Vehicle Description
Dodge entered the pony car wars with the 1970 Dodge Challenger, and
the slogan, "Most potent pony car ever". Many people also think
it's the best looking one. Those factors, plus low production
numbers and low survivability of these cars through the years, make
these, first of the breed models, very collectible cars. Let's take
a look at this first-class example.
The choice of purple paint on this car is bold and really shines. A
Challenger R/T grill looks ready to swallow up, rather than pass,
whatever it catches up with. The hood scoop announcing the 440
Magnum engine underneath, with hood pins to keep it securely
closed, add a bit to the intimidation factor too. From the side you
get the full effect of the sweet looking double white stripes
ending in "RT" on the rear fenders, and notice the aggressive
stance of the car. Body lines sweep up to the high trunk which is
topped by a spoiler, and define the look of the car quite nicely.
Rear lights are framed by bright trim and there are chrome exhaust
tips exiting cutouts in the lower valence. Set all those good looks
on Foose wheels, then add Challenger R/T badging on the trunk and
front fenders to finish off the look of the car quite nicely.
The interior of this car has a super clean look to it with white
upholstery and door panels, contrasting with black carpets, dash,
and headliner. A touch of woodgrain in the door panels and on the
console, add a nice touch too. Have a seat and grab the beefy three
spoke steering wheel, then look through that wheel to check out the
dash upgraded with white faced Auto Meter gauges. A Kenwood head
unit drives the iPod compatible stereo CD player, pumping great
sound out through JL Audio subwoofers in the trunk, along with the
speakers in the cabin. As a mid-sized pony car, there is reasonable
room in the back seat for your friends to join you on cruise nights
or even on a road trip. But pack light, because some of that
back-seat room was a borrowed from trunk space.
Now let's consider the claim of "most potent pony car ever" made in
1970. It was valid then, and it still is with the period correct
modifications in this build. The Magnum 440 engines were well made
and tough from the beginning. The bottom end of this motor uses the
stock, forged, crankshaft, and adds forged high compression
pistons. Free flowing Edelbrock cylinder heads and intake manifold,
are fed by a Holly 850 double pumper carb, and send the spent
gasses out through TTI headers. Back those mods up with an MSD
ignition system, and it all adds up to approximately 500+ HP! Then
a three-speed automatic trans with a slapstick shifter handles the
power transfer duties nicely. But it's not only about the power
with this car. The Dodge chassis engineers left their mark too. A
complete Hemi suspension system front to rear with a Firm Feel
stage 2 power steering upgrade, and front disc brakes really make
this car handle well.
Come on down and check out this first-class example of a first year
Challenger. It's a sweet one, and could be yours.
