In the beginning years of the ’70s, carmakers were trying to figure out how to meet the upcoming emissions and safety regulations without losing a ton of power. Dodge was no different, even though it always seemed to hold out until the last minute before making changes. In this case, that hesitation benefited Charger lovers because the company produced an SE version of the car. It sported the basic amenities of the original model, but it had more stylized interior components to increase the car’s luxury status. The 1970 SE Charger included wood and vinyl seats, a wood-wrapped steering wheel, a wood-grained dash, and an instrument panel, making it a truly special edition car.
6 R/T Models Were One-Of-A-Kind
The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, which stands for road and track, is truly a one-of-a-kind car. The base engine with this car was the 440 Magnum, but it could be upgraded to the 440 six-pack or even the top-end 426 Hemi. All three engines were designed for muscle, which is what the R/T is all about. This model is intended to be fast enough to win on the track but docile enough to play on the roads and highways across the country. The R/T already had some added luxury in 1970, but when the SE option was added on, the owner had a unique car designed for speed and built for comfort.
5 New Stand-Out Colors Available
One thing is for sure when a Dodge Charger sits in the driveway, the owner is not afraid of gaining attention, which the average Charger does. The stand-out colors that came as an option for 1970 created a basic car that popped out at anyway within eyesight. Some colors that could be chosen were Sublime, Banana Yellow, Orange, and Go Mango. They are all unique colors designed to draw attention to the car that already drew eyes everywhere the driver took it.
4 A Full Chrome Front Bumper For Added Bling
A problem that often arises when looking for a specific car make, model, and year is that the others within the same generation look just like it. Unless a small detail makes it stand out, it is not too hard to confuse them. Luckily, the 1970 Dodge Charger was the first year of the large metal bumper in the front. It was so large, in fact, that it looped around the edges of the car and ran down the side for a small distance. Because of this aspect of the 1970 Dodge Charger, it can easily be told apart from the ’68 and ’69.
3 NASCAR 10-Time Winner In 1970
In 1970, Bobby Isaac won 11 of the NASCAR circuit races. This is important because he drove an orange 1970 Dodge Charger with a 383 Magnum and a pistol grip four-speed transmission. Isaac took the pole many times and won more races on the circuit in ’70 than any other car or driver. To top off his exceptional year with the Charger, he also won the final race, making him the circuit champion for the year. In turn, this makes the Charger the best car of 1970 for all those who love to race, even on the street.
2 426 Hemi Car Had The Most Power; Not The 440 Six-Pack
One of the biggest common misconceptions about the 1970 Dodge Charger is that the 440 six-pack is the most powerful engine available. The numbers do not lie, though, meaning that the 426 had more power and could out-accelerate the 440 Magnum and the six-pack. The 426 Hemi could push out 425 horses with a torque rating of 490 pound-feet. The 440 six-pack could only produce 390 horsepower but could match the torque rating. The 440 Magnum could only achieve a mere 375 hp and 480 foot-pounds of torque, making the Hemi the most potent option.
1 “If You Ever Finished First, You Could Be Dodge Material”
In 1970, there were a couple of slogans that Dodge used to grab the attention of consumers. The one that sticks to mind the most is “If You Ever Finished First, You Could Be Dodge Material.” What this means to the average consumer is that if they wanted to be behind the wheel of the Charger, they needed to be a winner. Someone that is not afraid to go after what they want, even if it means breaking a few rules, such as local speed limits. The Dodge Charger was not a car designed for everyone. As such, before owning one, the prospective owner needed to evaluate themselves and see if they were designed to win. If so, the Charger was the only car choice that they should make
