Photo: Mecum Auctions
Introduced for the 1970 model year, the Dodge Challenger debuted with a bang and moved almost 77,000 examples in the United States. This figure makes it a somewhat common classic, but specific versions are rare.
The HEMI is arguably the scarcest at only 356 units produced. This low number also makes it quite sought-after and expensive nowadays. The R/T version equipped with the six-barrel 440 V8 is also rare at 2,035 units, as is the T/A homologation special (2,399 built).
But it's not just the high-performance cars that are hard to find. The convertible variant is also a rare gem regardless of the drivetrain layout. That's because only 3,884 examples sold in 1970 had a soft top. That's only 5% of the total production.
Only 963 of these cars got an "R/T" badge, and just nine left the assembly line with the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8. Challengers in this configuration fetch more than $1 million at public auctions. As for 440 drop-tops, Dodge sold 99 with the six-barrel engine and 163 with the four-barrel mill. Finally, 692 R/T were specced with the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block.
The triple-black example you see here appears to be one of them. And I say "appears" because the "R/T" emblems on the fender and the "HEMI" badges on the hood aren't authentic. Sure, they look like they've been added at the factory, but this 1970 Challenger is not one of the nine million-dollar convertibles.
How do I know? Well, the ad provides a VIN, which includes valuable information about the car. While the third and fourth digits confirm this Mopar is a true-blue convertible (code 27), the letter that indicates the trim rules out an R/T model. Because while the latter can be identified by the letter S, the vin shows H as the second digit. And Dodge used this letter to identify all non-R/T cars for the 1970 model year.
Furthermore, the fifth digit shows this Challenger left the assembly line as a G-code vehicle, which means it got a 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8, a mill that wasn't part of the range-topping R/T lineup. And this makes it one of 2,543 examples equipped with the 318 and 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) powerplants (there's no separate production breakdown for these mills). Still scarce, but not R/T-like rare.
But this Challenger is more than just a regular drop-top with fake "R/T" and "HEMI" badges. It actually packs a HEMI V8 under the hood. It's not an authentic, period-correct mill. It's even better if you're into unassuming performance because the original 318 was ditched for a massive, 528-cubic-inch (8.7-liter) HEMI built by Ray Barton Racing Engines.
Priced from $31,500, these aftermarket powerplants deliver more than 600 horsepower, notably more than a production 426 HEMI, rated at 425 horses. The mill mates to a five-speed Tremec manual transmission, so the car also comes with row-your-own fun.
Despite the massive upgrades under the shell, the Challenger remains factory-stock on the surface. It rides on vintage-spec chrome wheels and packs features that were available at the time, including a full console with a Hurst shifter, bucket seats, and even a factory AM radio.
All told it's a cool HEMI impersonator that will make you smile when the pedal hits the floor. If this triple-black Mopar is something you've been looking for, the convertible will cross the auction block at Kissimmee in January 2024. There's no pricing estimate available, but it might hit the $100,000 mark.
But it's not just the high-performance cars that are hard to find. The convertible variant is also a rare gem regardless of the drivetrain layout. That's because only 3,884 examples sold in 1970 had a soft top. That's only 5% of the total production.
Only 963 of these cars got an "R/T" badge, and just nine left the assembly line with the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8. Challengers in this configuration fetch more than $1 million at public auctions. As for 440 drop-tops, Dodge sold 99 with the six-barrel engine and 163 with the four-barrel mill. Finally, 692 R/T were specced with the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block.
The triple-black example you see here appears to be one of them. And I say "appears" because the "R/T" emblems on the fender and the "HEMI" badges on the hood aren't authentic. Sure, they look like they've been added at the factory, but this 1970 Challenger is not one of the nine million-dollar convertibles.
How do I know? Well, the ad provides a VIN, which includes valuable information about the car. While the third and fourth digits confirm this Mopar is a true-blue convertible (code 27), the letter that indicates the trim rules out an R/T model. Because while the latter can be identified by the letter S, the vin shows H as the second digit. And Dodge used this letter to identify all non-R/T cars for the 1970 model year.
Furthermore, the fifth digit shows this Challenger left the assembly line as a G-code vehicle, which means it got a 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8, a mill that wasn't part of the range-topping R/T lineup. And this makes it one of 2,543 examples equipped with the 318 and 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) powerplants (there's no separate production breakdown for these mills). Still scarce, but not R/T-like rare.
But this Challenger is more than just a regular drop-top with fake "R/T" and "HEMI" badges. It actually packs a HEMI V8 under the hood. It's not an authentic, period-correct mill. It's even better if you're into unassuming performance because the original 318 was ditched for a massive, 528-cubic-inch (8.7-liter) HEMI built by Ray Barton Racing Engines.
Priced from $31,500, these aftermarket powerplants deliver more than 600 horsepower, notably more than a production 426 HEMI, rated at 425 horses. The mill mates to a five-speed Tremec manual transmission, so the car also comes with row-your-own fun.
Despite the massive upgrades under the shell, the Challenger remains factory-stock on the surface. It rides on vintage-spec chrome wheels and packs features that were available at the time, including a full console with a Hurst shifter, bucket seats, and even a factory AM radio.
All told it's a cool HEMI impersonator that will make you smile when the pedal hits the floor. If this triple-black Mopar is something you've been looking for, the convertible will cross the auction block at Kissimmee in January 2024. There's no pricing estimate available, but it might hit the $100,000 mark.
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