Celebrating 2 years with the Challenger!

[e-tek]

Hey guys, After 2 years, the Challenger is fianlly going back together and starting to look like a car again! I thought I might bore everyone with a BEFORE & AFTER photo essay.
I've really appreciated all the help and encouragement I've recieved from GJ Members along the way. Before GJ I never belonged to a forum of any kind (though I've read Penthouse Forum!) and have to say, it's been a great way to waste a lot of time!
Anyhow, on to the show. I bought this 1974 Dodge Challenger from a tiny town in Saskatchewan. It was a one-owner car that was driven to the freakin' bare bones, but had (a) never been in an accident, (even small that I could tell), and, (b) was 1000% ORIGINAL and had never had anything removed or replaced!

As I purchased it:

Home for the next while...

Engine Bay:

Tearing it apart:

Cutting out the old:

Welded in the new metal (inner wheel wells, some trunk pieces, quarters):

3 previous paint jobs:

FINALLY Painted:

ENGINE DONE:

Interior:

THANKS FOR LOOKING - AGAIN!!

 

[ImportTuner]

You do excellent work e-tek; props on the car

 

[dps]

What a great project; I hope you'll post some pics of it out on the road; maybe one in the exact same spot as your "How I purchased it" photo.

I also like and appreciate your organization with the bagging and boxing assemblies and sub-assembly parts.

 

[rickairmedic]

E-tec That car has come along ways in a short time its looking great nice work.

Rick

 

[Uncle Buck]

Thank you for sharing, very nice indeed!

 

[-B-]

<can't look at the mopar> oh look nice mopar , <don't look at the mopar> om nice job ...... time to go kill idiot brother and get rid of the baker!

 

[TA462]

Your car looks great. I bet it feels good knowing it looks like a car again eh.

 

[Dustoff 35]

You do nice work. Its good to see a musclecar rescued like that.

 

[plain2car]

e-tek,
that is a great article & you have some really great talent!. by chance would you share where you casn purchase replacement panels for older challengers/ cuda's?? also would it be a feasable project to have a car similar to your build done (built) in the price range of a new challenger (40,000-50,000) in your opinion???

again a very good build & some good talent!!

thanks for sharing!

 

[colt340]

e-tek
nice challenger. Are you aware that the carb is backwards and that the valve covers (I think) should be swapped from side to side. the oil filler cap is usually on the passenger side.

 

[sasquach]

Thats fu--ing sweet nice work . Whats up with the yellow Ford ? Any Pics

 

[e-tek]

Thanks for the kind words guys - it's much appreciated!

e-tek,
that is a great article & you have some really great talent!. by chance would you share where you casn purchase replacement panels for older challengers/ cuda's?? also would it be a feasable project to have a car similar to your build done (built) in the price range of a new challenger (40,000-50,000) in your opinion???

again a very good build & some good talent!!

thanks for sharing!

You can buy them new from Year One and a couple other dealers- check out a copy of MOPAR ACTION mag - they all advertise in there. Mine however where sanded, re-textured and painted. It took me about 50 hours, but new are over $800.00 I think, delivered.

e-tek
nice challenger. Are you aware that the carb is backwards and that the valve covers (I think) should be swapped from side to side. the oil filler cap is usually on the passenger side.

Nice catch! I'm always impressed with the knowledge of guys on here!! I was so excited when it was that close I just threw it on for the photo. Check the latest photos below on my home-built engine test stand. As for the covers, you can also see below the one cover had two holes cut for the PCV and filler. They could go on either side - I think I'll swap the holes to have the filler up front -thanks!

Thats fu--ing sweet nice work . Whats up with the yellow Ford ? Any Pics

That'smy 1967 Ford Galaxie 500XL390-4v. It was my first "homey-build". The interior is original - though I'm going to change the carpet this year. I added a photo below for ya!

 

[Hardware]

Nice Transformation! Love the white interior. but where's the pic's of Mrs Etek sanding it in her bikini?

 

[e-tek]

Nice Transformation! Love the white interior. but where's the pic's of Mrs Etek sanding it in her bikini?

Funny you should ask - she came home with a white bikini last week and said it was for riding in the Challenger.....summer can't come soon enough!

 

[caper150]

You did a great job with this build,I've been watching all you post on this and you did an awesome job.


BTW love the Galaxie,have 2 myself a 65 & 66.

 

[e-tek]

You did a great job with this build,I've been watching all you post on this and you did an awesome job.


BTW love the Galaxie,have 2 myself a 65 & 66.

Have you posted them anywhere? Would love to see them!

 

[sasquach]

That Galaxie is my kind of ride. Nice collection of toys you have there.

 

[bop_pa]

E-tek, Ive been following your Challenger post for a while. I'll give you credit for keeping the small block, because many would have been tempted to toss in the 440. I would love to see more picks during the metal and body work. Im in the process of doing floors, quarters, and wheel wells myself on my 70 Challenger conv and find I am always learning. Im a novice to boot. Keep up the good work.