Vehicle Description
This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/TSE is freshly restored to Concours
standard of attention to detail and master level of craftsmanship.
Restored by the owner under the advisement of noted Chrysler
Authority and Concours Judge, Dave Wise, this car was completed in
2017. The original Fender Tags and Original Broadcast sheet where
used to ensure the vehicle was returned to "as factory equipped"
condition. This car is loaded with original factory equipment,
requiring two fender tags to hold all the option codes, and
according to the broadcast sheet, ordered as a Public Relations
car. Public Relations cars showed off new models, equipped to
promote popular options.
This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE Public Relations is the perfect
example of Mopar's no compromise approach to the Muscle Car Wars,
blending sporting luxury, bold styling, and big power. The owner
invested more than $100,000 into the car with a mission to create
artwork for Concours show, rather than restoring a driver. Having
won Gold in the invitation only Pentastar class at Mopar
mini-Nationals, its car show debut, I'd say his mission was
accomplished.
*Rare 1970 Dodge Challenger R/TSE 440 U code
*Loaded with factory options, 2 Fender Tag car
*Fresh Concours Restoration completed in 2017
*Documented by Broadcast Sheet
*Concours GOLD winner, Invitational Pentastar Class, Mopar
mini-Nationals Garland, Texas
This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/TSE is loaded with these original
options:
-Power steering
-Power front disc brakes
-Air conditioning
-Cruise Control
-Rear defrost
-6-way seat
-Black leather interior
-3.55 performance axle package
-Purple exterior
-White vinyl top
-26 inch radiator 956
-Rallye Gauges
-Floor console
-SE Package which features overhead console
EXTERIOR
The body was taken down to bare metal, the entire process photo
documented from initial tear down to final assembly. Some sheet
metal patching was required (as is typical with Mopar products),
including quarters. The work was completed to an undetectable
standard. All the glass on the car is original, aside from the new
date coded front windshield from ECS Glass. All the stainless trim,
and even the added rear wing are original OEM pieces. The car is
painted in the correct, original hue of FC7 Plum Crazy Purple.
Overall fit, finish, and panel gaps are superior to the original
factory specifications. The car never looked this good brand
new.
INTERIOR
The interior was also taken down to the bare shell, once painted,
DynaMat was installed under the factory style carpeting to maximize
sound insulation. The original dash as re-manufactured to exact OEM
specs by one of the best in the business. Seat frames were sanded
down and refinished in POR15 before receiving new foams and premium
OE quality Black Leather upholstery. Those, along with highest
grade new door and interior panels were sourced from Legendary.
Virtually all the wiring is brand new, form Year One and Classic
Industries. The overhead Consolette is a restored orginal. The rear
SE finish panels are NOS, neither is reproduced and cost dearly to
purchase is this condition. The Rallye gauges restored by
Performance Car Graphics. The original 8 Track Player and Cruise
Control units were restored. The same is true for the gauges,
lighting package, and factory Air conditioning. Even the rear
defrost blower (which was with car before restoration) was tested
before installation. The interior looks, feels, and operates as you
imagine it would in 1970.
ENGINE BAY
The engine bay was restored in keeping the OEM stock appearance.
All parts original to the car were retained and restored where
practicable, date code correct originals were sourced when that was
not possible. All the items typically lacking in a driver quality
restoration are present and accounted for, exhaust manifolds,
master cylinder, power booster, ac/heater blower motor, radiator is
the correct 26 inch 956 unit, fan, etc.
The engine build began with a 1970 Date Coded 440 HP2 block. It is
not VIN matched to the vehicle, but is correct for the car. The
internals to the 440 U code HP2 engine were rebuilt by Kim Barr
racing in Garland, Texas, incorporating stock heads/ valves and
valvetrain, factory rods, and steel crank. The rotating assembly
was fully balanced. The block was bored .030 over, and treated to a
roller cam with a grind similar to the factory flat tappet unit.
Once is was run in on a dyno, the report shows max of 513 ft lbs of
torque and 419 hp. A hidden electronic ignition was substituted for
the original points system, for a better and more reliable engine
performance. The engine was painted in urethane in the factory
correct Street Hemi Orange. The owner even recreated the factory
over-spray on the exhaust manifolds to. All fasteners were sourced
from RT Specialties and Partsmix. Completing the OEM look, the car
has new original style belts and hoses bearing the correct date
codes.
CHASSIS
The commitment to restoring to stock appearing continues in the
undercarriage. The correct hue of gray epoxy primer was used to
finish the floor pans, perfect for appreciating the factory seems
and welds on the underbody. Body color overspray is fogged in on
either side, resulting in the factory overspray patterns seen on
unrestored, original cars. All of the suspension components have
been refinished, each in their correct finishes. The 3.55 rear posi
was completely rebuilt. Plano Transmission in Plano, Texas rebuilt
the transmission. The correct size/ type reproduction Polyglass
tires, based on the build sheet, were selected and installed on
factory correct rims.
If you are looking for something unique that stands apart from the
Spartan, no option E-bodies that you see year after year at the
Nationals, then its time show them up and show up in style.
Decoding of Fender Tag: Bottom to Top, Left to Right
Code Description
E86 440-4 Barrel High Performance
D32 H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
JS29 J = Dodge Challenger
S = Special
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
U0B U = 440 375HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
0 = 1970
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
223957 Sequence Number '223957'
FC7 Paint Code: Plum Crazy Purple / In-Violet Irid
HRX9 Trim Grade/Style/Color
H = High
R = Vinyl and Leather Bucket Seats
X9 = Black
000 Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
105 Date Built: 1 / 05 / 1970
024064 Order Number: 024064
V1W Roof Type OR Color: Full Vinyl Top - White
A01 Light Package
A36 3.55:1 High Performance Axle Package
A62 Rallye Instrument Cluster
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C16 Console w/ Buckets
C26 Over Head Roof Consolette
C55 Bucket Seats
C62 Left Hand 6-Way Manual Adjustable Bucket
G31 Right Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
G33 Left Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
H51 Single Air /w Heater
J54 Sport Hood 70-1
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31 Belt Molding 69-70
N41 Dual Exhaust w/o Tips
N42 Chrome Dual Exhaust Tips
N85 Tachometer
N88 Auto Speed Control
R22 AM w/ 8-Track
V6W White Longitude Sports Stripe
Y05 Built to U.S. Specifications
CTD Continued on 2nd Tag