1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE, Loaded Public Relations Car, U Code 440 w/ AIR

This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/TSE is freshly restored to Concours standard of attention to detail and master level of craftsmanship. Restored by the owner under the advisement of noted Chrysler Authority and Concours Judge, Dave Wise, this car was completed in 2017. The original Fender Tags and Original Broadcast sheet where used to ensure the vehicle was returned to “as factory equipped” condition. This car is loaded with original factory equipment, requiring two fender tags to hold all the option codes, and according to the broadcast sheet, ordered as a Public Relations car. Only a few factory options were added during restoration including the Hood Pins and the OEM rear wing. Public Relations cars showed off new models, equipped to promote popular options.

The owner invested more than $100,000 into the car with a mission to create artwork for Concours show, rather than restoring a driver. Having won Gold in the invitation only Pentastar class at Mopar mini-Nationals, its car show debut, I'd say his mission was accomplished.

*Rare 1970 Dodge Challenger R/TSE 440 U code
*Loaded with factory options, 2 Fender Tag car
*Fresh Concours Restoration completed in 2017
*Documented by Broadcast Sheet
*Concours GOLD winner, Invitational Pentastar Class, Mopar mini-Nationals Garland, Texas
This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/TSE is loaded with these original options:
-Power steering
-Power front disc brakes
-Air conditioning
-Cruise Control
-Rear defrost
-6-way seat
-Black leather interior
-3.55 performance axle package
-Purple exterior
-White vinyl top
-26 inch radiator 956
-Rallye Gauges
-Floor console
-SE Package which features overhead console

EXTERIOR
The body was taken down to bare metal, the entire process photo documented from initial tear down to final assembly. Some sheet metal patching was required (as is typical with Mopar products), including partial quarters. The work was completed to an undetectable standard, factory seams and plug welds were preserved. All the glass on the car is original, aside from the new date coded front windshield from ECS Glass. Call the stainless trim, and even the added rear wing are OEM. The car is painted in the correct, original hue of FC7 Plum Crazy Purple. Overall fit, finish, and panel gaps are superior to the original factory specifications. The car never looked this good brand new.

INTERIOR
The interior was also taken down to the bare shell, once painted, DynaMat was installed under the factory style carpeting to maximize sound insulation. The original dash as re-manufactured to exact OEM specs by one of the best in the business. Seat frames were sanded down and refinished in POR15 before receiving new foams and premium OE quality Black Leather upholstery. Those, along with highest grade new door and interior panels were sourced from Legendary. Virtually all the wiring is brand new, form Year One and Classic Industries. The overhead Consolette is a restored orginal. The rear SE finish panels are NOS, neither is reproduced and cost dearly to purchase is this condition. The Rallye gauges restored by Performance Car Graphics. The original 8 Track Player and Cruise Control units were restored. The same is true for the gauges, lighting package, and factory Air conditioning. Even the rear defrost blower (which was with car before restoration) was tested before installation. The interior looks, feels, and operates as you imagine it would in 1970.

ENGINE BAY
The engine bay was restored in keeping the OEM stock appearance. All parts original to the car were retained and restored where practicable, date code correct originals were sourced when that was not possible. All the items typically lacking in a driver quality restoration are present and accounted for, exhaust manifolds, master cylinder, power booster, ac/heater blower motor, radiator is the correct 26 inch 956 unit, fan, etc.

The engine build began with a 1970 Date Coded 440 HP2 block. It is not VIN matched to the vehicle, but is correct for the car. The internals to the 440 U code HP2 engine were rebuilt by Kim Barr racing in Garland, Texas, incorporating stock heads/ valves and valvetrain, factory rods, and steel crank. The rotating assembly was fully balanced. The block was bored .030 over, and treated to a roller cam with a grind similar to the factory flat tappet unit. Once is was run in on a dyno, the report shows max of 513 ft lbs of torque and 419 hp. A hidden electronic ignition was substituted for the original points system, for a better and more reliable engine performance. The engine was painted in urethane in the factory correct Street Hemi Orange. The owner even recreated the factory over-spray on the exhaust manifolds to. All fasteners were sourced from RT Specialties and Partsmix. Completing the OEM look, the car has new original style belts and hoses bearing the correct date codes.

CHASSIS
The commitment to restoring to stock appearing continues in the undercarriage. The correct hue of gray epoxy primer was used to finish the floor pans, perfect for appreciating the factory seems and welds on the underbody. Body color overspray is fogged in on either side, resulting in the factory overspray patterns seen on unrestored, original cars. All of the suspension components have been refinished, each in their correct finishes. The 3.55 rear posi was completely rebuilt. Plano Transmission in Plano, Texas rebuilt the transmission. The correct size/ type reproduction Polyglass tires, based on the build sheet, were selected and installed on restored factory original rims.

If you are looking for something unique that stands apart from the Spartan, no option E-bodies that you see year after year at the Nationals, then its time show them up and show up in style.

Decoding of Fender Tag: Bottom to Top, Left to Right

CodeDescription
E86440-4 Barrel High Performance
D32H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
JS29J = Dodge Challenger
S = Special
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop

U0BU = 440 375HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
0 = 1970
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
223957Sequence Number '223957'
FC7Paint Code: Plum Crazy Purple / In-Violet Irid
HRX9Trim Grade/Style/Color
H = High
R = Vinyl and Leather Bucket Seats
X9 = Black
000Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
105Date Built: 1 / 05 / 1970
024064Order Number: 024064
V1WRoof Type OR Color: Full Vinyl Top - White
A01Light Package
A363.55:1 High Performance Axle Package
A62Rallye Instrument Cluster
B51Power Assisted Brakes
C16Console w/ Buckets
C26Over Head Roof Consolette
C55Bucket Seats
C62Left Hand 6-Way Manual Adjustable Bucket
G31Right Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
G33Left Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
H51Single Air /w Heater
J54Sport Hood 70-1
M21Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31Belt Molding 69-70
N41Dual Exhaust w/o Tips
N42Chrome Dual Exhaust Tips
N85Tachometer
N88Auto Speed Control
R22AM w/ 8-Track
V6WWhite Longitude Sports Stripe
Y05Built to U.S. Specifications
CTDContinued on 2nd Tag