Redoing 1971 Road Runner suggestion welcome.

[71airgrabberRR]

Here is a photo of the interior. We machined the lower part of the handle on a new reproduction pistol grip shifter to fit in the 6 speed transmission. We also had to machine a shifter mounting bracket out of 1/2 inch aircraft aluminum to position the shifter in it's stock location. Look close at how high the shifter sets. The only other thing that lets you know something is up, is the shifter handle now has 6 forward speed numbers instead of 4 on the pattern indicator.

We also installed a nice stereo system.

Bottom line is this.............

It's your car. Do with it what you want. But remember everything costs money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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You are right Mark. I agree 100% that a cut up car wouldn't bring as much money.

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View attachment 144704

 

[Budnicks]

I agree with Bud that if a Restro-mod is done right it can bring good coin. Doing it right is the trick.
Here is one we just build and it just sold at BJ Vegas.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=684&aid=524

I was just informing him that IMPO that cut a 71RR will most likely hurt the valve and is not that easily reversed. If he is not worried about that then cut away. The only one to have to impress is yourself.

That is one bad a$$ 55 F-100, $132k must be nice... one of my favorite truck/body styles of all time...

 

[moparmarks]

That is one bad a$$ 55 F-100, $132k must be nice... one of my favorite truck/body styles of all time...

Ya the mid-fifties Ford F100 is really popular. Have around 60K in this one. Sold for quite a bit more that expected. Was hoping for around 80-90K. It has really, really nice paint.
I think it needed to sit about 2-3" lower. To me a proper Restro-mod needs to have the rear rims up into the well.

 

[Lazarus]

Thanks for the support Budniks. I couldn't help but smile a little as I read your post. A lot of people say "drive it like you stole it", but your added "and damn the rest" line makes you a pretty cool guy in my camp. Lol. You see, I have had several Road Runners through the years, when I was younger. In fact, I even had one of the fastest car in high school. It was a 1972 with an air grabber hood. In reality there were a couple that were probably quite a bit faster, but that air grabber hood had all the big players psyched out and would not play with me. Lol. At that time I was afraid to do anything to the cars for fear it would hurt the value. But that was ok. When I was in high school everyone had cars from the mid to late 80's. So my big girl could move by comparison. Now that the more recent cars are out here, a classic mopar just can't compete without a little help. So, as newer cars got more and more performance, I switched from the older mopars and got some newer stuff. The Crossfire srt-6 was one of the most fun cars I've ever had, even though my wife hated it and i probably looked ridiculous in it. Anyway, it's kinda like a first love thing. I keep coming back to the 71 and 72 Beepers, but knowing they are not the pinnacles of the everyday muscle cars they once were. So I say to heck with it! I see my old girls there knowing they want to run and want to live and they just needs a little surgery to get them back up to their old self again. So this time, I'm gonna give her new life. She is not going to be a girl that keeps her head looking forward at the red light anymore. She's gonna look over next to her and show the new mustang how she used to do it back in the day. I'm ok with my car having a mid life crisis and spending a little too much money on make up and goodies. I'll be damned if I'm gonna confine her to a wheelchair( or trailer) for the rest of her life so she can talk about the good old days, when she needs so little to get out there and run again. Now, with all the inspirational background music stuck in my head.... Let's Build a Car! Lol

 

[moparmarks]

71airgrabberRR I really like what you did with your Challenger. Looks like a really fun car and love the color.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

71airgrabberRR I really like what you did with your Challenger. Looks like a really fun car and love the color.

Thanks. I built this car for a very good friend of mine. It's a BLAST to drive in more way that one.................

Plus it has ice cold AC, power steering, stops on a dime with the 4 wheel willwood discs, and runs on 93 octane pump gas.

Much better than it was when it was new.

That's why I posted the photos for Lazarus. To give him inspiration as to what can be done with his car...................

I say "Get to work !!!! " LOL

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The color isn't a true Plum Crazy, but a special PPG formula. I have had several other FBBO members ask for it. I now have it saved to my computer, so if your ever interested, just let me know.

