As seen at SEMA: Dynacorn's...
As seen at SEMA: Dynacorn's all-new reproduction '70 Challenger body.
It was unveiled at the 2010 SEMA Show-something that devoted Mopar folks like you have dreamed about for years: A reproduction E-Body shell, ready to build into the Challenger you've always wanted.
Officially licensed by Ma Mopar, it's available from Dynacorn Classic Bodies in '70 Challenger hardtop form. "It is all 1006 universal-grade automotive steel," says Dynacorn's Jim Christina of the cold-rolled sheet steel used to make the reproduction E-Body. "In all cases in this particular shell, it's thicker than the original."
As you can see in the prototype photos, the doors and decklid are hinged and attached to the body, and the production bodies will be shipped that way. Though it may look like it just came out of the body shop at Hamtramck Assembly, these bodies have some significant differences inside them. As Christina explains, "The weld points are a lot better than the originals, because we've got welders that can reach in and weld joints that Chrysler couldn't get to before." He adds that there's no worry that you're getting an unpainted, unprimered body-in-white prone to corrode unless covered immediately. "They come with EDP (electro deposition process) M coating," says Christina of the coat that each one will wear.
When was the last time you...
When was the last time you saw a new E-body Challenger unibody in undressed form like this? We're guessing in the spring of 1974 at Hamtramck Assembly.
We mentioned above that these are licensed by Chrysler, which means that Dynacorn had access to the original specifications and hand-drafted blueprints to tool these bodies from. "We applied for a license in mid-2009, and we got our license in January 2010," says Christina. "We were one of the first ones licensed when (the new management in Auburn Hills) started issuing licenses."
Any chance that Dynacorn, or any aftermarket company, had of using original Chrysler tooling to produce reproduction bodies ended when E-Body production ceased in the spring of 1974, at which time the original Challenger and Barracuda body tooling was scrapped.
That license doesn't limit Dynacorn to just the Challenger. "We're licensed for both the Challenger and the Barracuda," says Christina. Are any reproduction E-Body Challenger or Barracuda convertibles in the works? "Not to my knowledge, as of yet." Unfortunately, Christina says they have no plans to reproduce any other Mopar bodies like A-Body or B-Body Dodges and Plymouths.
Can you build a car that's street-legal using one of these bodies? That's up to you, as every state has different rules and requirements for "specially constructed vehicles." The SEMA Action Network has updated the database of state-by-state laws and regulations that cover these-log on to www.moparmusclemagazine.com for a link to the listing. Once you're there, you'll be able to see what your home state requires for your Dynacorn-bodied Challenger to be legally titled and registered.
The reproduction E-Body unibody...
The reproduction E-Body unibody was tooled from original hand-drawn blueprints, as OEM tooling was long gone.
Each Dynacorn body shell will...
Each Dynacorn body shell will come ready for bodywork and paint-and from this view, ready for taillights, rear valence, exhaust tips, rear bumper, and your license plate.
Also included: the radiator...
Also included: the radiator support, something that's either corroded or crunched on too many project-ready original E-Bodies.
Will it wear standard or SE...
Will it wear standard or SE inside trim? That's your call.
Looking inside, here's the...
Looking inside, here's the firewall/front floorpan connection. You'll have to cut your own hole for a floor shifter.
Rocker panel (outer and inner),...
Rocker panel (outer and inner), front and rear floorpans . . . they're all here (as opposed to those heavily-rusted bodies that aren't altogether here).
Just aft of where the driver...
Just aft of where the driver seat will sit is the front/rear floorpan joint.
Ready for your master cylinder...
Ready for your master cylinder and other original-style parts-or ready for smoothing. Here's the firewall and engine bay inside the Dynacorn Challenger body.
One of the places where original...
One of the places where original E-Bodies rusted the worst-inside the rear wheelwell. Like the rest of the body, the Dynacorn reproduction rear framerails are made of 1008 cold-rolled steel sheet that's thicker than the OEM steel was.
Dynacorn's '70 Challenger...
Dynacorn's '70 Challenger bodies are more than just a coated unibody. The doors (and decklid) are included and are hinged and hung in place.
Want to tub it? With a Dynacorn...
Want to tub it? With a Dynacorn body, here's your starting point-without all that interior trim (and mysteries beneath it) to remove.
Look, Ma-no rust! All new...
Look, Ma-no rust! All new quarters, trunk floors (and extensions) are all welded in place, coated, and ready for you to paint, weatherstrip, and add the spare and jack.
Dyancorn's Challenger body...
Dyancorn's Challenger body is also ready for your factory-size rear stereo speakers-if you're going that route.
If you're building your reproduction...
If you're building your reproduction Challenger for the strip, here's where your fuel cell will go-on top of an all-new trunk floor.
At the beltline, here's the...
At the beltline, here's the left A-pillar and left door. Unseen are the door hinges, which are welded on by Dynacorn (and don't have 40-plus years worth of fatigue in 'em).
Looking up from inside, here's...
Looking up from inside, here's the "T-section" where the left A-pillar, left roof rail, and windshield header connect under the roof panel.
On too many project-ready...
On too many project-ready E-Body Challengers, you see a lot of rust or repaired crash damage-or both-in the rocker panel. Not so with a Dynacorn body!