Hood question for the Mopar guys

[br67]

Hi most car pics I find on google seem to show 70 challengers with either a r/t or shaker hood. But i was wondering if you could have ordered a 383 auto convertible with a stock flat hood?

[1972coronet]

34 minutes ago, br67 said:

Hi most car pics I find on google seem to show 70 challengers with either a r/t or shaker hood. But i was wondering if you could have ordered a 383 auto convertible with a stock flat hood?

Absolutely ! Matter of fact , that was the only way to get an "R/T" convertible for 1971 ! 

[1972coronet]

Hamtramck Historical is your --and everyone's-- friend for this kind of info :

https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/dealerships/1970DealershipDataBook-05.shtml

[gtx6970]

6 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Absolutely ! Matter of fact , that was the only way to get an "R/T" convertible for 1971 ! 

There was no Challenger RT convertible in 71. 

[gtx6970]

7 hours ago, br67 said:

Hi most car pics I find on google seem to show 70 challengers with either a r/t or shaker hood. But i was wondering if you could have ordered a 383 auto convertible with a stock flat hood?

Yes. But it would  not be an RT.

Would be probably 383 2bbl 

 

[tim boyd]

If I am recalling correctly, the 383 4 bbl non-Magnum (330 gross hp. vs. 335 for the Magnum) was an option for non-R/T 1970 Challengers....and those Challengers came standard with non-scoop hoods....TIM 

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, tim boyd said:

If I am recalling correctly, the 383 4 bbl non-Magnum (330 gross hp. vs. 335 for the Magnum) was an option for non-R/T 1970 Challengers....and those Challengers came standard with non-scoop hoods....TIM 

Exactly . That's why I'd posted that link to Hamtramck Historical 1970 Dodge Challenger brochure . There was also the A66 Challenger 340 Package ( JH23H and JH27H ) .

The difference between the 330hp and 335hp 383 engines is the cam specs. ... matter of fact , even the 'Road Runner 383' got the milder cam when A/C was ordered .  

[1972coronet]

6 hours ago, gtx6970 said:

There was no Challenger RT convertible in 71. 

That's why I put "R/T" in quotes . The closest one could get to a 1971 Challenger R/T convertible was by ordering all of the R/T's items separately ( heavy duty suspension , etc. ) , with the only provision being that the 300hp 383 was the top engine choice (the 340 was better anyhow , esp. by 1971) .

[1972coronet]

Here's a 1970 hardtop JH23N0E --- note its flat bonnet :

 https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1970/dodge/challenger/101283043

Non-stock exhaust , even though the plain rear valance is correct ( e.g. , was not equipped with the tail pipe embellishments ( N42 )  that're commonly added ) . Additionally ; I don't see the sales code for Noise Reduction ( N97 ) , which usually accompanies unfettered exhaust tips ( N41 ) , but that's a California model 'exclusive' (I've lost count on how many cars that are "restored to factory specs" , but have the added 'out-of-state' exhaust ) .  

Edited August 23, 2020 by 1972coronet

[tim boyd]

5 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Exactly . That's why I'd posted that link to Hamtramck Historical 1970 Dodge Challenger brochure . There was also the A66 Challenger 340 Package ( JH23H and JH27H ) .

The difference between the 330hp and 335hp 383 engines is the cam specs. ... matter of fact , even the 'Road Runner 383' got the milder cam when A/C was ordered .  

Ever since the 1970 model year, I've wished for one of those "340" package Challengers.  I only ever remember seeing one at a dealership that year, on Ford Rd. in Westland, Michigan if I am remembering correctly.   Seemed to me the perfect combo of non-embellished Challenger style combined with the best overall powertrain (always thought the 340 was better than the 383 Magnum; the E58 360 better than the 400 4bbl), upgraded suspension, and all that combined with a smaller price tag (every dollar counted back then!) 

Thx for activating the memories!   TIM.    

[br67]

Thank you for all the info guys

[Mr mopar]

this is a '71

[Mr mopar]

Here is a '70 with a 383 .

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, tim boyd said:

Ever since the 1970 model year, I've wished for one of those "340" package Challengers.  I only ever remember seeing one at a dealership that year, on Ford Rd. in Westland, Michigan if I am remembering correctly.   Seemed to me the perfect combo of non-embellished Challenger style combined with the best overall powertrain (always thought the 340 was better than the 383 Magnum; the E58 360 better than the 400 4bbl), upgraded suspension, and all that combined with a smaller price tag (every dollar counted back then!) 

