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Body parts that are available for 75-79 B bodies

Fm3 Dart

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So we all know that exterior body parts are not being made for the 75-79 B bodies, or 79-81 R bodies. However, there are parts being made to help restore these cars. Most people are not aware of these interchanges, so here are some of the parts made for earlier cars that fit 75-79. Some may need modifications.
Also, while people like to lump the all the 71-74 B bodies into a group, the 73-74 is a totally re-engineered car. While it may look similar to a 71-72 on the exterior, under the skin, they are actually closer to the 75-79 B body, and 79-81 R body.

Auto Metal Direct makes some panels that can be used on 75-81 B and R bodies.

Firewall.
Transmission crossmember.
Interior floor.
Left and right rear interior floor pans.
Trunk floor.
4 speed hump- if you want to convert a 75 and newer car.
Rear inner wheelhouses.
Trunk floor braces.

Yes some of these parts may need modifications due to updates that Chrysler made to the panels, but they will fit.

Now if we could just get them to reproduce rocker panels, quarter panels, outer wheelhouses, and trunk floor extensions!
 
Now if we could just get them to reproduce rocker panels, quarter panels, outer wheelhouses, and trunk floor extensions!

I don't ever see it happening but if ya can talk them in to it, I have NOS that can be used as patterns.

tail.jpg
 
At one time, you could get "1/8th" panels from JCWhipme. There were 1/2 a qtr panel, about halfway down the panel to the bottom. Actually not a bad piece. I have a set, I think I paid $100/side. One might contact them to see if by chance they'd have them around someplace.
 
if you've ever tried using 75 and up bucket seats tracks on a 74 floor pan you will find out just how different they are. I had a 74 charger parked right next to a 77 charger SE and there was actually very little I could swap over outside of the suspension despite similarities .the carpet didn't even work. definitely do your homework.
 
Yeah, I don't agree with the OP statement that 73/74 is totally re engineered and shares more with 75-79.

There are parts on 73/74 that work on 71/72 and some that work on 75 and up, but mostly the interchange is with 71/72.
 
I've always been under the impression that the only thing shared between a 73/74 and 75/up was the K frame and front suspension. I know that's a bolt in as I've done that swap. A thing I've recently discovered is that at least 74 uses the same dash gauges as 75.

25 years ago Direct Connection sold small block headers that fit pretty well in the 76 Charger. No clue what brand they were but haven't seen anything advertised for that generation body since. TTI does make a set for the 73/74 that would probably work but I've never tried and last I checked, neither have they.
 
Yeah, I don't agree with the OP statement that 73/74 is totally re engineered and shares more with 75-79.

There are parts on 73/74 that work on 71/72 and some that work on 75 and up, but mostly the interchange is with 71/72.
having owned dozens of 71 and newer B bodies, and working on them daily, I can two you this is true. To the casual observer, a 71-72 look very similar to a 73-74, but the 73 b body was a totally re-engineered car. sort of a transition between the 72 and 75.
 
Now if we could just get them to reproduce rocker panels, quarter panels, outer wheelhouses, and trunk floor extensions!

Good luck, my guess is if guys with 1972 Darts/Demons can’t even get front fenders repopped these parts will never get done.
 
70-71 Dart fenders are reproduced by AMD. 72 is same except marker light. They really should make one without the marker recess, to fit the 72's
 
70-71 Dart fenders are reproduced by AMD. 72 is same except marker light. They really should make one without the marker recess, to fit the 72's

The marker light is what makes those fenders exactly not the same. I have heard they used to make the 72 fender and stopped.
 
Has anyone contact AMD to see if they'd consider some repops? I also have some NOS sheetmetal to use for patterns.
 
Has anyone contact AMD to see if they'd consider some repops? I also have some NOS sheetmetal to use for patterns.
I think if enough people contact AMD about reproducing Magnum / Cordoba panels, they may consider it. I would think that new quarter panels, trunk extensions and outer wheelhouses would be the most needed panels.
Call them up. Doesn't hurt to ask
 
There has been a blitz contact campaign going on for a couple of years regarding 66/67 quarter panels.
IIRC the latest word is that they are currently planning on starting the tooling process tooling in 4-5 years.
 
...so if you start now, and have enough people bombard them, you may get something in about 8 years.
 
I really want to say that its been tried before. I've certainly heard the discussion on other Doba boards over the decades. What it basically comes down to is repop company X moving Y units to cover Z tooling costs plus Z profit. Bottom line is not enough demand for 75-79 Bs and never has been.

I was going to give the usual example of earlier Bs, mustangs, camaro, etc but you've heard it so I'll switch it up. Repop body metal for 74-80 Dodge trucks used to be easily available and extensive. I mean you could just about build a shell. Demand was initially crash parts then became rust repair. It was disco'd some time ago and the warehouse full of inventory has been slowly emptying for the last 5-10 yrs.

Don't have much hope for repop being restarted as original tooling likely long gone. Owning that vintage truck, I've noticed prices for them creep up during last 5 yrs. There's a big interest growth in CTD and G3 hemi conversions. There are flippers out there building projects. As in: market demand for the panels. There is not anywhere near that level of interest in our generation of Mopars.

Take your own experience. What do you see more often at shows or for sale on the net? I find some nice Dobas out there but for every one I do I could find 20+ trucks from the same era. If you where deciding which one to stamp panels for as your product, which would you choose?

I love 'em and I always have. I was in a large minority of the population when they were new. I had my first one - 76 Charger, 360-2, floor shift, wires, white over red inside and out, 50k on clock - at age 19 in 1982. Chrysler sold 750,000 of the Doba/Charger, never added up the other B variants. Aside from that million or so, there's never been any love for them. My best advice is hold on to the ones ya got and maybe snatch up what ya can while ya can.
 
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