Vehicle Description
Want some incredible, Hemi-powered MoPar muscle? Want it in a
package that doesn't require red ropes and a car bubble? Well, as
the old saying goes: "Car culture starts where the assembly line
stops". And now that more and more authentic, numbers-matching Hemi
cars are being confined to private collections, enthusiasts are
filling the void with creations like this killer Challenger
resto-mod. The beneficiary of a recent, professional restoration,
this award-winning drop-top wraps a 472 cubic inch Mopar
Performance Hemi in Viper Orange Pearl aesthetics that'll turn
heads and drop jaws wherever the car goes. If you've always dreamed
of owning a storied Hemi muscle car, but don't want the inherent
stress that comes with authenticity, here's the perfect
solution!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Claiming a First in Class at the Carlisle Mopar Nationals, this
vivid Dodge is the beneficiary of a high quality, ground-up
restoration that was completed by Rennecker's Collision and
Restoration of Barry, Illinois. The build began with a solid,
318-powered fuselage, which was thoroughly stripped, lovingly
sanded and massaged to a level that's much nicer than showroom
condition. With that body correctly aligned, and its intimidating,
slab-sided ambiance fully reconstructed, smooth Viper Orange
2-stage was doused with extra pearl and dressed in subtle black
trimmings. And today this razor-sharp E-Body sits as an
ultra-straight, fully detailed reminder of just how great Detroit
truly is!
Wearing lines that originated on Chrysler designer Carl Cameron's
famous Charger Turbine Concept, this classic cruiser makes a
distinctly MoPar styling statement from virtually every angle. At
the front of the car, a 1970-exclusive grille hangs a flashy
"Challenger R/T" script between HID headlights, halogen parking
lamps, a straight bumper and factory chin spoilers. Behind that
grille, a familiar shaker hood, complete with a black scoop, "426
HEMI" badges and a small fratzog emblem, founds smoked glass
beneath power Haartz Stayfast cloth. At the sides of that hood,
prominent fenders hang flush door handles and chrome-trimmed marker
lamps below body-matched sport mirrors and a stylish 'pit stop'
fuel filler. And at the back of those fenders, a stainless-trimmed
valance props a simple spoiler on body-width, "DODGE" branded
taillights, a second straight bumper and correct, quad-outlet
exhaust tips.
ENGINE
When building a resto-mod, it's both tempting and easy to find a
wrecked LX or LY car, jerk its modern, Gen III Hemi and call your
project done. While that's a smart and reliable way to enjoy any
classic, it kind of kills the authentic experience of owning a
true, old school pavement pounder. Under the hood of this hot
drop-top, you'll find a killer Mopar Performance Hemi that, thanks
to porting, polishing, balancing, blueprinting and a massive 472
cubic inch displacement, makes a whopping 550 horsepower! At the
top of the monster motor, proven Edelbrock 625s sip Sinclair
through fresh stainless fuel lines. At the base of those carbs, a
Hemi Orange intake props a familiar points distributor between
black "Mopar HEMI" valve covers and Pentastar-branded breathers. At
the sides of that intake, fire travels via eight Mopar 8mm plug
wires, which snake around ceramic-coated TTI headers. Those headers
are fed by a high quality Comp cam. That cam is spun, along with a
polished high output alternator, by machined March pulleys. All
that spinning is cooled by a beefy Wizard radiator, which fronts
four quick-spinning puller fans. And, like the motor itself, the
car's smooth, orange engine bay is highly detailed and
exceptionally impressive, from its "472 HEMI" branded master
cylinder all the way to its Chrysler-branded washer reservoir.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
In 1970, if you were a true car guy, the only transmission you
wanted in your Challenger was a factory-issued 4-speed. And the
tough Tremec 5-speed beneath this cool convertible's floors is
figuratively and literally an extension of that clutch slammin',
gear grindin' good time! Naturally, that high performance
drivetrain feeds a proven 8.75-inch rear end, which spins a Sure
Grip differential around big, 3.91 gears. Those gears push a fully
rebuilt suspension that now benefits from tubular control arms,
welded subframe connectors, small lowering blocks and beefy sway
bars. Turns come courtesy of modern power steering, and four discs
and hydroboosted calipers provide the stops. As with the body of
the car, 'clean' is the name of the game where solid floors are
nice enough to be shown, but, thanks to thick undercoating, not so
vulnerable as to be a point of stress if Mother Nature decides to
rain on your 1-car parade. At the center of those floors, a
large-diameter, true-dual exhaust system swirls spent gases in to
an X-shaped crossover and polished Magnaflow mufflers. And at the
corners of those floors, Satin Black American Racing wheels twist
fresh 225/45ZR17 Nitto Invo redlines in front of 275/40ZR18 Nitto
Invo redlines.
INTERIOR
Grab a seat in this great looking Challenger and you'll find a
familiar black interior that's detailed with tasteful wood accents
and bright stainless trim. The first thing you'll notice is the
car's firm bucket seats, which feature comfortable pleats on top of
straight frames and fresh foam. The second thing you'll notice is
fade-free carpet, which rides between thick Dynamat insulation and
stainless-trimmed foot pedals. And the third thing you'll notice is
a custom console, which centers a TKO Pistol Grip shifter between
small power window switches, LED-lit Mercury Milan cupholders and a
7-inch JVC stereo and DVD player that's Bluetooth-capable and
MP3-compatible. At the sides of the car, vinyl-wrapped panels hang
custom aluminum trim plates above traditional door hardware. At the
front of the car, a vinyl-wrapped dash frames clean Chrysler Rallye
Gauges. At the back of the car, a fully restored trunk features
deep-seated storage space. And in front of the driver, a classy
Flaming River steering wheel laps a tilting Flaming River
column.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
A book of restoration photos
A copy of the car's feature in the August, 2014 edition of Mopar
Action Magazine
Fully sorted and ready to cruise, this impressive Challenger is a
refreshing take on the traditional Hemi premise. With legendary
power, a classic driving experience and killer looks, it's the kind
of car that'll have you thanking yourself with every walk to the
garage. Are your ready to experience one of the hottest muscle cars
on the planet? Your MoPar is waiting!
SUMMARY
Ground-up restoration completed in 2012
472 cubic inch Mopar Performance Hemi / 550 horsepower
Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
Custom Viper Orange Pearl paint / Power Haartz Stayfast top
Featured in Mopar Action Magazine / Winner of First in Class at the
Carlisle Mopar Nationals
Our sale includes restoration photos and a copy of the car's
magazine feature
17 and 18-inch American Racing wheels
Customized interior / Modern audio
Modified suspension / Power steering / Power disc brakes
Chrysler 8.75-inch rear axle / Sure Grip differential / 3.91
gears