With more bells and whistles...
With more bells and whistles than most Cadillacs, this AM/FM eight-track still works. now if we could only find that copy of Van Morrison's Greatest Hits.
This fully loaded R/T SE came...
This fully loaded R/T SE came with an overhead console, but no, it's not a Gran Coupe.
During the height of the 'Cuda's restoration, Joseph came across another E-Body-the '70 Challenger R/T SE in our double header at the Mopar Nationals in 1998. The unusual color combination of white-on-blue tugged at him until he struck a deal with the owner. The Hemi Challenger was an anomaly, as very few came with as many options as this '70 did. The Hemi was backed with a 727 TorqueFlite and a Dana 60 with factory-low 4.10 gears. Interior accommodations came loaded to the gills . . . well, as much as the massive elephant in the engine compartment would allow. Power steering, power disc/drum brakes, an overhead console, and an eight-track AM/FM stereo came with the SE packaging. As Joseph dug deeper into the Hemi's genealogy, he discovered that only 37 Challengers were built in 1970 with similar pedigrees.
Joseph, with his '70 'Cuda still in the shop, drove the R/T for three years until it was time to switch out the parking space in the garage with the newly returned 'Cuda. The R/T Challenger was disassembled, then sent off to Coventry Restorations. Unlike the 'Cuda, after the Challenger was disassembled, Coventry was given carte blanche with the Challenger's complete restoration. Coventry dedicated two years to the reassembly of the car with the parts that the Kulicks disassembled, labeled, and packaged. The interior now sports all needed pieces with Legendary Auto Interiors material. The body was stripped, prepped, and painted the original B7 Medium Blue Metallic.
By the time the 'Cuda was finished, the Challenger was in the final stages of completion. Once the R/T finally returned home, Joseph had two outstanding big-block Mopars on his hands. His sons-Joe, John, and Jeff-have all learned by their father's example of how to not only treat these machines, but more importantly, how to wrench on them and race them. The Hemi hasn't had the chance to stretch its legs on the 1320 . . . yet, but the '70 'Cuda in totally stock trim and only 46,000 miles on the clock ran a 12.60 at 118 mph. A time worthy of F.A.S.T. competitors!
Both cars are shown regularly at car shows and Mopar meets, but they are also driven, believe it.