MM Muscle - 1971 Dodge Challenger

[.RJ]

I dont like it.

[ViPER1313]

I like the one you have on the car better

[Jeff]

I dont like it.

Really? I would likely not have a decal or "Dodge" on it. If I did a decal it would be this one but in white. I am not sure if I would have an engine call out. Likely not. The scoops on these are real.



Maybe this is a better idea? I don't think the scoop inserts are in on this hood right now.

[Jake]

I like the stock (non RT) hood better.

[ScottyB]

I like the stock (non RT) hood better.

same. just seems to fit the lines nicer.

[Goodspeed]

Add me to the "no go" camp - I'd probably like it more if you went all out with toughening-up the exterior like you thought of earlier. With everything else being smooth and nicely sedate, I think it'd just stick out.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Add me to the "no go" camp - I'd probably like it more if you went all out with toughening-up the exterior like you thought of earlier. With everything else being smooth and nicely sedate, I think it'd just stick out.

+1

[Jeff]

I appreciate the opinions. Truly though I am surprised, I thought there might be some no-goers but not everyone. Its hard to explain but pictures online first got me off balance about doing it. When I sit out here and look at the actual car, I want to do it, but then I look at pics online and start to think twice.

REAL STORY ALERT!!! - Basically I am working out the details of picking one up at a reasonable price from a guy in Southern MD. I damaged my flat hood (no pics...plz) and it will likely need to be repainted. So rather then repaint the flat hood I was going to upgrade.[/real story] The damage was on the hood at the car show but few noticed...but I do every time I see the car. The Dent Wizard is going to look at it tomorrow but I am not sure I even want to spend that $50... when "upgrading" is so affordable it seems like good money after bad.

Rex had migrated into the no-go camp until I sent him these pics. I am not trying to "sway votes" I just want to get the best idea and give everyone else the same info.

[Jeff]

Doesn't seeing it in purple with no decal make it seem more subtle?

[Steve85]

It's a muscle car, it should have some sort of hood scoop. shaker hoods, cowl induction hoods, ram air, stinger...it's all in the era. It's a pretty subtle hood. No sticker, no dodge lettering. I also really like the one on the 383 car from the show.

I think it will also help work in the chin spoiler if at some point the car gets lowered a bit and you want add some more attitude.

PS it looks incredible in those show pics!

[ScottyB]

yeah, that picture it looks alot better. if you did it, i think it would look nice without any decals or engine callouts.

[Kaan]

black marks on pavement... show me!

[CaptainHenreh]

black marks on pavement... show me!

Let him get a locker in the rear, damn.

[REED]

I don't know why, but I really don't like it on the green car, but it looks a lot better on purple. Maybe its the angle of the photo?

[WRXtranceformed]

I'm with Steve, a muscle car definitely needs outlandish scoops and things to make it scream muscle car. If you can get it on the cheap and it's going to look exactly like those last pics you posted... I say go for it.

[JustinG]

Do it, but only if you dont put any engine marker, or the dodge letters, stickers, stripes, etc on the hood, should be completely debadged, and all purple.

[Jeff]

Do it, but only if you dont put any engine marker, or the dodge letters, stickers, stripes, etc on the hood, should be completely debadged, and all purple.

+1 Got a good deal. On the way to California, MD tonight as soon as Anne gets off of work.

Seller Photo...

[Steve85]

Got a good deal

no doubt in my mind this guy wanted some oddball thing you had laying around and so total out of pocket for a classic Mopar hood in perfect condition will be $50. :thumbup:

[Jeff]

Well it wasn't a sweet $50 + trade deal but it was a good deal. Even with the 300 mile round trip and the issues with the hood I see now I still got a good deal. The originals are made of better and thicker steel then the reproductions. It is a HEAVY bastard. A reproduction with scoop inserts would be around $650 so I think I did alright for myself, saved a few hundred bucks anyway.

Strapped down in the Minivan for the long trip. We got home around midnight.





On the stand in the body shop. Few dents, kinks, and ripples. Nothing that cannot be fixed.





The real story is on the bottom where two small though rust holes were found and there is some decent surface rust that needs a good grind and POR-15ing.







SWAY BARZ!





Aluminum intake if I ever get it on...




The last little neat project for today's post. This is the trunk latch. The one two the right is the original the one to the left is the new one.



The new lock is from a 1966 Chrysler Imperial Phil had out in the "parts supply house"

Get the idea now?


INSTALLED! Now I need to get it wired up and I will have keyless trunk release so I can get a "beverage" from the trunk during car shows with ease!





Thanks for looking guys!

[ScottyB]

haha, i love these little surprise mini-projects you keep springing up