The Elephant Man

1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger

 

OWNER: Chris

I bought the Challenger in 1999 as a complete car less engine and gearbox. It is a California car and originally a 318 cube, factory 4 speed. My intension was to do a quick tidy up on the body, install a mild 440 4 speed and turn it into a daily driver. Initially the car went into storage for 5 years, because I refused to sell it, my wife left me! My current partner is a lot more understanding. She actually encouraged me to start the work on the Challenger. It took me 3 years to get it to the stage it is at now. Every nut and bolt has been replaced. Body is original. The body was a back to bare metal restoration. The Challenger has an all-new wiring harness from front to rear. All metal parts have been re-chromed, repaired and re-polished. ?I won first place in best-modified category at the all Chrysler day at Fairfield on 1. Nov. 2009 the very first time out. I am not a trophy hunter, but I was very proud and honored on that day and proud of what I have achieved.

 

ENGINE:

• Mopar Performance 426 cubic inch (7 liter) HEMI
• Stage V dual 4 Barrel intake Manifold with twin 600cfm Edelbrock carburetors
• Estimated Horsepower 500+ (373+kw) , it really feels like it too when I drive it!
• Schumaker engine mount adapter and powder coated crossmember.

 

TRANSMISSION/DIFF:

• Custom built Tremec TKO 600
• Hydraulic clutch
• Pistol grip shifter
• Custom built heavy duty tailshaft
• 8.75inch Diff
• Strange billet axles
• Posi centre
• 3:9 ratio gears

BRAKES:

• Factory Front Disc, Back Drum
• Soon to be installed – Wilwood brakes all-round to stop the bloody thing!

SUSPENSION:

• Complete Just Suspension kit
• Stainless Tubular upper and lower control arms
• Urethane Bushes
• Big custom sway bars
• The body has laser cut welded chassis connectors to handle the extra power of the Hemi.

 

EXHAUST:

• TTI ceramic coated 2.25inch headers
• Magnaflow stainless steel dual 2.5inch pipes with quad tips for the factory look

 

COLOR:

• Ford toxic green. The color is almost identical to original sublime green, which is the correct color for that year.

 

INTERIOR:

• Interior is factory stock with new upholstery, rally instrumentation with white face gauges (the only thing not original).

WHEELS:

• Wheels are 16" diameter Boyd Coddington’s, but soon to be replaced by Centerlines.