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Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 19:56
by danielptoro
Hi all. Sorry I'm writing in English in this forum.

I own a 1973 Challenger that is believed to be originally exported to be sold in Belgium.
I've been trying to trace and find previous owners with no luck unfortunately.

So I've decided to shout for help here. Very unlikely to find any info but who knows?

Car was probably sold new in 73 and has been imported to the UK in 1979.
I don't have any info about Belgium (if it was really in belgium and surround area) license place.

Originally a GY9 - Dark Gold Metallic. Vin number is JH23G3B386830 and it's unique characteristic is that is has a factory sunroof so not many around with this feature in 73.

If anyone can help me or point to the right direction it will be very much appreciated.

Kind regards.
DT

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 21:54
by BigBlockMopar
Hi Daniel, welcome here.
The forum isn't that busy anymore but there's still a good chance someone will chime in here perhaps.

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 23 Nov 2021, 10:03
by Dickdale
Hi Daniel, maybe you can post some pictures. Or try the Dutch Mopar Owners group on Facebook.

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 24 Nov 2021, 12:48
by danielptoro
Sure, here's a picture of how it looks like today.
Very different from when it was born. :D


Yes, I know forums are dying unfortunately but...

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 24 Nov 2021, 20:38
by SuperFlyTNT
Welcome!

Does the car still have the fender tag? If so, does the Vehicle Order Number (last 6-digit code on second line from the bottom) start with an E? And does it have M52 on the tag as well for the sunroof?

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 24 Nov 2021, 21:00
by TheDeputy
Welcome, and nice car.

It looks like the car was build at Hamtramck but you probably already know that. I don't think a sunroof was still an option in 73.
Most of the cars that were originally sold in Belgium were slant six cars because taxes were paid for the size of the engine.

I used to own a slant six 71 barracuda that was originally sold new in Belgium which also had a sunroof. It looked factory installed but the vinyl top (mandatory with a sunroof because of the cutting in the sheetmetal) had a different grain than the rest of the top. Therefore I doubt It was factor.

What makes you believe your challenger was sold new in Belgium and has a factory sunroof?

Antoon

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 24 Nov 2021, 22:22
by SuperFlyTNT
Actually, sunroofs were not an option for E-bodies after 1972. And all of the export cars I have had/seen here that were sold new in NL / B with a sunroof did not have the M52 on the build sheet, fender tag (post-72) or the VON starting with G. The latter would also be difficult, as VONs on export cars always start with E.

Cars that were ordered with a sunroof in the US had the G-VON assigned, so the assembly plant knew which cars had to be sent to the supplier licensed to do the sunroof conversion (this was not done in-house).

Most likely the cars that were ordered for export from
a EU country and actually shipped overseas had the sunroof conversion done at a licensed supplier in the destination country, at request of the dealership in the EU country that took the initial order. And most likely no record of this exists anymore...

Re: Hi from the UK - Looking for an former Belgium Challenger?

Posted: 12 Jan 2022, 05:42
by blade
Last active:Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:48 pm

He must have forgotten that he posted a question here.