Silver argent tail panel

[Burdar]

Attached is a picture i took at the nats last year of a 73 rallye with what i believe are the correct application for 73/74 cars. 

I don't recall if the car in question was a true rallye package or not as I was surprised to see it with belt moldings and the bumpers are definitely not 73. I do remember it had the correct tail panel treatment and I'm fairly certain it had a 73 vin.

The owner of that car is/was on the Cuda-Challenger website.  I've talked to him a few times.  That car is actually a 72 non-Rallye 340 car.  Since it's not a Rallye, it has the argent tail panel and gray grill.

72 was the only year were the Rallye was its own model and had a JS VIN.  In 73-74, the Rallye was just an option on the base model.  ALL 73-74's had a JH VIN.

The black tail panel is only correct for a 72 Rallye.

[Burdar]

The 72 dealer data book shows the base Challenger with a "medium astrotone" tail panel and the Rallye with a black tail panel.

https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1972/72_Challenger0006.jpg

The 73 dealer data book doesn't mention anything about tail panel paint.

https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1973/73_Challenger0005.jpg


On my 73, the bodyshop used the Totally Auto argent.  They sprayed the dark argent first, then misted the light argent over the top.  The result was a "medium" argent look.  IMO the Totally Auto light argent is way too light.  The dark is also too dark.

[fireguyfire]

Playing with my tail panel now; my car definitely shows argent silver under the poor black overspray.
Gently scraping with a razor blade, and it looks like the argent rolled up towards the trunk opening, but stopped short of the trunk seal; there seems to be a straight line between the original body colour and the argent along that edge.
Is that the usual place where the argent stops and the body colour starts?


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[Burdar]

Yes, that is correct.  The tail panel paint went into the trunk opening about an inch or so.  This was done so you wouldn't see any body color under the trunk lip.

[IRON MAN]

I just found this picture of what appears to be the same blue challenger above. Which is correct for a 73 Rallye?

[Burdar]

That picture is correct for a 72 non-Rallye Challenger and correct for ALL 73-74 Challengers.  Engine size didn't matter.  A non-Rallye 340 car would have been painted the same as a non-Rallye 318 car.

[IRON MAN]

Burdar, Are you referring to the picture of the Challenger with white wall tires and the couple in the right corner, immediately above your post?

[Burdar]

Yes.  All 73-74 Challenger tail panels were painted the same.  Engine size/Rallye/non-Rallye didn't matter.  ONLY the 72 Rallye got a black tail panel.

[dodj]

Incorrect.  I posted that picture and it's ONLY correct for a 72 Rallye.  The car pictured is a 72 Rallye 318 car.

You could get a 318 rallye?
I thought the rallye was the performance pkg with the 'big' small block. Was it just sway bars and stripes?

[JS29]

Incorrect.  I posted that picture and it's ONLY correct for a 72 Rallye.  The car pictured is a 72 Rallye 318 car.

You could get a 318 rallye?
I thought the rallye was the performance pkg with the 'big' small block. Was it just sway bars and stripes?

It would make sense that you could, based on the fact you could get a 318 BS 'cuda in 1973 and 74!

[Burdar]

The base engine in the Rallye was the 318.  The 340/360 was optional.  My 73 Rallye is a 318 car.

The link I posted earlier, shows what was included in the Rallye.  You got the scooped hood, Rallye gauges, black grill, side louvers, stripes and HD suspension.

[YellowThumper]

I just found this picture of what appears to be the same blue challenger above. Which is correct for a 73 Rallye?

The picture quoted above of argent silver is close to correct between the light and dark previously shown. Tone matches my original paint 74. Some areas are worn to primer.
I have very detailed pictures showing all the cut lines at home that I will post up later tonight.

[fireguyfire]

Excellent thumper, that would be great


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[YellowThumper]

Here are the pictures.
First picture, note how dark the top is that was covered by trunk lid.
Where this top (under trunk lid) curves and runs out left and right does not match each other.
Back of fenders are just basic tape lines.
Note where the black surrounding the tail lights runs out past the feature edge. It is also not even or consistent. I suspect they had cups that were placed in the holes to create the spray line end. Much of the black is worn off but the underside of them is a very dull matte finish.


Hope they help.
Mike

[fireguyfire]

Very helpful pictures Thumper; thanks!
I see that the bumper filler pieces are argent as well; I've seen a few argent tail panel cars on the internet with the bumper filler pieces black.


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