Road Runner Nest

I would like your opinions and ideas. I have a rust free 72 ssp body. I got it a couple years ago. I planned to clone it but now I'm having second thoughts. I won't restore it, no original motor or trans. came with it. While it's been squirreled away waiting it's turn I have been hoarding parts. Now I have everything times 2 or 3 to start building this car. As I was sorting through all these parts I started thinking I didn't want to waste the nos stuff on a clone. Then I didn't want to waste the 4 speed and 60 on it either. That stuff deserves a better home in the future. But I would like some opinions anyway. Heres my options. Clone it into a gtx with every option but a moon roof (I don't have one. Yet). It would be a cool car in the end, but I don't think I would recover financially. I would probably be the most expensive clone built. On the other hand I could upgrade the suspension in front put in a 4 link out back and an auto trans.. This way would be a little more economical and possibly a better use of parts. A real sleeper, satty hood maybe a runner hood on it as well as no options, radio delete, ect. It would handle like a dream but would appear stock except for the suspension.Then I would have all the cool stuff for a future project. At this point a resto mod would be the lower costing option with possibly a higher return if I decided to sell it to get something else. Well, let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

i'd do it "resto-mod" i guess you would call it. i'd paint it up just like stock and throw in whatever drivetrain you have.

right now i've got a 440/727 with an 8.25 rear - sure, it'd be cool to have a 8.75 or a dana, but it does just fine for me....and when the "mod" stops and "resto" begins for me, it will be done to appear like a sebring, just with a bit more "go"

If you don't plan to go back to stock, I'd go with a modern suspension, new HEMI engine with all the electronics.....something you can have fun with!

that's another thing i've contemplated....drivetrain from new charger, 300, or challenger....interior seats (front and rear) will supposedly almost plop right in....XV suspension, Wilwood brakes, custom gauges, A/C, 17 or 18" wheels, etc. but i'm torn when i see cars like that, cuz they're cool, but kinda loses the "old car-ness"

Use the parts you want and make it a 1 of 0 "1972 Sport Satellite". Repro badges are available.

Just my 2c.

Ian B.

Boy O boy, what to do?
Pro street Sat.
Modern suspension, tubular K frame. 4 link, 4 wheel discs, New auto OD tranny with Fuel Inj 360.
Up grade seat to Scat/Procar with killer stereo and custom center console.
Tint glass with A/C.
Power everything. Str/Brk/windows.

Good luck with what ever you do!

DixieSatellite wrote:Use the parts you want and make it a 1 of 0 "1972 Sport Satellite". Repro badges are available.

Just my 2c.

Ian B.

I like this idea, where do you get the repro badges for a Sport Satellite?

make it a 72 gtx not a 72 rr gtx

put the gtx in the dash on the quarters, on the trunk lid, in the grill, and use 71 ssp rocker moldings.

ints easy to get 71ssp ones than 71 gtx ones

I personally don't think you can go wrong just leaving the car what it originally was: '72 SSP. Engine and trans swaps seem to hurt little to the overall value of the car. Just look at the E-bodies. I also don't think you can go wrong swapping out the suspension, brakes, and installing modern conveniences. I think the only thing that does hurt the value is when you start cutting into the body such as installing tubs and whatnot, but as for as modern conveniences, it seems to usually add to the value (again, presuming the body isn't molested too much).

Well, that's just my two cents. And remember, at selling time your '72 Satellite small-block automatic probably still brings in more than my '73 Road Runner big-block 4-speed (as does every '71-'74 Charger)

I have pondered the new hemi swap. It would be cost effective. For the price of a solid stroker build you could probably get a wrecked newer hemi car.
I would never molest a solid classic car (especially a mopar) for myself, but I have done it for others, money talks. In the past I was always a purist, but I have lightened up a bit as I get older. It's just the coolest thing to see a classic that has been brought up to date mechanically.
I don't plan on selling the car. I want to drive the snot out of it. However, I would sell it if I had another b body lined up. I am leaning toward the resto mod aspect of this project, It would be a fun project possibly minus some of the restoration snafu's.

I'm in a similar position....but I don;t have the rust free body part

I'm battling the car being in a shop now for 6 years waiting for me to work on it, but it's 1.5 hrs away from home and there never seems to be time to work on it.

I want to use the parts I have, so now I'm looking for another roller to put the parts on and enjoy.

As for your question:

I like the idea of going with the rest-mod/joycar route. If you access to the parts and a place to make the conversion, it would be the way to go. Make it your own, no worries of 'correct', only what is correct for you.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/pts/1174077845.html

Here's your moonroof / sunroof. AND IT IS IN WISCONSIN TOO!!! I'd buy this if I was up north. Too far for me. I like the idea of a rust free SSP to play with. The roof would be fun. Definitly resto mod. I'd go for EFI for sure with some late drivetrain. I'd try to get a good mix of performance, comfort, and fuel economy and make it a daily driver.

It's not a power roof, but I could still use it since I am worrying less and less about being correct with this one. Or, I could save it in case I get a 73-4. Normally when I find something big it's always too far, this is close. Thanks.

i thought 71 was the only year for power...after that they went to the crank-style???

Nope. My first SPP was a '72, power everything including roof - all stock.