Photo: Mecum Auctions
When it comes to 1970 Dodge Challengers, there's no denying that the HEMI version is the most desirable. Chrysler's most potent mill from the golden era, the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8, found its way into only a few hundred Challengers that year.
Specifically, while the E-body was quite popular in its first year in showrooms and sold nearly 77,000 units, only 356 customers opted to check the HEMI box on the options list. That's less than 0.5% of the total production. Why so few? Well, insurance rates for high-performance cars were already very expensive at the time.
Of 356 HEMI Challengers ordered, 287 left the assembly line as regular hardtop R/T models. Sixty units were also fitted with the SE package, while nine were specified with a convertible top. All three versions are highly sought-after nowadays and fetch up to $500,000, depending on condition and originality. Drop-tops can go even higher.
Finding a true-blue HEMI Challenger for under $150,000 is difficult, so, unsurprisingly, some regular models have gotten 426 transplants. The HEMI Orange rig you see here is one of those upgraded classics.
Unlike most HEMI tributes, this E-body is a fully-fledged R/T. But don't let the "426 HEMI" emblems on the hood fool you. This hardtop left the factory with the entry-level 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8. Moreover, the HEMI under the hood is not a period-correct Gen 2 unit from the golden muscle car era. The Challenger relies on a crate engine taken off the Mopar Performance shelf—not that there's anything wrong with that.
But wait, there's more! Instead of the usual dual inline four-barrel carburetor setup, this 426 has a Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection system. There's no information on how it impacts performance, but we're probably looking at a HEMI that delivers more oomph than the stock 425 horsepower.
The fuel injection system is not the only upgrade to run by. This Challenger also packs an upgraded camshaft and ported heads, a McLeod HD clutch, Strange Engineering axles and gears, and Cal-Tracs traction bars. The mill mates to a cryogenically treated 18-spline four-speed manual transmission.
Upgrades aside, the Challenger is a rotisserie restoration, so it looks flawless from just about every angle. The interior is as clean as the exterior and includes goodies such as bucket seats, a Rallye dash, and a Hurst pistol-grip shifter.
If you want HEMI power and you're not bothered by the car's tribute status, this Challenger R/T is set to go under the hammer at Mecum's Tusla 2024 auction on June 8. The E-body comes with the original 383 V8 and four-speed gearbox, so you can also restore it to its original specs. If you choose to go that route, it would be one of 2,720 units built like this.
The auction has no pricing estimate, but this Mopar could fetch close to $100,000. What's your take on this fuel-injected HEMI build?
Of 356 HEMI Challengers ordered, 287 left the assembly line as regular hardtop R/T models. Sixty units were also fitted with the SE package, while nine were specified with a convertible top. All three versions are highly sought-after nowadays and fetch up to $500,000, depending on condition and originality. Drop-tops can go even higher.
Finding a true-blue HEMI Challenger for under $150,000 is difficult, so, unsurprisingly, some regular models have gotten 426 transplants. The HEMI Orange rig you see here is one of those upgraded classics.
Unlike most HEMI tributes, this E-body is a fully-fledged R/T. But don't let the "426 HEMI" emblems on the hood fool you. This hardtop left the factory with the entry-level 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8. Moreover, the HEMI under the hood is not a period-correct Gen 2 unit from the golden muscle car era. The Challenger relies on a crate engine taken off the Mopar Performance shelf—not that there's anything wrong with that.
But wait, there's more! Instead of the usual dual inline four-barrel carburetor setup, this 426 has a Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection system. There's no information on how it impacts performance, but we're probably looking at a HEMI that delivers more oomph than the stock 425 horsepower.
The fuel injection system is not the only upgrade to run by. This Challenger also packs an upgraded camshaft and ported heads, a McLeod HD clutch, Strange Engineering axles and gears, and Cal-Tracs traction bars. The mill mates to a cryogenically treated 18-spline four-speed manual transmission.
Upgrades aside, the Challenger is a rotisserie restoration, so it looks flawless from just about every angle. The interior is as clean as the exterior and includes goodies such as bucket seats, a Rallye dash, and a Hurst pistol-grip shifter.
If you want HEMI power and you're not bothered by the car's tribute status, this Challenger R/T is set to go under the hammer at Mecum's Tusla 2024 auction on June 8. The E-body comes with the original 383 V8 and four-speed gearbox, so you can also restore it to its original specs. If you choose to go that route, it would be one of 2,720 units built like this.
The auction has no pricing estimate, but this Mopar could fetch close to $100,000. What's your take on this fuel-injected HEMI build?
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