I have the opportunity of buying a 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T. It's almost compleat but needs a full interior and exterior restoration. However, the engine is not the original, it's a 383 from a 1963 Chrysler Newport. There's a posibility of getting a 440 engine from a 1967-68 Chrysler Imperial.

I have several questions: A Challenger without the original engine (the drivetrain is also not the original) is still worth something? How much? Is the Newport engine similar to the one used in the Challenger? (I guess not since there is an 8 year gap). Is the 440 engine from the Imperial the same as the one used in the Challenger?

They are asking 4.5k for the car with the 383 engine. With the 440 I guess would be a bit more, perhaps 5.5k. I live in Peru, outside the US and it's not easy to get a Challenger. Please advice!

Also there will be a 1970 Challenger available, fully restored and with matching numbers for around 13k. But I guess I will have to restore it again. I've seen the work of those guys and it is very bad. Whichone is a better buy?

thanks,
Javier

 

wow...i was at a big mopar event this past weekend, and non-numbers matching models in good shape (factory 340 car with a 440), with nice paint and interior was going for 25,000...one in need of an exterior restore (didnt look at the inside) with a small block was 22,000, but it was numbers matching...i would JUMP on a big block challenger for 4500 bucks...when you say "needs restored", like paint, and some carpeting, or like the floor and quarters are rotted out?

 

The car has almost no rust, all the panels are good. Just needs a paint job. The interior is compleat, but all panels are in bad shape, can they be restored or must be replaced? The upholstery is not original, must be redonde, also the ceiling and carpet. The instrument panel is compleat, front console needs work. Some exterior chromes are missing. The front grill is broken.
My major concern is that it has a 383 engine from a 1963 Newport. If I want the 440, it would be 1,000 more. But, it's not the 6-pak, it has only 2 carbs. Perhaps it can be converted? And is the 440 engine taken from a 1967-68 Chrysler Imperial the same as the one used on the Challenger (with the 6-pak conversion)?

I may be able to send some pics so you can see the car. Has almost no paint on it since the owner started restoring it but decided to sell.

 

Here are some pics..by the way, how can you tell if a Challenger is an R/T (Besides de VIN Number)

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/11623AA7E911403F98F93F5121BDE89C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/BB1575DD046F4D1A839B10D69242D129.jpg[/IMG]

 

ok.. a few things...i have a book sitting on my desk with every interior trim part you could imagine, from seats and seat skins to door and rear seat panels. is it a slapstick consol car?

i am under the impression that american muscle cars in other countries, especially outside of north america, are very hard to come by, and are usually VERY expensive...4500 is a steal if the body is rust free!

as for the engine...if it has a 383, you can always buy performance parts to improve things, but if you can buy a 1970 440, running, with a 4bbl for a grand, i would jump on that too!

 

The body is almost rust free, see these pics. You can also see the interior. The car is missing some exterior chromes. The 440 is from a 68 Imperial, not from a 1970 Challenger. Thanks for your advice!

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/921B967AD351413CB22DA35B68F8A29F.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/9D419FBAAA46479698A369349F3A2E0B.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/810BC8D96E1047A99A99A56B08952E3C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/7791AB5BBDEE4A4FBE2DB7CE488BB852.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/4ADA1B6C22C94C92AAD29BED08889275.jpg[/IMG]

 

More pics!


[IMG]local://upfiles/443/78517EDAEA1C4525999D592623F9B132.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/443/4445C42545A74441978DDBCBC39C6CB6.jpg[/IMG]

 

wow..looks to be alot of mud in those quarters...still..4500 is a good deal...even with a 383, you can make a good running car. i wont lie...judging by how things look, youre going to spend some money, but at 4500 bucks, i would call it a great deal...

is that 4500USD?

 

Yes, USD$4,500...but I may be able to bring the price down to $3,500-4,000. Labor here is less expensive than in the US or UK, I can get that rust out very fast...different story with parts, I have to pay shipping and taxes. Will try to bring the price down to $3,500 including the 440 engine!!!

 

the challengers are going for a premium now, with the craze over the concept...i wouldnt pass that up...even in rough shape...the hardest thing for you to get is going to be the gauge cluster, but there are always ways to find one..all of the other interior soft trim pieces, like i said, i have a catalog to help you out, should you need it.