A 1970 Dodge Challenger with a 426 Street Hemi is the very embodiment of the muscle car era and while this convertible example wasn’t born with the legendary “elephant engine,” it sports a vintage-appearing conversion—and all the swagger that comes with Hemi power. In fact, it’s actually a 535-cu.in. Hemi that reportedly produces over 600 horsepower. The car is said to be in excellent condition by the seller’s representative. He goes on to explain, “The owner listed on the title passed away four years ago, and I’m helping his wife to sell the car.” He bought it in 2003 at the Barrett Jackson auction here in Arizona. We have many of the receipts since its purchase & transformation, but I never knew him, and can’t ask any questions.”
POWERTRAIN
According to the “G” in the VIN, this vintage E-body was originally equipped with the 318-cu.in. two-barrel V8 engine, but the seller notes that the Hemi conversion was completed in 2006. The engine’s displacement was increased by more than 200 cubic inches, bringing it to 535 cu.in. There are fewer than 2,000 miles on the engine, and the seller’s rep notes that it starts and runs well, with no reported smoke or leaks. There’s also a custom dual-exhaust system. The engine is paired with a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission that is said to shift “hard and fast,” sending the engine power to a correct Dana 60 9.75-inch rear axle.
EXTERIOR
“Stunning” is how the seller’s rep describes the yellow paint and finish on this Challenger. Apart from two paint chips on the passenger door, near the handle, and an approximately 4-inch area of clear coat separation, the finish is reportedly in excellent condition. There are no other reported blemishes, no swirl marks, and “no rust” in the body. Its convertible top is in “perfect” condition. The glass is in very good condition. Some seals & weatherstripping show signs of wear. All exterior lights work.
INTERIOR
The black vinyl interior of this Challenger appears in very good condition, with normal wear. There is a small tear in the driver’s seat cover, but the rest of the upholstery shows very well. The carpet, door panels, center console, and dashboard are in very good condition, with minimal visible wear and no reported cracks. The steering wheel also appears in very good condition, with some wear. All of the trim is intact, and the heater and gauges work normally. The steering column mounted tachometer is not connected. There’s an older aftermarket Alpine CD radio in place of the original radio. There are no reported problems with it.
CHASSIS
The chassis, suspension, drivetrain, and brakes were updated to match the power output of the Hemi engine. There are no known issues. The car has power steering and power brakes, with front discs and rear drums. There are less than 2,000 miles on the brakes and suspension. The same reportedly goes for the staggered-size BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires (P235/60R15 front and P275/60R15 rear), but they’re admittedly 16 years old with no cracks & 75% tread life left. They’re mounted on 15-inch polished aluminum American Racing wheels that are said to be in very good condition.
