Picked up a 1971 Dodge Charger R/T

[ralley72]

Found this car on craigslist, drove around 350 miles round trip to take a look and put down deposit. Won't be able to get shell until next weekend so no pictures yet. The owner started to restore this car but gave up do to so much rust. Orig. from the Chicago area. Totally striped of parts, but still a roller. I think the body is to far gone to bring back. Major rust in the frame rails.   Needs some help with fender tag.
E86  440 HP
D32  A727 trans
WS23U1A  1971 Charger R/T
GA4   Light Gun metal metallic
DCXA  don't know
TX9  Upper door panel black
C04  scheduled production date   DEC. 4, 1970
041404   vehicle order number
V1X full vinyl top black
U  for us
G11  tinted glass
Top line  
15109   138044  444  043 don't know these.
None a/c, 8 3/4" rear end. I believe it to be a radio delete car, but someone cut up the bezel for aftermarket radio.
The owner allow me to bring home the doors, hood with insert, front valance, front fenders, dash and cluster, HP manifolds and some other small stuff. Don't think I can restore this car right now. May have to part out.

Thanks,

Mike

[Charger-Bodie]

I really like those cars in gunmetal! nice score.

[greenpigs]

Is the rust not even repairable with the new frame rails offered or is the rot REAL bad?

Either way you go at least the parts will get back in circulation.

[ralley72]

Is the rust not even repairable with the new frame rails offered or is the rot REAL bad?

Either way you go at least the parts will get back in circulation.

I think the car is repairable, but it would require someone with better skills than mine. I have a 71 parts car with good rails and inner fender, but not much else i'll post some pictures.

Thanks,

Mike

[greenpigs]

Sounds like something to flip, if you think it's too much for you.

Many guys screw themselves thinking they can do more than what they can or at least do it right.

I have done that very thing & will pay for the bodywork next time.

Should be a real nice Charger when it gets done, sure you don't want to farm out the hard stuff?

[ralley72]

Well I got this thing home. Engine and trans are not numbers matching. Will need all floors replaced,firewall and cowl, interfenders, t-bars crossmember is rusted on drivers side. frame rails on drivers rear is  missing under the trunk area. Passenger side look OK. Quarters will need patches, deck lid is good, and the roof good too. Still trying to decide what to do with this car, part it out, sell as whole to someone to repair, or save for later. What to you guys think. This a car I have wanted for a long time.

Mike

[ralley72]

More pictures

[mikesbbody]

If you always wanted one, then keep it! I can see it will need a lot of work I see in the last pic the Bulge Hood, and what looks to be the doors? if you have the Bulge Hood, RT Doors, and Tailights you have all the "hard to find" parts
In that case I would not part it out I'd either keep it or (if you can't see yourself restoring it) sell it but only as a last resort  any more pics?

[greenpigs]

   It doesn't look good, but I think it being stripped makes the rust damage appear worse & many of our Chargers had similar damage. As in that is about standard for a mid west ANYTHING this old unless it has sat in a garage the whole time.
   
Like I have told others pick one thing & finish it then move on to the next.

First thing that needs fixed is the frame rail(s) so you could save up for that.

OR

Start at the firewall, then move to the inner fenders & after that you should fix the frame rails before repairing the floor pans I would think.

Would finding a parts car to swap the sub frames be an option?

[tan top]

If you always wanted one, then keep it! I can see it will need a lot of work I see in the last pic the Bulge Hood, and what looks to be the doors? if you have the Bulge Hood, RT Doors, and Tailights you have all the "hard to find" parts
In that case I would not part it out I'd either keep it or (if you can't see yourself restoring it) sell it but only as a last resort  any more pics?

   

[troutstreamnm]

The color code is GA4 and not CA4 for Lt. Gunmetal (fyi) and will look like this if you restore it back to original.     GA4 is a great color!  That car looks like a major restoration project so be prepared to spend $$$$

[71gtx]

043    3.23 S/G, 8 3/4, 10" rear drum - front disc/LD drum

445    440 4BBL, auto. trans., A/C, 370hp

U   Vehicle built to specification for U.S.A.

[ralley72]

043    3.23 S/G, 8 3/4, 10" rear drum - front disc/LD drum

445    440 4BBL, auto. trans., A/C, 370hp

U   Vehicle built to specification for U.S.A.

Thanks for the help.
I looked at the fender tag again, the 445 is wrong, should be 444. I typed it in wrong sorry.

Mike

[71gtx]

043    3.23 S/G, 8 3/4, 10" rear drum - front disc/LD drum

445    440 4BBL, auto. trans., A/C, 370hp

U   Vehicle built to specification for U.S.A.

Thanks for the help.
I looked at the fender tag again, the 445 is wrong, should be 444. I typed it in wrong sorry.


Mike

ok 444    440 4BBL, auto. trans., heater, 370hp

[Scaregrabber]

That car can be saved and should be saved. Please sell it to a restorer if you can't do it yourself. I forget production #'s but it's low enough that this car has to be restored.

Sheldon

[mikesbbody]

3118 in Total were made That's the figure I have come across many times over the years. I agree with Scaregrabber it should definitely be restored.

[TruckDriver]

3118 in Total were made That's the figure I have come across many times over the years. I agree with Scaregrabber it should definitely be restored.

definatly 

[Tilar]

Well Mike, That would be a nice car if it were finished but that sure looks like a lot of work. But then again you can think of it like it's already been taken apart. 

[ralley72]

You guys are correct, its alot of work to put this one back on the road. I have good used frame rails and inner fenders from a parts cars I own. The existing quarters are workable with some patches. I have a clean non a/c firewall and cowl for it. Doors are great shape along with the hood. I have check the cluster bezel against some others I have and I believe its radio delete and the passenger fender does not have a cutout/hole for an antenna.

This car came from Arlington Heights IL. does anyone know how to find out if its a Mr. Norms car? I haven't found any stickers on it yet, but I will keep looking for signs. I will try to post a picture of the fender tag shortly.

Mike

[ralley72]

Heres a picture of the fender tag, hope everyone can read it.

Mike

[ralley72]

Well, I think I'm going to sale the rolling body with a few parts, hopefully to someone that can repair it and put it back on the road. If interested PM here. I guess I should start an ad in the cars forsale section. Thanks to all who replied.

Mike