There is little doubt that muscle car sales suffered as the 1970s dawned. The specter of upcoming emission regulations and rising insurance premiums saw sales volumes drop. However, companies like Dodge still offered wonderful cars for those wishing to throw caution to the wind, and this 1970 Charger R/T is a perfect example of that thinking. It presents beautifully, but it is the Hemi under the hood that is the star of the show. It needs a new home, and the auction action it has generated is impressive for a car in this price bracket. It is worth a closer look if a Mopar classic sits at the top of your Wish List.
The seller purchased this Charger approximately a decade ago as a painted roller. Its previous owner performed its restoration, replacing the rear quarter panels with genuine Dodge steel. They coated its laser-straight panels with the car’s original Dark Green Metallic, adding the correct Black vinyl top and stripes. Almost every aspect of the car received significant TLC, and its presentation suggests it has been pampered while in the seller’s care. The paint shines beautifully, with the listing indicating that the underside is as impressive as the exterior. There are no rust issues to cause the new owner sleepless nights, and the vinyl is in as-new condition. The trim and glass are spotless, with this Charger featuring the iconic grille and concealed headlamps. The Rallye wheels are free from stains and marks, and there is little doubt this classic will command attention and respect wherever it goes.
This Charger’s interior reveals one of the few items that wasn’t refreshed during the restoration, but spotting it is almost impossible. The seller claims the Black seatcovers are original, and the lack of wear and physical damage suggests that the vehicle was treated respectfully from Day One. The remaining upholstered surfaces are equally impressive, while the faux timber and console show no evidence of wear or deterioration. The dash houses the factory radio, and enthusiasts will welcome a few desirable features. They receive a Rallye gauge cluster with a Tick-Tock-Tach while swapping cogs will be a joy using the pistol grip shifter.
Many enthusiasts agree that Chrysler’s 426ci Hemi is the best pushrod V8 to find its way under the hood of a production car. Generating 425hp and a staggering 490 ft/lbs of torque, it can transform even the mildest car into a firebreathing monster. This Charger’s original owner teamed the Hemi with a four-speed manual transmission, allowing the R/T to storm the ¼-mile in 13.6 seconds. Therefore, it is little wonder these cars command as much respect today as they did in 1970. It is worth noting that only fifty-six buyers in 1970 chose this drivetrain combination, making this a relatively rare beast. This Charger was a roller when purchased by the seller, but they donned their deer-stalker hat and played Sherlock Holmes to locate its numbers-matching four-speed. The original Hemi has so far eluded them, although they have reliable information that it still exists somewhere in Detroit. It will be like finding a needle in a haystack, but with Mopar owners having a well-developed network, I wouldn’t rule out locating the correct motor at some point. The existing Hemi is of 1973 vintage, which was professionally rebuilt to the correct specifications for this Charger. They utilized as many NOS or correct parts as possible during the process, creating a car that is a turnkey proposition.
The seller listed this 1970 Dodge Charger R/T here on eBay in Ray, Michigan. Cars of this caliber are rarely cheap, and the ten submitted bids have pushed the price to $90,100. That figure is below the reserve, but the BIN of $175,000 provides insight into the seller’s expectations. Will it get there? It is a lot of money, and it will require a well-heeled enthusiast to find that kind of cash. However, we’re talking about the classic world, and the only rule is that there are no rules. Therefore, I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home before the hammer falls. Do you agree?
WOW.
A MoPar gearheads unicorn-beautiful and unique in its own way.
GLWTA
Its Mopar perfection Nevada 🏁🙌
Its a beaute for sure.
Not sure 175 for NOM but i truly love the color and hatchet 🪓 handle shifter.
One of the nicer mopars seen lately fir sure.
Beautiful car , however, the gaudy “hemi ” logo on the hood , in my opinion distracts somewhat from the near perfect condition of the car. I’d remove it.
I have the 440 4bbl R/T in red with white vinyl top/interior unrestored orig from Volo and have it insured for $125K.
HEMI #s matching is a rarity and always commands a premium.
…just a “preemptive” comment, 2nd gen HEMI Chargers have always been expensive and will continue to appreciate.
It’s up to $140k plus at just past one in the afternoon with three days yet to go, so it looks like it will reach the BIN if this keeps up.
Coolest Shifters Ever Made!
” King of the Road “
Why does BF always say ” you’ve already said that previously” and I know damn well I haven’t. Every time, I’m getting sick of it. Why do they do that? I realize AI is a honcho these days. But sometimes a human touch is needed.
Hi MGM, we don’t use AI. We review comments ourselves, but we get an insane amount of new comments these days, so we do have to use some moderation tools to help us keep the comments safe and free of spam. The message you are getting is either the result of double clicking the “Post Comment” button when you try to submit your comment or your web browser is trying to submit it twice for some reason. Which web browser do you use?
Definitely not a barn find. Just another over priced trailer queen.
I was not aware that one could get a HEMI after 1971: “The existing Hemi is of 1973 vintage, which was professionally rebuilt ….”
I was thinking the exact same thing, and it’s why I raced down to the comments section to see if I was the only one wondering…
Correction, there were 3 440 -6 cars built by the factory in ’72. 2 are known to exist. Built before the option was cancelled. But no 426 Hemi cars were built as factory option after ’71.
GM and Ford offered versions of the performance engines over the counter for years after they were no longer installed in production cars. The Chevrolet LS-6, LS-7 and LT-1 were all available at dealers until at least the mid-1980’s. Over the counter performance engines helped feed the needs of racers, hot rodders, boaters and more, junk yards couldn’t fill that need.
Steve R
The engine you asked for by name. Sure, one could argue that there were others but none as revered as the King. Growing up in a GM family took some time for me to peer over the fence. I’ve learned much hanging around some of the other guys. This is stunning. Someone will want it enough to pay the tab.
Resembles the bad guys car that chased Steve McQueen in the iconic Bullitt movie.
Very nice Mopar. Hope you get your price.
If it’s true that the seat wear “suggests that the vehicle was treated respectfully from Day One” it would be one of the few Hemi Chargers that ever was. That said this is a great restoration of a nearly original vehicle which is pretty cool to see.
Wherever the replacement block came from for this motor, it may not be NOM. But if it was built by “Hemi Dave” Dudek, it was done right. That should help offset some of the value lost by the block not being original, IMHO.
A friend in high school had a 70 RT/SE hemi car but had a 383 in it by the time he got it had a four speed. Orange with white top and interior would have been pretty rare as it was SE and RT
OK guys. I have a friend who bought a 69 Dodge Charger R/T with the 440 six pac factory stock from our economics teacher in high school.
We were having fun in a close town and decided to have fun with the local cops.
My friend decided to try to out run them but failed when we hit the curb on my passenger side and flipped the car and us in it on to it’s top.
Not a wise decision on my friends part. Needless to say, we all went to jail in 1970.
Wouldn’t change a thing.
Grew up with 70 Challenger R/T with 383 Magnum. The dash gauges on this aren’t the R/T we had. Should be 4 large gauges (one is the clock). I don’t know Chargers like I do Challengers, but are you sure this is an R/T?
The VIN says it is. The eBay ad shows the VIN, then Google 1970 Charger VIN, it will break down the pertinent information, that works for all Chrysler products from that era.
Steve R