72 Challenger vs 74 Charger Decision

[71vert340]

 A very close friend and I got together last Saturday and he did something I never expected. He signed over the title for his 72 Challenger to me. It was a car I owned many years ago before I sold it to him 18 years ago for a few hundred dollars. The car is apart and has sat outside for at least 15 of those years. There's rust in both front inner fenders, there is no front sheet metal except for a flat hood I gave him and the front lower valance. No engine or trans although I have a 360 and 727 trans that can be rebuilt. No other sheet metal needs to be replaced. A small rust through in driver's side rear quarter behind tire about 2 inches in diameter. A repairable dent in passenger's side rear quarter and door. I'd need to buy two front fenders and the front grille fiberglass header and parts. I do have two excellent original 70/71 front fenders and grilles stored in my shop but I'd rather not use them on a 72. He said he'll never complete the car and wanted it to go to a good home. He has a Challenger Redeye he prefers to spend his time in. I figure it will cost me about $15k in parts and 300 to 350 manhours to get this car back to where it needs to be. I'm finishing up a 74 Charger Rallye and have a complete 74 Charger 318 car waiting to go into my shop and have accumulated all the needed parts to make a great driver of the Charger. The Charger will require about $5K in additional parts and 150 manhours. I would do bodywork and paint on both. At this time, I only have the energy/enthusiasm to do one of the cars but my 16 year old grandson wants to do both. It would get him away from those video games. Any thoughts as to what is the best road to take. I'm retired and my shop has my Charger and my 71 convertible in it now. I'd have to put in a 4 post lift to put another car in there. I'll include photos of both cars.
TW

[71vert340]

 A few more photos.

[57Fury440]

I would do the Challenger if you decide to do only one.

[torredcuda]

You already have a Charger Rallye so I`d do the Challenger.

[Chryco Psycho]

I am a big fan of the 71-72 Chargers , the 73-74 not so much they really make a lot of bad decisions on those .
SO I Agree do the E body

[anlauto]

Sign the title of the Charger over to your Grandson....have him help you do the Challenger for payment. Then help him tinker with the Charger once the Challenger is finished...Maybe get the Charger road worthy as is, so he can learn to drive on it...while you're both doing the Challenger.

[71vert340]

 My grandson actually helped with the 74 Charger Rallye including doing some of the painting. He suggested today he would help me a lot if we do the 72 Challenger and then he would do the Plain Jane Charger with me there to guide him. The Challenger needs about $2000 in body parts and a complete interior. The person I got the Challenger from offered to give me a low mileage 360 he has and I can hear it run. All I'd need for the drive train is a rebuilt 727 and torque converter. Now I just need enough energy and enthusiasm for about 300 hours of work. If I could order a 55 gallon drum of enthusiasm, I'd be all set. I guess on the plus side is I don't have to have all the correct bolts and screws like I would need for a total restoration.
Terry W.

[Jsand73440]

I would spend as much money and time as needed to be with my grandson. Don't look at it as a car project, look at it as time spent with a grandson that years down the road you may not be able to do.

Challenger!

[71vert340]

 You are correct about spending time with my grandson. He's 16 years old and driving. He argues with parents but not me. I did a 71 Challenger with my son when he was that age and we really spent alot of time together. He's now married with children and works on his own vehicles. That 71 Challenger is still here waiting for my son to get it, and he's planning on trying to get it. Of course, I have to start it and drive it to keep the oil circulating.  Here's a finished photo of the 71 my son and I did and a photo of my grandson and I working on it recently.  Took 2 years to complete.
Terry W.

[71vert340]

It's interesting that my grandson wants to put a 70 grille back on this 72. I showed him the differences between the 70, 71 and 72-74. He likes and wants to go with a 70 grille. I have the complete 70 front sheet metal including grille, so... He wants to personalize this one.
Terry W.