Chrysler’s E-body twins, he Challenger and the ‘Cuda, ere a measured and calculated response to the Mustang. Sure, t took them five years to get to it, ut when they did deliver, hey absolutely nailed it. Available with a wide variety of engines and options, ars like this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible could be custom-tailored to almost any customer’s tastes. The R/T models (with R/T standing for road and track, o relation to the magazine), ere Dodge’s performance-oriented models, kin to a Mustang Mach 1 or a Camaro SS, nd packed arguably the most potent engines of the period. Styling was a home-run, ith ideal proportions and the cockpit-oriented styling emphasized the driver, aking them the cars to own if you liked to go fast.

This particular 1970 Challenger R/T convertible is a fantastically original car that shows what we believe to be 59,438 original miles. It has been repainted just once in its original B5 Bright Blue and carries its numbers-matching 383 cubic inch V8. Original cars are some of our favorites, ecause there’s just no way to restore the factory feeling back into a car once it’s been disassembled, nd this car is no exception. The doors close with confidence, ot the usual rattle you get in an ancient convertible, nd the super-straight bodywork is 100% factory-issue. The high-quality respray was done a few years ago, nd uses two-stage urethane to give the B5 Blue a deep gloss that’s better than anything Ma Mopar was offering in 1970 and the white bumblebee stripe around the tail was applied under the clear for a seamless feel. Oddly enough, he fender tag shows that this car had a black bumblebee stripe, ut that seems incongruous on a blue car with a white interior and top, ut stranger things have happened at the Hamtramck factory. Here’s the full breakdown on the fender tag:

JS27: Dodge Challenger, pecial, /T Convertible N0B: 383 330 horsepower 1x4 barrel 8 cylinder 1970 Dodge Main, amtramck, I, SA 367944: Sequence number

E63: 383 cubic inch 4-barrel V8, igh Performance D32: Heavy Duty Automatic Transmission EB5: Bright Blue Metallic (Dodge), lue Fire Metallic (Plymouth) Exterior Color H6XW: Trim - High, inyl Bucket Seats, lack/White 000: Full Door Panels 608: Build Date: June 08 060911: Order number V3W: White Convertible Top A62: Rallye Instrument Cluster Package C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel C55: Bucket Seats J54: Sport Hood M41: License Plate Frame N42: Chrome Exhaust Tips N85: Tachometer P37: Power Convertible Top R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts) V9X: Bumble Bee Stripes, lack Y05: Build to USA Specs EN1: End of Sales Codes

Personally, like the lines of the Challenger, eing a little longer and sitting on a slightly longer wheelbase, nd it was intended to be the more “grown up” of the E-body twins. From the twin-headlight front end with recessed grille to the twin nostrils in the hood to the handsome kick-up in the quarter panels, here’s just no angle from which this car doesn’t look awesome. The chrome bumpers surely help, nd the quality of the brightwork suggests that it’s been restored, ut we’re pretty sure it’s original and simply very well maintained. This is a really nice car.

The white interior is all original, ncluding the seats, oor panels, nd even the black carpets, nd should tell you all you need to know about the care this car has received. The upholstery is still supple and comfortable and shows no major stains or discoloration, nd even the black carpets have minimal fading, uggesting that even when the top was down, his car was always sheltered. It features a console with Slap Stick shifter, full array of Rallye gauges, nd the factory-issued R11 Music Master AM radio. The gauges are all fully functional except the tachometer, hich is not compatible with the modern MSD distributor on the engine today, ut it should work if you convert it back to an OEM unit. The steering wheel with its fat rim should look and feel familiar to any Mopar performance fan and the stubby shifter falls easily to hand, here even the automatic transmission is a joy to run through the gears manually. The dash pad isn’t cracked or baked by the sun and the woodgrained appliques are bright and clear, ith the one on the center console perhaps being a replacement piece. Overhead there’s a great-fitting white vinyl convertible top that uses the correct vinyl material and a glass rear window, nd it stows under a matching white boot that’s a new acquisition from Legendary. The trunk is outfitted with a correct mat and jack assembly, nd you’ll note that the quarters wear original textured undercoating, o they’re unquestionably original.

The engine is the original, umbers-matching 383 cubic inch V8, nd it runs superbly. It starts quickly and idles well, ven on the choke when it’s cold, nd thanks to a relatively recent detailing, t looks quite correct. Except for the aforementioned billet aluminum distributor, t’s factory correct throughout, ith proper hoses and clamps, wrinkle-finish air cleaner, nd Hemi Orange paint on the block itself. Close inspection will reveal that the paint on the inner fenders, irewall, nd radiator support is original, ore evidence of a very nice car from a friendly climate. Even the unique exhaust manifolds are in good condition and it exhales through a great-sounding Flowmaster exhaust system with oversized pipes and correct quad tips out back.

The chassis is original, ecause this really is a very original car, nd while it’s not detailed for show, here are no signs of panel replacement or rust issues underneath. The 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission shifts crisply and we believe there are 3.23 gears in the 8.75-inch rear end. The suspension is stock and it currently rolls on a set of original Magnum 500 wheels with 225/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials, ut it also includes a set of shiny Boyd Coddington alloys with staggered 17- and 18-inch tires.

Clean, traight, atching-numbers, nd a joy to drive, his Challenger delivers on all levels. It’s not a show car, t’s not perfect, ut it is a big block Challenger that’s properly sorted and you can’t beat the color combination. I know Mopar guys and Camaro guys aren’t cross-shopping cars, ut cars like this Challenger make you reconsider your allegiances.