Hemi Challenger

[bergy]

Thought that I'd share with you a 1970 Hemi Challenger that I got from the owner of 35 years. It sat in his garage for all of those years - going out only on sunny days. Original engine and 4.10 Dana. 26,000 miles. Beautiful original interior. Original color - plum crazy. Owner was obviously a Sox & Martin fan! Drives like new.

[GTO_DON]

Very Sharp!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[budnate]

SSSSSSOOOOOOOoooooooooNNNNNNNNNNN!...Nice! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[mockingbird812]

Wow! Congrats and please post a few more pix. Are you the 3rd owner?! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[CC Rider]

Nice find! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[KNAPPY]

Thats my dream car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[lwkitt427]

BOY DO SOME FOLKS HAVE ALL THE LUCK GREAT LOOKING RIDE AND CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW RIDE

[snydes]

Dang! Thats my favorite Mopar right there. What a find!

[bergy]

Here are a couple more pics. When I went out to take them, I realized that I had misstated the mileage. It's 41,000. Let me know if anyone would like to see anything else on the car. Regards, Bruce

[bergy]

Interior view

[bergy]

Engine compartment. It's pretty much the way that I got the car. I did have the booster re-done, and put on a new MC (original is out for restoration). Car has headers, but original manifolds came with it along with every other part that got swapped out over the years (i.e. distributor).

[sixtiesmuscle]

Nice car. What is the original color? That may explain why the engine compartment was painted black.

[Charley Lillard]

LOL....Plum Crazy as stated in the first post you dope.

[Stefano]

Play nice you two. He had a hard day at work yesterday.

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
Engine compartment. It's pretty much the way that I got the car. I did have the booster re-done, and put on a new MC (original is out for restoration). Car has headers, but original manifolds came with it along with every other part that got swapped out over the years (i.e. distributor).

[/ QUOTE ]

Dont touch that dipstick!

(No doubt, something most of your parents used to yell at you from outside the bathroom in your teen years http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

That dipstick still has the original white rubber coating on it. Very rare to find one in that condition still.

[sixtiesmuscle]

What makes you think I READ these posts & not just look at the pictures?

[69hurstSC]

MEMBERS RIDE!!!! MEMBERS RIDE!!!!

[HPMIKE]

Nice car.

Good luck with it, nice find. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

What are the plans for it?? Try to maintain as much of the originality as you can. They are rare cars as you are probably already aware. As Steve says, the dipstick handle insulation is unique.

I also own a Hemi Challenger 1971. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

MB

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
MEMBERS RIDE!!!! MEMBERS RIDE!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I do agree! Send 'em my way! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Tenney]

Yep. And Charley's NOZ and that cool '67 RA Goat ...

[bergy]

Well..... I've decided to restore my Hemi Challenger. Thought I'd share a few pics that I took of it yesterday.
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00243.jpg

[bergy]

OK - now that I know that the pics are downloading OK - here are more:

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00235.jpg



http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00238.jpg


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00241.jpg


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00242.jpg


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00243.jpg



http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00245.jpg

[bergy]

We were really pleased with the condition of the original body panels. I'm sure that you've all been through the experience of stripping a "southern" body, only to find a lot of hidden rot! This car turned out to be as solid as we thought it was though. Note the original stick and spot welds - Chrysler weld work is way worse than GM!

[black69]

awesome car (I am a fan of 70 challengers). I can't see the torque boxes with the under body shot. It would be nice to see those for my own grins.

[69Tom]

Lookin' good Bergy. Love'the '70 Challengers. Can't wait to see it in Plum Crazy.

It's funny, before I read your post on the spot welds, I was thinking to myself "is that an amateur patch weld job? It looks so clean otherwise..." lol.

[njsteve]

Those pinch weld/stich welds may be an early repair. Every hemi car I have owned had panel separation issues in the rear floor area where the rear passenger's feet would go. I think it was a body flex issue. Even my 12,000 hemi charger had a split in the welds and in the center of the floor panel on the passenger side, rear floor section. Four speed cars were especially susceptable to this problem.

Was there any purple paint over the welds or did it look like someone had been in there with a welder?

[bergy]

The purple paint was on top of all of the welds. We removed all paint one layer at a time on exterior (3 coats). This car came with the rear "bumble bee" stripe (white). Verified that the factory actually painted the white stripe on first and then taped it off to put the plum crazy on. We got 100s of pics of the details.

[njsteve]

Cool! Gotta love that 1970 Chrysler assembly line quality control. Start posting those photos!

