need your opinion... to daytona clone or not to daytona clone

[RD]

I will be coming across a 70 charger 318 car from north dakota through my uncle.  It will need a roof and an entire front clip, plus quarters I am sure and other stuff.

Here is the dilemma.  Should I go and spend the money for a complete grille, bumper, front valance, etc. or just slap a daytona nose on there clone that puppy into a daytona?

I am new into the daytona arena so I am wondering the cost difference between the above and a daytona nose and ancillary equipment.  I know for sure that I would enjoy a daytona clone a heckuvalot better than just a regular 70 charger (conversation piece and all).

what would you do in this instance? just curious.

[Ghoste]

Good Daytona parts are NOT inexpensive.  However the thrill of riding around in one cloned or not likely makes that car a good candidate.  I say do it.

[RD]

Good Daytona parts are NOT inexpensive.  However the thrill of riding around in one cloned or not likely makes that car a good candidate.  I say do it.

ghoste, yeah I was thinking the same thing.  but, if I am to sink some good cash into a car that needs alot, I might as well do it all the way if you know what I mean.

I know some of you may disagree with what I would like to do, and that is fine, just please substantiate your opinion with something other than, "IMO".

[TheGhost]

It's just a 318 car, so you would be making it more valuable, it already needs a new front clip, among other things.  So, my opinion is, why not make a Daytona?

[Recharger]

I know for sure that I would enjoy a daytona clone a heckuvalot better than just a regular 70 charger (conversation piece and all).

I think that answers your question right there.  Go for the clone.


If I was in your position, and building the car to drive & keep, I'd redo it as a 70.  I personally love the 70 body style (second only to the 68  ) and have always considered the Daytonas a bit gaudy.  That's just my personal preference, so that's what I'd do if I was basing the decision on keeping the car.  

However, if I was building the car to sell, I'd have to consider the ROI, and so I'd go for the Daytona.  From the sound of it, you're going to have a lot of money into this project whichever route you go.  You can bet, considering the money it would take to replace the parts you mentioned, a small block 70 wont be worth the money you've invested into it.  Even the clones are bringing big money nowadays (yeah, I've been watching the B-J auctions all week) and a small block 70 just isn't going to be in the same league.  I'd say it depends on your ultimate goal with the car: fun or investment.  I'm sure, as with most of us, it's a bit of both.  The fact that you say you'd like the Daytona more cinches it as far as I'm concerned.  

Good luck with the decision and have fun with the car.

[dayclona]

               Unless building cars, and blowing out your buget is second nature or old hat with you , build the Daytona, if not, the best thing to do is enjoy the car, get it drivable, then maybe a cosmetic R/T clone package, then a big block hemi?, multi carbs? 4-5 speed?..........


      then blow out for the wingcar stuff..............if you still want it!........................if it was me? I'd clone it in a heartbeat!, hell I'd clone out a number matching 500! or hell even a 71 charger, maybe a 71 plymouth!.................wait a minute! ........oh yeah, I've done that allready!.........
..................................................................................see how addictive wingcars are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Mike G/ DAYCLONA

[Old Moparz]

[Daytona R/T SE]

I will be coming across a 70 charger 318 car from north dakota through my uncle.  It will need a roof and an entire front clip, plus quarters I am sure and other stuff.

Here is the dilemma.  Should I go and spend the money for a complete grille, bumper, front valance, etc. or just slap a daytona nose on there clone that puppy into a daytona?

I am new into the daytona arena so I am wondering the cost difference between the above and a daytona nose and ancillary equipment.  I know for sure that I would enjoy a daytona clone a heckuvalot better than just a regular 70 charger (conversation piece and all).

what would you do in this instance? just curious.

Clone it, Run the BALLS off of it 

[BigBlockSam]

i vote for number one

[Jon Smith]

clone it into a nascar lookalike or do a 70's paintjob 
stock looking ones are getting more common all the time

[PocketThunder]

Clone it!

[Shakey]

Keep in mind you will need this to get that outta that.   

[RD]

thank you for all your opinions, and shakey, yep i know it will be a crapload of money   but I am willing to sink some cash into something if it is truly worth it.  this is definitely a project that will be years in the making so I will be do a lot of research and reading of the many daytona threads that show up here.  OM, that picture you put up sure does strengthen my desires even more.  thanks.

[chargervert]

Hey Mike,isn't that your old white Charger!

[TK73]

clone it into a nascar lookalike or do a 70's paintjob 
stock looking ones are getting more common all the time

OH YEAH!!