Thx for activating the memories!   TIM.    

The only flat bonnet , performance-oriented E-Body I've seen in all of my 50 years , was a 1974 Barracuda with the 360 . They're rare as hen's teeth ! Its V.I.N. was BH23L4B ; it was green-green-green (typical colours for that era) .

Another "oddball" I've seen in person was a 1971 Charger S.E. with a 440 Magnum ( WP29U1E ) . Perhaps more unusual : its Scheduled Production Date was "209" ---- the day of the 1971 Sylmar ( Los Angeles suburb )  Earthquake .

The 340 was Chrysler's BEST all-around performance engine : light-weight , high-revving , and not a gas hog . The 383 was / is fine in intermediate and larger cars ---- even though by 1971 it was emasculated greatly ( newer heads , and new pistons with a 'White Gas' compression ratio . Same cam specs , but all were rated at 300hp (not sure how much the torque suffered) in high-perf livery . At least that engine went-out with an unblemished history --- retained its forged crank until the end .

The 360 in 'E58' form was a torque monster . Longer-stroke than the B-Engine ( 400 cubes ) !  

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, br67 said:

Thank you for all the info guys

You're quite welcome. Keep that Hamtramck Historical reference in-mind . It's a priceless resource . However , should you feel like proposing any queries about Mopars here , please do ! Helps keep my brain sharp .

[br67]

17 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

You're quite welcome. Keep that Hamtramck Historical reference in-mind . It's a priceless resource . However , should you feel like proposing any queries about Mopars here , please do ! Helps keep my brain sharp .

Will do John

[tim boyd]

55 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

The only flat bonnet , performance-oriented E-Body I've seen in all of my 50 years , was a 1974 Barracuda with the 360 . They're rare as hen's teeth ! Its V.I.N. was BH23L4B ; it was green-green-green (typical colours for that era) .

Another "oddball" I've seen in person was a 1971 Charger S.E. with a 440 Magnum ( WP29U1E ) . Perhaps more unusual : its Scheduled Production Date was "209" ---- the day of the 1971 Sylmar ( Los Angeles suburb )  Earthquake .

The 340 was Chrysler's BEST all-around performance engine : light-weight , high-revving , and not a gas hog . The 383 was / is fine in intermediate and larger cars ---- even though by 1971 it was emasculated greatly ( newer heads , and new pistons with a 'White Gas' compression ratio . Same cam specs , but all were rated at 300hp (not sure how much the torque suffered) in high-perf livery . At least that engine went-out with an unblemished history --- retained its forged crank until the end .

The 360 in 'E58' form was a torque monster . Longer-stroke than the B-Engine ( 400 cubes ) !  

John....my all time Holy Grail car is a 1971 Charger SE with a 383 Magnum or 440 Magnum, buckets with console, Tachometer in the Rallye Gauge Cluster, and the F-60-15/15x7 Rallye setup.   I always preferred a little more understated appearance combined with a few luxury touches and a killer powertrain combo under a (non-scoop) hood.   And of course, Dodge was my favorite make until I started my career at Ford. 

Before I bought my new 1973 Duster 340, I looked at a two year old 1971 Charger SE with a 383 4-speed.  The owner said it was a originally Chrysler "brass hat" (executive lease) car.    I was concerned about the expense of clutch replacements (I was a college student at the time), so I passed and went for the new car instead.  

According to Galen, there were just 29 1971 Charger SE's built with the 440 Magnum and 4-speed. 

About fifteen years or so ago, I called on a 1971 Charger SE 440 auto for sale that had all the right stuff except for the paint   I can't remember the exact details; but I think the car was 1971 Gunmetal metallic (the feature color that year for Charger SE's, but NOT a favorite for me); and he had switched the vinyl roof color somehow (from black to white???) when he had it restored.  Otherwise it was complete, including the SE bumper outline moldings and the SE molding along the front pan beneath the bumper.  I recall him wanting $30k at the time, which was no steal, but probably a reasonable price then, it if was as he represented.  Still being incredibly busy with my career at the time, I passed.    A few years later, a similar car appeared on the cover of Mopar Collector's Guide, a burned up hull.  Sadly, it was the same car.  Apparently the wiring harness caught fire where it entered the interior (apparently a known issue with 1971-74 B-bodies), and he didn't have a fire extinguisher.    He said he might try to rebuild it, but that would have been a real challenge.  Don't know what happened to it.   

