View Full Version : newbie with a big question


lofly'a
Feb 14th, 07, 07:32 AM
i have an 81 berlinetta with a 502/350 wedged in that i want to retro- fit to look like a 70-73 (have'nt decided on a trim level yet), and i would like to know if anyone has done this conversion. the front is a near bolt on swap with a few tweeks of metal magic because the frame horns are different, but the rear will require more fabrication. a friend told me that there once was a conversion to make the roof accept the pre-75 rear glass, but i have found no leads on this, can anyone help? the rear fascia panel and bottom pan can be bought, but the quarter corners will need to be cut from replacement quarters or fabbed. would love more info if any of you guys have made the swap.

this is a father/son project, because my 13 yr. old has always loved the 70-73 cars. i got the car partly disassembled from a guy who lost interest, but did all the hotchkis suspension upgrades for the big block and installed a dakota digital dash, before he literally gave it to me.
i am a welder/metal man and i am not afraid to hack. i can feel a few purists shivering already, but i can live with that.

radial72
Feb 14th, 07, 09:24 AM
The frame horns aren't different, and the front is a complete bolt-on swap (I had a '78 I did the front swap to since it was wrecked and I had a spare $50 front clip, which you won't find today!).

The rear is more difficult since you'll need inner metal that isn't repopped yet or okay fabricating skills. Doable? Yes. Heck I even saw a '77 on Ebay redone that was commanding low 70-73 money after such a conversion. Personally I'd just find a bare shell, fix it and swap the goodies over. No smog if you sell it nationally, and a better value in the end.