybe a little less), but also I need to pay the goverment fee for body parts that it is about 42.5%, so it would be 38,25 $USD.

The courier also charged me with customs handling 15 $USD and fuel (normally around 13 $USD)

So the replacement part here in Costa Rica would be at least 216,25 $USD!!!

Maybe it is not that expensive if you only need some parts, but sometimes when I need to buy something, I have to pay more than twice the original price for the part.

lightier pieces are cheaper to import, so each time I need a piece I always want to know its weight!!!
I do not need a reason to help!

Nacho-RT74

si estas interesado, tenemos dos grupos de facebook que podriiiiian ser de algun tipo de ayuda en algun momento puntual.

Dodge Charger Venezuela y
Classic Mopar Club de Venezuela ( este lo administro yo )

NORMALMENTE no es que haya mucha gente que sepa mucho, ya que los Mopars estan bajo un velo de ignorancia muy fuerte por estas latitudes PERO quizas para algun detalle podrias conseguir alguna ayuda, y, bueno, estoy yo por ahi pues.
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

Nacho-RT74

ok, no perdiste el tiempo, jajajaja, bienvenido!
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

ppaavvss

Quote from: Nacho-RT74 on April 06, 2017, 10:15:26 AM
ok, no perdiste el tiempo, jajajaja, bienvenido!

Muchas gracias Nacho.

Thanks a lot Nacho!
I do not need a reason to help!