[chargervert]

I think if you want to build a Daytona clone,then you have come to the right place! Although we tend to hash it out over different parts,vendors,and materials to use to build our clones,and restore originals,many of us are building clones,myself included,and can help you out,with assembly photos,and parts,quality,availablity,and price! there has never been a better time to build a wingcar,original,or clone! You can go highend,and build an exact indistinguishable clone,or you can build a more affordable driver quality clone. With a mix of parts from all of the current vendors,and some of these guys fabrication skills anything is possible!

[Charger_Fan]

clone it into a nascar lookalike or do a 70's paintjob 
stock looking ones are getting more common all the time

OH YEAH!!

Man, wouldn't that be a BLAST to drive around??

[Old Moparz]

Hey Mike,isn't that your old white Charger!

It's actually a car for sale I had found with a google search. Kind of scary too.

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd-W0QQAdIdZ2268974

LOOK! NO FRAME RAILS!

[Dodge-Charger]

With the prices of 2nd gen parts it will be about the same price for either front end LOL.  Hell if ya got to cut it up to fix you might as well make it what you want. Mine ? CLONE !

i might try the dayclone thing with one of the 72s I picked up due to the fact the top is real bad and almost seperated from the car in trannsit. So I might just Chop Top to get rid of the rust too. ( 4" drop )

[hotrod98]

With the prices of 2nd gen parts it will be about the same price for either front end LOL.  Hell if ya got to cut it up to fix you might as well make it what you want. Mine ? CLONE !

i might try the dayclone thing with one of the 72s I picked up due to the fact the top is real bad and almost seperated from the car in trannsit. So I might just Chop Top to get rid of the rust too. ( 4" drop )

I've been curious as to just how many people would be interested in creating 3rd gen wing cars. I bought a super solid 74 Charger hardtop with the idea of creating the parts. I have a fiberglass guy that is going to be working on some superbird parts for me in just a few weeks. I showed him pics of the 3rd gen Dayclona cars, my daytona wing set and the 74 Charger that I bought and he said no problem. We're thinking about a kit price for nose (no headlamp components), fender scoops and wing set for around $2500. The parts will be premium quality made with marine resins. They will be sanded, primed and ready to final sand and paint. On my car, I'm planning to mount the headlamps down low since it will be legal here. My plan was to just make a set for me, but if others would be interested, I might make a few more sets.

[Danny Gutierrez]

I know for sure that I would enjoy a daytona clone a heckuvalot better than just a regular 70 charger (conversation piece and all).

If I was in your position, and building the car to drive & keep, I'd redo it as a 70.  I personally love the 70 body style (second only to the 68  ) and have always considered the Daytonas a bit gaudy.  That's just my personal preference,

  Remember RD that it is YOUR car and you should do whatever you want to, but I agree about the Daytonas being gaudy.  I know I will catch flak here but I have NEVER liked Daytonas.  Sure they were fast as heck on the big tracks but as a street car they were fugly!!!!  I always felt that they took the most beautiful car ever made and turned it into a joke.  Of course this is just MY opinion.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

[chargervert]

Hey Dan,to each their own! Some people like the wingcars,some don't! Me,I like both,thats why I have both! The Daytonas purpose,was to win,and that is what it did! Bob,that looks like one of Helpgs cars! It will be a general lee before you finish reading this!

[Nacho-RT74]

I don't like Daytonas... but is true that you can get some extra money if you try to sell it... If already needs that kind of job, maybe clone would be a nice option.

just an opinion... if you do... DO IT RIGHT with right tail lights/panel, door panels, cluster, steering column etc...

[hotrod98]

I like Daytonas and Superbirds and since I missed out on getting one when they were at least obtainable, I'm going to have a clone of each .
There's only one wing car around here and it's hardly ever driven. I like driving cars that people don't get to see much. The nice thing about building a clone is you're not restricted as to how you want the car to be. If you had the real thing, you would want to leave it the way it was built. 
If you're limited on funds, you can leave a small block in it and drive it untill the funds allow for a little wilder driveline. It's a clone, so what difference does it make. I've seriously thought about going with a 5.7 or 6.1 crate motor and Keisler 5 speed in the bird. Lots of power and decent drivability and you can still say that it's a hemi. When you see how the rest of the car is going to look, you'll see that it just might be kosher to go with the newer style driveline.
Here's a hint as to how the hood is going to look.

[Big Lebowski]

I still vote for clone, but personally I didn't do that with my last 318 Charger because there was a red one on Ebay forever that never went past $30,000. But it was a so so clone job, it still had the '70 interior, etc. It's all time and money, go with the Hemi if you do it.