Dodge had high hopes for its Challenger “pony car” when it hit the scene in 1970. But the car was late to the party which had started five years before. 77,000 Challengers were built in 1970 of which just 2,500 were V8 convertibles. Even fewer were R/T drop-tops with 440 V8s (only 163) which this ordinary Challenger now emulates. Located in Rockville, Maryland, this tribute is available here on Hemmings where the current bid is $40,000, reserve unmet so far (of course). We’re grateful for these tips brought to us by PRA4SNW.
According to the VIN and the seller, a dealer, this Dodge was built with a 318 cubic inch V8 back in the day. But that was 55 years ago and – through a restoration – it has gained a 450 hp, 440 V8 (tricked out some), a rear spoiler, and R/T badging. It looks like no effort was spared in trying to make this into a 1-of- 164 vehicle. The odometer reads 63,000 miles but maybe a couple of thousand have been added since the car’s extreme makeover.
The Dodge wears Sublime Green paint, one of Chrysler’s Hi-Impact colors of that era. We assume that’s the original color of this car which should be determined by the cowl tag. To get the extra 75 horses, long-tube headers and a custom exhaust were added to the mix. A 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission is in place and has been rebuilt, too. Everything looks stout about this Challenger, including the black vinyl interior and top (which we’re told is a little wrinkled in the down position.
Creature comforts seem to abound, including the addition of air conditioning as if it had been there since Day 1. An aftermarket stereo has replaced what was probably an AM radio in 1970. This rod rides on BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires paired with Rallye wheels. Some receipts will go with the sale and the seller has provided a video for your review. If this were a real deal of 440 R/T, it would likely fetch six figures. How far do you think the market will go for a clone?
What A gorgeous car ! …. Wish it was in my driveway !
I’ve never been a fan of the later Mopar muscle cars, but this car could just about change my mind, and it’s a clone..and it’s beautiful! I can see it now at the local car show and some snob sees it and says, “that car is a fake”. “So what? What have you got, Buddy?”
Some of those cars are So Rare that a clone is the only non-millionaire way to go. Bravo!
My Moms 70 Challenger R/T convertible was one of those 2500 built. Candy apple red, white interior, white top…..383 magnum, slapstick auto……I would sell my soul to have that car back…..why oh why did we sell that gem!?
It probably rusted out, like so many of these unfortunately did.
My ’73 that I bought in ’78 was pretty rusty by that time.
When I was in high school, in the mid 1970’s, most of these cars were at the bottom of the depreciation curve, mostly due to rust. Back then, a lot of these wore grey primer all over and were often bought for $100, on the “If it runs, it’s worth $100!” Rule. Now, that $100 has ballooned to $1000, thanks to inflation, but the idea is the same. Beater wheels bought by high school kids from a part time job that they could use to go to the local movie palace on a Friday or Saturday night with their girlfriend!
Now, even beater examples are rare enough to sell for crazy, stupid money, because restored examples by top restoration shops command six-figure price tags, as rich dudes, somewhere between retired and deceased, finally buy the car they lusted after in high school before they die!
Bought a 70 in 79 paid 700 for it, 340 was still solid, but the rust was crazy, the trunk was the worst, sold it 6mo later for 750, lol
No, actually we restored it from the rust. Yeah Unibody always meant there could be a reoccurrence of the rust, but she was a beautiful car for sure. Mom sold it in a Classic Car Auction outside Athens, GA in 1984. I wish I had the VIN somehow to find out if it’s still out there
Don, keep an eye out for it, it is bound to show up some day. Having been restored at one time, there is a good chance that it is still around.