Keep Original????

[markmine]

I picked up a 73 roadrunner 340 4 sp car about 5 years ago. The car is a mess but complete, frame rot etc... But runs and drives. I have been looking for a clean 318 roadrunner or satellite with the intention to install the 340 engine, transmission, rear end, sway bars, etc into the new car.

I just got a 74 satellite, the car looked clean online and I figured it would be a great candidate for the engine swap. It was more than I wanted to spend, but The guy said the car is like new. The car arrived and is mint and appears unrestored with only 30k miles. No rust and the paint, interior, rug, headliner, appear original even the exhaust appears to be original. The paint looks like new and the car runs and drives like new. Two build sheets. It's like a time capsule.

Now I'm torn. Do I move forward with my plan and take apart the unrestored satellite or keep it original?

 

[Ron 73]

I personally wouldn't touch the 74 Satellite, i think i would focus on the 73 tearing it down but you may find another in good shape to do a swap..your the last word on it, Only you have to be happy when your done..

 

[Doright]

I too would keep the satellite as is perhaps up date it with stickers and spoilers but leave it mostly alone,If its as nice as you say it is? Maybe do an engine swap, crating up original engine & tranny.

Fix the 73 Metal work aint all that hard just do one thing at a time check out my 73 build I would restore a 73 340 4 sp car no question about it. Perhaps posting some pics of what you think is frame rot would help too were just guessing how bad your 73 is It might not be as bad as your thinking?
Also maybe you should even think about selling it??? or the both of them! and getting another car without touching either of them ???? might make enough to get a really nice car already done!!!

I know when my 73 is done I'm going to be selling it and in this economy it aint never going to bring what I think its worth but I do this stuff for fun any way as long as I get enough to move up to another car project I like and I don't loose to much I'm usually happy. :eusa_think:

 

[71ChallengerSE]

I would leave the Satellite as is and enjoy the crap out of it and collect what is necessary to restore the RR. No body swapping necessary, anything is fixable.

 

[Bruzilla]

My litmus test is easy: would I be happy with that car in 1974? Would I buy that car in 1974? If the answer is no, then I modify. I had a couple of cars, a 72 and 73 restored to original and they were nice, but they weren't big, thumping, 440 cars, which is what I really wanted. After those cars I decided from now on I'll modify at will to get the kind of car I would have wanted back in 197X.

 

[rog_allen]

Im with Bruzilla .. I swapped out grandpa's 318 auto and bench seat too a built 440 4-peed pisal grip shift and bucket seats .. exactley what I always dreamed of .. everytime i get behind the wheel and fire that big bad boy up i get goose bumps and feel like a teenager back in the 70's again :headbang:
no regrets ever

1971 ssp

 

[markmine]

The words of an old friend are bouncing around in my head.... "they are only original once". I guess his words stuck with me all these years.

 

[68383GTS]

Its only a Satellite and will never bring big money.I would put the 340,4 speed,and Road Runner hood on it.

 

[YY1]

I'd drive the Sat as is, and let it quench your thirst to drive something classic, while you continue to look for donors and parts for the RR.

The are still out there, just not as frequent.

Pics would help.

 

[67 coronet]

if you like the car as is,keep it that way.only two reasons to keep a car all original;you like it or its worth the money.its all about your opinion on what you should do.that car is not really gonna be worth much,even as an unmolested low mile car,so do what you will enjoy the most.life is too short to worry about others opinions.:grin:

 

[Doright]

:headbang:

if you like the car as is,keep it that way.only two reasons to keep a car all original;you like it or its worth the money.its all about your opinion on what you should do.that car is not really gonna be worth much,even as an unmolested low mile car,so do what you will enjoy the most.life is too short to worry about others opinions.:grin:

:headbang::headbang:

 

[PettyBlue340]

I'd have to see your satellite before I could advise but I can tell you as a owner of one, 340 roadrunners are awesome and if you got a solid donor you big bucks ahead.
I just had my runner in the shop for 9 months for rust repair and paint and it wasn't cheap!!!
It I had a solid satellite I would of swapped all the rr parts and saved thousands!

 

[71ChallengerSE]

I'd have to see your satellite before I could advise but I can tell you as a owner of one, 340 roadrunners are awesome and if you got a solid donor you big bucks ahead.
I just had my runner in the shop for 9 months for rust repair and paint and it wasn't cheap!!!
It I had a solid satellite I would of swapped all the rr parts and saved thousands!

But now you have a real RR and not a clone of a car you actually had.

 

[markmine]

Here are a few close up pics of the Satellite. It has 318/904/8.25 with 2:71. The color is avacado gold metallic - very 70's

 

[MoparMikey]

Tough call because it is very nice. If you are happy with the 318 leave it alone, if you find that you miss the performance of the 340 and 4 speed change it otherwise you're only keeping it original to make others happy.

 

[71ChallengerSE]

I would rather see this car at a show than ANOTHER RR clone. IMHO

 

[CoronetRTguy]

I think you should sell it and get what you want a beater car (good body not running great or shifting) and put your motor in it.

If you want a real Road Runner restore what have and dont cut up the car you just bought.

That is a piece of history and way way to nice to cut. If you cut that car up just to put a motor in it I would say you lost your money.

I love clone cars just as much as the next guy but to do what you're thinking of doing should be a crime.

I do know of a 73 Road Runner that is a 318 car I'm not sure how the body is on it but I got them down to $1500 on it. I think I could get it for $1200.

The only reason I have not bought it is because I want to save my money for what I really want. I found a 71 Road Runner that I really want but needs work and I really do still want it.

Do not cut up that satellite man I keep looking at the pics and it as it rolled off the line new...... do not cut it up just sell it take the profit and buy something else.<---Read that again.

 

[CoronetRTguy]

I tell you what I will go and get that 73 Road Runner and trade you for your satellite. Just a thought.

 

[Ron 73]

Man, That looks super clean and good, please, post some of the outside of the old girl! As far as clone or real, thats your call we cant make our cars so everyone likes them and then we don't.. It looses the fun of the ride, mine is a clone and if i had it to do over, it would have been done the way it is now, Id have a hard time doing this 74 as a clone, but if thats what you want, go for it! As said and true to the words, life is short enough.. enjoy it your way.

 

[PettyBlue340]

But now you have a real RR and not a clone of a car you actually had.

Oh yeah your right and at the end of the day I'd much rather have the real thing!