Neglected Challenger and 3 Years on YouTube!?

Happy 3 Year Anniversary to my consistent production of content! I've posted a video every Monday (just about) for 3 years!
A lot has occurred in those three years, I go into some of the history and documentation that has gone on in my travels over that time span, but the big deal is my 1971 Dodge Challenger.
Remember the old I think hair club for men ad, I'm not just the president, but I'm also a member. I unfortunately have let this car sit on and off for 20 years. I go through my history with the car and where I hope to take it in the future!
/ theautoarchaeologist
/ theautoarchaeologist
/ autoarchaeology
/ autoarchaeology
/ theautoarchaeologist
www.barnfinds.org
[e-mail]

[@canucksdude]

Nice man! We’ve been waiting for this vid on your challenger 😎

[@AutoArchaeology]

More to come!

[@canucksdude]

Awesome dude! 😎

[@BILLJR79]

Get done what it needs to drive , run , stop , steer reliably and drive it maybe on a weekend or a 3 day trip . Just enough to get it on the road and enjoy and that should be enough motivation to get the Challenger the rest of the way. The car is cool just keep going any way you can.

[@seanfattireguythomas2994]

I’m very fortunate that I get my projects done fairly quickly the only problem getting them done quickly is I run out of money quickly then I started not selling what I have built because of people always saying you can’t get paid for your time well in the Mopar restoration World it turns out the cars are worth way more took apart than they are put together

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Congrats on 3yrs..... Nice update vid!!!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thank you!

[@MikeekiM-vh5se]

I find the QA1 suspension makes Mopar car ride/drive horrible...the factory torsion bar suspension is the best,just add a thicker swap bar is all you need... I own/restore/buy/sell Mopars since the mid 80's at 14..started restoring them at 18..I also drove several QA1 swapped cars and bought 2 of them and returned the 2 to factory suspension and one for a customer as he bought a qa1 swapped car and was complaining it rode rough and didnt handle as good as his other B body.Since I am not affiliated with qa1 I just say the truth and most agree with me.. But I know we can agree that Lime Green Crate your sitting on is a perfect match for the Challenger! Nice car and enjoy it..

[@AutoArchaeology]

It is torsion bar. QA1 has two different systems, one that uses factory Torsion Bars, and then the coil over setup. I'm going with the Torsion Bar Style.

[@mattwhaley9917]

We've been waiting to see your ole girl that's always in the background! ❤

[@AutoArchaeology]

Hope you like it!

[@mattwhaley9917]

@AutoArchaeology I Love it brother! I know the ups and downs of having a long-term project all too well. It would have been easy to give up on it at times, but there's nothing like seeing a dream come true, even if it takes 25-30 years. Thanks for the update on it.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Yup! That is very true.

[@MikeHughes-mv3qk]

Awesome!

[@jeremydiamond8824]

FYI interior repair and finish!!👍🏻😎🇺🇸🦅

[@MikeJBlues]

Beautiful 71 , your channel is fantastic.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thank you very much!

[@archieguitarz4700]

Good to see progress on the challenger, looking forward to the updates.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thanks 👍

[@bluekoi455]

Good stuff!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thanks!

[@roycervantes1341]

Good Monday 👍,,,,,,,,,, Yeee Yeee

[@bradschroeder809]

I thought my 16 years of setbacks with my T/A resto set a record, but you got me beat Ryan! I have an leftover black carpet set you can have free if that helps. I know firsthand that E bodies are not comfortable long haul cars unfortunately. I don't want to spend over an hour driving mine without a break. My 09 and now my 23 Challengers are the most comfortable cars I ever drove on the other hand.

[@AutoArchaeology]

I might just take you up on that. Well I hope with the right seats I can get something comfortable.

[@magnumfour88]

When you get this car done, it must be unveiled with you in FULL FEDORA.

[@AutoArchaeology]

lol

[@xbear7473]

you never go full fedora

[@magnumfour88]

@@xbear7473 Ryan will. I have seen him. I got pics to prove it.

[@AutoArchaeology]

I still have my big fedora, it's just very worn out.

[@magnumfour88]

@@AutoArchaeology Big Fedora is a must as a "Restoration" piece. I believe someone like Mega Parts or Stephens Performance will have a NOS one.

[@ronaldrey8474]

Wish I could get strength to organize too. As far as what to do next .. do what makes you happy and the rest will work out but ty for asking.

[@jessicawells5145]

Factory hood pins.i was lucky and got a NOS set for my Chevelle years ago.most people don’t realize there is a difference between them and store bought.the factory pins are thicker and made very well

[@jessicawells5145]

If you could find a gear vender’s over drive unit cheap that would be the way to go.a you’d still have that step gear for red light action!!

[@AutoArchaeology]

That would be sweet.

[@Uncle05Sam]

Would definitely love to see more behind the scenes, since what you do is fascinating! And loving the Challenger progress updates.

[@AutoArchaeology]

More to come!

[@diegohorton869]

If I lived near you I’d be driving it 20 years ago. I restore Porsche now but I cut my teeth on old MoPars. I’m friends with Nick the past owner of the 71 pink Charger R/T. I’ve owned a few MoPars in my day. I also work for the Railroad.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Yeah, time, money and knowledge. Had to wait.

