1973 charger front end conversion

[13standtall23]

I have a 1973 charger and i would like to know how much work it would be to convert the front end to a 68-69 charger front end if it is even possible. Can anybody help me?

[hotrod98]

That I would like to see. The inner structures are entirely different in all respects. Would take some major surgery in my opinion. The body lines aren't even vaguely similar. But, I'll bet there are people that could pull it off.

[FLG]

Anything can be done...but the real question here is WHY?

I mean were talking completely different and there would be no added benefit as far as i can tell.

[MoparManJim]

I have a 1973 charger and i would like to know how much work it would be to convert the front end to a 68-69 charger front end if it is even possible. Can anybody help me?

Man, your talking about taking a 3rd gen charger and putting a 2nd gen charger nose on it. Each gen of the chargers was different.

[WingCharger]

More of a job for Chip Foose...
It would be easier to probably just somehow put a 2g grille into 3g sheetmetal...

[teamroth]

Can any do a photoshop of the two?

[Nacho-RT74]

if you talk about just the bumper and grill... MAYBE you could try to get a 71/73 Coronet bumper and make some grill adaptions. but then dunno.

Fenders and everything else...imposible. Door edge is straight on 2nd gens and curved on 3rds, hood gets to windshield on 3rd gens and is curved also... many diff about straight and curves between 2nd and 3rd gens

[pettyfan43]

Why try that nonsense? You'd be WAY ahead to get a front bumper assembly with brackets from a 71 or 72 that had hidden lights, That is what I have for my 73 S/E

[RD]

i think it would look cool.. if you got the time, effort, and money.. go for it!!!

[teamroth]

Why try that nonsense? You'd be WAY ahead to get a front bumper assembly with brackets from a 71 or 72 that had hidden lights, That is what I have for my 73 S/E

nonsense to most, but if it's your vision, why not?

[pettyfan43]

Why try that nonsense? You'd be WAY ahead to get a front bumper assembly with brackets from a 71 or 72 that had hidden lights, That is what I have for my 73 S/E

nonsense to most, but if it's your vision, why not?

No reason I guess, just seems like a LOT of time effort and money to me personally, the cost of the 69 Charger grille alone would seem to make that project impractical. Not to mention there are an awful lot of things you would have to deal with, like setting up an entire vacuum system to make the headlamp doors function, THEN there are all the dimensional differences that have to be resolved on something like that, where the 71-72 setup is a bolt on and you can just paint the bumper body color.

[quapman]

More of a job for Chip Foose...

Sure, but first he'd have to bondo-fill all the factory seams and put a high school Chevy paint job on it.

Seriously, it sounds like an interesting concept. Has anyone mtaken any measurements to see if the two are even close? The fenders sure wouldn't bolt on since 68/69's bolt from the sides and 70-74's are top mounted. The 73 has a full surround bumper too, compared to the simpler "straight" 68/69 type.

Can someone Photochop it??

We'll needs lots of this   

[bull]

Why try that nonsense? You'd be WAY ahead to get a front bumper assembly with brackets from a 71 or 72 that had hidden lights, That is what I have for my 73 S/E

nonsense to most, but if it's your vision, why not?

Because it would look like a$$ for one. The design of it wouldn't flow at all. And aside from the ghastly look of it you'd surely have sheet metal flapping in the wind even after spending countless hours trying to make it fit right. I doubt you could even line up the wheels with the wheel wells. They're two totally different cars. He might as well be trying to plant a '66 Ford Fairlane front end on it.

[Nacho-RT74]

something to begin with...was on ebay sometime ago

[MoparManJim]

Why try that nonsense? You'd be WAY ahead to get a front bumper assembly with brackets from a 71 or 72 that had hidden lights, That is what I have for my 73 S/E

nonsense to most, but if it's your vision, why not?

Because it would look like a$$ for one. The design of it wouldn't flow at all. And aside from the ghastly look of it you'd surely have sheet metal flapping in the wind even after spending countless hours trying to make it fit right. I doubt you could even line up the wheels with the wheel wells. They're two totally different cars. He might as well be trying to plant a '66 Ford Fairlane front end on it.

