My 1973 Charger progress pics

[Charger1973]

Well as some of you know, I picked up another '73 in a little better shape than my old one this winter...  I also got it running with a little work.  Man its nice to have one I can take for a test spin now and then while im working on it, even though I really havent taken it out on the road much yet.  Anyway here are some progress pics.  Ive had the car about 2 1/2 months now. 

Its got a 400 in it now, but when its rebuild time im planning to build a 451 stroker.  Im still undecided on whether to keep it an auto or go for a 5 speed conversion with the pistol grip...   

This is close to what I want it to look like when its finished.  FY1 Top Banana    


This is where I found the car


The day I got it home...


Luckily I had enough spare parts to put it back together.  


I shot some gray primer just to hide the mismatched body panels for now.


Looks good wet.  


I have some R/T taillights to go on instead of these, I just need a new lens for one side...


And heres a shot from about 20 minutes ago.  I just finished the grille today. 

[71ChallengeHer]

Matt, That is looking great. I can't believe all the progress you've made. Wanna start working on the Super Coupe.

[Mefirst]

/Tom

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Looking great!  Wish ours was making progress as fast as yours.

[mikesbbody]

matt, thats looking awesome! and those hideaways look good on the 73 id go fro the 5 speed but you could put the $ somewhere else since those 5 speeds are not cheap!

[autodynamics]

that looks good!!!!! cant wait to see some progress!!!

[jasonfromIKILLYA]

looks great bro!

[bmoparmofo]

Looks great!

[Charger1973]

Thanks guys.      I spent many days working in the snow/rain/mud and im just finally getting some nice warm sunny days. 

Heres what the R/T lights that I have will look like on my car.  I just need to finish the wiring on them and get that lens replaced.


My interiors in peices right now too.  I already switched it over to the Rallye gauges.  Unforutnately the dash needs to come back out one more time for my next project... changing to black interior.

[Charger_Croatia]

Looking great!  Wish ours was making progress as fast as yours.

This sounds familiar to me.

Keep going on!

[charger0740]

thats looking good I like the hideaways

[Hemidog]

Man, that thing looks good!

[Charger-Bodie]

thats going to be a very cool car!!! its a great feeling to see the progress isnt it?

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Wow,
   I hope that my 73' looks that sharp when it is done. I like the hideaways & RT tails. Make it your own.

[Charger1973]

Well im glad you guys like it.     Sometimes I wonder if something will really look good or I just think it will look good because its what I want.  I must be doing something right.   

Heres a few pics of my dash during the conversion from the standard to the Rallye cluster...

[70charger_boy]

 

[hutch]

I am involved in the same project but way behind you my friend.  Keep the pics coming. Good work.

[41husk]

nice work! I notice you have no vynil top, you wouldn't happen to have some vynil top trim for a 73 with a halo top?

[Charger1973]

nice work! I notice you have no vynil top, you wouldn't happen to have some vynil top trim for a 73 with a halo top?

Thanks.  My first Charger was actually FY1, I do miss that car, and it is my reasoning for going back to the color.  I just love it...  In fact when I had that car back in the 90s, I always wanted to make a car like you are doing with yours, a '73 Bee.  The idea is still in the back of my head every time I look at the yellow photoshop...   

This is my first '73 back in 1998




As far as the vinyl top trim...  This car never had a top on it.  My other hardtop car came with the halo top, but the top and trim were gone before I got the car  , and I dont know anyone that would have the trim.   I would imagine it would be a tough thing to find but ebay is probably going to be your best bet.  Im pretty sure I have seen it on there before. 

[JR]

Damn that's nice. Your making some good progress real quick. It doesnt' even look like the same car anymore. Right on!

[41husk]

Thanks for the reply on the trim and thanks for posting the pics.  I hope to get some pictures of the bad bee up today.  The computer tech teacher took some pics and is going to resize them so I can post them on here, LGCuda came by this morning and took some pics as well.  Between the three of us I hope we can get them posted.  I wish I had found some RT tail lights that really looks sharp.  Keep up the good work

[mikesbbody]

the conversion to the rallye cluster is 100% better imo, and the likes of hideaways, and rt lights are nice personal touches. 

[Charger1973]

Pulled the dash back out today.  Im going to get to work on the floors in the next few days.  The dash is going to get painted black before it goes back in.  Im adding the AM/FM radio and getting rid the AC vents since I have decided on not putting the AC back in the car.   

[Nacho-RT74]

be sure you match wiper switch with motor... that one looks to be variable speed switch

[Charger1973]

be sure you match wiper switch with motor... that one looks to be variable speed switch

Thats one thing I was meaning to ask you about.       My car came with the 2 speed wiper motor.  Ive got a 3 speed motor to install and (obviously) the switch and dash wiring already installed.  So is there anything else I need to do or change?  Or just plug in the new wiper motor and go?  I think since it plugs into the fuse box that I have it all covered but wanted to make sure I wasnt missing anything.