Introduced for the 1970 model year and discontinued in 1974, the first-generation Dodge Challenger was rather short-lived. In fact, it spent only two years on the real muscle car market because Chrysler discontinued its high-compression big-block V8 engines in 1971. Yet the Challenger is now a legendary classic.
Even though it was late to the muscle car party, the E-body made a name for itself as one of the golden era’s greatest rigs. How so? Well, the Challenger had pretty much everything. It featured a sporty design, could be ordered as a bare-bones muscle car or a more fancier rig, and was available in a range of attention-grabbing hues via the High Impact color palette.
More importantly, it was sold with Chrysler’s greatest V8 engines in 1970 and 1971. I’m obviously talking about the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB and the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI. The latter came with 375 or 390 horsepower, depending on the carburetor setup, while the HEMI delivered a whopping 425 horses. When fitted with the latter, the Challenger R/T was among the quickest muscle cars of the early 1970s.
Come 2024, quite a few 1970 and 1971 Challengers are still on the road. Naturally, many of them are highly desirable 440 and HEMI R/T models. These are also the most expensive, so it makes sense for enthusiasts to prioritize these rigs. However, you’ll also see units with lesser V8 mills at cl assic car shows.
But while 440 and HEMI cars tend to be restored to factory specs, some of the other Challengers get the custom job treatment. It makes a lot of sense since there’s no tremendous value to preserve. Some of these light restomods are just as cool as their all-original counterparts. The 1970 Challenger R/T, for instance, is an alternative take on Mopar’s High Impact color palette.
Far from wild on the modifications front, this Challenger rides on larger wheels wrapped in fatter tires. That’s the only notable upgrade apart from the color. But the latter is quite spectacular. A bright shade of green unlike any hue offered by Dodge in 1970, this color is just as attention-grabbing as the popular options from the High Impact palette.
The bright Candy Apple Green also adorns the air cleaner, which includes a drawing of The Grinch, the main character of Dr. Seuss’s 1957 book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! But while this Challenger may not steal Christmas, it could definitely steal the show at any classic car event.
A quick look at the fender tag reveals this Mopar is a true-blue R/T car. It left the factory with a 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block V8, which appears to have remained under the hood with aftermarket upgrades. If the original gearbox is still under the shell, this R/T should have a three-speed auto.
As for the original colors, this Challenger left the assembly line in EF8 Dark Green Metallic. But the more interesting part about it is that the fender tag says it also had a green vinyl roof. That’s a rare color combo for a 1970 Challenger. Perhaps the owner should have opted for a factory-correct restoration.