1970 Dodge HEMI Challenger R/T Spent Decades off the Road, Now Shines Like New

Needless to say, that's far from surprising. The early Dodge Challenger had it all. It was smaller and lighter than a midsize car, had an appealing design, and was optionally available with Chrysler's meanest V8 powerplants. The list includes the massive 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB in both four- and six-barrel configurations (375 and 390 horsepower).

Then there's the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8. Rated at 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet (576 Nm) of torque thanks to a 2x4-barrel configuration, the HEMI was the most potent lump, and it's pretty much the holy grail of the Challenger lineup. It's also a rare unit because most buyers avoided the option due to the expensive insurance for high-performance vehicles at the time.

In 1970, only 356 of the nearly 76,935 Challengers sold were equipped with the 426 HEMI. In 1971, when sales dropped to just 27,377 examples, HEMI deliveries slipped to just 71 units. That's only 0.4% of the total production run for both model years, a figure that makes the HEMI Challenger sought-after and very expensive. Especially since not all of the 427 units built for the US market have survived.

But some of them not only made it in one piece, but we're lucky enough to get restored and returned to the road. The red-on-red example you see here is one of those rigs. What's more, this Challenger is one of those classics that's been with the same owner for nearly its entire life.

Randy Schranz bought this Dodge in 1974, at a time when many owners were looking to get rid of their muscle cars due to high gasoline prices. Randy, who already owned a 440-powered Mopar, paid $1,500 for the HEMI Challenger. But the E-body didn't look as good as it does now. It had rough paint, damage on the fenders, and a weathered vinyl top, so it needed quite a lot of TLC. But Randy chose to race it and took it to the drag strip in that condition for four years.

In 1978, he finally decided to take the Challenger apart and give it the makeover it deserves. Life got in the way, however, the the Mopar spent decades in storage until it was fully restored and put back together. The Challenger re-emerged in its current condition in 2022 after a whopping 44 years. That's a very long restoration indeed, but it was definitely worth it because the red R/T is a sight to behold.

And in addition to looking like a Concours winner inside and out, this Dodge still relies on its numbers-matching 426 HEMI V8. It's also a four-speed manual (still featuring the original Hurst shifter!), making it one of 137 hardtops with this drivetrain combo and a very desirable rig.

It's also a relatively low-mileage classic. The Challenger was taken apart with only 67,000 miles (107,862 km) on the odo and was driven for just 1,241 miles (1,997 km) since the restoration was completed. All told it's one of the finest HEMI Challengers out there. Check it out in the video below.