[black69]

fyi, check in with ken mosier over at the 'finer details' in indiana, his purple challenger 4spd hemi just won muscle car of the year a a goodguys event in joliet. I know him, he is a nice straight up guy and can give you tips on what he found on his car(considering your car and his are essentially the same).

[HPMIKE]

Looks like a very solid body. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

If you need any help along the way, dtop me a PM. I nave restored several Challengers and currently own a low mile 71 hemi car with a ton of original detail. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.

MB

[bergy]

Restoraion is coming along nicely - here are a few more pics to kee the project updated

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/bruceunderside2.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/bruceunderside.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/brucetape.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/brucepaint.jpg

[Tracker1]

nice.

I do not see any rear torque boxes...? or is it an optical illusion because of the angle of the pic?

or is she one of the rare ones that didn't get any rear boxes - front ones are present...

If the front ones are there and the rears are not I'd politely suggest you install them. I had a six pack 4-speed cuda that had no torque boxes - assembly line screw-up as it was a numbers match body - and everywhere I took the car some pocket Mopar guru would have to impart his divine wisdom that no way this was an original 4-speed six pack e-body.

Only my two cents. Just want to save you a world of annoyance in case they are not there.

Can't wait to see this car on its wheels.

[gb70]

Not only from a correct standpoint but it will help keep the rear body from flexing. It could stress the paint and crack the paint at the stress points. I had a '70 Hemi Cuda before. Nice project you have there!

[bergy]

Yeah - I've debated whether or not to put the rear torque boxes in. This is an absolutely original car, and it's pretty common knowledge that the factory omitted them occassionally. I decided against adding them because the car has zero repairs and I really want it to stay the way that it rolled off of the assy line. I won't be taking it to the drag strip anyway. Thanks for the input though.

[Bill Pritchard]

Those floor pans and underside of the car are so perfect it's disgusting!

[southernfriedcj]

[ QUOTE ]
Restoraion is coming along nicely - here are a few more pics to kee the project updated

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/bruceunderside2.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/bruceunderside.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/brucetape.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/brucepaint.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Holy crap that purple looks nice!
I had a couple Challenger T/A's, I love those cars. Why would anybody want a Cuda? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[lwkitt427]

LOOKING LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE A TOP NOTCH CAR WHEN DONE LOVE THE PLUM CRAZY COLOR. MAKES YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR FOR SOME STOP LIGHT ACTION.
LES

[bashton]

Any updates on this?

Car looks incredible and I would certainly enjoy hearing of the status and progress.

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

[bergy]

stopped by and took a few more pics today. The car is assembled for final alignment and block sanding. Motor is waiting for correct roller lifters before assembly & dyno. original block stayed standard bore.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/IMG_0070.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/IMG_0071.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/IMG_0074.jpg

[HPMIKE]

Bruce:

Looks great!

Who's shop is that(that's doing the work)? It looks familiar. Can't wait to see it come along. Keep the pics coming.

MB http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[bergy]

Dennis Kohr @ Kohr's Kustoms is doing the restoration. Note all of the refinished, original bolts hanging behind the car in one of the pictures. Those are the original bolts off of this car. Dennis will restore every original fastener!

[Charley Lillard]

Can I have it ?

[gexhaust]

Bruce,

If Dennis is doing it I imagine we are going to see it a Chryslers at Carlisle. The Kohr brothers restorations are always the main attraction at that show. They are truly masters of their kraft. Congratulations on such an awesome car. Can't wait to see the finished pictures.

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/brucepaint.jpg

Holy crap that purple looks nice!


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it does! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif

[bergy]

paint is on - now the wet sanding begins!

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00370-1.jpg

[Charley Lillard]

I retract my earlier statement. I will try to wait till it is finished and then ask again.

[WILMASBOYL78]

The "dark side" sure does look nice....awesome car..good luck http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[SmallHurst]

Just my color too!!! (For those of you that don't know, I graduated from K-State and Purple is our color!!!) Charlie asked first, but.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Can-I-Have-It.gif

[Charley Lillard]

step away Rusty....

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
step away Rusty....

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
step away Rusty....

[/ QUOTE ]

Greedy ol' coot!

[SmallHurst]

I would tie Charlie's shoes together to get a head start, but we all know the flaw in that thinking!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[370454s]

Look what i picked up on Tuesday.
Mike

[Chris396]

I love that bumblebee stripe on the back!

[Rixls6]

[ QUOTE ]
Look what i picked up on Tuesday.
Mike

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice.
As the commercial asked "That thing got a Hemi"
No need to answer that.

