Mopar Nationals 1st Place Challenger RT/SE 440 4 Speed

Looking for an investment grade Dodge Challenger? If so, read on, because I guarantee it doesn't get much better than this one.

How about a documented, LA built, 1 of 1 Mopar Nationals First Place, magazine featured 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T-SE that packs its original 440 Magnum V8, original 4-speed pistol grip, and a luxury interior with an overhead console? This car wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be, so it brilliantly crosses the line between hardcore muscle and high-end luxury. And check out the true four color car: EK2 Vitamin C orange body with black vinyl top, K4 Burnt Orange interior with a V9Y Yellow Bumblebee Stripe! Only Ma Mopar couId have built this car and since it was 1970, we would submit that the original owner was dabbling in the psychedelic recreational drugs of the day! This incredibly rare Challenger is almost too cool to be real.

As the Galen Govier report reflects, this is a 1 of 142 1970 Dodge Challenger RT/SE 440 4 Speed car and one of only 14 that were produced at the Los Angeles, CA Plant.

Here's a breakdown of the original fender tag:

E86 440-4 Barrel High Performance
D21 Heavy Duty 4-Speed Manual Transmission

JS29
J = Dodge Challenger
S = Special
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop

U0E
U = 440 375HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
0 = 1970
E = Los Angeles, CA, USA

115270 Sequence Number '115270'

EK2 Paint Code: Go-Mango / Vitamin C Orange

N5K4 Trim Grade/Style/Color
N = N Class
5 = Cloth and Vinyl Bucket Seats
K4 = Burnt Orange

000 Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
A24 Date Built: 10 / 24 / 1969
036649 Order Number: 036649
V1X Roof Type OR Color: Full Vinyl Top – Black
A33 3.54:1 Dana 60 Track Package
A62 Rallye Instrument Cluster
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C16 Console w/ Buckets
C26 Overhead Roof Consolette
C55 Bucket Seats
J25 3-Speed Variable Wipers
J45 Hood Tie Down Pins
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31 Belt Molding
N41 Dual Exhaust w/o Tips
N42 Chrome Dual Exhaust Tips
N85 Tachometer
R11 Music Master Radio AM
V1X Full Vinyl Top – Black
V21 Performance Hood Treatment
V9Y Yellow/Gold Bumblebee Stripe
26 26 in. Radiator
END End of Codes

The R/T models were, of course, the performance-oriented cars with big power and all the muscles needed for performance on the road and on the track (hence the R/T moniker). The SE (which stands for 'Special Edition') models, in contrast, were more luxury-oriented with a padded roof, a more formal and smaller rear window, and an upscale interior, as well as a bunch of minor detail changes like a revised rear taillight valence panel. This car also features an overhead console and power brakes to go with the performance hood treatment and extremely rare yellow bumblebee stripe, which actually looks fantastic on this car.

Speaking of this car and fantastic, it is a former national Mopar Original/Stock class OEM Senior winner and was fully restored to #1 condition a few years ago. Today, the body is outstanding and there's no question as to why it won such a prestigious award. Panel gaps are better than new, and every surface was block sanded before painting, and color sanded and buffed afterwards. And yes, it is 2-stage paint which looks slick and glossy, much more so than the original, and the yellow bumblebee stripe was embedded under the clear for durability. Body panels are all original, too, although there were some patches here and there during the restoration—the trunk shows some pitting, but no rust-through, and I'm awfully glad the restorers chose not to just cut it up and weld in reproduction stuff.

All the trim is done to a better-than-new standard as well, from the bumpers to the chrome around the SE-specific rear window. Dual chrome exhaust tips poke out from an original valence, while new badges all around are exact duplicates of the factory stuff. The vinyl top is excellent without any wrinkles or blemishes, and ties in nicely with the black performance hood treatment. All the glass is in very nice condition, with date-code correct pieces all around.

If the exterior kind of suggests luxury with the padded top and formal window treatment, the under-hood area screams performance, no two ways about it. Lift the hood and you will find the original, numbers matching 440 Magnum V8, fully dressed for concourse showing from the Corbin clamps on the hoses to the oil pan underneath. The Hemi Orange paint on the block and heads is glossy and unblemished, while the exhaust manifolds seem to have some kind of protective coating on them, since they look like new. The correct ballast is on the firewall, there's a reproduction Group 27 red cap battery, and if you're looking at the photos, you've already noticed that the paint under the hood is every bit as nice as the paint on the body.

Backing up the potent 440 is a date code correct 4-speed manual with a pistol-grip shifter, unusual, but definitely 100% cool in a luxury-oriented car. The rest of the chassis is highly detailed for show, from new lines and hoses, to a reproduction dual exhaust system with the correct mufflers and resonators for that mellow sound. Inspection marks have been faithfully duplicated. Out back there's an indestructible Dana 60 housing a 3.54 gear on a Sure Grip limited slip, part of the Track Pack setup that makes this car's dual nature so exciting.

Climb into that luxury-themed interior and the only performance pieces you will find are the Rallye gauges and that aforementioned pistol-grip shifter. Otherwise, it's all about the comfort and luxury, from the deep two-tone bucket seats to the wood-grain appliqués on the doors and dashboard. The unique cloth and vinyl upholstery gives the Challenger an upscale look and feel befitting the SE's mission. Overhead there's a cool consolette with warning lights for Seat Belts, Door Ajar, and Low Fuel, while the Rallye gauges, including the 8000 RPM tachometer, keep a close eye on the engine's vitals at all times. The carpets are new, the headliner is new, and the AM radio is functional.

Under the deck lid, you'll find a new and correct trunk mat, space saver tire, a restored jack, and a new fill can. Peel back the mat and check out the original floors, too!

This spectacular Challenger has been a work progress for 15 years. Originally featured on the cover of the July, 1996 Mopar Collector's Guide, the car went on to be featured in the December, 1996 issue of Mopar Action and the September, 1997 issue of Mopar Muscle. The Challenger was part of the Invitational only display at the 1998 Carlisle All Chryslers National. After the Carlisle event, the car was tweaked with NOS parts and moved into heavy duty judged competition. First, it received the First Place Award in the E-Body Dodge Stock class at the 1999 Mopar Nationals. The car received the ultimate prize at the 2002 Mopar Nationals, by taking 1st Place in the Senior Division. The Challenger was also featured in Jim Schild's book "Challenger and Barracuda, 1970-1974".

The RT/SE was for the guy who either couldn't decide if he wanted performance or luxury, so he got both! It's wicked fast and looks predatory with the blacked out hood treatment, but inside it's comfortable and luxurious. The 1 of 1 color combination is a show-stopper at any local cruise or national event--just point to the original fender tag and the Mopar Nationals OE Senior win when the skeptics start raising their eyebrows. Investment-grade throughout, and with an interesting selection of options, you'll never see yourself coming or going at a show, and it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. If you want one of the coolest Challengers ever produced by Dodge, call today!