Available only in 1970, the “SE” Special Edition package was an option group offered by Dodge equipping the powerful and sporty Challenger with luxury accouterments such as a special interior trim, an overhead console, a unique rear window, and unique badging and trim. A spiffed-up Challenger to make the experience of owning a muscle car a little more palatable. You can find this SE here on craigslist.
The seller states that this is one of four hundred made, and I’m skeptical of that. I found this that seems to say that there were over three thousand SE-optioned Challengers made. Maybe the seller is right and that only four hundred were optioned in that specific paint code and powertrain configuration? Either way, it’s a rare car. Exactly how rare is up for some debate, but it is rare. It looks like a genuine SE, too, based on the size of the rear window. It needs some work, and that is best noticed in the interior. Much of what made the SE the SE is the interior trim, and that’s all gone. The good part is that you have a decent base to build off of; there is a dashboard, and the seats are present. Both will need to be at least reupholstered, but they are there.
The engine and transmission are missing, but the seller includes a factory 1970 383 V-8 with the sale, although they mention it will need a rebuild. They include a box of a bunch of bits that go with the car in addition to the engine, but it sounds like you’ll need to source your own transmission. If you’d like to go stock, that would be the four-speed manual optioned from the factory. The standard transmission for the 1970 Challenger was a three-speed manual, with either a four-speed manual or a TorqueFlite automatic optional. This one had the extra gear.
Under the car is not looking perfect. There is some rust, and some holes that will need to be patched up. It’s a project car, not yet a show car, but it has potential. Especially if you repaint it in that wild green, you’re bound to turn some heads. Or, if you want, you could take a page from Archer and make the best spy car this side of Aston Martin. Thanks, Dodge!
“50 Shades Of Green”
It’s located in Hibbing, MN. Bob Dylan grew up there. Also home of a giant iron mine.
Looks like this car has a head start on getting back to those iron roots…
They should push this off the cliff right into that giant iron mine. lol
One word comes to my mind “Pass”
I’ll believe the 1-of-400ish claim on a 4-speed R/T-SE. I’ve also seen much worse cars restored; around here that’s considered perfectly (if not easily) restorable. He may get close to asking on this.
What I don’t get is the “date correct block” nonsense people always yammer on about. It adds zero value. It’s not the numbers block, period. “Almost” doesn’t count except in horseshoes and hand grenades, so why bother?
They do it because more than a few people will pay extra for it versus a 383 with a different production date. I don’t get it either, when the original engine is gone, it frees the next owner to pursue guilt free modifications.
Steve R
Located in Hibbing, MN