Vehicle Description
For collectors, authenticity matters, and if originality and
pedigree are important to you, this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Convertible deserves a closer look. With just 2-owners since new,
this lifelong Texas Mopar is about as original as you'll find,
although it's not some dusty old barn find. Born with a 383 Magnum
V8, it was upgraded to the 440 Magnum V8 that powers it now, and
features its original, numbers matching Torqueflight automatic
transmission, HEMI suspension/handling package, and Sure Grip rear
end. Beyond that impressive drivetrain, the B5 Bright Blue Metallic
that adorns this Challenger's original sheetmetal is a fan
favorite, further punctuated by the sporty white bucket seat
interior and power convertible top. R/T convertibles are rare
enough as it is but finding one with this kind of pedigree is the
stuff of legends.
High-impact colors are always the best on Mopar muscle, and this
one wears its correct B5 Bright Blue Metallic - professionally
resprayed to a high standard several years back and still holding
up very nicely today. Thanks to conscientious owners whom have
always cherished the car and treated it as something of value, the
paint and body looks as incredible in person as it does in our
pictures. Sure, there are a few minor signs of use and age and
recent touch-ups on the hood and tops of the rear quarters were
carefully performed to extend the life of the finish, but the
overall presentation is exactly what you want from a top,
driver-grade droptop. The sheetmetal is laser straight, the gaps
are factory-precise, and everything lines up just the way the
factory intended back in 1970. Chrysler got the look exactly right
with their A-body siblings and the Challenger ideally embodies the
long hood/short deck profile that just screams high performance. A
dual scoop hood with hood pins and lanyards add to the purposely
aggressive look up front, as do the lower chin spoilers, and the
big racing gas cap and dual exhaust exits in the rear valance are
deliciously muscle. Most Challengers in 1970 were like this, no
spoilers or blacked-out hoods, making it refreshing in its honesty,
although there are a set of red 'R/T' emblems inside the
blacked-out front grille, on the fenders, and atop the decklid that
let everyone know this isn't just some wheezing beach cruiser. As a
result, I'm afraid you're just not going to be able to keep a low
profile with this car, but we do love the omission of any gaudy
stripes or graphics anywhere on the body, allowing instead for that
gorgeous B5 Blue to do all the talking. The front and rear bumpers
are in great shape, as is all of the accessory brightwork
throughout the car, adding just the right amount of bling to really
make this droptop glisten.
The white bucket seat interior is the right choice with a classic
color like Bright Blue Metallic, giving it a purposeful,
period-perfect look that seems appropriate given the car's lofty
credentials. There's a black vinyl and woodgrained center console
surrounding the original automatic shifter, which is remarkably
easy to use as intended, and the woodgrained S-83 rim blow steering
wheel needs nothing more than a pair of string-back driving gloves
to complete the look. This Challenger came equipped with a Rallye
instrument cluster that includes a big speedometer is to the left,
followed by a tachometer, all-in-one, and clock, and all those
original instruments are inside big round pods that look very cool
inside the woodgrained dash. The original Chrysler Solid State
AM/FM/8-track radio is remarkably still in place, although it will
require an upgrade if tunes are what you're after, and following
the theme of the exterior there's almost nothing inside this car
that doesn't look incredibly well preserved. That includes the
plush black carpets and Challenger mats that line the floors, the
white-and-woodgrain door panels at the flanks, and the expansive,
crack-free dash that anchors the cabin and exemplifies this
droptop's amazing originality. Options include dual side mirrors,
power steering and power front disc brakes, seatbelts up front, and
a factory A/C that's all there, although will need a service before
it blows cold again. Even the trunk is shockingly original and very
clean, housing an original mat, spare tire, and jack set that
completes the look perfectly.
The car's original 383 Magnum V8 big block engine was swapped
several years back for the much stouter 440 Magnum V8 that lives
under the hood today. Topped with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor the
motor runs out great, with great power and a fat torque curve
that's felt up and down the numbers matching Torqueflight A727
3-speed automatic transmission. It's clean but not overly detailed
under the hood, keeping in line with the vibe of the rest of the
car, but still pulls off a performance look with Hemi Orange paint
on the block and a correct snorkeled air cleaner assembly up top
that was custom painted with blue ghost flames. Power steering and
power front disc brakes are great factory options, and a set of
headers feed a Super Turbo dual exhaust system with dual tips under
the rear bumper, one of the R/T's defining features. That
aforementioned Torqueflight spins a heavy-duty 8.75" SureGrip rear
end with 3.55 gears, there's a heavy-duty cooling system that keeps
temperatures at bay, and a HEMI suspension package punctuated with
recent front and rear shocks, front ball joints, and front and rear
sway bar bushings. This Challenger was built to be driven HARD. The
solid chassis features clean floors, detailed chassis components,
and the right factory stance atop a set of classic 14" Rallye
Magnum 500 wheels wearing F70-14 Goodyear Polyglass tires that
finish off the period-perfect look.
A beautifully restored/preserved muscle car legend, the kind you
may never have the chance to own again. If you love pedigreed
Mopars, this R/T droptop is a slam dunk. Call today!