{"id":70336,"date":"2023-05-23T06:49:05","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T10:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dodgegarage.com\/news-api\/?p=70336"},"modified":"2024-03-25T11:19:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T15:19:49","slug":"top-banana-1970-hemi-charger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/heritage\/2023\/05\/top-banana-1970-hemi-charger.html","title":{"rendered":"Top Banana 1970 HEMI®<\/sup> Charger!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

— Rare HEMI\u00ae<\/sup> hood call-outs
— FY1 High Impact color option
— New wrap-a-round front bumper for ’70 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLASSIC STYLING <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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The brilliantly designed 1968-70 Charger body! While the basic structure (B-Body) was based off the Dodge Coronet platform, the Charger has a look all its own. Styling emphasis was over the rear wheels with the design tapering forward to convey a forward thrusting look. Full wheel cutouts, bulging rear fenders, racing-style fuel-filler cap mounted high up and an integral rear lip spoiler built into the deck were among its unique features. The classic \u201cCoke Bottle\u201d design!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1968-70 Dodge Chargers rode on a 117-inch wheelbase and were considered \u201cintermediate\u201d sized cars. Dodge General Manger Bob McCurry at the time called it the \u201cfamily-sized sports-car\u201d and even though the Charger was in reality an offshoot of the Coronet, overall it had a look and feel unlike any other Chrysler B-Body car; in fact, it was unlike any other car of the era, and the Charger was only available in a 2-door body style and never a convertible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pictured 1970 Charger R\/T (painted Code FY1 \u201cTop Banana\u201d high-impact Yellow) has had an extensive \u201cpaper chase\u201d done on it and it has been established that the car was originally purchased by a 15-year-old kid from the San Diego area. This vehicle was \u201cspecial ordered\u201d with a host of desirable options. Right off the bat, the youngster marked the box where it said \u201cE74\u201d which specified the 426-cid HEMI engine. Next, he chose \u201cD21\u201d which called out for the 4-speed gear box (complete with Hurst \u201cPistol Grip\u201d shifter). “A33” Track Pak meant 3.54:1 rear gears, big Dana 60 rear axle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This car had a scheduled build date of May 12, 1970, and was so heavily equipped with options that it required two separate price stickers (Monroney labels) on the window when new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW FRONT END TREATMENT<\/strong> <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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The wrap-a-round front bumper with electric concealed headlamps was new for the 1970 model year. When the lights are turned on, the electric motors open the doors in the grille. When the lights are turned off, the doors close. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE LEGENDARY HEMI OPTION<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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1970 Street HEMI engine-powered vehicles came with dual Carter carbs, 10.25:1 pistons, huge valves (2.25-inch intake, 1.94-inch exhaust) and free-flowing cast-iron exhaust headers, fed to a 2 \u00bd-inch dual exhaust system. Horsepower was listed as 425 (at 5,000 rpm) with torque (lbs-ft) rating of 490, at 4,000 rpm. How many HEMI engine-powerd 1970 Chargers were produced? Records indicate a total of 112 for U.S. production, with an even split of 56 4-speeds and 56 automatics. There were also 12 built for Canadian consumption (transmission breakdown unknown).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WOOD IS GOOD<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Charger R\/T models came with standard simulated\nwood-grain treatment on dash and 150-mph speedo. This car has the\n“S81” three-spoke simulated wood grain steering, which came with\nstainless steel spider and vinyl-covered (padded) horn button. The bucket seats\non Chargers in 1970 were \u201chigh-back\u201d in design and featured integrated head\nrestraints. Chargers with bucket seats were considered 5-passenger vehicles, but\ncould seat 6-passengers, as equipped with the optional \u201cbuddy bucket\u201d that\ndoubled as a padded center armrest (when lowered).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n