Question about R/T Challenger (1972)

[Kroke]

I've had this R/T Challenger since I was 17 or 18 years old (can't remember), however...someone put the Rallye plastic scoops on the side, so all these years I thought it was a Rallye. I ran the tag #'s and it came stock with an R/T stripe. It's a factory 340cid, 4 speed car.

Is it true that the R/T's came with an extra leaf spring on one side of the rear suspension?

I'm also trying to find repo parts for it as I'm currently under way restoring it. Ebay is only so good.

I only have 1 link so far: the paddock.

Thanks for any input fellas...

JJ

[Manic]

JJ, it's been a long time since I have modified cars, but if I remember correctly putting an extra leaf spring on the right (passenger) side was to prevent wheel hop. I am not sure if it was done at the factory or not at the time.

Can you tell us more details about the car?

Thanks

Will

[rodkil1]

The Paddock is the only link you have so far? Let me get you some more.

Here's a list:

Year one of course : www.yearone.com

R/t Specialties : http://www.rtspecialties.net/.

Just Dashes : (Dash pads hard to find)http://www.justdashes.com/Index.htm

Those are a few I use. E-bodies have the largest aftermarket of all the mopars so finding parts is really quite easy. You should pick up a copy of Mopar Collectors guide or Mopar Muscle Magazine to help you find parts suppliers.

[Kroke]

Originally Posted by Manic

JJ, it's been a long time since I have modified cars, but if I remember correctly putting an extra leaf spring on the right (passenger) side was to prevent wheel hop. I am not sure if it was done at the factory or not at the time.

Can you tell us more details about the car?

Thanks

Will

I don't know a whole lot about these beasts anymore (use it or lose it analogy). What would help? I have the tag #/vin # if that helps.

[Manic]

I was more interested int the history. Where did you find it? How many miles and stuff like that...

Will

[Rallye72]

post the fender tag information here. Many of us can decode it for you, I'm sure. I'll double check but as I recall they all have an extra leaf on one side due to torque considerations, I don't think it's anything special - but I could be wrong - working from memory here. There are tons of e body parts available, those and 69 beepers are probably the two easiest cars to restore.
A butt stripe doesn't make it an R/T. Mopar has lots of odd balls like that and unless you're the original owner it could have been applied by a previous owner. If there's an A57 in the fender tag codes it's a Rallye package. I'll poke thru my books later tonite.

[Kroke]

Hey thanks a lot. I do have all the tag #'s but they're at home right now. I had a local Mopar guru tell me that it came stock with an "R/T stripe" (according to the tag he says). I'll post them once my internet comes online sometime tomorrow from home! Yippie!

As far as the history, kind of funny. We were looking through the newspapers at garage sales, said "Baby crib, clothes, R/T Challenger, swingset, etc etc" lol! We also found a 68 Roadrunner big block car right accross the street that my roommate bought. Anyhow, I went to check it out, the guy had a price tag of 2500 in the window, I didn't even see it, I saw the car and walked directly to him and said "How much?!" I got the car for 1500. He had a friend rebuild the motor that didn't have a clue what he was doing, he had 28 miles on the original 340 when the rods started knocking. I sold that motor as is, not running for $500 and purchased the current 340 for 800 from a cuda that was in a wrecking yard I was working at in my youth. I think it was 1990 as I had just graduated from high school. So I guess that would mean I've had it for 16 years now. It has the 150mph rallye dash, 4 speed pistol grip shifter, factory, 340 and the bump up hood with the two slots. I was told that the original ugly light blue color was a special edition Richard Petty color. *NOT* going back to original colors in the resto, yuk. The car is all there except for some minor things, over the years it has succumbed to some body rot in the passenger door and a little bit under the vinyl top.

The last time I drove it was on my wedding day some 12 years ago. I sold my 69 Roadrunner 383hp for a wedding ring then, now I don't have either. I can honestly say, I sure do miss that car, lol!

The interior had blue seats that someone has painted black.

If you don't mind running the numbers once I post, see if what you come up with is the same the other guy came up with. From what I remember he stated it had a white head liner, blue interior, factory electronic ignition, the blue paint and white R/T stripe/vinyl top.

That's pretty much all I know about the car at this piont, I had to park it because I live in a small community where the cops kept their eyes out for me as a teen, I couldn't win or afford gas much in those days :P

[Kroke]

Ok here are the #'s I have:

VIN#: JH23H2B505465

TAG#:
R11 V7W EN2
M42 N23 N41 N42 N95
G35 J25 J54 L25 L31 M21
V1W U B51 C16 C56 G11
TB3 B6B5 000 714 382839
E55 D21 JH23 H2B 505465

[rodkil1]

This is what I got:

Code Description
E55 340-4 Barrel 69-73
D21 Heavy Duty 4-Speed Manual Transmission
JH23 J = Dodge Challenger
H = High
23 = 2 Door Hardtop

H2B H = 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
2 = 1972
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
505465 Sequence Number '505465'
TB3 Paint Code: Unknown At This Time
B6B5 Trim Grade/Style/Color
B = B Class
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
B5 = Medium Blue
000 Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
714 Date Built: 7 / 14 / 1972
382839 Order Number: 382839
V1W Roof Type OR Color: Full Vinyl Top - White
U Built to Specifications for USA Order
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C16 Console w/ Buckets
C56 Bucket Seats 1972 up
G11 Tinted Glass All
G35 Delete Standard Outside Mirror
J25 3 Speed Variable Wipers
J54 Hood Insulating Pad
L25 Trunk Compartment Light
L31 Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M42 Front End Molding
N23 Electronic Ignition 72 only
N41 Duel Exhaust w/o Tips
N42 Chrome Duel Exhaust Tips
N95 Nox Exhaust Emission Control
R11 Music Master Radio AM
V7W Accent Stripes - White
EN2 End of Codes Assembly Line 2

Hope this helps. Do you still have the build sheet? It should be under the springs of the back seat.

[EVERRET]

• I saw this info Here:
• Challengers could either be hardtop coupes or convertibles (through 1971 only). The performance model was the R/T (Road/Track), available in both body styles; both standard and R/T hardtops could be ordered as the more luxurious SE specification, which included leather seats, a vinyl roof and a smaller 'formal' rear window. The convertible Challnger was only available as an R/T in 1970. In 1972, Dodge dropped the R/T badging and now called it the "Rallye". Other options, as well as engines and a manual transmission, included steeper rear axle ratios, a limited-slip differential, and a shaker hood scoop were gone for 1972.