Hot Rods & an E37 VH Charger: Classic Restos - Series 50

Fletch travels west of Sydney to visit a neat home that gives no clue as to what is behind the facade. When you meet Steve and Julia, it becomes evident they have a complete garage/workshop that houses several classics, a factory E37 Charger and two Hot Rods, all restored and in running order.
Steve reveals of the 18,000 Chargers built in Australia, only 134 E37 models were made, and this is 1 of only 34 in this colour scheme and one of only 4 with the blacked-out bonnet. Now, those are incredible numbers.
The 1971 VH E37 Charger has a long history, standing in a shed for 28 years, with Steve offering to purchase it several times over the years. Finally, Steve secured the Charger and has since maintained the vehicle in its original condition.
While Steve is not a tradesperson, he does most of the restoration work. His workmanship speaks for itself, and he is very much a perfectionist.
Next is a beautifully presented 1937 Chev Businessman’s Coupe. His Chevy boasts a 350 Chev engine with a VY commodore brake system and 4-wheel disc brakes. Presented in a brilliant Green Tea colour as seen on a 2007 Honda CRV in the US. Steve confesses to being a Hot Rod addict since 13 years of age. Julia admits that this restoration is the result of many long hours in the shed together while Steve does his best work. They see it as a joint venture, something they took on together. It’s not just the car but the whole package that has given them so much enjoyment and still does today with the Hot Rod community they have met along the journey.
Last but not least is their 1936 Sloper Hot Rod, sporting a 360 Chrysler V8. It’s their daily drive they rescued from a $1,500 pile of rust in 1992. The restoration has taken over 14 years, with life‘s stops and starts along the way. The car has 75,000 on the clock and has been driven all over Australia; it drives very smoothly like any modern car today and just looks cool.

[@petermanuel7128]

Thank you fletch I all ways enjoy your videos keep up the good work

[@lukestocks4370]

I've sent that E37 in the flesh.. It's a fantastic

[@anasevi9456]

Fletch always finds the best around!

[@adriandehoon1785]

E37 wot a save keep it the same. I just love the chevs it just go's to show if you have a dream keep it alive and build it and join the hot rod family 😀 Fletch great episode always waiting for the next one to come out.

[@ryantorresan9221]

I remember seeing this at shannons sydney car show at eastern creek yesterday. It was a beautiful car

[@gavmansworkshop5624]

I have an original E33 CL, plastick still on the back seat from when my father bought it new. I'm leaning against it right now while typing this lol

[@ridewithwarro]

i had the factory e38 big tank back in '73 and it was rated at 280bhp. the e49 came out next with 4 speed and 302 bhp on tap. the e37 was well under that and was classed as good for the street and rated i think at 248bhp. the e38 also had non power assisted brakes where this unit is running a power booster. i just don't recall those chargers running double fake bonnet scoops. it may have been a owners special order i know they were a option on the e38 as mine had just the one but never saw a twin scoop set up.not sure but i thought the e37 also ran 40mm webbers and much milder tune compared to the e38 45's. the dash on the r/t's came out on the first lot of vh paces but those cars looked pretty bad. i also had a vg valiant pacer hardtop in a factory 4 barrel set up and great colour but very thirsty-it was sky blue with blacked out bonnet and red strips and black tombstone seats with red carpet. it also ran the big tank and the very rare factory aircon with tinted glass. those were good times then and i also had the vf 225 pacer in yellow/ 3 chargers and the vg pacer 4 barrel hardtop. still recall looking at the e38 in the dealers showroom in pink or agenta for $3990 back in '71 at 19 i traded my first charger-a vh 265 xl 3 speed in on a 66 mustang at ken matthews prestigue autos in sydney. those were the days an e type jag for $8000 new or a 911 and if you had the bread a ferrari dino for $15900 new. plus a lambo espada for $28500 so 50 years later and 150 cars have passed buy but my main regret was the day back in 1980 i was offered by the local dealer a phase 3 xy gtho for $10K imagine having them toss you the keys and say take it over night and bring it back the next day. no garage at home either so parked it on the road overnight. next day i told the salesperson it ate too much gas so i bought a esort rs2000 instead...lol

[@michaelguerin56]

Great video. I have always loved the Valiant Charger look. Those hot rods are beautiful.

[@TheTruckdriver999]

Great episode

[@alandavey3010]

great video

[@ShannonsInsurance]

So glad you think so Alan! -Ash

[@donaldhollums3278]

Quite an enjoyable episode, Mr. Fletch. I, also, have been married to my wife 20 years…she has been married to me for 200 years!

[@christophermarshall5765]

These are the "forgotten charger". 134 built, 4 with blacked out bonnet.

[@daniellebcooper7160]

Nice to see that he hasnt restored the charger. Its a 'time capsule'! .

[@gary1705]

Please , Please restore the Val 🙏🙏

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Diecast outer door handles cracked after much use

[@RT038]

😎👍🇦🇺

[@bradcoulter1316]

Add 5 speed better brakes and turbo on larger tyres oh yeah go hemi magic

[@jimclarke1108]

I thought the E38-49 only had the factory triple webers carbs.🤭

[@guysoceanharmonics]

The E37 definitely had them, they were exactly the same as the E38 visually, except they had a milder cam and smaller main jets and came standard with the brake booster, I know this as I owned one 41 years ago, I believe they were built like this as a "towing package" version of the 6 pack, also the E48 came with the triple webbers.

[@38skippers]

248HP

[@rodc2678]

Do two fake bonnet scopes work better than one? I believe these were a option and the dealership would just screw one on if you wanted this extra wind resistance upgrade. Always wondered if the factory setup Chargers that went around Bathurst had real ones which would then be technically non compliant with the race rules if not equivalent to what was sold on the showroom floor.