Challenger/Cuda left outside door handle

[fronteyejack]

Have for sale this Genuine part, Challenger 71-74 - Barracuda 70-74 LH door handle..

Never used, Pn.03760217

Price: $100.00 + Shipping

           

[Plumcrazzy]

I was always under the impression that 'Cuda and Challenger exterior door handles were slightly different with the outside flange being curved (slightly) on a Challenger (to fit body contour) while the 'Cuda style was straight. Am I correct?

[JH27N0B]

There is a Challenger only door handle that matches the contour of the body, and was used the first 3 or 4 years of production.  Then there was a part number that consolidated both Chaalengers and cudas. But for most Challengers the one with the proper contour is correct, though many cars are now seen with the consolidated flat style handle.

[anlauto]

There is a Challenger only door handle that matches the contour of the body, and was used the first 3 or 4 years of production.  Then there was a part number that consolidated both Chaalengers and cudas. But for most Challengers the one with the proper contour is correct, though many cars are now seen with the consolidated flat style handle.

Years ?

[anlauto]

Challenger's used curved ones during the first part of the 1970 model year, then switch to the flat ones shared with the Cuda up until the end of the production run in 1974

[JH27N0B]

My mid April built '70 T/A which was original paint when I bought it over 40 years ago had curved handles, one of which I had restored by Jules and was reinstalled on the car when I restored it.  I have heard this issue discussed in the past and my recollection is that contoured handles were used through either 72 or maybe it was 73 on Challengers.  The straight or flat handles were sold by Chrysler as a replacement handle for all E bodies for many several decades and due to the weak pot metal handles, many were replaced over the years due to breakage, so many earlier year Challengers now have them. Now their owners and some those that restore them would like to think they are correct, but all the wishful thinking in the world doesn't make that wish correct. 
I'm glad Jules restored mine, I remember hearing that he stopped restoring the Challenger door handles after one of the restoration companies, either Dales cuda shop or PG classics, started selling correct contour repros for Challengers and I prefer original parts over repros.

[mikep]

So does this one have the correct curve or not. I would be interested in it for my 70 convertible challenger if it does.
Thanks.

[fronteyejack]

No  this is flat.

[JH27N0B]

There is a Challenger only door handle that matches the contour of the body, and was used the first 3 or 4 years of production.  Then there was a part number that consolidated both Challengers and cudas. But for most Challengers the one with the proper contour is correct, though many cars are now seen with the consolidated flat style handle.

Years ?

Finally dawned on me what you were questioning in my post.  Basic math is 74-70=4, so why would I say something was built first 3 or 4 years when there were only 4 model years?  However, car model production year math is different, 70-74=5.  E bodies were produced for 5 model years.  I believe the handles with the sight curve toward the bottom were used through '72 or maybe even '73 Challengers, 3 or 4 model years total, until the consolidated part was used in the final 1 or 2 model years.
I think the one listed is the consolidated part number that you could still buy over the counter from Mopar until the early/mid 90s.  I just looked a couple Challenger only handles, the casting numbers are 2999886 RH and 2999887 LH.  The picture of the back of the one for sale is hard to make out the numbers, but doesn't look to be one of those numbers.
Edit: this issue was discussed here previously and it was said there that the changeover from the Challenger only door handles to the consolidated part for all E bodies occurred sometime in the '71 model year.
https://forum.e-bodies.org/cuda-and-challenger-general-discussion-roseville-moparts/2/reproduction-exterior-door-handles-question/6983/

[7E-Bodies]

Interesting @anlauto
I have an 11/4/69 SPD Challenger and can't be sure if they're original or not. They have the weathering, and I have repops new in boxes on the shelf.

[fronteyejack]

Pn.03760215 says on box,3760217 on this new door handel.

[fronteyejack]

Pn.03760217 says on back side it is a LH door handel ,just in a wrong box,sorry

[mccannix]

I agree curved Challenger used all 70-71, and some into 72 models from what I recall.

[6bblgt]

factory original:
there are concave door handles for 1970 thru mid-'71 Challengers
there are convex door handles for 1970 thru mid-'71 Barracudas
there are flat door handles for mid-'71 thru 1974 e-bodies

casting numbers are different than part numbers

[dodj]

I find it amazing the amount of tiny detail differences in these cars that I was/am completely oblivious to.