A black 1970 Dodge Charger R/T already has the kind of road presence that makes people stop and stare. Add a 440-cubic-inch V8, a high-end rotisserie restoration, and a presentation clean enough to show off the underside, and things start getting expensive very quickly.
That is exactly what Vanguard Motor Sales is offering with this freshly restored Charger R/T. Finished in its original black color and sitting on Magnum 500 wheels, the car looks every bit like the muscle-car poster material buyers expect from one of Dodge’s most recognizable designs.
The asking price is $249,900, which puts it deep into serious collector territory. That figure is substantial even for a restored Charger R/T, although this example does appear to have received an unusually thorough rebuild.
The seller says the car started as a solid example and was stripped down for a full rotisserie restoration. Anything found to be worn or unsuitable during the process was replaced, resulting in a Charger that presents almost as cleanly underneath as it does from above.
The Black Paint Is The Star Of The Show
Greg from Vanguard is particularly enthusiastic about the bodywork, describing the black finish as one of the better paint jobs he has seen in some time. Black is notoriously unforgiving because even minor waves, sanding marks, or imperfect panel alignment tend to stand out.
Significant time was spent blocking the body to make the sides straight and the factory character lines sharp. The chrome and stainless trim have also been restored or polished, while the concealed headlights and wide front grille retain the aggressive face that helped make the 1970 Charger famous.
The rear gets the familiar flat-black tail stripe, while the slightly raised stance and staggered tires give the car a more traditional muscle-era profile. Vanguard also says the original body color was black, which should matter to collectors who place a premium on factory-correct specifications.
A 440 V8 And TorqueFlite Automatic
Under the hood sits a 440-cubic-inch V8 paired with a 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Vanguard says both the engine and transmission carry VIN stampings, and it’s believed the transmission is original to the car.
The Charger also comes with power steering and power brakes, with front discs and rear drums. An 8¾-inch rear axle uses a 3.55 gear ratio and Sure Grip limited-slip differential.
This is not presented as a radically modified restomod. The engine bay keeps a largely stock appearance, including a factory-style air cleaner and carburetor, while the exhaust uses stock-looking mufflers.
There is one major usability upgrade, however: air conditioning. The system is aftermarket, though the installation was carefully hidden, with hoses and lines routed through the fender area to keep the engine bay looking tidy.
It Looks Almost Too Clean To Drive
A rotisserie restoration usually becomes most obvious once the car goes onto a lift, and this Charger appears to justify the description. The floorpan, frame sections, suspension hardware, fuel tank, and much of the underside have been refinished in clean black paint.
The restoration also included new shocks, brake lines, parking-brake cables, fuel and vapor lines, sway-bar bushings, and various pieces of mounting hardware. Even components such as the rear axle U-bolts were painted to help prevent corrosion.
Inside, the restoration continues with a refinished dashboard, center console, functioning gauges, working wipers, horn, AM radio, and courtesy lighting. During Vanguard’s road test, the air conditioning was reportedly keeping the cabin cool despite hot and humid weather.
$249,900 Buys A Very Serious Charger
There is no pretending this is inexpensive. At $249,900, buyers are paying for the R/T badge, the 440 drivetrain, the desirable factory-black specification, and the amount of labor apparently invested in bringing the car to this condition.
Vanguard says the previous owner commissioned the restoration to a very high standard before selling the Charger to fund another project, this time a 1968 model. Given how much work appears to have gone into this one, that next build has a fairly high bar to clear.
For someone looking for an immaculate 1970 Charger R/T that can be shown from the engine bay to the undercarriage, this one certainly makes a convincing case.