72-74 Challenger ”Restomods”

[dave73]

Say you were building a 72-74 Challenger into a restomod type build. Is there value in "desirability" of converting the front grille and rear tail panel to a 70 or 71? My car is pretty far along and don't think I'll ever sell it. I've done plenty to it that I wouldn't want to start over. It's crossed my mind a few times to change the front and rear to either a 70-71.

[72bluNblu]

I don't think there's a big difference either way. The 70/71 front ends are more popular, but any increase in popularity is offset by the fact that it's a clone and not the real deal.

Not to mention the '71 parts are expensive and hard to come by. I'm doing a '71 front end swap on my '72, but I'm leaving the tail panel alone. There's no reproduction '71 Challenger tail panel available at the moment, so you'd have to find an original. Same for the grille, you have to find an original and they're very expensive if they're in decent shape. A '70 swap is easier, there's more reproduction parts available. Part of the reason I'm doing mine is the condition of my car, it needs quarters and fenders anyway so adding the '71 parts doesn't add any extra work.

I wouldn't do the swap for "value". If you want to do the swap have at it, it's your car. And if you're not doing an OE resto it won't matter, it's already not stock. But I don't think you're adding any value either.

[IRON MAN]

Why replace the front end. I actually like the 73 front grill if the rest of the 72-74 Challenger is done right. You mentioned desirability and value. I think this 73 Challenger is worth far more than any original 72-74 Challenger. If I could choose any e-body  to compete in a ball's out cannon ball run from Kalifornia to Maine this would be my choice. It was in Popular Hot Rodding magazine and belongs to Dave Wolfe. The engineering under the car is second to none.

[JpRngr]

I would think if you're making a resto-mod, and most people like the 70-71 front ends better, why not change it. The more people like it, the more likely it'll sell for more. I don't see it as a *clone*, I see it as a resto-mod. Things get changed and modified, hopefully for the better. In the end, modify it how you like, it's yours.


Corey


BTW, my '74 has a '70 front clip on it with the '74 tail.

[RUNCHARGER]

I don't mind the 2-3-4 Grille. The taillights I might be tempted to change though. Same as the 2-3-4 Barracudas, the grille is actually quite nice but the GM round taillights don't match the rest of the design. Of course everyone has different opinions.

[ledphoot]

Call me weird but the '72 Cuda is my favorite look all around, followed by the 71 Challenger and 71 Cuda.

Do what you like, it's your car. Don't do anything for value, some will agree with your decision some will hate it, so in the end stick to what you like and worry about $$$ if you ever need to.

[RUNCHARGER]

Yes: That's what it's all about.

[kawahonda]

I personally do not like  Challenger 72-74 Front ends. Not a fan of the frowny mouth. It just reminds me too much of late 70s styling! You can remove the chrome trim and try to black out as much of it as you can (looks better IMO) but you're still going to be greeted to a frowny Challenger. Plus then it's not original anymore.

But 72-74 rear ends I do like....just as much as any other Challenger. That I wouldn't change. 70-71 fronts (either one) and a 72-74 rear is actually a nice look.

I've seen it completely opposite in Lake Tahoe and I thought it was weird. Some guy was showing his 71 Challenger. I saw the front end (which was a 72-74) and started to question what year really IS the car. He said 71. Walked to the rear and it had a 71 rear. Story goes is that he was short on money and did not want to repair his front end and the 72-74 was obtained cheaper.

Kinda don't buy that story too much due to the effort/cost of actually replacing many parts to do the conversion, but it was interesting!

[RzeroB]

I personally do not like  Challenger 72-74 Front ends. Not a fan of the frowny mouth.

But 72-74 rear ends I do like....just as much as any other Challenger. That I wouldn't change.

Me too!! 

[Burdar]

The only thing I don't care for on the 72-74 cars is the generic side marker lights.  If I were doing a restomod 72-74 Cuda or Challegner, I'd put 70 quarters and fenders on it.  I like the tail lights and the front grill.  I don't see a frown when I look at the front.

Last year at the Nats I saw a decent looking 70 Cuda for sale.  The price sounded cheap to me.  After reading the description on the sign, it was a 74 that was converted to a 70.  Totally lost interest in it at that point.(not because it was a 74 but because the conversion was done)  Some people will have an issue with it...some won't. 

[PLUM72]

As having a 72 Challenger, this post interests me.  I don't mind the look of the 72-74 challengers.  They are in need of a bumper change, to tuck them in and remove the guards.  Same with the marker lights, change them out for the earlier 70-71 or shave them all together.  The front lower valence trim must go in favor of the 70 look.  These things don't take much and clean up the design.  I try to collect photos of tastefully done restomod 72-74 Challengers with the hope of one day incorporating some ideas.  I have attached some interesting photos.

[soundcontrol]

I do like the tail lights on 72-74, not so much the grille though. I have a 73 that gonna be a Gen3 Hemi restomod, thinking of putting a new Challenger SRT grille on it, and keeping the rear end, if I can make it fit. Look at the Shakedown Challenger, looks great. Don't wanna mix up a 70 grille and 73 taillights, dosen't seem right... 

[PLUM72]

Another photo...While I'm not a fan of a complete monochromatic look, others may like that style.  There is an interesting Cuda tailpanel in there...

[kawahonda]

Blacking out the front grille to remove the frown and changing the bumpers out = becomes nearly as good as the earlier ones for much cheaper!

Then you gotta deal with the extra weight of the 72-74s and the low compression 340 still...

[ledphoot]

Blacking out the front grille to remove the frown and changing the bumpers out = becomes nearly as good as the earlier ones for much cheaper!

Then you gotta deal with the extra weight of the 72-74s and the low compression 340 still...

Who's leaving a motor completely stock in any of these cars? Screw that! I'm running 10:1 JE Pistons, aluminum heads and a stroked crank with a nice cam, ~500HP Problem Solved.