1970 Challenger Convertible, Slant 6 Build

[ian ashton]

My dad gave me this magazine, knowing that I have an affinity for the oddball stuff. That being the case, I thought it would make a cool model.

Here is a scan of the centerfold:

So, first up I had to source the kit - something that a couple members here helped with (when ever I build something if at all possible I like to have at least 2 of the kit, just in case.)

So I started with test fitting the Slant6 (also sourced from a member here):

To make this a 6 cylinder car I'll need to fill the cutouts for the dual exhaust.

Started with this:

The basis for filling:

Started to fill in the front valence as well:

[ian ashton]

I found a flat hood from a resin caster, but am worried with their timeframe for delivery, so I decided to try to make my own. So far it looks allright - not sure how the final product will be.

So, I started with the SHAKER hood, and trimmed out the lip:

Next I added an exagerated center spear - this is so I could sand it down to look "right":

Added center fillers, which will basically just hold the putty in place:

Ready to sand, haha:

Getting closer:

Closer yet, still not nearly close enough:

[ian ashton]

And finally, onto some other stuff.

I got antsy and laid some color on the chassis:

Starting with some brake and fuel lines:

The detail on the front suspension of this car isn't super hot - I'm not nearly talented enough to scratch build anything better, so I figured I'd just try to clean out some of the excess plastic to make it look a little nicer.

I started with drilling corner holes as guides of where I wanted to trim:

^^You can see where I trimmed around the sway bar on the right, and the drilled holes on the left, ready to trim)

Untouched on the left, in-process on the right. Needs a little more finesse, but definately an improvement:

Front suspension piece painted and installed:

Still have a lot of detail painting to do on the front suspension parts.

[ian ashton]

I don't know why I painted the seats before I filled and sanded them, but I did, lol. They still need some more work, as the seem is not going away. I might just cast them in resin and be done with it.

Working on the exhaust:

I have no idea why the exhaust crosses over and exits on the opposite side of the manifold, but it does, so I copied it:

An almost finished exhaust system, with turndown tip:

Another test fit of the engine:

I've since made a little more progress on the engine and hood, more pics to come

[kelson]

This is gonna be a cool build!i have that same idea in mind but i can't decide on the color are you going to use the dog dish cap from the 70'roadrunner or the 64 dodge?

[cazxr2]

looking real nice al be watching this for sure.

[crazyjim]

Looking very good, Ian. Keep it going.

[ian ashton]

This is gonna be a cool build!i have that same idea in mind but i can't decide on the color are you going to use the dog dish cap from the 70'roadrunner or the 64 dodge?

Not sure if I'm going to use the caps or bare steelies. I have the steelies from the '64 Dodge that I've cast in resin, so we'll see what I come up with from there...

[imatt88]

Nice build so far . Go with the dog dish!!!

[spkgibson]

I found a flat hood from a resin caster, but am worried with their timeframe for delivery, so I decided to try to make my own. So far it looks allright - not sure how the final product will be.

So, I started with the SHAKER hood, and trimmed out the lip:

Next I added an exagerated center spear - this is so I could sand it down to look "right":

Added center fillers, which will basically just hold the putty in place:

Ready to sand, haha:

Getting closer:

Closer yet, still not nearly close enough:

An easier way to do this, Is very simple sand the hood flat,Just leaving the emblem in the front, And Just add your filler part, Now the trick to doing this is heat up some kit sprue,and stretch it to the thickness you need, And just attach it to the hood with liquid cement,That will give you your bodyline back down the center of you hood, Then using you finger, Add you putty ,making sure you overlap your filler piece. I always use a rubber sanding block to do these types of mods on hoods and other bodywork , Using one of those will blend your bodywork alot better, plus you wont have any flat spots in your body work, Hope this helps.

[BigEdsGarage]

It's refreshing to see a build such as this. Definitely something different from the majority of Challenger builds. Very Cool!

BTW, just curious what kit that slant 6 is from?

[Matt P]

Great project, I agree with Ed, it's nice to see a slant 6 in a Challenger.

