1971 violet gtx

[plumgtx]

I just got this car yesterday and its going to need a lot of work. Just wanted to document how it started. I am a novice so I have no clue howlong its going to take. Estimate would be a year. Most parts are here but I has a lot of options to restore. Ps, pw, pb, buckets, fc7, dual racing mirrors, buddy seat, light package, 3 speed wipers, hood/fender turn signals, am/fm, tinted glass, 26 rad. It was column shift updated to b&m shifter in 80s would be my guess. Has original shifter so not sure how I will go back. The b&m looks very cool that's for sure. Also white vinyl top was later added by the factory so I will be putting that back on. Here are some pics. This car deserved to be saved. The place I got it from fixed the front fenders so that's why there in primer. Was debating dropping a hemi in it because I believe now its just a period correct 440. Let me know what you guys think

 

[WP29440SE]

i would love to be working on that right now. I , myself , would be restoring it the way it came from the factory. either way, you have an awesome project. the first thing I would do is throw that shifter in the trash

 

[Coyoteduster]

She'll be a looker for sure, love that color combo!

 

[aldal]

Looks like a lot of work and a lot of fun...good luck and keep us posted.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Very cool color combination. It's your car, restore it the way you would like it.

If it were mine though, I'd take it back as close to original as I could. I restored an original FC-7 Challenger R/T several years ago and it's a very striking color. The Challenger had a black vinyl top though. I've seen cars with the purple / white combination and they really look good.

By chance did you find a build sheet or does the car have the fender tag??? If it does, send me a PM and I'll decode it for you. Try not to post a picture on line that shows the complete VIN number. The 1st 5 or 6 letters / numbers are OK. Just don't post the last 6 digits. These will be on the fender tag too at the bottom right side.

There are a few shady characters out there in our world and you just can't be too careful.

 

[Photon440]

Nice find, plumgtx! If you have the hemi, sure why not? Nothing is irreversible. But I see from your other posts that you like this year of car so congrats on the find. It'll be a sharp colour combo.

Oh, and a belated welcome to the forum!

-=Photon440=-

 

[plumgtx]

Yea it has 2 fender tags. N41 n42 p31 r36 v21 j25 l31 m21 m25 m31 c21 c55 g11 g33 g31 h51 fc7 a01 a04 b41 b51 p6xw tx9 b27 (think this is build date not an option) e86 d32 v7w 26 think that's all. I saw your challenger its beautiful. Here's a good pic of the original paint on my car. This is under the weather stripping when I removed it. The paint stayed on the car and on the bottom of the weather stripping so the removed weather stripping is in the pic upside down

 

[plumgtx]

I am probably like most and wish I had a hemi sitting around but I don't. I am not the best mechanic so the 440 would probably be easier to keep up and maintain wouldn't you think. I also have never owned a hemi so I am just guessing. Take care guys

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO build it the way you want and that will be a nice car when you are done

 

[Ron 73]

I think that's one nice project you have there! You think a year will do it but the time fly's faster then we realize and i hope you enjoy it all the way.. Great color combo, Ive always said build them the way you want, ill just say if it were mine i would stay close to original, whatever way you go, have fun building it you'll have one nice ride when done!

 

[kiwigtx]

Nice car...but I would plan on it taking a bit more than one year.....unless you're a panel-beater and this is going to be a full-time gig.

Just purely for inspiration....if you are anything like me, you'll be about 4 years away from doing this....

and if you're real lucky you'll get on one of these....

Kinda like Waylon Jennings, only see the hands and not the face on TV :hello2:
Probably the first and only Cover Car on that magazine here in NZ to not show the entire car. They usually have Chebbies and Forgs on the cover, so maybe they were intimidated too much by an awesome B Body. :toothy12:

 

[plumgtx]

Nice car kiwi looks like fun. Here's a few pics I wanted to share and who knew the front bumper had a steel tag with numbers on it welded to it.

