Question on 71 Challenger Grille

by **varmintjcl** » 30 Dec 2001 5:47

I can't seem to find an answer to why some 71 Challengers had a wide chrome molding (kinda like the 70 Chargers) across the top of the grille & some had only a narrow chrome strip. Anyone know if this was applied to a certain model?

by **dave-r** » 30 Dec 2001 11:31

I have heard of this but not seen it. Most of the detailed information I have is only for the 1970 model.

My guess would be that it may have been part of the A63 moulding package in '71. There was no longer an SE model that year but the A63 package was still around.

Anyone able to confirm this?

by **Dave C** » 31 Dec 2001 2:12

I have seen quite a few of these in photos but never in life. Apparently the package consisted of a bright metal and black band about two inches wide which extends from the corners of the bumper and across the hood. I believe the fender pieces screw right on to the outside of the fenders and cover the bright lips of the regular headlamp bezels and tips of the stripes if so equipped. The hood piece attaches with the same screws as the standard '71 strip. The ones I've seen have been combined with and without a variety of other moulding packages including belt line mouldings and elastomeric bumpers, usually on well equipped cars. Could this have been the M43 or M44 package?

by **frank** » 31 Dec 2001 5:43

i saw one of these at a car show it looks great! i'm pretty sure it was a 71 se i wasn't aware it was so rare at the time so i just looked at it intently then moved on, i wish i had found the owner and asked questions.... oh well...lol

by **Christer** » 01 Jan 2002 10:55

Check this out!

I found it on:
http://www.fortunecity.com/bennyhills/Woopie/145/

by **dave-r** » 01 Jan 2002 14:25

I might use that when I (finally!) update my web pages.

by **Christer (Christer)** » 01 Apr 2002 13:09

Hello Mopar lovers!
I got a new fresh theory: That this molding is code M28 Wide grille surround moulding (NA w/A21,A22). What da ya say, Dave?
There is another example on:
http://www.geocities.com/moparpowerclub/e_class.htm
(Thanks Robbert)

by **Jeff Maxwell (Redchalleng** » 01 Apr 2002 23:19

As a 16 year old drooling over Challengers whenever I could get to the dealership, I remember the wide chrome strip appearing late in the model year on the 1971 only. My car has a build date in May and does not have it. Hence, I would check the build dates on these models in question, as I believe it was some kind of Spring promotion. Just a theory.

by **christer** » 27 Apr 2014 10:52

Jeff Maxwell (Redchalleng wrote:I remember the wide chrome strip appearing late in the model year on the 1971 only. My car has a build date in May and does not have it. Hence, I would check the build dates on these models in question, as I believe it was some kind of Spring promotion. Just a theory.

I believe that the M28 "Wide grill surrond" option was available the whole production year and not just a limited time.

by **Alaskan_TA** » 04 May 2014 20:05

I agree, see M28 at http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/ima ... nger_4.jpg

by **JAS** » 05 Nov 2015 12:02

Christer wrote:Check this out!

I found it on:
http://www.fortunecity.com/bennyhills/Woopie/145/

Christer, any info on this car? Whereabouts?

by **Pat** » 14 Nov 2015 20:10

christer wrote:
Jeff Maxwell (Redchalleng wrote:I remember the wide chrome strip appearing late in the model year on the 1971 only. My car has a build date in May and does not have it. Hence, I would check the build dates on these models in question, as I believe it was some kind of Spring promotion. Just a theory.

I believe that the M28 "Wide grill surrond" option was available the whole production year and not just a limited time.

Christer i beleve you are corekt ! This moulding pkg also is caled Spring PKG in some cases on the web.