Photo: RK Motors Charlotte
As the Swinging Sixties came to a close, Dodge treated the muscle car scene to the first generation of the Challenger. Introduced in the fall of ’69 for the 1970 model year, the newcomer shared the E-body platform with the Barracuda but the wheelbase was extended by two inches to justify the Challenger’s place in the Mopar Pantheon.
This fellow here is a 1970 with the 440 RB V8 and a lot of attention to detail inside and out. From 7.2 liters of displacement, the cast-iron block engine with iron heads used to develop 375 horsepower (380 PS) and 480 pound-feet (651 Nm) of torque with a four-barrel carb. The Six Pack was a little more potent, but this particular example of the breed features Flowmaster exhaust mufflers, aluminum heads, and induction from Edelbrock.
The rotisserie-restored Plum Crazy muscle car further features a Dana 60 rear axle, power steering and front disc brakes, air conditioning, as well as a lowered suspension. The suck-squeeze-bang-blow goes to the 15-inch Rallye wheels through a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the A727 that remains wildly popular among drag racers.
Offered at auction by RK Motors Charlotte with an estimated hammer price of $75,000 to $80,000, the 1970 model currently sits at $38,500 with one day to go. Considering that we’re dealing with a frame-off restomod that includes better cooling and a white top in addition to the factory performance hood, the estimate is just about bang on.
The 426 HEMI with 7.0 liters of displacement is the engine that gets the bigger bucks at auction but the 440 RB isn’t a bad choice at all. More of a cruise rather than a no-nonsense strip slayer, this Challenger certainly grabs one’s attention by the scruff of the neck.
Even the vinyl seats are white to maximize the visual drama, complementing the wood garnish on the center console and the all-black dashboard featuring a two-spoke steering wheel. Last, but certainly not least, a Sony stereo replaces the stock audio system with AM, FM, and dual connectivity for Bluetooth media streaming and hands-free phone calls.
The rotisserie-restored Plum Crazy muscle car further features a Dana 60 rear axle, power steering and front disc brakes, air conditioning, as well as a lowered suspension. The suck-squeeze-bang-blow goes to the 15-inch Rallye wheels through a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the A727 that remains wildly popular among drag racers.
Offered at auction by RK Motors Charlotte with an estimated hammer price of $75,000 to $80,000, the 1970 model currently sits at $38,500 with one day to go. Considering that we’re dealing with a frame-off restomod that includes better cooling and a white top in addition to the factory performance hood, the estimate is just about bang on.
The 426 HEMI with 7.0 liters of displacement is the engine that gets the bigger bucks at auction but the 440 RB isn’t a bad choice at all. More of a cruise rather than a no-nonsense strip slayer, this Challenger certainly grabs one’s attention by the scruff of the neck.
Even the vinyl seats are white to maximize the visual drama, complementing the wood garnish on the center console and the all-black dashboard featuring a two-spoke steering wheel. Last, but certainly not least, a Sony stereo replaces the stock audio system with AM, FM, and dual connectivity for Bluetooth media streaming and hands-free phone calls.
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