[seanyb505]

I have no idea why the exhaust crosses over and exits on the opposite side of the manifold, but it does, so I copied it:

It does the same on my Jeep Cherokee with a I6. The only reason I can think of it the brake and fuel lines are on one side, the exhaust is on the other side. It makes sense that I shouldnt want the exhaust to heat the brake and fuel lines up. Everything is looking great! I like the way you inserted some vertical plastic to create the hood crest.

[charlie8575]

Fantastic!

Charlie Larkin

[Jeff Johnston]

I love it ! I love to see the no so common, not so muscle car build ups. Very interesting build.

[Jim Gibbons]

Really cool; I don't know how extensive the photography is in the magazine you're using as reference, but Hemmings Classic Car wrote this same car up back in January will many pictures. Here's the link:

http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2010/01/01/hmn_tips1.html

[ian ashton]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

I've made a little process, but after being out of the country for a week I've had a little but of actual "work" to catch up with, haha. I'll get some more pics up, the hood is starting to take shape, as is the engine and interior. Also got the first coat of prime on the body to see all of my flaws, haha.

Really cool; I don't know how extensive the photography is in the magazine you're using as reference, but Hemmings Classic Car wrote this same car up back in January will many pictures. Here's the link:

http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2010/01/01/hmn_tips1.html

Thanks for the link! I have seen that article as well, but it never hurts to keep it book marked!

[ian ashton]

Also - what kit can I source an 8 3/4 from? Possibly resin? Any suggestions?

[Rob Hall]

Very cool..I love these mainstreamer conversions.

[ian ashton]

According to the internet (LOL!) there were 378 6 Cylinder Challenger convertibles made in 1970, out of almost 3,000 total. This is definately the only one I've seen documented, so cool.

More updates!

First draft of my hood (crappy pics, my camera doesn't seem to like the primer):

Yes, I am going to try to cast my flat Challenger hood - this will be my first attempt at a 2 piece mold, so wish me luck. The "master" isn't perfect by any means, but its not bad, actually nicer than I thought I was capable of. I guess the real test will be spraying color on the casting of it - that will determine if I want to distribute the hoods, and use it on my project.

And the engine is getting closer:

While looking at my reference pics to see if the car had a 4 blade or 7 blade fan (like every Chrysler engine in the late 60's early 70's seems to have had the 7 blade, I have no idea why all these castings give a 4 blade ) Anyway, I noticed this car had power steering, making it even more strange (I recently drove a Hemi Challenger without PS and it was not hard to steer at all, lol) So, I dug through the Revell '69 Charger that I seem to be parting out and snagged the power steering parts to put on this engine - cool enough the Revell casting has 2 complete PS pumps and belts.

^^Pump on, before I added the belt^^

With the PS pump and belt installed. You can also see the alternator bracket that I fabbed up - for some reason the bracket just stood out so much to me in the reference photo, so I figured I should try to make something or it would always bug me:

Still need to add some hoses and wires, just gotta find some thicker black "hose" to use.

You can't really tell in the pics, but I'm using a M.A.D. 6 Cylinder Distributor, and it looks great (shame its hidden by the slant.

Seat looking a little better without the seam:

[slantasaurus]

The 71 Duster and 71 Charger kits both have 8 3/4 rearends..........If you want to know where all of the Slant 6 Challenger converts went to just look at the VIN of all of the Hemi clones.

[ian ashton]

The 71 Duster and 71 Charger kits both have 8 3/4 rearends..........If you want to know where all of the Slant 6 Challenger converts went to just look at the VIN of all of the Hemi clones.

Sweet, got a '71 Charger coming in a trade.

No kidding on the Hemi clones!

[Nick Winter]

Hood looks great.

[charlie8575]

Looks great, Ian. What red did you use for the interior?

Charlie Larkin

[ian ashton]

The actual car is FE5, but I couldn't find it from Duplicolor, so I went with the closest match, which is PR3, IE Duplicolor Chrysler Flash Red. Same can I'll be using for the body. Gombe use a little dullcoat on the interior though.

Edited December 4, 2010 by ian ashton