Restoration 11/2009 - 5/2010,
This car was carefully dismantled until only the quarter panels remained on the frame. The doors, glass, hood, trunk lid, engine, suspension, dashboard, seats, carpeting, headliner, etc. were all photographed, documented and removed. During January 2010, with snow on the ground, the frame and rear quarter panels were rolled outside behind the body shop and were media blasted to bare metal along with the body panels which were being repainted.
One original build sheet was discovered hiding in the springs of the rear seat along with a vintage pair of sunglasses and a pocket calendar.
My job was to locate and procure all new parts, whether “NOS” or reproductions, and to make sure that they were available and, in the shop, to keep the restoration moving forward. During this time, the dry rotted and cracked dashboard was sent to California for a complete make-over while the chrome, aluminum and stainless-steel trim pieces were sent out and totally redone locally.
The numbers matching 383 engine and transmission were gone through and refreshed as needed. The engine was repainted in hemi orange and looked excellent as it was being reinstalled. We discovered that the transmission had previously been overhauled with a shift kit installed and worked perfectly. All suspension parts were either redone or replaced as needed. New brake and fuel lines were also installed. The 26” radiator was replaced with a date stamped reproduction.
Wiring harnesses were replaced, and all electrical components were given a complete checkup and repaired or replaced.
The original AM radio was shipped out and converted to AM/FM/MP3 while still retaining the original appearance. The dash cluster and gauges have also been restored. New front and rear speakers were also added.
A new vinyl top was installed along with new carpeting and headliner. The seats received new foam and Hound's-tooth seat covers. NOS door panels were installed. Door, trunk and hood gaskets and seals along with new widow felts were replaced as well.
The original front glass had delaminated over time and was replaced. We used a correct date stamped tinted windshield to accomplish this. All other glass is what was provided by the factory.
All body panels are original to the Challenger except the trunk lid which was replaced with a reproduction trunk lid to allow for the rear spoiler to be added.
Headers and a custom 3” stainless steel exhaust system were also included with the restoration.
We restored and replaced as many factory markings and decals as were found during the disassembly. With practicality and cost in mind, very little was spared from the expenses to restore this Challenger to a better than new condition.
The body shop crew and lead mechanic from the Dodge dealership worked tirelessly together, and it is my opinion, that they were a great team of guys who definitely focused on the end goal. Restoration was completed in 6 months.
This 70 Challenger was now ready to roll!
The car was returned to me for Memorial Day weekend 2010 and debuted publicly for the 1st time at the Midwest Mopar’s in the Park car show which is held every year in the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington, MN.
At this time, Mopar hosted an event called the “Top Eliminator” program. With over 1000 Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge vehicles participating in the show, my freshly restored “1970 Challenger R/T SE” was selected as the winner to represent Mopar at the SEMA show in Las Vegas along with 4 additional vehicles chosen throughout the summer from various Mopar car shows. In November 2010, the 5 winning cars were displayed inside tents along Mopar Alley for the duration of the show. While at SEMA, the underside of the hood was signed by Mopar’s president, Pietro Gorlier.
During the winter of 2010, I proceeded to contract a local engine builder to increase the performance of the original 383 Magnum. The motor was removed from the car again and rebuilt using hi-end internal performance parts. Other than headers, Mopar air filter assembly and valve cover’s, the Challenger still retains its factory look.
All equipment and accessories work as they should. The air conditioning, exterior and interior lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, the horn, clock, overhead console indicators, etc. are all operational.
I have retained many boxes full of most of the original parts which were restored but not reinstalled such as the intake and exhaust manifolds, carburetor, valve covers, air filter assembly, and many more of the engine and body parts replaced during the restoration and will be included with the sale. I will also include all documentation, receipts and photos. I have also had the Challenger documented by Galen Govier.
Since owning the Challenger, it has been garage kept in a heated garage, has never seen snow and has only been caught in the rain only a few times.

THIS CAR IS ONE OF THE FINEST RESTORED 1970 DODGE CHALLENGERS ON THE MARKET TODAY!