Todd's 1971 Convertible • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Todd Shackett (Todds)** » 05 Apr 2003 16:07

Here is a my 1971 Convertible. It was originally purchased by my Dad in 1971 (I have pictures from when I was a kid when the car was green). He sold it to my cousin in 1985 and I bought it from him this year. During that time it has been modified slightly (R/T hood, new 727 transmission, bored out the 318 to 340 etc.) This past year it went through a much needed cosmetic overhaul (new paintjob, interior- seats, dash, door panels, convertible top/boot, gas cap). It continues to be a work in progress which I am enjoying. Here are a couple of pics.

by **Jeff Maxwell (Redchalleng** » 05 Apr 2003 23:04

Todd, I like it! So much like my car with the body side moldings, which definately don't make it to many car shows. What color is it? It looks like a modern color Red Inferno.

Let me get this straight: You kept the original 318 and made it a 340 yourself? I hadn't heard of that, but it's a great idea. My original 318 is still around, and the 340 that's in my car obviously also isn't original.

Great job!

by **Jens (Jj)** » 06 Apr 2003 10:16

Todd, a real nice car. Could you post some of the old pictures of the 1970s here ?

by **Todd Shackett (Todds)** » 08 Apr 2003 0:10

My cousins deserve the credit for the work- they are both quite talented mechanics and have a full garage with lift at their house. My cousin Kirk rebuilt the engine and re-bored it to just under 340 cu.in. and added a Holley 4bbl carb. He also went to a duel exhaust as well and I believe the current HP is around 270. He told me he has access to a 383 for a future upgrade if interested- although a 426 hemi would be the ideal.

My other cousin Scott did the most recent body and interior work and the color you see is actually a paint called Cayenne Pepper Red. It looks a little more orange in the sun and I've thought about changing it in the future but it is growing on me.

Thanks for the positive comments. I'll be scanning some photos of the car as it looked in 1972 soon.

by **Steve McGuire (72c)** » 16 Apr 2003 2:53

Todd, did you repaint the dash & console black or is it still green.? I can't tell . The car looks fantastic. Where did you get the seat covers?

by **Todd Shackett (Todds)** » 18 Apr 2003 13:43

Steve, the dash is new and is black, and the remaining exposed areas were painted black to match. Both the dash and the seat covers came from Year One and what we found is that much of what is offered for interior work is available in either black or white and will require painting if you want custom- although some items do have more of a color selection.

Although the seat covers were ordered white, the back shell of the bucket seats needed to be painted white to match.

by **Jeff Maxwell (Redchalleng** » 19 Apr 2003 18:06

Todd, it's such a great color combo. I'm curious about the door, whre there is black inside where you pull it shut. It looks different than memory serves me on a white door. Am I off, or is this something new? Seeing all that white makes me want to change mine to white from black. I know it would be cooler in the summer with the top down!