Is it possible to convert a 1973 Challenger into a Cuda?
 

Hey guys, I know this is a Cuda specific forum, but I figured you guys would be the ones to know. I am looking at trading my jeep for a '73 Challenger. Well I am a huge fan of Cuda's. But unfortunately I wont be able to afford one for a really long time! So I thought maybe if I got a challenger I could save myself some money and just put a cuda grill and rear clip on the challenger. And if I did it I would like to convert it to a '70 or '71 Cuda. Is it possible? Are they the same car? If it is possible how much reconstruction would have to be done?

You'd spend more money changing the Challenger into a Cuda than you would buying a Cuda. Not only would you have to change the rear qtrs and tail panel along with the front clip and doors, but if I'm not mistaken, the Challenger is actually a few inches longer than the Cuda, so you'd have to cut the car in half and take a few inches out of the floor and roof in order to make it fit.

The Challenger can still be a very nice car. If you just don't like the front of the '73, you'd be better off trying to find a '70-'71 front end and changing the entire looks of the car like that.

When Mopar built the two models, the Challenger was built more for road racing and the Cuda for Drag racing, and that was the reason for the extra length, better handling on the road courses

there isnt much of a difference in price between cudas and challengers

yeah after a long time studying last night I found out that there would have to be alot of work done to convert it to a cuda. Really the only thing I dislike about the 73 is the grill. But I do however like the 70 challenger grill. How much work would it take to swap those out?

I think to swap out the grille, you have to change the fenders as well as the lower valence. Basically the whole front clip other than the hood. The good news is that almost everything you want to swap out will bolt right on with no problems, the bad news is it's gonna cost money to do it. Good news is that you can probably sell your old parts to help cover the cost of the replacements. All the parts you need are made new, some are more expensive than other sources, but you can even find them on e-bay.

Not too bad , just swap the fenders , the front valance is good , no new 70 grilles available but they are alum so they are not to hard to find , you will want the 70 bumper brackets also to move the bumper flush