The designation ‘Challenger’ was programmatic: the 1970 Dodge Challenger challenged the Mercury Cougar, the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. The first-generation Challenger was an ambitious and heavy-hitting muscle-car… at first.
The R/T version (R/T: Road & Track) Special Edition with vinyl roof shown in this photo was powered by a 6.4 liter V8 with 290 hp as standard; the most powerful, optionally available engine for the R/T Special Edition was the seven-liter Hemi V8 with 425 hp.
This engine powered not only the Challenger but also the Super Bee, the Coronet R/T and the Charger R/T – and was optionally available in each case. Through its leading role in the movie ‘Vanishing Point’, the Challenger R/T, of which just under 20,000 units were built, became a cult car.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Gallery
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In Detail
| tags | muscle |
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| built at | USA |
| engine | Hemi V8 |
| displacement | 6981 cc / 426.0 in³ |
| compression | 10.25:1 |
| power | 316.9 kw / 425.0 bhp @ 5000 rpm |
| specific output | 60.88 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 246.52 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 555.89 nm / 410.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| body / frame | Unit Steel |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWd |
| front tires | E60x15 |
| rear tires | E60x15 |
| front brakes | Vented Discs |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in |
| curb weight | 1724 kg / 3801 lbs |
| length | 4864 mm / 191.5 in |
| width | 1943 mm / 76.5 in |
| height | 1295 mm / 51.0 in |
| transmission | Pistol Grip 4-Speed Manual |
| final drive | 3.54:1 |
| top speed | ~235.0 kph / 146.0 mph |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~14.1 seconds |
Auction Sales History
Auction Source: The Daytime Auction in Monterey by Mecum
Auction Source: 2013 Arizona Auction by RM
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE 2-Door Hardtop 440/375 HP, Automatic – sold for $42,500
A rare and limited production, 1 of 875. This Challenger is #1 of 42 in VIN sequence of all accounted for at the Los Angeles, California plant and built to specs for the USA as decoded by Galen Govier. Complete frame-on restoration. 727 Torqurflite automaic transmission. Magnum 440/375 HP. barrel U-code engine. VIN matches engine block. Posi rear end #2881489. Leather bucket seats. Power steering and brakes. Over head console. Rare Sublime Hi-impact, Professionally painted and in show driver quality. Factory rare space saver spare tire with air bottle and jack
Auction Source: 2010 Mecum at Monterey
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 383 Convertible – sold for $42,500
This is a real R/T convertible car, not a replica. One of only 249 4-speed, big block 1970 Challenger convertibles. Drivetrain is original matching numbers, 383 CI Magnum. Comes with complete documentation including; original broadcast sheet, copies of all titles to present. Desirable EV2 Hemi Orange High Impact color with White interior and top is correct for this car. North Carolina, one owner car for the first 20 years. Retains all its original panels except for an NOS rear valence. There were less than 1,000 R/T convertibles built. With the Hurst 4-speed option costing buyers $220 more than the automatic, only about one quarter of buyers selected this option. This makes the pistol grip shifter a rare sight in these convertibles. OE factory rear sway bar added in 1997, was a factory option and really improves handling in turns. Car came with power disc front brakes and Trac Pac 3.55 rear end
Auction Source: 2010 Mecum Kissimmee, FL Auction
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 2-Door Hardtop 440 CI Six-Pack – did not sell for $80,000
late comer to the musclecar arena, the 1970 Dodge Challenger took full advantage of Chrysler’s performance parts bin with iterations such as this. A Mopar purist’s dream machine, this matching-numbers beast is stuffed with the famous V-code 440 Six Pack engine, augmented with a Torqueflite automatic and a street-strip 4.10 Dana rear with the optional A32 Super Performance axle package.
The quality of the Concours-quality restoration is obvious in the Dark Blue Metallic finish and Black bucket seat interior that includes woodgrain trimmed console and Rallye instrument package; a look at the engine room and below decks reveals the same high standard of finish. Stripe delete and steel wheels, Shaker hood and a rear spoiler all contribute to the hammer-down image of this rare and as-original 440 R/T.
Auction Source: 2010 Mecum Kissimmee, FL Auction
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six-Pack – sold for $74,250
This 1970 Challenger is a prime example of one of the quickest and most desirable muscle cars ever produced, with a complete rotisserie restoration completed in 2006. According to noted Chrysler expert Galen Govier, this Challenger is very rare as one of only 1,640 R/T two-door hardtops produced in 1970 that were equipped with the 440 cubic inch, “Six Pack” V8 engine. It is even rarer with its four-speed manual transmission, Hurst “Pistol Grip” shifter and factory options including the Super Track Pak and Dana 60 rear end with 4.10:1 gears, as well as Rallye gauges, power brakes, bucket seats, a tachometer and a Music Master AM radio. Owned by the former President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler, James Holden, the Challenger also comes complete with a copy of its original broadcast sheet and window sticker, as well as an option-decoding sheet, courtesy of Galen Govier.
Auction Source: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey
Keyword: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T