The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Here is my other baby -these are called Valiants over here, but these cars were all 68 Dart bodies that were shipped down to us and we put our own front ends grilles on them (new fenders etc) made them right hand drive and called them Valiant Hardtops, Pacers, 770's and Regals etc, depending on trim levels. Biggest engine was 318/904. All had the small 7.25" diff. This one has a 340 waiting and a 4speed overdrive box - the all alloy A833 with OD top gear. I have also put in a Limited Slip Diff with disc brakes.

Sure I have seen you somewhere before mate. Can't quite place where though?

Those cars are pretty light arent they Steve? With a Hot 340 it will be a blast to drive! At first I was thinking 'It's the Transporter dude" (Jason Stetham er something like that)

dave-r wrote:Sure I have seen you somewhere before mate. Can't quite place where though?

Heheha, nice one Dave, so your admitting to reading those mags?! - That pic of me would more likely be on the back page of "Garbage Truck Monthly"

airfuelEddie wrote:Those cars are pretty light arent they Steve? With a Hot 340 it will be a blast to drive! At first I was thinking 'It's the Transporter dude" (Jason Stetham er something like that)

Yeah - very light, about 3300 pounds, although more with a SB. diff is a 3.27 (its out of a '90s Frord). it should be a blast alright, although i don't think i drive as hard as you. plus i hope my left knee can stand all the clutch work, its been playing up a bit lately. P.S. i'm just about to P.M you Edd

Got it Steve, your set! I dont drive my cars hard all the time. Just 99% of the time ( I better empty my truck of those 'magazines' vid's, photo's, address book,,,,,... I dont 'do' that stuff,,,not anymore! What plans do you have with the suspension&brakes on that ride? A small diameter twin disc diaphragm style clutch would not have a hard pedal on it but would take a lot of torque. I really like my Twin Disc. It's not that 'stiff',, I have very bad knees and drive mine most of the time.

yea i saw your pic when i had my pedicure,yep glamor mag, wow pink toes and all, jus kidding nice dart way down under

drewcrane wrote:yea i saw your pic when i had my pedicure,yep glamor mag, wow pink toes and all, jus kidding nice dart way down under

Mmm, sounds like someone's been following me around with a camera, and i thought it was 'cos i always have odd socks and wear a stupid grin .

Eddie, re suspension. the car already had the 5 leaf HD so that was a bonus. I have taken them in and got them re- tensioned/ reset to 1" lower. They did a great job. Its amazing how they can be so accurate with resetting springs! I have standard V8 torsion bars and gas shocks and a heavier anti-sway bar from a Charger, that's about it. I don't spend wildly on this car, not like my Challengers. That clutch you said sounds good. I know you have bad knees, mine is only left and comes and goes. If its ok for you i will be fine for my little ole knee.

I have to use a hydraulic clutch as its an American gearbox (throwout fork on other side) in a right hand drive car. I have a Toyota one here, the reservoir and master cylinder sit low on the firewall. Its a common conversion apparently. Then you can mount the slave piston on the bellhousing relatively easily.

Sounds like the makings for a fast&fun driving car on the cheap, but looks terrific!

hey steve great to see youve started working on the hardtop again ive negociated a deal on a VG 4door pacer ill be picking it up after winter its safely tucked away in a shed ill post pics when i get it
cheers ian

Awesome, Steve!!!