This is what PCP looked like circa 1994. As terrible as this looks, a lot of work had already taken place. Most of the rotted sheet metal had been replaced and new floors were already in. When we asked Dave what metal was left from the original car, he thought a while and replied, “the rust is but a memory”.
Crager S/S wheels never looked better! The timeless design has taken on a new look stretched onto a 17’ rim. Take special note of the center cap, which Dave had machined down and then they applied the stock decals found on Mopar Road Wheels!
Eight years ago, the engine building phase of the restoration was tackled. This is the numbers matching 340, and its reconstruction was well documented in HPM. While externally stone stock, there are a few tricky items. For instance, the stock exhaust manifolds have been extrude honed to produce larger ports and the passages have been polished to improve air flow. Amazingly, when the 340 came apart, six of the eight connecting rods were bent to varying degrees! And, even more amazingly, there was absolutely no damage to the block or heads! Who says a 340 isn’t a tough little cookie?
The Thermoquad was brand new equipment on the 1971 340, and it was a four star disaster. Design problems on the early plastic bodied carbs led to troubles quickly, prompting dealerships to replace most of them with Holley four barrels. When Dave bought the Challenger in 1985, the original Thermoquad was in the trunk and a replacement Holley was in place, The original carburetor is now back in place and works great.
Put your sunglasses on before looking under this one! Everything here is either powder
coated, phosphated, painted, or polished. Spotless is far too mild a word for the underside. Don’t overlook the inspection marks and splotches. Every trace of a factory marking was reproduced during the restoration. Over restored? Definitely! Impressive? You tell us!