Reducing the Beak?

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Tucking those bumpers is honestly 90% of the battle. It's clear Chrysler styling did their thing two or three years earlier and then had to contend with safety regulations after the fact.

Tucking bumpers, proper stance, and possibly a hood treatment like a scoop goes a LONG way towards cleaning up the front end. Ironically, raising the rear a bit helps a lot in getting the nose to look right
 
Meh, I'm not even going to "tuck" the bumpers in, I think it looks fine the way it is, even though I'd like to put the bumperettes back on which the previous owner removed.

I bought this car dirt cheap because the seller said "I didn't think anyone would want it"

This car gets more compliments and attention than the 69 GTS it was parked next to.

Sounds like the op should dump it and get something else before a perfectly good car is messed with and the vibe it has is ruined.

In this pic, the original slant was pulled for a re gasket and clean up. I also welded lower control arm gussets on the k frame.

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Princess Valiant said:
Meh, I'm not even going to "tuck" the bumpers in, I think it looks fine the way it is, even though I'd like to put the bumperettes back on which the previous owner removed.

I bought this car dirt cheap because the seller said "I didn't think anyone would want it"

This car gets more compliments and attention than the 69 GTS it was parked next to.

Sounds like the op should dump it and get something else before a perfectly good car is messed with and the vibe it has is ruined.

In this pic, the original slant was pulled for a re gasket and clean up. I also welded lower control arm gussets on the k frame.

View attachment 1716041363
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3 points.
1) you are a smart cookie. In thinking you alone must be happy with your car. Don't let other's Influence how you view your car.
I used to have a very nice 1972 Rally Challenger factory 340-727 8 8 3/4 rear. B5 blue, black vinly top and interior.
Black strobe stripes over the B5 with rally hood was sweet. But I always heard frown face or not a 70-71 car.
Those same guys today would proberly jump threw hoops to own it.
2) I painted my 73 Dart FM3 since paint was free as,was for a 1970 pronect that never happened. And my mom passed away from breast cancer. So did double duty. O one had to approve of the final car other than my wife and I.
Most said wow never thought the car as a whole would look good and recanted.
3) life is short if you hate it things time won't change it swap the front cap or get a car you do like. Before you know it you will have to much In it. And will look butchered as the beak matches the header
I have seen it happen with cars, boats, houses and people. Be happy with what you start with.
Ever meet a person who was with a girl or guy who was a disaster but they were going to fix said person?

NOTE) the 73 bumpers are already sucked in. They pushed them out in 74 and is an easy thing to just drill and rebolt.
 
340six said:
3 points.
1) you are a smart cookie. In thinking you alone must be happy with your car. Don't let other's Influence how you view your car.
I used to have a very nice 1972 Rally Challenger factory 340-727 8 8 3/4 rear. B5 blue, black vinly top and interior.
Black strobe stripes over the B5 with rally hood was sweet. But I always heard frown face or not a 70-71 car.
Those same guys today would proberly jump threw hoops to own it.
2) I painted my 73 Dart FM3 since paint was free as,was for a 1970 pronect that never happened. And my mom passed away from breast cancer. So did double duty. O one had to approve of the final car other than my wife and I.
Most said wow never thought the car as a whole would look good and recanted.
3) life is short if you hate it things time won't change it swap the front cap or get a car you do like. Before you know it you will have to much In it. And will look butchered as the beak matches the header
I have seen it happen with cars, boats, houses and people. Be happy with what you start with.
Ever meet a person who was with a girl or guy who was a disaster but they were going to fix said person?

NOTE) the 73 bumpers are already sucked in. They pushed them out in 74 and is an easy thing to just drill and rebolt.
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In my opinion when a 4 door is done up really nice, I see the really nice part before I see the 4 door. The same holds true with a beaker, if it's done up nice, that's what I see. :thumbsup:
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Last year I got into the shorty valiant more doors because they look like Russian ladas except bigger. Since I can't get a lada in middle for less than 15k for one in fair condition, I just went with what I have available and got a 68 valiant for less than 2k. Cheaper than a lada and more power because I put a 360 in it.

5E7C6099-6288-48CD-9AD1-5E4E5DB1C87C(1).jpeg
 
Going to keep my eye out for a 73 up Scamp hood, grill, etc… I by no means dislike the beak enough to sell the car. But it definitely needs a clean up.

Plan for now is scoop, wrap/paint the hood and grill satin black, tuck the bumpers and roll with it! By the time the 440 is in and I get some larger rear tires she should have a pretty nice stance. Just tossed some ESPO +1 spring in the back a month ago too.

Thanks for all the input. Good content as always from this site
 
73 hood black out does not cover whole hood and leaves lots of color.
Looks better than whole hood blacked out.
Has a pin stripe and extended to cowl. Note the hood was vinyl and cowl painted. The factory was under time constraints.
So looked funny part vinyl part paint and a 3rd shade on scoop.
So I used vinly on both the header-hood but also cowl to have all.3 areas match. Did take time to get heated to get in the vents but looks so much better than paint.
Looked better than the factory effort.
Also used correct seals on hood holes and real argent on scoop

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I would for the price of tape and paint try the factory black out. A can or 2 of SEM TRIM BLACK for back out and scoop is cheap enough.
Or get a quart at Amazon of same if ya have equipment to spray
Be all in at 50 buck's and a hour or 2 work.
Worse case sand it and have a wrap put on it if ya don't like the paint
 
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340six said:
73 hood black out does not cover whole hood and leaves lots of color.
Looks better than whole hood blacked out.
Has a pin stripe and extended to cowl. Note the hood was vinyl and cowl painted. The factory was under time constraints.
So looked funny part vinyl part paint and a 3rd shade on scoop.
So I used vinly on both the header-hood but also cowl to have all.3 areas match. Did take time to get heated to get in the vents but looks so much better than paint.
Looked better than the factory effort.
Also used correct seals on hood holes and real argent on scoop

View attachment 1716041688

View attachment 1716041689
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That changes the whole look. Takes the beak out of beaker!
 
Beakers used to be an ugly mess too me, but now they don't look so bad.
 
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