With nearly 50,000 units built, the 1970 Dodge Charger is a bit rarer than its 1969 and 1971 siblings. However, it’s still a relatively common classic. Unless you’re looking for a HEMI version or specific option combinations.
Of the 49,800 examples produced in 1970, about 10,000 left the assembly line with the high-performance R/T package. Most were equipped with the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) and 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) big-block V8 engines. Only 124 customers ordered the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI unit. This figure turns the 1970 HEMI Charger into a rare gem that changes hands for $150,000 to $350,000 (depending on condition and originality).
But a 1970 Charger doesn’t have to hide a HEMI under the hood to be rare and desirable. Specific color and option combos are also scarce. Some are sought-after due to their association with a particular dealership. I’m talking about Grand Spaulding Dodge of Chicago. Established in 1962 by Norm Kraus, it was the biggest and most famous Dodge dealer, thanks to its focus on high performance.
Much like Don Yenko did with Chevrolets, Mr. Norm created unique Mopars using dealer-installed upgrades. The dealership focused on Chargers, Challengers, and Super Bees but also assembled beefed-up Darts, most famously the GSS. The black 1970 Charger you see here proudly wears Mr. Norm’s yellow/blue sticker on the rear quarter window.
Granted, not all Mopars sold through Grand Spaulding had aftermarket enhancements, but this Dodge is more than just a Charger with a Mr. Norm’s sticker. It’s one the finest 1970-model-year muscle cars out there, thanks to quite a few feats. For starters, this rig is highly original and went through a rotisserie restoration.
It’s flawless inside and out, and it looks like it just left Mr. Norm’s dealerships more than 50 years ago, except for the wheels, the hot rod-style graphics on the hood, and the aftermarket radio. More importantly, it’s a factory triple-black car, a color combo you don’t see very often nowadays. And while I’m a fan of High-Impact colors, I must admit this Charger is dressed to impress.
As for what’s under the hood, the Mopar relies on a 440-cubic-inch V8. Slotted between the entry-level 383 big-block and the range-topping HEMI, the 440 RB came in two flavors. Dodge offered a four-barrel version with 375 horsepower and a six-barrel variant with 390 horses. This black beauty packs a four-barrel and a 727 TorqueFlite automatic. And the big news is that both are numbers-matching.
Finally, it’s a one-owner car. Yup, this Charger has been with the same guys since it was new, which is a whopping 54 years as of 2024. Again, this is something you don’t see very often nowadays. Oh, and the odometer shows 93,673 original miles (150,752 km), a relatively small number for such an old rig.
Ok, but how much to take such a nicely restored Mopar home? Well, the owner wants $159,900 to part ways with it. That’s more than most 1970 Charger R/Ts available right now, but perhaps not too much, given the car’s incredible condition and the association with Mr. Norm’s. What’s your take on this R/T?
