17 years ago today the Challenger came home

[Brads70]

Just got a facebook post from 17 years ago today when the Challenger first came home.
It was a happy day for me!    I had bought it off E-Bay sort of by accident. My Mom had passed the year before, and left a small inheritance. I paid off the house bought a Used Suburban and a brand new travel trailer for the family the year before. I had always wanted another Challenger so I would bid on them on ebay , more for entertainment as they always went for way more than I had to spend.Well I bid on this one and no one else was bidding on it. It was listed really poorly as it came up when I was looking for parts for my current 86 Buick Regal GN clone with a 455/4 speed. You couldn't find it when searching for Challenger.
Auction ended on a Sunday and all week I was starting to sweat as no one was bidding , just my bid. Wife went to bed ( she had no idea) and at 11:30 the auction ended and I was the only bidder. Oh wow she was mad when I told her!
" You bought a what?" was her angry response. I had no idea of the condition as there were only a few pictures. Very dumb way to buy a car I know but.... I got very lucky!
Another issue was it was in Stockton CA and I'm in Barrie Ontario. So I had to arrange shipping. That was a nightmare as it took 3 months to get here, Ebay suggested DAS  shipping ( dependable auto shipping) they were anything but! Got a call after the first month  that the car was now in operatable and they required another 450 to deliver it, car was in detroit for 2 months I had visions of it up on blocks and stripped to a shell. When it finally came I was pleasantly surprised. The car was in great condition body wise, virtually no rust. Drive shaft was hanging down, transmission leaking and the rear end was blown and shrapnel was coming thru the rear cover . Originally a /6 car,  It had the /6 diff with a cover. And lots of Rubber covered the right rear quarter panel, so that explained the damage, someone had fun doing burnouts. I didn't even care as I was so happy the body was solid , I had plans for replacing the drivetrain anyhow, it came with a 440 out of a motorhome that made noise and burned a lot of gas but was  a dog other wise. I had joined CC.com and once I explained my story and people trusted I was not a scammer , lots of great people on there helped me out with parts really cheap or even free in some cases, k-frame,
8 3/4  housing another had a gear pot etc.... made lots of great friends over the years because of the car, for which I'm always been extremely  grateful. As much as I value the car, I value the friendships more!
Not much I haven't touched over the years, drivetrain, body and paint, interior, wheels, etc....  The only thing left to do is paint the engine bay, as it still has the as supplied rattle can black paint job. I think it evolved nicely! Just as I envisioned! I am blessed!

[Katfish]

Great story, the journey continues........

[Chryco Psycho]

What an experience !!

[screamindriver]

 Quite the evolution..  I remember that issue...Time flies doesn't it...

[71340RT]

I still have the issue it was in. What a great Challenger transformation.

[RUNCHARGER]

Great car! Most modded cars I would change a few things, yours is perfect though!

[dodj]

Ya, quite a transformation. I remember that pic of your garage you posted up. Couple inches either side of the Challenger for space..milling machine and I think a floor jack under the rear....Small workspace....big results.

[Brads70]

Ya, quite a transformation. I remember that pic of your garage you posted up. Couple inches either side of the Challenger for space..milling machine and I think a floor jack under the rear....Small workspace....big results.

Ya it's tight! I have always wanted a bigger garage/shop.
Javelin in in there now..... still....

[Brads70]

I sold the Buick to fund the drivetrain. Miss that car it was a nice looking car! Ton of torque with that 455 Buick. I do miss that! Never did see another 81-87 Regal with a 455 and a 4 speed in it! I made the air cleaner , stylized after the Buick famous " Star wars" air cleaner.  I remember those headers being a real " treat" to install.....

[MEK-Dangerous]

Congratulations Brad!

I have to ask a question. Were you talking about painting your Challenger another color, or am I wrong about that?

[Brads70]

Congratulations Brad!

I have to ask a question. Were you talking about painting your Challenger another color, or am I wrong about that?

I got it painted last winter due to a minor fender bender the year before. Same colour, I did consider other colours but my kids and wife liked the sublime

[Katfish]

Why would you change color, it's commonly known Sublime is without a doubt, the best.

[7E-Bodies]

@Brads70 would you share a pic of the fender tag on that 70?

[Brads70]

@Brads70 would you share a pic of the fender tag on that 70?

It's  nothing special, just a humble /6 car. Likley  why it survived. I didn't  bother to install it again , keep it in my toolbox
..

[7E-Bodies]

@Brads70 would you share a pic of the fender tag on that 70?

It's  nothing special, just a humble /6 car. Likley  why it survived. I didn't  bother to install it again , keep it in my toolbox
..

Sure it's special, and thanks for the reply. My first E body was a /6 and I loved it. I'd love to still have it in spite of currently owning a NM U code 70 Challenger (my second U code). The reason I wanted to see the fender tag is because I'm trying to build a specified database to hem in all of the Hamtramck built challengers that were manufactured in May of 70. My missing U code car had a door sticker of May 1970 and I only remember the beginning of the vin as JS23U0B and I know the sequence began with a 3 for the May production (thanks for the lesson @6bblgt). I'm relatively sure that the second digit is a 4 which would narrow things down, especially in light of how good AI is getting. Grok has been some interesting help. How I'd love to find that car again. Thanks again for the reply.