 

[steved033]

awesome car!!!! I had those year hopes too. I'm 4.5 years into a tawny gold GTX that looked like yours when I started...it's been the most frustrating thing I've ever done, and at the same time, the most rewarding. IMO, put it back as original as you can, but with sensible safety upgrades. A two fender tag car deserves it. Mine was a dark gold with dark gold top almost no options car, but it's a real GTX. https://plus.google.com/photos/111609703238637837036/albums/5360721519667567617?banner=pwa&sort=1

i'll toss a plug in for the roadrunnernest guys. I learned a TON from them, and I think it's the only dedicated 71-74 site out there. http://www.roadrunnernest.com/forum/

Beautiful car, I can't wait to see the progress.

sjd

 

[plumgtx]

got some work done

Nice gtx steve was it original rear spoiler car? I wish mine was I love the look. I disassembled a lot of the nose today and took some pics of the original s tampings. I am going to need a new rad core support. Also my car didn't come with a radiator so if anybody has any suggestions please me know. The motor will be a little more potent than factory so I want good cooling. Take care. My phone or the website wouldn't let medrag the pics to upload them so they will come later

 

[moparmarks]

Cool car. Good that is has the grill and dash GTX emblems. Those can be hard and costly to find.

 

[steved033]

Thanks! No, it wasn't a rear spoiler car. I'm putting it back to fairly close to the build sheet, but I've put 4 wheel discs and will probably run 17" wheels, I haven't decided on exterior striping yet. I might just keep it clean for a while. The body guy messed up and didn't weld a couple holes on the trunklid shut, so I need to make a fake "dealer emblem"

sjd

 

[71airgrabberRR]

I would recommend giving Auto Metal Direct (AMD) a call. They have a good web site and you can order all of the parts you need brand new from them. I would recommend keeping the stock 26" wide radiator opening when running a big block anything.

Another choice would be to get these parts from a decent donor car, but my experience has been that 95% of them have damage on the lower half that is located below the radiator. Try giving Mopar Marks a PM. He may have what you need.

When you get into removing the old parts, keep the original cross support that goes along the top edge of the radiator. On this piece there should be a partial V.I.N. number stamped into the metal. This number should match your door decal, dash VIN, etc.

Use a good spot weld cutter to remove the original metal.

If your serious about keeping the engine cool, and are not too overly concerned about keeping a factory stock appearance, consider getting a good quality aluminum radiator. I used one in the 70 Challenger I restored that had a Stroker 440 (500 cubic inches). It would stay at 180 degrees all day long, idling in traffic with the AC on, during the hot Florida summer, etc.

- - - Updated - - -

 

[747mopar]

Congrats on your find, should be a pretty cool looking ride when finished. I always say build them the way you want, having said that I like the original color allot better than that blue. Enjoy

 

[Ron 73]

I would recommend giving Auto Metal Direct (AMD) a call. They have a good web site and you can order all of the parts you need brand new from them. I would recommend keeping the stock 26" wide radiator opening when running a big block anything.

Another choice would be to get these parts from a decent donor car, but my experience has been that 95% of them have damage on the lower half that is located below the radiator. Try giving Mopar Marks a PM. He may have what you need.

When you get into removing the old parts, keep the original cross support that goes along the top edge of the radiator. On this piece there should be a partial V.I.N. number stamped into the metal. This number should match your door decal, dash VIN, etc.

Use a good spot weld cutter to remove the original metal.

If your serious about keeping the engine cool, and are not too overly concerned about keeping a factory stock appearance, consider getting a good quality aluminum radiator. I used one in the 70 Challenger I restored that had a Stroker 440 (500 cubic inches). It would stay at 180 degrees all day long, idling in traffic with the AC on, during the hot Florida summer, etc.

- - - Updated - - -

View attachment 193976

I agree and AMD are fast becoming my best friends, including Jeff at 501 restorations! Blair spot weld cutter is a good one for removing old spot welds!

http://www.amazon.com/Spotweld-Rotabroach-Cutter-Standard-Pilot/dp/B000TRP5IG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1403058004&sr=8-6&keywords=blair+spotweld+cutter

If Interested!

 

[Dennis H]

Lots of opinions on cooling here. I use and like the Ma Mopar 26" copper radiator with shroud and clutch fan. Green coolant, 180 Superstat. Warmed up 440. 1/2 inch carb spacer. Runs cool w/AC in extreme heat.