Have you ever seen one done before? 

I think it would work, If you change over things in the front to the other years made afew mods to the things would need to be done. There would be alot of work needed for the job and it wouldn't be for lazy people either.

Plus, on 2nd gen chargers there isn't metal flapping in the wind either so why would there be metal flapping on somthing like this for. We are talking about the same kinda of car,there both chargers, only different is there two different years, with some work and mods it would work.

[69bronzeT5]

I can see somebody putting '71 or '72 front end stuff on a '73 or '74 but I can't see somebody putting a '68 or '69 front end on and actually making it look nice.

[BROCK]

Perhaps a 70 bumper & grille   Seems like a more doable compromise.

[elanmars]

Perhaps a 70 bumper & grille   Seems like a more doable compromise.

hmm, that'd be interesting. someone photoshop it!!

[JR]

Not to come off like a dick here, but if you have to ask, then no.

Anything can be made out of metal, but only if you have the skills to do it. I'm not knocking you because I sure as hell couldn't do it myself.

But you could find some expensive 69 front clip somewhere for around 1500 or so I imagine, and then pay a real quality custom shop 90-150 dollars an hour to have it done. So I'm guessing write some checks for around ten grand or so, and you'll have your hybrid.

But why not sell your car, put that money with it, and buy a 69?


I'm not sure, but isn't that pic a 71 Coronet 4 door front end? Actually looks kind of neat.

[Troy]

The big difference is going to be in the cowl area. Second gen cars have a visible cowl at the rear of the hood and the fenders wrap around it. The hood goes all the way to the back on later models. Third generation Chargers share unibody parts with Cudas and Challengers so there are a bunch of ways to put them together. I don't think the body lines would match up very well even if you could get the fenders on. The bumpers are just bolt on so that's no big deal. From a looks standpoint, the later Chargers are a lot longer in the front end. Just compare the amount of space in front of the radiator support.

Troy

[Charger1973]

How about this? 

[RallyeMike]

That looks very cool, and do-able.

PS. I like your new Avatar 

[dpm68]

Okay, this requires a beer. IMO, it would be a travesty to sacrifice a good second gen front end for such a purpose. But, I don't tell anyone what to do except my students, and even then the results are generally less than pleasing. But I guess if you have the time and the cash, why not? Oh, and what a way to kick off your first post. Almost as good as a certain 500hp someone we all know.  - dave

[Nacho-RT74]

That looks very cool, and do-able.

PS. I like your new Avatar 

looks familar... right ? LOL

[quapman]

Hey, if everybody can "ooh & ahh" at the crap Chip Foose and others like him build, then I don't see the big deal. Nice rendering, Charger1973!

Personally, it's not for me, but that's because I'm a 3rd gen guy. We all know, the 2nd gen & 3rd gen guys are worlds apart and if this grille project could be done successfully, maybe it could be an example for our esteemed members of Congress!

Two more for the jar!


Steve

[Brock Samson]

 looks better on there then it does on a '70.. 
nice! 

[RallyeMike]

it would be a travesty to sacrifice a good second gen front end for such a purpose.

The fenders look 71-74 stock in the rendering. When I looked at it, I envisioned that a 71-74 bumper would have the center cut out, and a custom grill built. I really like the concept.

[Brock Samson]

thinking about it more you may have some width issues as the third gens are considerably wider (but shorter) then the second gens,.. you'r gonna need to pull out the tape measurer and get some specs... 
tommarow i can measure the width of my '69 charger and '71 RR grills to give you a rough idea...

[Nacho-RT74]

thinking about it more you may have some width issues as the third gens are considerably wider (but shorter) then the second gens,..

you know that I have put my car side to side with a 70 and there was no diff on the lenght ? ( guards appart )or at least I didn't noticed.

[Charger1973]

Thats a cool sketch I found on the net a long time ago, definitely not something I came up with but I do like the concept.