The late "Viper Dave" on another board had a dark green '71 Charger SE he bought new, I can't recall if it was a 383 or 440 magnum, but it was really nice.  HIs had the 14x6 Goodyear Polyglas tires on the Mopar Road wheels.   Don;t know if it is still in the family after he passed.  The only other one I've seen was a Dark Gold (can't recall the exact name and I'm away from my reference library right now) SE with a Gold roof and interior; I presume it was one of the Magnum engines based on the Bazooka exhaust tips.  It was in nice unrestored condition, sitting in the parking area of the Meadowbrook Concours also around 2005 or so.  But it wasn't for sale.    

And yes, I have been collecting parts to build a model of my dream '71 Charger SE.  For years though I have not been able to come up with the preferred color combo to use.....

As for the 360 E58, I totally concur with your comment.  It didn't wind at the top end like my '73 Duster 340, but my '74 E58 Road Runner had low and mid range torque that Duster 340 could only dream of,  in spite of being in a considerably heavier body.  It was a great, and to this day still largely unsung, effort by Mother Mopar to preserve and continue their performance heritage in the hostile mid 1970's.   

Thx for jogging the memories....TIM

Edited August 23, 2020 by tim boyd

[tim boyd]

53 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

You're quite welcome. Keep that Hamtramck Historical reference in-mind . It's a priceless resource . However , should you feel like proposing any queries about Mopars here , please do ! Helps keep my brain sharp .

What John said about the Hamtramck Registry.  It's a priceless resource once you figure out how to navigate the website.  TB

[1972coronet]

A 1971 Charger S.E. with a 440 / 4-speed had to have been a 'tough-sell' in hotter climates ---- couldn't get A/C with that combination (though I do wonder why the 3.54 geared Dana 60 couldn't 'facilitate' the A/C option... after all , an auto with 3.55 gear could be had with A/C . Likely a concession to overrevving the engine and grenading that York RV-2 compressor ? ).

I , too , prefer an unembellished car . I frequently fantasise about being able to order a , say , 1970 Swinger 340 ; base interior ( I love rubber floor mats ! ) ; column-shift 727 ; Sure Grip with the standard 3.23 ; A/C ; radio (upgraded to a factory AM/FM from a '69 model) ; disc brakes ; standard steering (Chrysler's power steering was overboosted as heck) . It'd be white , with blue interior and a blue painted roof ; stripe-delete ; W11 Deluxe Wheel Covers . 

[1972coronet]

58 minutes ago, tim boyd said:

What John said about the Hamtramck Registry.  It's a priceless resource once you figure out how to navigate the website.  TB

Just go to the 'Library' link . The 1970-1974 brochures are the default ; one may go to 1975-1979 ; 1965-1969 , sub seq. , from there .

[Deuces ll]

5 hours ago, tim boyd said:

Ever since the 1970 model year, I've wished for one of those "340" package Challengers.  I only ever remember seeing one at a dealership that year, on Ford Rd. in Westland, Michigan if I am remembering correctly.   Seemed to me the perfect combo of non-embellished Challenger style combined with the best overall powertrain (always thought the 340 was better than the 383 Magnum; the E58 360 better than the 400 4bbl), upgraded suspension, and all that combined with a smaller price tag (every dollar counted back then!) 

Thx for activating the memories!   TIM.    

Would that be Crestwood Dodge????.... It's still there today with a whole bunch of hemi Challengers parked out front.....

[tim boyd]

4 hours ago, Deuces ll said:

Would that be Crestwood Dodge????.... It's still there today with a whole bunch of hemi Challengers parked out front.....

Guido....that sounds right.  It was so, so long ago.  But it almost has to be that one....North side of Ford Road east of Wayne, right?  TIM

[Deuces ll]

Yes sir!..... ?

[Deuces ll]

Correction! Looks like there was a name change a little while back.... Now it's Suburban Chrysler Jeep..... ? 

But it's still the same place.....