[@garryhatchett775]

Nice challenger. Just needs some focused attention and it will be done.

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

Any E-body content is good...thanks...🔧🔧👍

[@jeffpriem4888]

This sounds like a story from the mid 90s. Car's been "in the garage for 20 years" I, too, lack motivation sometimes . Something I dreaded for years, took 30 minutes to rectify Sweet burnout!!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thank you!

[@mikekelly571]

How bout a rack and pinion steering setup for that Challenger.

[@AutoArchaeology]

All the Mopar ones are terrible and illegal on the road.

[@jessicawells5145]

You should come to the Mississippi gulf coast for cruising the coast.over 9000 cars are registered as of 2 weeks ago probably more now.its a family fun event starts on the 2nd through the 12th of October

[@AutoArchaeology]

It is on my bucket list.

[@jessicawells5145]

I was going to ask because I see it all the time.why don’t people go ahead and paint the roof on vinyl top cars?does it hold moisture worse than being unpainted versus painted?i know the factory probably did it to save money on paint.just wondering

[@AutoArchaeology]

There is a primer under the top, not bare metal.

[@richkrueger7517]

Keep plugging away at it. Little by little and it will get done. It took me 3 years to redo our General Lee. I had a lot of firsts with it and I definitely learned a lot. It may help to work at it by section or like a sub project. That way it doesn't feel so overwhelming. Good luck with it.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thank you!

[@royessinger7289]

I wondered about the story behind the 71. Now I know! Thx

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thank you!

[@plymouthduster225]

Do you plan on making a video of you driving the car?

[@AutoArchaeology]

Eventually

[@googleusergp]

Yup, 1971 model year with the VIN for the win: J for Dodge Challenger, H for high price class, 23 for two door hardtop, G for 318 CID V8 with two barrel, 1 for 1971 model year, B for Hamtramck, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Hamtramck plant, or "Dodge Main", "Factory Zero" or "D-Ham" (for Detroit/Hamtramck) operated from 1911 to 1980 and part of GM's Hamtramck assembly plant sits on that old site. It was a huge plant and a city within a city with multiple cafeterias, workshops and its own fire department (hooked into the Hamtramck fire department). There was even a section called "The Playpen" where employees could work on their own projects at night. We got the tag, we can brag: EN2 for end of sales codes, M42 for front stone shield moldings, M44 for hood and fender moldings, R11 for Music Master AM radio, 2 watts, 26 for 26" radiator, G11 for tinted glass, all windows, G33 for LH outside remote racing mirror, H51 for single unit air conditioning and heating, J25 for three speed wipers, M21 for roof rail drip moldings, M31 for belt and hood moldings, V1F for full green vinyl top, U for USA specification vehicle, A04 for basic radio group, A46 for molding package, C16 for console and woodgrain panel, C55 for bucket seats, GF3 for Medium Green exterior paint (like a dark army green), H6F7 for Green vinyl bucket interior trim, 506 for Thursday May 6, 1971 scheduled production, E44 for 318 CID V8 with two barrel, approximately 230 HP, D31 for A904 three speed automatic transmission, V78 for possible accent stripe delete, among other codes.

[@AutoArchaeology]

You got it! I've actually visited the old Dodge Main site a few years ago. Such a huge property.

[@googleusergp]

@@AutoArchaeology Yup, "D-Ham" for "Detroit/Hamtramck" or "Factory Zero", or "Dodge Main", or just plain "Hamtramck Assembly" depending on what you read.

[@billquinn1426]

I enjoy your channel, keep up the great work.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thanks, will do!

[@richardoswalt1009]

I didn't have both time and money at the same time till I retired. Now I have 8 cars running and driving. Good luck!!

[@thingow181]

15:59 that Jordan guy is a maniac! Sorry we never got to do more and really thought we had a cool thing going!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thanks

[@sporty196071]

When it comes to carshalf thefun is building it and the story of building it so you're doing it ok.

[@randyman828]

Cool

[@WickedWhirled]

What happened to the Cuda that you wound up with the grill

[@AutoArchaeology]

It's been restored! I think it is still at the shop.

[@JerryDey]

You're calling it a mismatched car like it's a bad thing at the beginning of your video. Then by the end of it you mention all the 1971 components you're switching out for aftermarket stuff like it's a good thing.

[@apocolypse11]

Idiot gonna idiot

[@mnwebsource2286]

Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree!

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertburke3316]

Great story of your car! I’m glad even though you’ve walked away many times, you have kept your car and gotten to this point. Most people would have sold it. But where would you find another? The Chanel has grown and I look foward to it getting better. All the best to you and all your endeavors.

[@AutoArchaeology]

Thank you!

[@houstoncowdog]

That car will never be able to be driven long distances no matter what you do to it. The car is 54 years old, it not going to be reliable, ever.

[@AutoArchaeology]

They were driven that far before, why not now?

[@diegohorton869]

You can build this car as reliable long distance driver. As a mechanic I’ve been doing it for years.