 

[moparmarks]

Here is a Restro-mod that cost way more that it will ever bring. I was the 3rd shop to work on it and pretty much have it finished. The 1st shop talked the owner down the wrong road and in the end had way too much money in it. About 225K. I could have saved him a good 100K if I would have started this car.

 

[Lazarus]

Thanks 71. You have any pictures of the whole car? Tell that girl to back up and turn around for me. Lol

 

[71airgrabberRR]

 

[Budnicks]

Thanks for the support Budniks. I couldn't help but smile a little as I read your post. A lot of people say "drive it like you stole it", but your added "and damn the rest" line makes you a pretty cool guy in my camp. Lol. You see, I have had several Road Runners through the years, when I was younger. In fact, I even had one of the fastest car in high school. It was a 1972 with an air grabber hood. In reality there were a couple that were probably quite a bit faster, but that air grabber hood had all the big players psyched out and would not play with me. Lol. At that time I was afraid to do anything to the cars for fear it would hurt the value. But that was ok. When I was in high school everyone had cars from the mid to late 80's. So my big girl could move by comparison. Now that the more recent cars are out here, a classic mopar just can't compete without a little help. So, as newer cars got more and more performance, I switched from the older mopars and got some newer stuff. The Crossfire srt-6 was one of the most fun cars I've ever had, even though my wife hated it and i probably looked ridiculous in it. Anyway, it's kinda like a first love thing. I keep coming back to the 71 and 72 Beepers, but knowing they are not the pinnacles of the everyday muscle cars they once were. So I say to heck with it! I see my old girls there knowing they want to run and want to live and they just needs a little surgery to get them back up to their old self again. So this time, I'm gonna give her new life. She is not going to be a girl that keeps her head looking forward at the red light anymore. She's gonna look over next to her and show the new mustang how she used to do it back in the day. I'm ok with my car having a mid life crisis and spending a little too much money on make up and goodies. I'll be damned if I'm gonna confine her to a wheelchair( or trailer) for the rest of her life so she can talk about the good old days, when she needs so little to get out there and run again. Now, with all the inspirational background music stuck in my head.... Let's Build a Car! Lol

I don't know if I'm cool or not, getting kind old for that... hell yes I am !! very opinionated too...LOL... maybe that's a little too narcissistic... I say go for it... it sounds like a really fun build, keep us all posted, there are allot of great guys/gals here, that have a similar passion, with these "old girls", like you do...

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Here is a Restro-mod that cost way more that it will ever bring. I was the 3rd shop to work on it and pretty much have it finished. The 1st shop talked the owner down the wrong road and in the end had way too much money in it. About 225K. I could have saved him a good 100K if I would have started this car.

badfreakena$$ery

 

[Lazarus]

Awesome car moparmark. I can't afford to go that high end, but I do plan on getting close!

 

[moparmarks]

I think the owner is scared to drive it. Myself, I'd run the crap out of it.

 

[Lazarus]

Ok, engine done, tranny done, frame connectors and torque boxes decided on, figured out the ac compressor. Looking at viper brake upgrade. Still would need master cylinder, booster and prop valve for them if I go that route. I need to find a power steering setup for the car. Anybody have one or any ideas there? Also, the 17" mustang bullet wheels are 10 1/2 inches wide, look nice on these cars and are aren't too expensive. I wonder if I can make them work on a tire with a 13" tread width..... Anybody have experience here?

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Also, anybody know where I can get a stencil to paint on the strobe? I hate waxing around those! Or is it just as easy to make my own?

 

[moparmarks]

http://www.doctordiff.com/
Check with Cass for your Viper and other brake needs.
Firmfeel, Steerngear, Flaming River for the steering needs.

 

[Budnicks]

Ok, engine done, tranny done, frame connectors and torque boxes decided on, figured out the ac compressor. Looking at viper brake upgrade. Still would need master cylinder, booster and prop valve for them if I go that route. I need to find a power steering setup for the car. Anybody have one or any ideas there? Also, the 17" mustang bullet wheels are 10 1/2 inches wide, look nice on these cars and are aren't too expensive. I wonder if I can make them work on a tire with a 13" tread width..... Anybody have experience here?

