Mopar Muscle Association UK

OK here we go.

Having more-or-less finished the 'Cuda , last February I started to get the urge to build another race car to keep it company. What better than a '70 Challenger ?

I placed a wanted ad on here around May 2020, which led to a couple of leads on '70 Challengers - one of which was a 440-powered drag car.

The seller was reasonably local to me as well, and we were able to make a deal.

The car will be an ideal base for a circuit racer - it's already stripped out, and bodywise it's untidy but rock solid.


I had intended to go to town a little bit on this build - with plenty of lightweight panels and a screamer small block, but budgetary considerations have got the better of me, and so the current plan is a bit simpler.

Body.
Keep as-is but fit fibreglass hood, T/A chin spoilers, T/A boot spoiler . Full cage . See if rear tyres will fit without arch mods - I expect they won't.

Drivetrain:
Retain 440, as it's a nice build with alloy heads etc and plenty of power. A bit heavy for circuit racing but hey it's already in the car and a built small block will be expensive - I think just the parts for the 408 in the 'Cuda came to £7K or thereabouts . Convert from Auto to A833 4-speed. Retain existing axle - remove spool, fit LSD

Suspension:
1.25" front torsion bars. Fabricate copies of Hotchkis upper A-arms and tie rods. Rear axle I'm planning to fabricate a 4-link with coilovers as I think I can do this reasonably economically, and it has to be an improvement on leaf springs. Anti-roll bars front and rear - type undecided yet.

Steering #
Either Borgeson or existing Flaming River Manual box, adding electric column from Vauxhall Corsa.

Brakes
Wilwood front . Not sure about the rear yet.
And Hydroboost . Power assistance will be a good thing and I think I can do Hydroboost cheaply with off-the-shelf GM parts .


I intend to get started on the car in the next few weeks, so more updates soon. At least there'll be no rust repair on this one.


But what should it look like ?

Genuine '70 TransAm clone
Or period race style in orange ?

I think it looks great as is. Perfect stance and wheels look good.

Mark B wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 21 7:02 pm Perfect stance

Not for going round corners though


I think about 6 inches off the back should do it

here's some more pics of the current setup


Nice thin fibreglass trunk lid . Check. Two trunk-mounted batteries ! There's another on on the driver's side.
Definitely going to need a bigger fuel cell.. Lots of handy stuff in here

Keeping it orange will be simpler and then the race replica TA cars will not become like General Lees, seeing them everywhere!!

Do you need 2 race cars? Why not keep it a quarter miler. Looks great in orange, I can't fault the top pic, it looks superb. Maybe a bit of paint here and there.

If you are going to stick with "Roundy Roundy" it has got to be a T/A replica, otherwise there was no point getting a Challenger; you would have gone Fraud Mustwang like everyone else....

If you stick with Real racing, build the car so it can be "Permitted" from the Get-go.... now I have painted mine white, you can keep it orange as a "Yob 540" Replica!!!

Another one !


You got it bad

Epic

I want lots of pictures

autofetish wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 21 9:58 am Another one !


You got it bad

Epic

I want lots of pictures

now what's that saying? something to do with pot and kettle
seriously, i think we all got it bad

Well my heart says it should be a sister car to the Cuda so a T/A replica...could always do the 76 car though?
If you are set on ditching the leafs, have you considered a three link instead of the four link - I'd heard that is better for handling than the 4 link??
Tony Angelo did one on his drift Cuda and speaks highly of them.........

You can see it on Hot Rod Garage if you have access, or if not you can see it in a recent video on his youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIrT2drYgXg

Agree with Gavin, do the 76 so that there is the pair rather than two the same!
Maybe run both up the Pod one day?
Saying that the 48 Cuda and 77 car would look good together on the start line, but I know who would get to the end first.

MattH wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 21 11:13 am Agree with Gavin, do the 76 so that there is the pair rather than two the same!
Maybe run both up the Pod one day?
Saying that the 48 Cuda and 77 car would look good together on the start line, but I know who would get to the end first.

I just think it would be cool having the 76 and 77 car in the MMA both owned by Matt!!

Do you think Matt would notice if I took the wrong one (the fast one)?

Hmm Long time no update.

Slight change of direction !

I got wind of another '70 Challenger that was available - basically a bare shell with some bodywork done, and a whole lot of parts but no engine/box. Definitely a more suitable candidate for a race car build.

So the first Challenger will now be sold. I've altered nothing on it mechanically but I've finished the import paperwork (started 17 years ago...) and it's now road-registered with a V5.



Here's the new one ! A Belgian car, It now has fibreglass hood and front wings - which is a good start. All the exterior trim is with it.
There's a litte rust in the front end but I'm considering a tube front forward of the bulkhead anyway.





And it fits straight onto the dolly I built for the 'Cuda



The planned build spec has changed somewhat as well. This car is going to have to be as light as possible. I'm aiming to save around 150-200Kg on the weight of the 'Cuda, and add at least 100hp.

LS engine with Jerico 4-speed
Maybe a Ford 9" rear rather than the 8.75
Coilovers all round . 3-link rear (yes Gavin good shout )
Custom built front suspension with rack & pinion.

Giving myself about 15 months to get this one done.

Excellent!

Please keep the updates coming!