It is hard to imagine that the current Dodge Charger and Challenger share the same DNA as the 1987 Dodge Charger, but then again maybe this one has more in common with it’s rear wheel drive predecessor than you’d expect. The listing claims the red coupe has less than 2,500 miles on it, and a clean title, but no VIN is listed. It is located in Woodstown, New Jersey and can be purchased for a price of $7,500, although the seller might entertain a trade for a Jeep. You can view more here on Craigslist.
The noted power unit for the car is a 360 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission that includes overdrive. The seller also states they have a 360 Magnum heads and gaskets, bolts, and rockers. Up front, the suspension is a Mustang II, a 8.75 is in the rear, and the car has coil overs and traction bars. This is quite the departure from the front wheel drive 4-cylinder that originally powered it.
Oddly enough, the thing noted by the seller as not working is the radio, and that they have a new Pioneer unit ready for the car. They also note that the car will need new carpets. In point of conflict, they say that all the gauges work, yet the speedometer does not. It is hard to determine what is or is not true about the instrument cluster, and makes you wonder just how much of the entire listing is true.
Even with the somewhat confusing listing, and the year old date stamped photos, the car itself as pictured, is quite a good looking ride. While it does not boast the best styling, and is more seen as a flop to the name Charger, you have to admit this car could evoke a soft spot for most of us. It is red, it has a V8, and an iconic name, so it really seems like a recipe for success to go hunting Fox bodies.
Interesting! Tickles my fancy; but I’d like to see at least one picture of underneath the car. I liked this body style a lot better before they added the rear panels and created those huge blindspots, (IMO) it was a change NOT for the better. :-)
I agree, the early windowed TC3 and 024s were better to see out of and I feel better looking. Not a bad little platform, too bad you couldn’t get a balanced 2.5 in them, with a better 5 speed shifter, might have been a world beater of a car! This car is interesting, but silly. Can you imagine the horrid weight/ balance problems up front? Going around a corner could be deadly. If I could find a good example of one of these with a 2.2, might be a buyer, but seems they fell apart after a decade and/or were ran into the ground. They are no where to be found, but 30 years ago, one on every street corner.
It didn’t take a decade for my 83 Shelby charger to fall apart. More like 36001 miles.
Guys, wasn’t this here months ago? What is the story? Though it looks well done, it has got to be quite dangerous. I used to work in health care, guys, it is not worth it.
I remember seeing it on here before also. Admittedly, liked it then, and I like it now. No knee pads, no helmet, no safety glasses. That’s how I grew up lol!!
Nice car! I had a ’85 charger 2+2 when I graduated HS. I loved that car
Yes, yes it was. I remembered it too. A quick search found this listing,
https://barnfinds.com/1987-dodge-charger-with-360ci-v8-swap-and-rwd-conversion/
It has been on here twice before. May 1, 2019 and November 4, 2018. One guy built a similar car, here is what he had to say:
“Mopar had a kit that you could get through direct connection in the early 90’s it consisted of everything needed to convert these ap body cars to rear wheel drive v8 powered cars. The kits did not last long in the store and not many were made. I was told that they were made so that mopar could race their rwd v8 daytona in a factory class but that is all I have been told. A few years back a ran into a guy selling these kits, he had a 92 daytona that had a 5.9 magnum engine and then he swapped in a 5.7 hemi. I bought one of his kits and converted a dodge shadow es convertible to a rwd 440 magnum/727 car. It was a wheel stander and only lasted a summer of abuse before it was so twisted that on level ground, the passenger side front wheel would stay about 3 inches off the ground. I believe that you can still get these kits from a guy named Kenny Exline and exline motorsports in Pennsylvania.”
The 440 motor in a Shadow convertible must have been quite a ride.
Yup, remember this one twice before too.
Back when if you wanted standout performance on a reasonable budget an engine swap was the best option…my solution was a 71 Vega with 3.5 alum V8.
Seems like it’d be a fun & unique sleeper but with questionable details & repeat listing there are many more modern options with Better performance to choose from.
Unless of course you’re that one guy who just has to be seen in a fwd vintage Mopar product.
Back in the day that was another way to beat the Insurance Man. Take a Plain Jane 4cyl model and drop a V8 between the front fenders and nobody was the wiser. Good Times.
I like the fwd old Mopar products lol. That being said, I REALLY like this too lol.
It seems to me that since this is the third time I have seen this car here, this is the Barn Finds version of a stutter lol. Happy 4th of July everyone!
Well it sounds as though this car has been worked over. A V8, when they came with 2.2 Liter engines. It has a mustang suspension. Obviously the engine is a transplant, and that doesn’t mean a reputable transplant. And Barn Finds has the nerve to compare it to the newer, as well as the older Chargers? WOW!
The Mustang II front suspension is a common transplant to get reliable disc brakes and R&P steering. Just like the Ford 8″ rear end was a common rear end for hot rods. The only real legitimate question is the quality of the conversion as anyone with a welder and a socket wrench could do it, but that doesn’t mean they did it well. I’ve got a welder but I do NOT trust my skill to weld the rear end conversion parts (trailing arm saddles * track bar mount) for my 1961 Apache to 1984 C-10 rear axle swap.
Just like the aspiring opera singer asked the noted legend, “How do I get to sing in Carnagie Hall ?” The long time legend replied,,,,,,,,, “Practice, Practice PRACTICE !!!!!
This is a modern day version of a “hot rod”. Does anyone think dropping a small block Chevy in a ’32 Ford was any different? What this Dodge needs is appropriate wheels and tires.
I like the wheels but I agree with you, they could be MUCH better.
My 1980 Omni 024 would pull the steering wheel out of your hands under “hard” acceleration…..
that was “torque steer” caused by the FWD, this RWD would NOT have torque steer.
please bring back thumbs down, some responses are yelling for them !
Id like to see a V8 conversion in a Shelby Daytona or any or any Dodge/Shelby Chrysler for that matter. The body styles were a lot sexier than this example
I own this car, it is very impressive & very fast. Attracts a lot of attention at shows & has won best of show & most impressive.
You couldn’t build this for $7500! Just had headliner done & I also have new carpet for it. If I sell it, I sell it. I’m in no hurry but @ 77 it’s nothing but fun & shocks a lot of Camaro & Mustang folks.