The project begins...

This page is dedicated to my 1970 Dodge Challenger Western Sports Special, and is one of only 1,066 WSS's built in 1970 with a 318 2 barrel engine.

Current spec...

Black vinyl roof removed
Chrome belt-line moulding removed
Aftermarket black vinyl interior
Grant steering wheel replaces rim-blow
A230 3-speed manual transmission
3.23:1 Suregrip 8 3/4 rear axle
Original 14 inch Rallye wheels
225/60/R14 Cooper Cobra tyres
Drum brakes all-round
1979 360 cu LA small-block
Edelbrock 14 inch air cleaner
Edelbrock Performer intake manifold
Edelbrock chrome valve covers
Edelbrock 600 cfm carb
Dual 3-inch Flowmaster mufflers

The car now has a 1979 360 LA block in it that makes 245 bhp, but with the mods listed above pushes out about 280 bhp approx. New pics on the way

280 bhp is enough to shift from 60 to 90mph in 5 seconds for example.

This view is what it's all about and the mufflers sound great.

The car sits squat all-round and has been lowered 3 inches at the front (pics on the way)

Original Rallye wheels wrapped in 225/60/R14 rubber.

The interior - All black with matching Grant steering wheel.

Present Work Update...

We discovered a leak from somewhere in the back half of the car when the carpet became wet after the Great British Winter arrived! The photo shows that we already stripped the floor back to metal last summer, and sealed and re-painted it. With the interior out we traced the rust and water dribbles back to the bottom off-side of the rear window. Rust in the bodywork next to the chrome reveal meant a small hole, so a new rear filler panel was ordered from Year One.

We got the glass out and got the new panel prepped and welded in. We are now waiting for some more parts so we can get the window back in!! A lack of a garage means lots of plastic sheeting under the car cover for now.

While waiting for more parts from the States, our attention has turned to the trunk - which basically consists of fibre-glass sitting on rust! New boot floor needed after window stuff is sorted.

Since fitting the new Edelbrock Performer manifold, the test run showed a definite increase in acceleration, especially when the original 'box broke and got stuck in 2nd! The car is laid-up at the mo whilst the 3-speed is getting rebuilt.

The project continues...