Development of the Dodge Challenger began in late 1966, with early design work led by Bill Brownlie, who envisioned a clean, formal coupe that was quite similar to the overall design of the Mercury Cougar. While the design studies submitted by Brownlie’s staff were considered, Brownlie’s original work was the design that made it to production, as well as his choice of the “Challenger” name for the new car. The Challenger’s enduring appeal stems not only from its very handsome styling, but also from its ability to accommodate the entire Chrysler engine range. The rest is automotive history.

The Chrysler E-bodies (the Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth Barracuda) might have been the last to enter Detroit’s pony car game. Though critics argue that the best were saved for last with these cars, making their introduction more than five years after the first Mustang was released. Using a formula similar to Ford and Chevrolet, the Challenger was based on a stretched, compact Dart platform, making the car an immediate sales success. The White Hat Boys at Dodge positioned the car as part of the “Scat Pack,” emblazoning the cars with bumblebee stripes and offering them with a full array of options and nearly any engine Chrysler built, including the fearsome 426-cid, 425-hp Hemi, as found in this car.

After 1971, the coveted Hemi engine option would be gone for this car. R/T models included high back bucket seats, heavy duty brakes, an R/T handling package, and G70x14 raised white letter tires. With a base price of $3,266, the Hemi option added a staggering $778.75 to the bottom line, ultimately leading to low production numbers and making them quite desirable to today’s collectors.

This particular Hemi Challenger is reported to be cosmetically restored and exhibits excellent paint finish, very good chrome elements, runs well and has a clean interior with no apparent cracks in the plastic trim. This rare Hemi-equipped Dodge Challenger is equipped with the A34 Super Trak-Pak option, which includes a 4.10:1 Sure-Grip limited-slip differential, power front disc brakes, torque drive fan and high performance radiator with shroud. Among the additional equipment listed on the copy of the MSRP price label are the A01 Light Group, A44 rear window louver package, C16 console, D21 four-speed manual transmission with Hurst pistol-grip, F07 high impact paint color (Plum Crazy), G36 racing mirrors with driver’s side remote, locking gas cap, rear spoiler, air grabber, AM radio with stereo 8-track tape, tachometer rear seat speaker, power steering, longitudinal paint stripe delete, Rallye road wheels, Rallye instrument cluster, woodgrain, sport hood, hood pins, chrome exhaust tips and collapsible spare tire. The same sheet shows that the Challenger was shipped to Al-Jo Dodge, Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania with a suggested price of $5,292.55.

According to the Chrysler Registry information compiled by Galen Govier that accompanies the car, it is number 51 of 86 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi 426 Hardtops known to exist. According to the same documents, there were 287 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi 426 Hardtops built for U.S. specifications – 137 with four-speed manual transmissions (such as this car) and 150 additional cars with the automatic transmission. A copy of the broadcast sheet is included in the sale also.

Value trends for collector cars are ever-trending in favor of examples with the best provenance and originality, as they have for generations with other fine art segments. With this example having a solid history and being Plum Crazy from the factory with a four-speed manual transmission, combined with the unending interest in the vaunted Hemi-powered Mopar muscle; this is one highly desirable collector car.