1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible

[The EV2 Challenger]

Hello Mopar-fans!
I would like to introduce me and my project to you.
My name is Leonard (call me Leo), I'm 14-years old and from Austria.
Last year in the end of October we made a weekend-trip to Vienna because my parents had tickets for a concert. So while they we're at the concert I was with my brother in the hotel.
(At that time I was dreaming about a project car. I liked the Corvette C3 like my father. But he wanted a four seater so we could go on trips together as a family.) I had nothing to do so I took my phone started searching for a project. I saw on the "Hagerty Redline Rebuild" series that there is a company named Copart. So I went on their website and looked what cars they had. And just by coincidence there was this Challenger.
When my parents were back we went to a restaurant and I showed my father the car. And he liked it! On the same day he bought it. I was so excited see it in person. After four months of shipping it finally arrived.
There isn't much to tell about the history. We tried to contact the last owners but they didn't want to tell anything about the car. We only know that they tried to sell it back in 2008 on an auction and it was on display at Carlisle in the same year. But then in summer 2022 it was in a fire (most probably in New Jersey) where the back half and the interior got demaged.
In the documentation was also a copy of the Broadcast Sheet a report from Galan's Tag Service.
The car ist all numbers matching with many options from the factory. We also found a Broadcast Sheet taped to the backside of the glovebox.
Our plan is to restore it to as original as possible so it's going to be a challenge to find all the parts.
I would appreciate any information about the history or help to find the correct parts.

[kdcarman]

Good luck with your project!

[The EV2 Challenger]

Thank you!

[70vert]

congrats on an awesome find, and good luck with the build. This is the right place to come for help and advice!!

[anlauto]

Looks like a fun project...odd place to catch fire

[JH27N0B]

I'm guessing it was a garage fire that damaged the car, mostly toward the back of the car, not a car fire.
A friend of mine bought a hemi Challenger clone that was damaged in a garage fire.  The car itself was not burned but still a surprising amount of damage from the smoke and chemicals emitted from the fire.
One thing that really was interesting was that the engine was badly damaged by the smoke.  You could tell which cylinders the valves were open during the fire by the amount of damage to the bores by the exposure to the chemicals.
He had the body repainted, rebuilt the engine, and replaced most of the interior and glass.  Also the wiring iirc.
It's really nice now.
That convertible will need to be ground up restored but being a real Challenger R/T convertible it's certainly well worth the effort!

[cudamadd]

Welcome good for you nice project. Factory air conditioning 14 years old there is hope yet for our hobby . Great taste in muscle cars young man .

[JS29]

     good project to have!! 

[Cuda_mark]

Good luck with your project! This is one of the best sources for parts and advice as you guys get deeper into the restoration.

[MOPARMIKE69]

Congratulations on your new project. You have a real keeper there. There is an awesome step by step E-body convertible restoration complete with recommendations of where to get parts at https://moparconnectionmagazine.com/category/projects/comeback-cuda/
I hope to see some progress pics here in the future!

[The EV2 Challenger]

We thought the same thing too. It also looks like somethimg of the burning structure fell on the roof because a bar of the convertible top is a bit bend. Unlike your friends car there is no fire damage in the engine compartment.
Here are two pictures of the engine compartment. (will take more on the weekend)
Thank you all for your support!

[The EV2 Challenger]

Hello!
So today I was in the garage and took some pictures, inspected some details and took it apart a bit further. Like the quarter window assemblies, the door edge moldings, the kickpanels, etc.
The gas tank looks like it got hot and puffed up. But it isn't leaking at all!
Would like to hear what you think about that.

[anlauto]

Does it run? Looks like a great project.

[The EV2 Challenger]

Yes, it runs beautyfully (it has currantly headers and a Flowmaster exhaust system).
But somehow the last time we started it, fuel came out of that tube with a little valve on its end (in the picture below). Now I wanted to ask if anyone knows what the function of this valve is. I will appreciate any answer to my question.

Thank you in advance,
Leonard

[Mr Cuda]

 The carburetor float is stuck. When the fuel goes dry, it can happen.  Really quite common.
Give the float adjuster a rap with a light hammer,  wrench,  or other metal. Float should release. 
Long term, pull the carb or risk a fire,  oh wait!