1971 Dodge Challenger
1971 was the last good year for the E-body Challenger, the last time you could order one with a 426 Hemi, and it makes a sound starting point for a car that has to work for a living rather than sit under a cover.
This one was a collaboration between our shop and a few others, with the metal work landing on our bench. We built the modified hood, widened the rear wheel tubs by two inches to get the tire up underneath, repaired the rust, replaced the quarter panels, and modified and smoothed the firewall.
Panel fit is where a build like this is won or lost. We hung every piece of sheet metal (doors, fenders, hood, decklid, valances) and set the gaps by hand until the car closed up better than it did leaving Hamtramck.
It came out a one of a kind 700hp road racing show stopper. Hot Rod ran it in October 2007.
Hot Rod Magazine, October 2007