[CC Rider]

[ QUOTE ]
Look what i picked up on Tuesday.
Mike

[/ QUOTE ]
Starting a small collection I see. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[bergy]

Restoration is progressing.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00441.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00445.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00442.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00443.jpg

[69Tom]

very nice!!

I also quite enjoyed seeing the '70 Plum Crazy Hemi Challenger in this month's MCR.

[lwkitt427]

LOVE THE COLOR COMBO I STOP BY A DOGE DEALER JUST THIS WEEK END THEY HAS A NEW PURPLE CHALLENGER O THE SHOW ROON FLOOR LOOKED GREAT ECPECT IT WAS AN AUTO, BUT THE COLOR WAS STOPING TRAFFIC FOR SURE

[442w30]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Restoration is progressing.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00441.jpg </div></div>

Is that a V9Y stripe?

[bergy]

Bumblebee stripe is on the tag - V9W (white). It's actually a painted stripe from the factory (versus the longitudinal tape stripe option). Interesting to note that the factory paint sequence was apply the white first, followed by the body color. Dennis meticulously stripped the original paint and documented every dimension - these stripes are exactly like the original factory stripes. He even sprayed the white before the body color!

[442w30]

Under the light, it looked slightly like a yellow stripe, as I've seen a few FC7/V9Y combos in person and in magazines.

[bergy]

I stopped by the resoration shop today - the car is about 1 month from completion:

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00446.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00448.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00449.jpg

[mockingbird812]

Sharp Bergy, real sharp. thanks for the update!

[Xplantdad]

So very nice!

[markinnaples]

Beautiful...

[bergy]

Car is finished and will be in the judging field at Hershey on Saturday - stop by if any SYC members are there.

[bergy]

Does anyone happen to have a copy of the April or May, 1991 issue of Mopar Magazine? The original owner of this Hemi Challenger says that this car is in the magazine. It is at Maple Grove Speedway in action!

[njsteve]

Which Mopar magazine? Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action, High Performance Mopar, Mopar Collectors Guide...?

[bergy]

The owner wasn't that specific. Unfortunately he just remembered it as &quot;Mopar Magazine&quot;. This may not be enough info to find the article, but thanks for looking.

[SmallHurst]

Come on Steve!!!! We know that you have all of them, he has given you a 2 month span!!!! Start digging!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[bergy]

This is unbelievable. I was out in the barn today (actually under a '67 Pace Car - installing the trans), when I heard someone come in the door and say &quot;Bruce, this is Dan Kulp&quot;. Well, Dan Kulp is the guy who owned the Hemi Challenger for 38 years! He and his wife just decided to take a drive over to my house today. Needless to say, I was very glad to see him! He also brought the magazine (and a movie of the car racing at maple Grove). The name of the mag is &quot;Mopar Action&quot; and the article is on page 12 entitled &quot;Groovin' at the Grove&quot;. By the way - Dan is going to visit a cancer specialist on Friday - so please lift up a prayer for the ol' drag racer.
Sorry if I caused you and trouble Steve, thanks anyhow. Bergy

[CC Rider]

Cool follow up Bergy, thanks.

And I will. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[markinnaples]

That looks beautiful.

[mockingbird812]

Way cool Bergy. What are the chances!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interesting to note that the factory paint sequence was apply the white first, followed by the body color.</div></div>

Gorgeous car, but I'm not sure I understand that paint sequence <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/confused.gif You mean they paint the white stripe, then mask off the two sections of the white stripe in order to get that thin strip of body color between the wide and thin sections of the stripe?

[bergy]

Yes Bill - I was amazed that the factory did the striping that way too!

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Any Pics of the car finished ??

[bergy]

I picked the car up today and took some pics - can't get photobucket to work though. When I place the cursor on a picture - the picture gets dim and won't let me copy it???

[bergy]

Just thought that I'd end this thread with final pictures of the completed car

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00583.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00591.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00584.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo199/cole1230/DSC00587.jpg

[mockingbird812]

Beautiful Bergy. She looks terrific! Congrats! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[njsteve]

Awesome! I love Plum Crazy.

Wanna trade?

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Looks Great !!

[snydes]

Looks great! I had the opportunity to see it first hand at fall Hershey, and it is very nicely done.

[Pulnaway]

<span style="color: #6600CC">The car turned out great!</span> <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[markinnaples]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif

BEAUTIFUL

[Xplantdad]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif

BEAUTIFUL </div></div>

X100! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[jannes_z-28]

Just super great!!!

Jan

[Survivor 69/Z28]

A 1970 Challenger is without a doubt my favorite Mopar.
This thing is simply unreal!!!!