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A 1970 Dodge Charger 500, discovered after years of storage with non-original parts, offers a fascinating glimpse into Mopar’s storied past.
A 1970 Dodge Charger 500 that spent years in storage recently resurfaced with some intriguing changes and a backstory that sheds light on its journey from classic power to a mix-and-match project. This Charger 500, found by Mopar enthusiasts at Mopars5150, is far from stock and features a non-original engine, mismatched paint, and parts from other vehicles, all of which indicate an incomplete restoration.
Initially struggling in sales, the Dodge Charger found success after a redesign in 1968 that transformed it into one of the most sought-after muscle cars of the era. In 1970, Dodge produced nearly 50,000 Chargers, 27,765 of which were the 500 version. Unlike the performance-oriented 1969 Charger 500, the 1970 model offered aesthetic upgrades such as bucket seats and wheel lip moldings, but skipped powerful engine options such as the 440 cubic inch RB and the iconic 426 HEMI. This particular Charger originally came with a 383-cubic-inch twin-barrel V8, but over the years the engines were swapped to house a 400-cubic-inch V8 that was introduced in 1972. This engine produced between 170 and 260 horsepower and marked the era of Chrysler’s low-compression power plants.
Upon closer inspection, the Charger reveals a patchwork of parts. The interior of the hood is painted blue, which contrasts sharply with the burnt orange engine compartment, while the exterior of the car has a non-original matte black finish. However, the interior remains in the rare Dark Burnt Orange, a color that only 11.9% of Chargers wore that year. Considering that only 7,109 Charger 500s were sold with the twin-barrel 383, this color combination could make it one of fewer than 1,000 examples.
This Charger’s journey mirrors the path of many classic muscle cars, where past owners intended to restore it but left it incomplete. While the Charger may not undergo a full restoration anytime soon, it will likely donate its rare parts to other projects, giving a piece of its legacy to other Mopars instead of rusting in a junkyard.
Watch the Charger’s debut in the video below, starting at 7:00 PM, for a closer look at this classic Mopar with a unique twist.
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