Restomod vs. Challenger T/A

[RRHemi]

Originally Posted by My Hemi

I have been thinking about this for several years now, and really don't know which way to go. If I had tons of money, I'd do it all, but ---.

I use to own a 70 Charger RT 440 new. Wish I still had it. I almost got a 71 HemiCuda but was much turned off by no A/C plus the local dealer mechanics telling me you couldn't keep it running. So, I punted the Charger on a 72 Camaro. It was gas crunch time, the muscle car era died in 71 (or was going down fast), so I got the 350 engine. Real dog. From about 2 days after getting the Camaro until now I have been kicking myself about the HemiCuda. I want to return to that time, so to speak. How to do that?

Well, I wouldn't be satisfied without the Cuda body and Hemi engine. Any other engine doesn't have nearly the WOW factor. On a scale of 10, the original Hemi was and probably still has a 10 factor. The 440 6-pack, maybe a 7. Then it takes a nosedive with the 383 and 340. Still nice history, but for ME, no way! What to do?

Can in no way afford the 71 HemiCuda. If I could afford the 440, I would not be happy with it because it isn't what I want and would be settling for something less. Enters the restomod.

For about $100K, you could mod an E-body with either a 426 or larger Hemi, get excellent handling and performance, much better than 71 vintage cars, would probably drive it vs. worry about having a wreck or miles or engine destruction on a vintage unit, and if you cared about fuel consumption, could EFI it. What I think I want is the 71 look with better performance.

Or, just scrap that whole idea and wait for the SRT Challenger and make believe it is 71 again. Haha.

I think if I ever find a suitable 71 Cuda, I will mod it to look almost right, but plant a 528 Hemi in it, put on the billboards, new suspension, etc., and be broke.

Any help for my insanity would be appreciated. It's a good insanity though.

I have toyed with these ideas as well. For me I do not have the facility, talent or resources to do the mod my self. You could certainly take a slant six cuda and hemiize it. The expense in suspension mods to get it up to modern handling is do able but it must be pricey. I just don't care for the thought of having a hot rod that will probably always requre "tinkering." I like to drive em' more than lay under them.
If you haven't done this yet I seriously suggest you go and drive an SRT LX car. That 6.1L is a serious kick in the pants! Maybe this will help you decide if you like the new or the old better. They really are completely different cars. In my opinion the new Challenger is as close as it gets to that period look, even more than the Mustang I think.

[BJoe]

Originally Posted by DartSportDude

That is a great point about chrome bumpers. I am SO tired of the monochromatic look with painted bumpers. Does chrome plating really cost that much? Why not reintroduce some chrome trim on the new breed of muscle cars? At least some of the Mercedes and BMWs have stainless trim around the windows. Today's U.S. cars have nothing but painted bumpers and black plastic window trim. That's a shame.

With the government pushing for greater safety and better mileage, I doubt we'll see anything like it again on lower end cars.

[JustACelt]

I like the idea of sticking the modern powerplant in the older cars, you can always tweak it back if need be. Altering suspension and breaking depends how much ya want to spend and what ya wanna do with it. Most of those cars could make it down the 1/4 mile or do some light to light highjinks with there original stuff, maybe stuff an extra leaf in the springs if you want harder launches and lower the wheel hop. I think that anything under 13 in the quarter requires a cage for the 1/4 mile nowadays. I personally would not modify any originally equipped hemi cars nor 440 6pack or 340 6packs. I would probably limit the mods to 6 bangers , 273,318, 360, 383, and 400 ci car models , you would turn that vehicle into a nasty "sleeper car" that would be loads of fun that will prolly still be more fuel efficient than the original engines. Its a matter of the fun factor and your own personal tastes , plus how much play money you have.

[jonmandude]

Actually doing this mod is pretty easy anymore. New subframes are readily available that will hold any engine and trans combo that you desire. Brake kits and suspension kits are also easy to get. And all in all those parts are not terribly high priced. The biggest expense is the engine itself, with hemi's costing ove $15K. A person with a decent car could do the swap for around $35K and labor.

But it will never have the value of an original car. As the cliche goes, you build a car many times but it is only original once.

[JustACelt]

I would prolly check junkyards for 5.7 hemis if i were doing it myself , bring it home pop it on the engine stand and go through it depending on mileage or 6.1s if they were available also.

[340EBody]

Just depends on what you like. The new Challenger makes better economic sense, but the old cars are better looking IMO. Really, thats the only advantage the older car has. Its a leaner, meaner, cleaner look. Also, smaller and lighter than the new one.

With all the new tech, the '08s will certainly outperform a stock '70-74. One can build up an older car, but it does take a lot of work (if your'e doing it yourself) or a lot of dough if your not.

The new car will probably be a bigger hit with the under 40 crowd than the over-40 folks.

[quapman]

Even though the XV Challenger probably handles like it's on rails, to me it looks like a high school shop project. Black 27 foot wheels just don't do it for me.

There were some bogus stats in that article about the T/A, like that it had drum brakes all around when in fact ALL T/A's had Power Front Disc brakes out front and 11" rear drums. My R/T has the same and for a 38 year old car, it stops pretty well.

I'm old, so of course I'm oldschool!

[Charles236]

I prefer the look of the classic Mopars to the modern, monochromatic look. But, I went through the musclecar era, and I don't want to ever set points or valve lash again on a daily driver. So, for me, the ideal thing would be to take a 318 car and modernize it with the electronic engine controls, better brakes, science out the suspension, and put a modern five speed transmission in it. I did a 440 conversion of a '72 'Cuda for a friend back in the '90s. This 'Cuda started out as a "cloning" project, but I told my friend that it needed fuel injection (I was just kidding him about that). The next week, he walked into the shop carrying the first Holley 4V throttle body injection system I had ever seen in person. From there the project began to change direction, it got better performance, handling and brakes, but kept the old look and sounds. So, for a hobby car, the classics are fine, but I would not mind a new Challenger SRT as a daily driver.

[anthem ss]

I'm in the process of doing this with my '69 Impala, it's a rare body style (sport coupe) with factory buckets seats/console but otherwise has no other options. It's going to be a highway cruiser so plans are big disc brakes all around, 502/572 fuel injected big block with either a 4 speed auto or 6 speed Tremec, 3.42 Auburn posi, BIGGER corvette rally wheels or 17-19" wheels (this thing has HUGE wheel arches so it can take it w/o looking foolish) and of course suspension set up for handling. The body & interior will be restored completely to stock (tunes & gauges will be added tastefully).
I prefer the stock look of the body (that's why we like older cars in the first place) But to improve everything else to modern standards w/o effecting the overall look is what i'm after.
If this were an SS optioned car where only 2,300 were made that year, there's no way i'd do these mods - and i'm not even cutting it up!
What's it going to cost, i haven't a clue but the way i look at it, there is nothing new being produced that has it's style, i'm making it with the options - or lack of options i want and it will have the performance i'm looking for. I'd rather do this then blow 60-90 grand on a new car that will have it's size & performance but look like a bigger jellybean than say a Camry.
BUT, i'm still getting a Challenger!