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Also, anybody know where I can get a stencil to paint on the strobe? I hate waxing around those! Or is it just as easy to make my own?

If you got the budget a tubular Reilly Motorsports or Magnum Force {2" drop spindles & suspension/K member} or QA1 front suspension & rack would be a great idea too.. they ain't cheap, but well worth the fit & handling upgrades IMHFO anyway... then maybe a Ride tech or Magnum or Reilly MS rear 4 bar suspension airwave or coil overs... there's about a $7k hit for all that thou... we have a guy here who works for Magnum Force Racing/Ron Jenkins company Hammond472 IIRC is his screen name...

 

[Lazarus]

Yeah, that is something I looked at, but I am not completely sold on the major suspension mods. I'm not saying they don't do anything, but I just don't see it making a big enough bang for that many of my bucks. Lol I do have a question for you guys though. When using the viper front brake upgrades, are most keeping the manual brake master cylinder with no booster or anything? Or are most upgrading to power as well? What's the pedal pressure difference needed to stop with manual viper brakes vs power factory brakes? I am totally ignorant when it comes to brakes. Lol

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I did check out QA1. I saw their tubular k frame, but i didn't find a steering rack that would work. I'm probably missing something here, as I'm a bit ignorant. Lol. Looking for an affordable rack and pinion or factory power steering may require a bit of hand holding. Lol

 

[moparmarks]

I've done a lot of disc brake conversion but never with the viper stuff. Myself I like manual disc over power but I also like manual steering such as Flaming Rivers 16/1 box.

 

[Lazarus]

Mopar marks, what makes you prefer them over power? I've never had manual disks. The manual drum need a little more pressure than I like. Is there much difference?

1971, I thought I really liked that paint color. I actually saw your pics not too long ago and you looked up the paint code for me! I am completely torn between your color and one with a little more blue in it. Very good looking out btw!

 

[Ron 73]

Here is a Restro-mod that cost way more that it will ever bring. I was the 3rd shop to work on it and pretty much have it finished. The 1st shop talked the owner down the wrong road and in the end had way too much money in it. About 225K. I could have saved him a good 100K if I would have started this car.

That looks as mean as it gets!! Very nice!

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Different color in different lighting.........

Mopar marks, what makes you prefer them over power? I've never had manual disks. The manual drum need a little more pressure than I like. Is there much difference?

1971, I thought I really liked that paint color. I actually saw your pics not too long ago and you looked up the paint code for me! I am completely torn between your color and one with a little more blue in it. Very good looking out btw!

This color on the Challenger actually looks a lot different depending on what angle you view it from. There are not any pearls in the clear. Its all in the formula.......

Check these pictures out..... You will see what I mean. Sometimes it looks almost like the real "Plum Crazy", others it kind of looks reddish, other times more blue.

This car has Willwood manual 4 wheel disc brakes. The pedal is very easy to push and the car will stop on a dime.

Manual brake cars use a master cylinder that has a different bore size than a power brake master cylinder. I also believe in some cars they use a different pedal lever assembly to gain more leverage as you step down on the brake pedal.

The advantage to manual brakes is that you don't have to worry about adding a vacuum canister or vacuum pump to get your brakes to work if you are going to run a big cam that doesn't produce a lot of vacuum.

One other little sneaky thing we did with this car.............. Check out the paint on the air cleaner. My neighbor used the same style font and colors as the "440 Six Pack" decal and hand painted / air brushed the letters that no say "500 INDY STROKER". He also used the Indy logo where the "Y" is a side view of a cylinder head valve. When it was done I sprayed it with clear.

Just an example of some subtle little changes you can do with your car that don't really hurt anything. We have had people casually look at the engine at car shows and slowly walk away. Then they get about 2 cars over and they finally realize what they saw and turn around and come back to get a second look and make cool comments about it.

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